Written Answers of 17 April 1996

SCOTLAND

  Lateral Epicondylitis
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of people(a) discharged from hospital and (b) referred to outpatient clinics with the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis in each of the last five years. [24203]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information available centrally does not separately identify lateral epicondylitis, also known as "tennis elbow". The condition is one of a group—ICD9 726.3—under the general heading of enthesopathy of the elbow region. The information excludes admission by transfer from another specialty or hospital. Information relating to the year ended 31 December 1995 is provisional.

  (a) The number of hospital discharges in Scotland is as follows:

  Year ending 31 December

  Number

  1991

  377

  1992

  424

  1993

  382

  1994

  461

  1995

  437

  (b) Information on diagnostic reason for referral to an out-patient clinic is not centrally available.

  Prisoners (Transfers)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the arrangements by which residents of Scotland, and foreign nationals convicted of criminal offences in Scotland, may apply for transfer to their home countries to complete their sentences; and how many such transfers have been made, by country, in each of the last five years. [24389]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Robin Corbett, dated 17 April 1996:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question relating to the arrangements by which residents of Scotland, and foreign nationals convicted of criminal offences in Scotland, may apply for transfer to their home countries to complete their sentences and how many such transfers have been made, by country, in each of the last five years.
  492
  Such prisoners may apply for transfer under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 which makes it possible in certain circumstances for foreign nationals whose home country has signed and ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons to be transferred back to their own country to serve the remainder of their sentence. No transfers from Scotland under these arrangements, have taken place in the last five years.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the 20 solicitors companies in rank order which have received the most money from the Scottish Legal Aid Board and the amount paid to them in each of the past five years. [24872]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We have ascertained from the Scottish Legal Aid Board that detailed information regarding payments to solicitors' firms is available only for the past two financial years. The information, which has been supplied by the board, is set out in the tables and exclude outlays and payments to advocates.

  The ranking reflects the size of the firm and the number of fee-earning solicitors, among other factors.

  Table 1: Fees payments to firms 1994–95

  Rank

  Total for 1994–95

  1994–95

  £

  1

  Ross Harper and Murphy

  3,316,806.51

  2

  More and Co.

  1,707,959.83

  3

  Bruce Short and Co.

  1,622,307.08

  4

  Ian McCarry

  1,385,988.83

  5

  Gordon Thomson and Co.

  1,237,819.29

  6

  Blair and Bryden

  1,222,292.28

  7

  George Mathers and Co.

  1,184,485.15

  8

  Gilfedder and McInnes

  1,123,296.91

  9

  Gallen and Co.

  1,120,034.59

  10

  Grady and Co.

  1,084,417.05

  11

  Adams

  998,066.47

  12

  Drummond Miller

  992,831.18

  13

  Robert Kerr

  974,405.69

  14

  Livingstone Brown

  896,895.50

  15

  McKay and Norwell

  895,317.27

  16

  J C Hughes and Co.

  879,920.98

  17

  Turnbull McCarron

  854,051.46

  18

  Sinclairs

  799,767.33

  19

  Milligan Telford and Morrow

  762,136.74

  20

  McCourts

  736,095.95

  Table 2: Fees payments to firms 1995–96

  Rank

  Total for 1995–96

  1995–96

  £

  1

  Ross Harper and Murphy

  3,342,356.89

  2

  Bruce Short and Co.

  1,379,641.85

  3

  Ian McCarry

  1,233,680.24

  4

  George Mathers and Co.

  1,191,677.25

  5

  More and Co.

  1,154,260.29

  6

  Drummond Miller

  1,145,386.66

  7

  Blair and Bryden

  1,101,305.85

  8

  Gilfedder and McInnes

  1,093,197.87

  9

  Adams

  1,064,015.43

  10

  Robert Kerr

  1,036,861.54

  11

  Turnbull McCarron

  969,490.77

  12

  Livingstone Brown

  946,357.95

  13

  Gallen and Co.

  934,267.01

  14

  Gordon Thomson and Co.

  901,707.41

  15

  Ness Gallagher and Co.

  868,250.11

  16

  Sinclairs

  867,449.20

  493

  Table 2: Fees payments to firms 1995–96

  Rank

  Total for 1995–96

  1995–96

  £

  17

  J C Hughes and Co.

  858,152.55

  18

  McKay and Norwell

  831,929.28

  19

  Grady and Co.

  816,362.06

  20

  Caesar and Howie

  801,621.11

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to ensure that a proper record is maintained of the number of people dying from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and that public access to those records is ensured. [23811]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Monitoring of the incidence of and mortality associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is the responsibility of the Government-funded national CJD surveillance unit. The unit produces an annual report, which is published. Copies are placed in the Library. The records of individual patients with CJD are subject to the normal rules of medical confidentiality.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24862]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are 197 files in my Department out of a total of 1,134,270 marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes".

  The marking "Not for NAO eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  Fossil Fuel Levy
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has set the fossil fuel levy rate for Scotland for the current financial year. [25866]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has set the levy rate for the period up to 31 March 1997 at half of 1 per cent. This levy will be paid in the first instance by all electricity suppliers in Scotland on electricity generated from fossil fuel sources and electricity generated under the Scottish Renewables Obligation.

  The moneys raised will support the generation of electricity from new renewables sources in Scotland under the first Scottish renewables obligation. Projects that will be supported by the levy include small hydro schemes, wind farms, and schemes for generating electricity from waste gas from landfill sites.

  The cost of the levy to the public electricity suppliers, ScottishPower and Scottish Hydro-Electric, is expected to be passed through to electricity consumers. The increase to individual's bills will be in the region of half the levy rate because only a proportion of consumers' electricity is generated from fossil fuel sources.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [20535]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: Records are not kept in the form requested, but in the vast majority of cases where the Secretary of State is empowered to take a decision in respect of an individual, there is no express provision which either requires him to give reasons or which provides that he should not do so.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24853]

  Mr. Willetts
  The marking, "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments, the NAO and the Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO whilst they are current. Eighty-six Cabinet Office and Office of Public Service files are so designated.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24856]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  There are 84 files in the Lord Chancellor's Department, out of a total of 122,765, marked "Not for NAO Eyes". These refer to individual file parts. For each NAO study a number of divisions may be involved and each may possess a file with a number of parts.

  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to NAO while they are current.

ENVIRONMENT

  Gas Installations
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to empower landlords to enter their property to ensure the maintenance and safety of gas installations in their property. [24567]
  495
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The gas appliance and fuel maintenance and annual safety check requirements enjoined on landlords by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994, as amended, do not include a right of entry for landlords to property let by them, and the Government have no plans to introduce such a right into these regulations. However, where the landlord has repairing obligations, a right of access will be implied by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, or the Housing Act 1988.

  Benzene Emissions
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the potential impact of benzene emissions in relation to forecast sales of lead replacement gasoline; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of banning the sale of super-unleaded fuel on the basis of its aromatic content. [24787]

  Mr. Clappison
  The proportion of unleaded petrol used in the UK will increase as the proportion of cars equipped with catalytic converters grows. This increase will in turn lead to substantial reductions in benzene emissions over present levels.

  The last budget increased the fuel duty on petrol and diesel by 3½p per litre. Duty on road fuel gases was reduced by 15 per cent. in recognition that they are relatively cleaner fuels. The duty on super-unleaded petrol will increase by a further 4p per litre in May in recognition that its use, in cars without catalysts, can lead to higher emissions of benzene than other petrols.

  Animal Species
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many animal species which are native to the United Kingdom were considered to be at risk in(a) 1985, (b) 1990 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24604]

  Mr. Clappison
  Statistics for native animals at risk have been drawn from the digest of environmental statistics, published annually by the Department of the Environment, which lists the number of native animals and categorises them as endangered, vulnerable or rare according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature red data criteria, or as being nationally scarce. These are termed at risk in that publication.

  It should be noted that comparisons between years may not be valid because of changes in the methods of assessing risk.

  Native species at risk

  Number endangered

  Number vulnerable

  Number rare

  Number nationally scarce

  1985

  532

  407

  857

  n/a

  1990

  280

  168

  389

  n/a

  19951

  577

  407

  726

  2,572

  1Comparable figures for mammals and birds are not included because their threat status is now considered in the international rather than the national context.

  Plants
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many plant species which are native to the United Kingdom were assessed by his Department to be at risk in(a) 1985, (b) 1990 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [25016]

  Mr. Clappison
  Statistics for native vascular plants at risk have been drawn from the digest of environmental statistics, published annually by the Department of the Environment, which lists the number of native plants, and which until 1994 categorised them as endangered, vulnerable or rare according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature red data book criteria.

  1985

  1990

  Endangered

  51

  51

  Vulnerable

  93

  93

  Rare

  154

  154

  Statistics compiled for the 1995 digest were based on revised IUCN red list risk assessment criteria, and are not therefore directly comparable.

  1995

  Critically endangered

  16

  Endangered

  45

  Vulnerable

  132

  Near threatened

  109

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had from small building firms as to the impact of the landfill tax on the future business prospects. [23936]

  Mr. Clappison
  Representations have been received from the construction industry, including the House Builders Federation, the Building Employers Confederation and others. The Government have had discussions with those interested bodies, and continue to consider representations made as arrangements for the landfill tax are being implemented.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24850]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  There are 269 files currently marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" out of a total number of 1,461,000 files held in my Department.

  The marking "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the National Audit Office while they are current.

  "Going for Green" Initiative
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are now in place for operating the "Going for Green" initiative. [25850]

  Mr. Gummer
  The "Going for Green" advisory committee came to the end of its life on 31 March 1996. A private company limited by guarantee, Going for Green Ltd. has been established. The company took on responsibility for running the "Going for Green" campaign from 1 April 1996 and has agreed a programme of work with my Department.

  In 1996–97 my Department will make available to Going for Green Ltd. £500,000 core grant; £300,000 for area projects and up to £700,000 to match private sector sponsorship income on a 50:50 basis. This level of grant support recognises the value of Going for Green Ltd.'s work to the Government's strategy on sustainable development. We intend to make up to £1.5 million available to Going for Green Ltd. in 1997–98 and in 1998–99.

TREASURY

  Self-assessment
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost to small firms of self-assessment for the purpose of taxation. [23932]

  Mr. Jack
  Self-assessment is a major modernisation of the system of tax administration that will provide a permanent reduction for taxpayers in the costs of complying with their obligations. The changes will particularly benefit self-employed people. A compliance cost assessment detailing the estimates leading to this conclusion was published on 28 November 1994. A copy is available in the House Library.

  It contains the following summary figures: self-assessment generates a recurrent compliance net saving for businesses, mainly the self-employed, of some £125 to £250 million a year; this figure takes account of recurrent costs to employers who provide benefits to employees estimated at £20 million to £30 million a year; initial costs of adapting to the new system are estimated at £100 million to £200 million; and the typical small self-employed business which does not provide benefits in kind to employees could expect recurrent savings of £30 to £60 a year, more than offsetting the non-recurrent cost in a single year.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24858]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  There are 385 files. in the Treasury, out of a total of 191,420, marked "Not to be seen by NAO without reference to the appropriate Head of Division".

  These figures refer to individual jackets and parts of files. For each NAO study, several divisions in different locations may be involved and each may possess a file
  498
  with a number of parts. The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the NAO under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many compliance cost assessments were produced by his Department in 1995; and if he will place copies in the Library. [25270]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: The Chancellor's Departments produced 15 compliance cost assessments during 1995, in connection with the following measures. In each case, a copy of the assessment was placed in the Library at the time it was presented to Parliament.

  HM Treasury

  The Financial Markets and Insolvency (Money Market) Regulations 1995

  The Investment Services Directive (EEC/22/93) and the Capital Adequacy Directive (EEC/6/93)

  HM Customs and Excise

  Approval of Inland Clearance Depots

  Landfill Tax

  Excise: Two Band Duty Structure for Cider

  VAT: Groups (preliminary assessment)

  VAT: Change to Tour Operators Margin Scheme

  VAT: Annual Returns and Annual Payments for Small Businesses Registered for VAT

  VAT: Changes to the Payments on Account Scheme for Large VAT Payers

  VAT: Implementation of the Second VAT Simplification Directive: Fiscal Warehousing and other Technical Changes

  VAT: Extension of the Special Accounting System for Gold

  VAT: Credit Notes

  Inland Revenue

  Reform of the Taxation of Gilts and Bonds

  Proposed Changes to the Construction Industry Tax Deduction Scheme: Registration Cards

  Gilt Repo Regulations

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual yield to Her Majesty's Treasury from corporation tax levied on chargeable gains in the latest year for which figures are available. [21965]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: The yield of corporation tax on chargeable gains in 1993–94, the latest year for which reasonably complete information is available, is provisionally estimated to be £250 million. In addition, capital gains tax on individuals raised some £700 million.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many unemployed (i) male and (ii) female 16 to 24-years-olds in the west midlands have(a) never been employed and (b) been unemployed for more than one year. [25001]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information for the west midlands is available from the labour force survey for autumn—September to November—1995 and is shown in the table, not seasonally adjusted.

  Male

  Female

  ILO unemployed 16–24 year olds of which:

  47,000

  23,000

  Never been in paid employment

  20,000

  12,000

  Been unemployed for one year or more

  13,000

  1—

  1 Estimate below 10,000 not shown.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the seasonally adjusted spring totals of the economically inactive population between 1979 and 1995 as shown in table 7.1 of labour market trends to

  New Earnings Survey—April of each year (West Midlands)

  Year

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Percentage of employees earning less than £1.50 per hour in 1995 prices

  £1.50 in 1995 =

  £0.98

  £1.02

  £1.07

  £1.15

  £1.26

  £1.34

  £1.40

  £1.42

  £1.45

  £1.50

  Percentage in earnings band

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  0.9

  Percentage of employees earning between £1.50 and £2.50 per hour in 1995 prices

  £1.50 in 1995=

  £0.98

  £1.02

  £1.07

  £1.15

  £1.26

  £1.34

  £1.40

  £1.42

  £1.45

  £1.50

  Percentage in earings band

  1.6

  1.4

  1.2

  1.0

  1.1

  1.0

  1.0

  0.6

  0.7

  1.1

  Percentage of employees earning between £2.50 and £3.50 per hour in 1995 prices

  £2.50 in 1995=

  £1.64

  £1.71

  £1.78

  £1.92

  £2.10

  £2.23

  £2.23

  £3.36

  £2.42

  £2.50

  Percentage in earnings band

  13.6

  12.2

  11.8

  10.7

  11.1

  10.0

  8.7

  7.8

  7.9

  8.4

  Percentage of employees earning between £100,000 and £250,000 per year in 1995 prices1

  £100,000 in 1995=

  £65,549

  £68,322

  £71,007

  £76,711

  £83,960

  £89,329

  £93,154

  £94,362

  £96,779

  £100,000

  £250,000 in 1995=

  £163,872

  £170,805

  £177,517

  £191,779

  £209,899

  £223,322

  £232,886

  £235,906

  £241,946

  £250,000

  Percentage in earnings band

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  Percentage of employees earning more than £250,000 per year in 1995 prices1

  £250,000 in 1995=

  £163,872

  £170,805

  £177,517

  £191,779

  £209,899

  £223,322

  £232,886

  £235,906

  £241,946

  £250,000

  Percentage in earnings band

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  0.1

  0.1

  1 Annual earnings are estimated by multiplying weekly earnings by 52.14.

  2 No cases in sample.

  1995 prices are deflated using the April Retail Prices Index.

  Employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence.

  Capital Costs (Industry)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of the cost of capital to industry in the United Kingdom; and what are the figures for(a) the United States of America, (b) Germany and (c) Japan. [25386]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  There is no universally accepted method for calculating the cost of capital to industry as a whole. All estimates are subject to conceptual and measurement problems, and international comparisons are especially difficult.
  500
  show the separate totals of men and women who are (a) retired, (b) housewives, (c) under 16-year-olds, (e) long-term sick and disabled and (f) others.[25320]

  Mrs. Knight
  It is not possible to provide a breakdown of the seasonally adjusted economically inactive data. However, a breakdown of the unadjusted economically inactive data into(a) retired, (b) people looking after the family home, (c) under 16 years, (d) long-term sick and or disabled and (e) others can be obtained via the quantime labour force survey available in the Library.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in the west midlands earned (i) less than £1.50 an hour, (ii) between £1.50 and £2.50 an hour, (iii) between £2.50 and £3.50 an hour, (iv) between £100,000 and £250,000 per annum and (v) more than £250,000 per annum in 1995 prices, in each year since 1979. [24998]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information from the new earnings survey 1986 to 1995 is shown in the table. Data for the years prior to 1986 can be retrieved only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for the PSBR for the rest of 1996; and how this compares with projections in the 1995 Budget Red Book. [25358]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Budget forecast of the public sector borrowing requirement for 1996– was £22½ billion. The PSBR forecast will be updated in the Treasury's summer economic forecast.
  501
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the expected percentage increase in the PSBR in the financial year 1996–97. [25357]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Budget forecast of the public sector borrowing requirement for 1996–97 was £22½ billion, a reduction of 23 per cent. compared with the forecast for 1995–96.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers the Council of Ministers has to remove a member of the European central bank before the expiry of the eight-year term of appointed office. [24538]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Article 11.2 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks states that the term of office of members of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank "shall be eight years and shall not be renewable".

  The Council of Ministers has no powers to remove a member of the executive board once he or she is appointed, although it plays a role in the appointment of members. In accordance with article 11.4, "if a member of the Executive Board no longer fulfils the conditions required for the performance of his duties or if he has been guilty of serious misconduct, the Court of Justice may, on application by the Governing Council or the Executive Board, compulsorily retire him".

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts of money have been paid out by(a) his Department and (b) executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations for which he is accountable to Parliament, to how many staff or former staff in respect of (i) alleged equal opportunities breaches which do not proceed to tribunals or courts and (ii) equal opportunities breaches which proceeded to tribunals or courts in (1) the current year and (2) the two previous years. [22510]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My Department has not made any payments under either category in this or the previous two years. Executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations for which I am responsible to Parliament and for which information is available have paid a total of £18,500 in respect of six cases that did not proceed to tribunals or courts in the previous two years. No compensation has been awarded as a result of any cases which proceeded to tribunals or courts in this or the previous two years.

DEFENCE

  Cyprus (Service Personnel)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to the British Government of the trial of the three military personnel convicted of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [24559]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 3 April to the hon. Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson),Official Report, column 262.
  502
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when a Minister from his Department will visit Cyprus to discuss with the Cyprus Government and senior military personnel the behaviour of British forces when off-duty on the island of Cyprus; [24563]

  (2) what discussions he plans to have with (a) the Commander-in-Chief of British Forces, Cyprus, and (b) the Government of Cyprus in respect of the conviction of three British service personnel of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide. [24561]

  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence plans to make a short visit to the sovereign base areas in Cyprus towards the end of May. While in Cyprus, he will discuss a number of issues, including the convictions resulting from the manslaughter of Miss Jensen and the conduct of off-duty British service men more generally.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he is having with the family of the Danish tour guide for whose manslaughter three British service personnel in Cyprus have been convicted as to compensation which may be paid to them; and if he will make a statement. [24553]

  Mr. Soames
  As yet, no claim has been received. If one were to be submitted, it would be looked at sensitively and sympathetically.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what pay and allowances the three British service men convicted in Cyprus of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide currently receive; and if he will make a statement. [24555]

  Mr. Soames
  While in custody, each soldier has received approximately £20 per week for incidental expenses such as telephone calls and toiletries.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has(a) to review the general rules of behaviour of British service personnel on the island of Cyprus and (b) to investigate complaints made by Greek Cypriots as to the behaviour of British military personnel based in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [24565]

  Mr. Soames
  Both the educational and disciplinary arrangements relating to the behaviour of British service personnel in Cyprus are kept under constant review. Any complaints by Cypriots against such personnel are investigated fully either by the Cypriot police or service police, depending upon where jurisdiction lies.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department now plans to discharge the three service personnel convicted of the manslaughter of a Danish tour guide from the British army; and what benefits they will be entitled to on their discharge. [24562]

  Mr. Soames
  Discharge procedures have been initiated for all three soldiers. No immediate benefits are payable, but all three will be entitled to a preserved pension, based on length of service, which will be payable when they attain the age of 60 years.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the policy of senior British military personnel to visit areas of Cyprus to monitor how British service personnel conduct themselves when off-duty; and if he will make a statement. [24552]
  503
  Mr. Soames
  Senior British military personnel do not visit areas in Cyprus to monitor how British service personnel conduct themselves when off-duty. They monitor the behaviour of personnel off-base through daily situation reports provided by the service police.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what personal contact has been made by(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) senior British military personnel in Cyprus with the family of the Danish tour guide for whose manslaughter three British service personnel in Cyprus have been convicted; and if he will make a statement. [24554]

  Mr. Soames
  The then Commander of British Forces Cyprus wrote a letter of condolence to the parents of Louise Jensen on 29 September 1994.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military police personnel patrol areas of the Republic of Cyprus which British service personnel are known to frequent during off-duty hours; and if he will make a statement. [24558]

  Mr. Soames
  The tourist areas of Limassol and Larnaca are patrolled regularly by members of the Royal Military police and the RAF police. Precise numbers vary according to the perceived requirement.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which areas of the Republic of Cyprus are out of bounds for British service personnel and their families. [24560]

  Mr. Soames
  The area of Ayia Napa remains out of bounds to the vast majority of British service personnel and their dependants. The tourist areas of Limassol and Larnaca are subject to a 1 am curfew. Other areas and individual establishments are placed out of bounds for specific periods from time to time.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports are made by British military personnel on the behaviour of individual British service personnel serving on the island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [24566]

  Mr. Soames
  Daily situation reports are produced locally in Cyprus by the service police and reviewed by the chain of command. Depending on the nature or gravity of the incident, details may be reported up through command advisers or specialist staffs to central staffs in MOD.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24852]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  Because my Department operates a decentralised registry system, the number of files so marked could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made by his marine accident investigation branch with its investigation into the grounding of the Sea Empress off Milford Haven on 15 February and the subsequent salvage operation; and if he will make a statement. [25849]

  Sir George Young
  The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has assured me that the investigation is progressing satisfactorily. The inspectors have interviewed many of the people from whom they need to take evidence and this process is continuing. All parties are co-operating with the inspectors.

  There has been a good response to the public notices placed in the press inviting people to make representations to the inspectors which would assist them both in determining the circumstances and causes of the grounding and in relation to the subsequent salvage operations. The chief inspector has received 35 detailed representations and a further 63 letters from people, some of whom wish to give evidence to the inspectors.

  The chief inspector's target for investigations of this kind is to submit his final report to me within 12 months of the date of an accident. Within this time, he has to carry out a consultation process on the draft, a statutory requirement which normally takes two months or more. If at any stage of the inquiry the chief inspector feels that he can usefully and properly publish interim recommendations, he will do so.

  In order to carry out the investigation speedily and thoroughly, the chief inspector tells me that he has appointed five of his nine inspectors to the investigation.

  I hope to publish the chief inspector's final report as soon as possible after receiving it.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24859]

  Mr. Norris
  There are 119 files in the Department of Transport, out of a total, 1,169,731, marked "Not to be seen by NAO without reference to the appropriate Head of Division", sometimes abbreviated to "Not for NAO Eyes". These figures refer to individual jackets —file parts. For each study, a number of divisions may be involved and each may possess a file with a number of parts.

  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the tendering documents for the construction contract for the A34 Newbury bypass. [25184]
  505
  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: No.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 843, (1) if he will break down the costs of construction of the A34 Newbury bypass to indicate the cost of (a) the advance clearance contract, (b) the construction contract, (c) security during advance clearance and construction and (d) the enforcement by the under-sheriff of the various court orders for possession; [25340]

  (2) if he will make it his policy not to enter into a construction contract for the A34 Newbury bypass until the Department of the Environment has completed its public consultation on a special area of conservation to protect the terrestrial pulmonate snail Vertigo Moulinisiana. [25338]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 17 April 1996:
  As you know, the Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the costs of construction of the A34 Newbury Bypass and the timing of the award of the main works contract.
  At the time of award, the value of the contract for the site clearance was £1.684M. Although most of the work is complete, the contract is still extant and the final cost has yet to be determined.
  The cost of the security for the clearance work is likely to be in the order of £6M. This will cover the costs of the security firm hired by the clearance contractor and the costs incurred by the Under Sheriff in enforcing the eviction orders.
  Much of the work involved overlaps the clearance contract and the enforcement work. For instance, the cost of felling the trees increased because it was necessary first to trim a tree before evicting the protestors to allow the tree to be felled, rather than simply felling the tree in one go. We cannot therefore disaggregate the costs.
  We are still assessing the tenders for the main works contract so I cannot say what the costs of those works, and any associated security costs, will be.
  It is too soon to say when we will award the contract for the main works, or to speculate on whether any part of the area qualifies for designation as an SAC. English Nature will advise the Government on the latter on the basis of further survey work we and they have commissioned in respect of Vertigo Moulinsiana.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to enter into the construction contract for the A34 Newbury bypass. [25183]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 16 April 1996:]: It is too early to say when the contract will be awarded.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor vehicles there are in the United Kingdom; and what estimate he has made of the percentage of them equipped with catalytic converters. [25013]

  Mr. Norris
  It is estimated that, at the end of September 1995, there were 25.51 million vehicles licensed to use Great Britain's roads. Of these 21.46 million were passenger cars of which, it is estimated, some 23 per cent. were equipped with catalytic converters. There is negligible use of catalytic converters in other vehicle sectors.

  A40
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) accidents were reported, (b) casualties required hospital treatment and (c) fatalities occurred on the A40 between Oxford and Gloucester for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [24908]

  Mr. Norris
  The table shows the number of personal injury accidents on the A40 between Oxford and Gloucester which were reported to the police, and the number of casualties resulting. Non-fatal casualties are classified as either seriously or slightly injured—the police do not record whether or not hospital treatment was required.

  Injury accidents and casualties on the A40 between Oxford and Gloucester: 1979–94

  Casualties

  Year of accident

  Injury accident

  Fatal

  Serious

  slight

  All casualties

  1979

  168

  5

  68

  148

  221

  1980

  157

  5

  63

  146

  214

  1981

  155

  14

  73

  132

  219

  1982

  164

  11

  78

  142

  231

  1983

  144

  9

  55

  147

  211

  1984

  184

  7

  66

  182

  255

  1985

  171

  11

  64

  171

  246

  1986

  158

  8

  61

  166

  235

  1987

  177

  6

  52

  174

  232

  1988

  188

  9

  68

  192

  269

  1989

  196

  6

  62

  214

  282

  1990

  136

  5

  39

  158

  202

  1991

  135

  10

  42

  152

  204

  1992

  152

  2

  33

  183

  218

  1993

  139

  3

  28

  168

  199

  1994

  140

  7

  39

  165

  211

  Crash Barriers
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission the Transport Research Laboratory to Carry our a Full-scale assessment of the effectiveness of crash cushions. [25151]

  Mr. Watts
  No, a study into the situations where there may be a need to deploy crash cushions on the highway network has already been carried out. Generally, their widespread use is not cost effective because of the unpredictability and infrequent occurrence of the type of accidents they prevent.

  The Highways Agency has developed an effective prototype crash cushion, and other proprietary systems exist. They can be installed at particular sites on truck roads if in the light of the specific circumstances they provide an appropriate solution.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of accidents within the last two years where vehicles have left the road and descended down an embankment(a) where a barrier has been present and (b) where no barrier has been present. [25143]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is not available.

  Coaches (Motorways)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the report commissioned by his Department from the Confederation of Passenger Transport on the trial ban on coaches using the outside lanes of motorways; and when he will make a statement on the outcome of the ban. [24620]

  Mr. Norris
  A copy of the report produced by Wootton Jeffreys on behalf of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, formerly the Bus and Coach Council, was placed in the Library in January 1995. A statement on the outcome of the ban on coaches using the outside lane of motorways with three or more lanes will be made after two years' accident data have been studied.

  Traffic Accidents (New Drivers)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic accidents involving newly qualified drivers were reported in(a) 1993 and (b) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24584]

  Mr. Norris
  The table shows the number of injury road accidents in Great Britain in 1993 and 1994 which involved one or more drivers aged 17 to 21. The national road accident reporting system does not specifically identify newly qualified drivers, and final data for 1995 are not yet available.

  Injury road accidents involving drivers aged 17–21: Great Britain: 1993 and 1994

  Year of accident

  Accident severity

  1993

  1994

  Fatal

  764

  724

  Serious

  8,567

  8,309

  Slight

  42,560

  41,271

  Total

  51,891

  50,304

  Air Safety
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations are currently in place to ensure that military and civilian aircraft do not use the same air space at the same time; and if he will make a statement. [25478]

  Mr. Norris
  The same rules apply to civil and military aircraft with regard to avoiding other traffic. Within controlled air space, aircraft comply with instructions received from air traffic control. Outside controlled air space, there are procedures and minimum flight visibility rules to enable pilots to see and avoid other traffic.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what safety regulations are currently in place in respect of amateur pilot training; and if he will make a statement;[25476]

  (2) what plans he has to amend the safety aspects of the amateur pilot training regulations; and if he will make a statement. [25475]

  Mr. Norris
  The safety regulations relating to the private pilot's licence are laid down in schedule 8 to the Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995, and policy and guidance material for PPL training and testing is set out in "Civil Aviation Publication 53", issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.
  508
  The CAA is responsible for amendments to PPL training regulations. This is an on-going process, in light of factors such as technological advances or the development of new EU regulations.

  Radar Detectors
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of banning the(a) sale and (b) possession of radar detectors for personal use.[25441]

  Mr. Norris
  The use of radar-type devices without a licence is an offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, and the Radio Communications Agency would not issue a licence for any apparatus capable of interfering with authorised radio use.

  Helicopter Search and Rescue Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he plans to the helicopter search and rescue services operated by the coastguard on the south coast of England. [24573]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset (Mr. Bruce) on 28 March,Official Report, column 706.

  Overloaded Vehicles
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current sum devoted to enforcement of regulations against overloading of vehicles. [24894]

  Mr. Norris
  It is estimated that, in 1996–97, the Vehicle Inspectorate will devote about £2 million to the enforcement of the weight limits of goods vehicles.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many vehicle weighing centres there are in the United Kingdom; and what is the average period during which they are in use;[24892]

  (2) how many operators of heavy good vehicles were prosecuted for overloading in the last year for which information is available. [24891]

  Mr. Norris
  I have asked the chief executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Chris Davies, dated 17 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions on the number of HGV operators prosecuted for overloading offences and the number of vehicle weighing centres in the UK.
  In the financial year 1994/95, the Vehicle Inspectorate prosecuted 4,385 overloading offences (this number includes drivers and operators). The figure does not include any prosecutions taken by local authorities, Trading Standards and the Police, information for which we do not hold.
  The Vehicle Inspectorate is responsible for the maintenance and operation of 72 weighbridges throughout the UK. This figure does not include public weighbridges or private weighbridges (ie at operators' premises), information for which we do not keep. Information on the average period in which they are in use can only be provided at disproportionate cost. Roadside check programmes are arranged locally to allow maximum use of manpower and resources and use of the weighbridges will vary to ensure efficient use.
  509
  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the proportion of journeys made by heavy goods vehicles operating in an overloaded condition.[24890]

  Mr. Norris
  No surveys have been carried out recently on which an estimate could be based.

  However, in 1994–95 the Vehicle Inspectorate weighed 120,297 heavy goods vehicles of which 4,545 were prohibited from continuing their journey by reasons of being overloaded.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legal obligations are placed upon customers to ensure that operators carrying their goods do not overload vehicles. [24893]

  Mr. Norris
  None. It is the responsibility of the driver and operator to ensure that vehicles are not overloaded.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require customers to sign documentation indicating that they understand the loading restrictions placed upon the operators of heavy goods vehicles working on their behalf. [24895]

  Mr. Norris
  I have no plans to require customers to sign any form of documentation to this effect.

  Accidents (Cost)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the economy of each(a) fatal accident, (b) serious accident and (c) slight accident. [25146]

  Mr. Norris
  The values attributed to the avoidance of deaths and injuries in road accidents in 1994 were(a) fatal accident £913,100; (b) serious accident £ 108,100; (c) slight accident £10,600. These values take account of medical costs, lost production, human costs based on willingness to pay, the costs of police and courts, insurance administration, and property damage.

  Pedestrians and Cyclists
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) pedestrians and (b) cyclists were killed on the roads in each year in Great Britain since 1979. [25400]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is shown in the table. Figures for 1995 should be available in July.

  Road accident fatalities

  Pedestrians

  Pedal cyclists

  1979

  2,118

  320

  1980

  1,941

  302

  1981

  1,874

  310

  1982

  1,869

  294

  1983

  1,914

  323

  1984

  1,868

  345

  1985

  1,789

  286

  1986

  1,841

  271

  1987

  1,703

  280

  1988

  1,753

  227

  1989

  1,706

  294

  1990

  1,694

  256

  1991

  1,496

  242

  510

  Road accident fatalities

  Pedestrians

  Pedal cyclists

  1992

  1,347

  204

  1993

  1,241

  186

  1994

  1,124

  172

  Turnham Green Underground Station
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many members of the London regional passengers committee(a) regularly use and (b) live near Turnham Green station; [25140]

  (2) what representations he has received on the decision by London Transport that Piccadilly line trains should no longer stop at Turnham Green station from September; [25138]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the effects, with special reference to early and late workers, of the decision that Piccadilly line trains should no longer stop at Turnham Green. [25139]

  Mr. Norris
  (a) None; (b) none.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I have each received a number of written representations about this decision, and I shall shortly discuss it with the chairman of London Transport. Decisions on the timetabling of Piccadilly line services are, however, an operational matter for LT and London Underground Ltd.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24847]

  Mr. Howard
  No central record of files marked "Not for NAO Eyes" is maintained. The information could be obtained only by examining individually each of the 1.5 million extant files in my Department, and could therefore be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used rarely and in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the National Audit Office while they are current.

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he intends to take a decision on applications by prisoners detained in the United Kingdom to be transferred to prisons in the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement; [24579]
  511
  (2) how many medical reports on Patrick Kelly he has requested in the last year; when the last report was (a) requested and (b) received by him; and when he expects to take a decision on Mr. Kelly's application to transfer to a prison in the Republic of Ireland. [24582]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: All requests made by prisoners seeking repatriation to the Republic of Ireland are determined on their individual merits. Repatriation in each case is subject to the consent of both jurisdictions and the prisoner concerned. Since 1 November 1995, when the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons came into force in the Republic, 70 requests have been received from prisoners in England and Wales wishing to be repatriated there. Twenty-nine requests including Mr. Kelly's have been referred to the Irish Republic for their consideration as required by the convention; a response has been received from the Irish authorities on Mr. Kelly's request and six others, one of which has now been granted.

  Six medical reports commissioned by the Prison Services of England and Wales and of Northern Ireland have been received on Patrick Kelly's condition; the latest of these is dated 11 April. In addition, three medical reports have been forwarded by Mr. Kelly's solicitors. Mr. Kelly remains on normal location within Maghaberry prison where his condition is regularly monitored.

  A decision on Mr. Kelly's repatriation request and all other outstanding requests will be made as soon as is possible.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made with his plans for a second demanding new regime for young offenders. [25618]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I am pleased to announce that we have decided to establish a new young offender institution on a site at the military corrective training centre at Colchester.

  Colchester young offender institution will begin taking its first prisoners this autumn, building to a maximum population of 32 young men aged between 18 and 21.

  The purpose of this initiative is to test the effectiveness of a regime similar to that followed by military detainees in improving the attitude and behaviour of young offenders and in reducing the level of their re-offending after release.

  Young offenders will be sent to Colchester having been assessed as suitable for the regime and conditions there. They will not be volunteers. Their day will be long and active, beginning with reveille at 6 am and ending with lights out at 10 pm. They will experience a combination of discipline, education and training reflecting the military ethos of the MCTC.

  Colchester young offender institution will operate under the young offender institution rules and Prison Service policy.

  It will be run by staff from the Prison Service and by military staff appointed as prison officers. The military commandant if the MCTC will be appointed as the
  512
  governor and he will have as his deputy an experienced Prison Service governor grade. Military staff appointed to the young offender institution will be thoroughly trained.

  Young offenders' progress will be monitored while at Colchester and afterwards. The results will be compared with those from a group of similar young offenders from a normal young offender institution.

  This is the second of two tough, disciplined and demanding new regimes for young offenders. The first is the high intensity training programme at Thorn Cross young offender institution which my right hon and learned Friend announced last year and which will take its first inmates in the summer.

  Together, these initiatives represent a serious and determined attempt by Her Majesty's Government to find a way to break the cycle of re-offending among persistent young offenders.

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the differences between the ratio of prison officers with non-medical responsibilities to prisoners at Buckley Hall and those at male category C prisons, in respect of all shifts. [24278]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 3 April 1996]: 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 17 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the differences between the ratio of prison officers with non-medical responsibilities to prisoners at Buckley Hall prison and those at male category C prisons, in respect of all shifts.
  The information requested, as at 1 April, is shown in the attached table. health care provision at Buckley Hall prison is contracted-out and so the ratio of staff to inmates includes all prisoner custody officers. The ratio for male category C prisons includes establishments where only a proportion of the prison population is made up of category C prisoners. The staffing ratio for these prisons comprises prison officers, senior officers and principal officers.
  Information concerning the impact of shift patterns on the staffing ratio is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Staffing ratios for non health care staff to prisoners

  Establishment

  Staff: Inmate ratio

  Buckley Hall

  1:2.7

  Male category C training establishments

  1:2.1

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners required medical treatment following the break-in by prisoners of the hospital at Buckley Hall in August 1994; how many received medical treatment in local hospitals; and who was responsible for the payment of the health care received by them. [24283]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 3 April 1996]: 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.
  513
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 17 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners requiring medical treatment following the break-in by prisoners to the hospital at Buckley Hall prison in August 1994; and who was responsible for the payment for the healthcare which they received.
  No prisoner required medical treatment in the 24-hour period following the break-in by prisoners to the hospital at Buckley Hall prison in August 1994.
  One prisoner subsequently received medical treatment in a local hospital and was returned to the prison. The Regional Health Authority responsible for the area in which this prisoner normally resided would be charged for his treatment.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidance he has issued concerning the use of CS gas in the trials now being conducted; [23966]

  (2) what guidance is given to police forces testing the use of CS gas about its use in confined spaces; [23964]

  (3) if he will deposit in the Library the guidelines he issued regarding the use of CS gas spray by police forces in the pilot areas. [24710]

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend has not issued guidance to police officers participating in the trials. The Association of Chief Police Officers has provided guidelines on the use of CS in any circumstances where this may be necessary and on the aftercare of subjects who have been sprayed. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Campsfield House
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a site has been chosen to replace the proposed Campsfield House site. [25197]

  Mr. Maclean
  No. An alternative site is actively being sought.

  Police Information Systems
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations and police forces whose crime-fighting information will be co-ordinated via the new police information technology organisation; and if he will make a statement. [25023]

  Mr. Maclean
  The police information technology organisation exists in order to provide services to the police forces of England, Wales and Scotland. In particular, it operates the police national computer which holds information contributed by all these forces.

  Mr. Cohen:
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 29 March, Official Report, column 791, to the hon. Member for Stockton, South (Mr. Devlin) on police information systems and information technology, what evaluation he has made of extending the role of the Data Protection Registrar to cover arrangements for police data held by a private company following compulsory competitive tendering arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [25022]
  514
  Mr. Maclean
  The Data Protection Act 1984 will continue to apply to such data.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, column 791, to the hon. Member for Stockton, South (Mr. Devlin) on police information systems and information technology, if he will (a) list the specific exemptions, (b) set out the reduction in overall competition requirement, (c) list the number and nature of the likely contracts involved, their duration and what provision they will contain to ensure security of personal data and (d) list what tender procedures will apply; and if he will make a statement on the arrangements he proposes to ensure the security of personal data. [25021]

  Mr. Maclean
  The extension of compulsory competitive tendering to police authority information systems-information technology support services in England and Wales will be adjusted so as to exclude.(a) the user support and systems operation, excluding routine maintenance, of integrated communications infrastructures in support of operational policing, including radio, telephony and data services.
  (b) the user support and systems operation, excluding routine maintenance, of operational systems, and the provision of IS/IT technical expertise and support for investigations surveillance and crime preventions;
  (c) the user support and systems operation, excluding routine maintenance, for the operational investigation of computer crime;
  (d) all IS/IT services carried out by police authorities on behalf of regional crime squads; and
  (e) all operational and specialist IS/IT training, and associated training services, in respect of police officers and the IS/IT training of civilian support to the extent such training relates to preventing and detecting crime; upholding the law; bringing to justice those who break the law; and protecting, helping and reassuring the community.

  The overall competition requirement will be 55 per cent. It will be for individual police authorities to decide how best to meet their CCT obligations within the overall statutory framework. It is not possible at this stage to anticipate the number and nature of the likely contracts which might be involved.

  Convictions (Disclosure)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to publish a White Paper on the disclosure of convictions for those seeking access to children; and if he will make a statement. [25226]

  Mr. Maclean
  We expect to publish a White Paper setting out proposals for new arrangements for the disclosure of information from criminal records for employment and related purposes within the next few months.

  Police Force
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects his target of 5,000 additional police officers to be achieved. [25137]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are providing an additional £180 million in funding to allow an extra 5,000 police officers to be recruited over the three-year period
  515
  from April 1996 to March 1999. It is for chief officers of police and police authorities to determine the number of police officers in each force.

  Onley Prison
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the operational guidelines and specifications issued to the tenderers for Onley. [25201]

  Mr. Maclean
  Copies of the design and build specification and supporting schedules, the operational specification and supporting schedules and an administrative paper which outlines proposed rules for the secure training centre at Onley were placed in the Library on 8 March.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when tenders were invited for the proposed secure training centre site at Onley; and which firms have(a) applied and (b) been invited to tender. [25196]

  Mr. Maclean
  Expressions of interest to design, build, manage and finance the third new secure training centre to be located at Onley, Northamptonshire, were invited on 9 August 1995. The following 11 companies or consortia expressed an interest:

  Esmor-Keir

  Group 4/Tarmac

  JarmanCare Ltd.

  Secure Care Service Ltd.

  Castle Homes/Taylor Woodrow

  Premier Prisons Ltd.

  Team Rehabilitation Services

  Henry Boot/STC Ltd.

  UKCC/Wimpey/Impreglio

  Tilbury Douglas/Bobby Ross Group

  Bristol Management Centre.

  Of these, the first four companies or consortia listed were invited to bid on 4 March.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of all assaults recorded by the police were domestic violence offences in each year since 1985.[24870]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is not possible to separately identify offences of domestic violence within the regular recorded crime series collected centrally by the Home Office.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refuges for women escaping domestic violence have been notified to his Department. [24897]

  Mr. Maclean
  The availability of emergency shelter for those fleeing domestic violence is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. I understand that the latest information available from the Womens' Aid Federation shows that there are 418 refuges in England and 45 in Wales.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average number of hours worked per week by special constables; [24940]

  (2) what is the average number of hours worked per week by special constables in each constabulary; [24946]

  (3) what is the average number of hours of training received by special constables. [24947]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the funding provided by his Department for the training of special constables; [24896]

  (2) if he will list by police force area the cost of the special constabulary, (a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the budget for each force. [24888]

  Mr. Maclean
  Specials are not paid but they must be recruited, trained, equipped and organised. They also receive allowances and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Each special constabulary is funded through the police grant for the force with which it is associated. It is for the chief officers to decide the level of funding to devote to their special constables and the proportion of those funds to commit to training purposes. Funds are occasionally augmented by support from sponsors.

  Costs for specials are not identified separately by most forces and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It is estimated that in their first year of service special constables cost about £1,400 and thereafter the annual cost is in the region of £500, although there are variations between forces.

  The Government have found an additional £10 million to encourage chief officers to recruit more specials and to improve their conditions of service, administration and training. It will help to meet the cost of implementing the most urgent recommendations of the Home Office special constabulary working group, whose report is due to be published this summer. The working group has recommended that forces do more to identify separately special constabulary costs.

  Most of the new fund is being offered on a challenge funding basis: forces must compete for the money through a bidding process, and those which secure tangible offers of support from other sources are favoured. But some £250,000 of the fund has been earmarked for a training package for those special constables who have been promoted into supervisory grades.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the number of special constables currently employed(a) in total and (b) in each constabulary; [24944]

  (2) what is the number of special constables recruited in each year since 1992–93;[24942]

  (3) how many special constables recruited in (a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95 and (d) 1995–96 have since resigned from service. [24941]
  517
  Mr. Maclean
  Special constables are not employed but are volunteers. The total number of special constables in post on 20 March was 19,834. This figure is broken down by police force area in the table.

  The number of special constables recruited in the calendar years 1992 and 1993 were 5,450 and 5,479 respectively. Thereafter, numbers have been recorded on a financial year basis. In 1994–95, 4,564 specials were recruited, and a further 2,150 were recruited between April and September 1995. Figures are not yet available for the second half of 1995–96.

  Those forces which keep records about resignations do not specifically include information about when each special concerned was recruited. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most specials resign after at least two years, which is longer than the national average for those involved in volunteering, and that they will have offered their services to the force for at least four hours every week.

  Force

  Number of specials

  Avon and Somerset

  685

  Bedfordshire

  187

  Cambridgeshire

  280

  Cheshire

  279

  City of London

  77

  Cleveland

  185

  Cumbria

  207

  Derbyshire

  419

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,097

  Dorset

  254

  Durham

  183

  Dyfed Powys

  301

  Essex

  622

  Gloucestershire

  329

  Greater Manchester

  721

  Gwent

  139

  Hampshire

  503

  Hertfordshire

  310

  Humberside

  385

  Kent

  557

  Lancashire

  548

  Leicestershire

  364

  Lincolnshire

  306

  Merseyside

  368

  Metropolitan

  1,758

  Norfolk

  319

  Northamptonshire

  300

  Northumbria

  477

  North Wales

  345

  North Yorkshire

  371

  Nottinghamshire

  554

  South Wales

  467

  South Yorkshire

  373

  Staffordshire

  705

  Suffolk

  415

  Surrey

  249

  Sussex

  518

  Thames Valley

  765

  Warwickshire

  341

  West Mercia

  603

  West Midlands

  944

  West Yorkshire

  783

  Wiltshire

  241

  Female Homicide Victims
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of female homicide 518
  victims were killed by present or former partners in each year since 1985. [24916]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in the following table:

  Percentage of female homicide victims killed by their spouse, cohabitant or former spouse or cohabitant, England and Wales1

  Year

  Per cent.

  1985

  39

  1986

  43

  1987

  34

  1988

  36

  1989

  43

  1990

  39

  1991

  38

  1992

  38

  1993

  34

  1994

  30

  1 As at 4 August 1995.

  Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Court Appearances (Polices Officers)
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the procedures introduced under section 48 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in respect of the time spent by police officers making unnecessary court appearances; and if he will make a statement. [24887]

  Mr. Maclean
  It was in order to reduce the waste of time and money which results from "cracked" trials—when defendants who intend to plead guilty delay doing so until the day of the trial—that the practice of giving discounts for early guilty pleas was put on a statutory basis in section 48 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  The latest figures from the Lord Chancellor's Department show that the proportion of cases in which the plea was changed to guilty on the date of trial fell by five percentage points between the last quarter of 1994 and the last quarter of 1995. Although it is uncertain to what extent section 48 contributed to this fall, any decrease in the incidence of cracked trials saves the time of the police and of other witnesses, as well as saving court time.

  Benefits (Police Officers)
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the number of police officers in receipt of(a) income support and (b) other benefits. [24930]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Police Federation and my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Sir M. Shersby), in his capacity as parliamentary adviser to the Police Federation, have made representations about those few police officers receiving such benefits.

  Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes there are in operation in(a) each county in Wales, (b) Wales and (c) England; and if he will make a statement. [25012]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the number of neighbourhood watch schemes is collected by police force area, not county. At 31 March 1995, the figures were as follows:

  Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Wales, by police force area

  Area

  Number

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,455

  Gwent

  363

  North Wales

  3,381

  South Wales

  1,911

  Total

  7,110

  (b) Neighbourhood Watch schemes in England: 135,892.

  The number of schemes in Wales rose by some 23 per cent. between December 1993 and March 1995. I am delighted that the people of Wales are embracing neighbourhood watch so enthusiastically. It has a very important part to play in the fight against crime.

  Paedophiles
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to include the vetting of known paedophiles in his proposed White Paper on employment vetting; and when he expects to publish the White Paper. [24933]

  Table 3.10: Receptions1 into Prison Service establishments: by age, sex and type of custody, 1994

  England and Wales Young Offenders

  Number of persons

  Age on sentence

  Sex and type of custody

  All young offenders

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  20

  All males and females on remand1

  19,459

  635

  1,103

  3,978

  4,808

  4,513

  4,422

  All males and females under sentence

  18,224

  747

  1,277

  2,096

  3,879

  5,023

  5,202

  All males on remand1

  18,712

  635

  1,100

  3,828

  4,604

  4,319

  4,226

  Untried

  16,140

  613

  1,042

  3,419

  3,964

  3,611

  3,491

  Convicted unsentenced

  10,513

  331

  626

  2,182

  2,582

  2,462

  2,330

  All males under sentence

  17,570

  715

  1,218

  2,038

  3,749

  4,855

  4,995

  Detention in a young offender institution

  14,058

  675

  1,103

  1,846

  3,188

  3,656

  3,590

  Custody for life

  20

  —

  —

  —

  2

  9

  9

  In default of payment of a fine

  3,123

  —

  —

  —

  542

  1,188

  1,393

  Section 53(1) C and YP Act 1933

  12

  —

  2

  5

  4

  —

  1

  Section 53(2) C and YP Act 1933

  357

  40

  113

  187

  13

  2

  2

  All females on remand1

  747

  —

  3

  150

  204

  194

  196

  Untried

  586

  —

  2

  126

  150

  160

  148

  Convicted unsentenced

  368

  —

  1

  65

  115

  87

  100

  All females under sentence

  654

  32

  59

  58

  130

  168

  207

  Detention in a young offender institution

  492

  28

  51

  54

  99

  118

  142

  Custody for life

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  520
  Mr. Maclean
  The White Paper, which will be published within the next few months, will set out proposals for new arrangements for the disclosure of criminal record information. In particular, it will propose new arrangements for checks on those seeking positions which will give them access to children. We also intend to publish shortly a consultation document which will canvass the full range of measures which could improve public protection against sex offenders, including additional supervision of offenders following their release from custody.

  Prisoner Admissions
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people were received into Prison Service establishments as(a) untried and (b) convicted unsentenced during 1994 by age and institution; and what factors led to the omission of this information from Prison Statistics England and Wales 1994. [25198]

  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 Mr. George Howarth, dated 17 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many young people were received into Prison Service establishments as (a) untried and (b) convicted unsentenced during 1994 by age and institution; and what factors led to the omission of this information from "Prison Statistics, England and Wales 1994".
  The available information was published in table 3.10 of the 1994 edition of "Prison statistics, England and Wales" as usual. A copy of the table is attached for information. Information by individual Prison Service establishment is not published in "Prison statistics, England and Wales".
  521

  Table 3.10: Receptions1 into Prison Service establishments: by age, sex and type of custody, 1994

  England and Wales Young Offenders

  Number of persons

  Age on sentence

  Sex and type of custody

  All young offenders

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  20

  In default of payment of a fine

  145

  —

  —

  —

  31

  50

  64

  Section 53(1) C and YP Act 1933

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Section 53(2) C and YP Act 1933

  16

  4

  8

  4

  —

  —

  —

  1 Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category because there is double-counting (see paragraph 10 of Introduction). However double-counting has been allowed for in the figures of receptions of prisoners under remand where the figures for "all remand" record once only a person received as an untried prisoner who is subsequently received also as a convicted unsentenced prisoner.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the revenue spending estimated by his Department in connection with the private finance initiative for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [24883]

  Mr. Howard
  Estimates of payments under private finance initiative contracts are as follows:

  1995–96: £0.6 million

  1996–97: £6.0 million

  1997–98: £60.65 million

  Stalking
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from(a) the Association of Chief Police Officers, (b) the Director of Public Prosecutions, (c) the Police Federation, (d) the Suzy Lamplugh trust, and (e) others about the need to introduce a criminal offence of stalking. [24935]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have received no representations on this subject from the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Police Federation. The Suzy Lamplugh trust has made no direct representations to the Home Office, but its concerns in this area are well known to us.

  In the past year, we have received representations on this issue from:
  the National Anti-Stalking and Harassment Campaign (NASH);
  individual police officers who have investigated cases of stalking;
  The Mail on Sunday, The Portsmouth News and Yorkshire Television;
  hon. Friends and hon. Members and noble Lords in another place; and
  49 members of the public, including victims of stalking.

  Buggery
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of non-consensual buggery of men were reported in the United Kingdom in(a) 1985 and (b) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24601]

  Mr. Maclean
  Following the introduction of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, the offence of non-consensual buggery became male rape and statistics for the number of offences recorded in England 522
  and Wales in 1995 were published in table 6 of "Home Office Statistical Bulletin 3/96". Prior to the introduction of the Act, recorded offences of non-consensual buggery were contained within the overall offence of buggery and were not separately identifiable. Figures for total recorded offences of buggery in 1985 are published in table 2.16 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1994". Copies of both the above publications are available in the Library. Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the Secretary of State in each Department respectively.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners remanded on criminal charges currently receive a custodial sentence following conviction. [24826]

  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 Mr. Robin Corbett, dated 17 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what percentage of prisoners remanded on criminal charges currently receive a custodial sentence following conviction.
  The available information on the proportion of remand prisoners in England and Wales subsequently receiving a custodial sentence is given in table 2.6 of "Prison statistics, England and Wales 1994" (Cm 3087), a copy of which is in the Library.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers and passengers were summoned for travelling without a seat belt in(a) 1990, (b) 1992, (c) 1994 and (d) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24600]

  Mr. Maclean
  There were 10,145 prosecutions for not wearing a seat belt in England and Wales in 1990, 11,258 in 1992 and 8,715 in 1994. Statistics for 1995 are not yet available.

  Metropolitan Police (Complaints)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints the Metropolitan police have settled on cash terms in each year since 1990 and in the current year to date; how many of those have been on
  523
  no-liability admission basis; what has been the total cash agreed for payment in each year; how many of these cases had a (a) racial and (b) sexual aspect; what was the cost per year relating to each of these; what is the total numbers of police officers involved in these cases; and how many have (i) been disciplined, (ii) left the police service and (iii) been subsequently promoted. [24624]

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  11996

  Settled actions

  78

  74

  85

  140

  174

  140

  48

  Amount paid

  £557,000

  £390,000

  £468,000

  £1,332,000

  £1,050,000

  £1,051,000

  £322,000

  Threatened actions

  49

  38

  51

  74

  100

  72

  18

  Amount paid

  £91,000

  £60,000

  £84,000

  £204,000

  £209,000

  £242,000

  £23,000

  Total actions

  127

  112

  136

  214

  274

  212

  66

  Total paid

  £648,000

  £450,000

  £552,000

  £1,536,000

  £1,259,000

  £1,293,000

  £345,000

  1 To 31 March.

  Firearms
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearm permits and shotgun certificates were issued in Wales in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24625]

  Mr. Maclean
  The latest available information on firearm and shot gun certificates was published in the Home Office statistical bulletin "Firearm Certificate Statistics, England and Wales 1994", issue 11/95, copies of which can be found in the Library. The bulletin contains the information that 768 new firearm certificates and 2,629 new shot gun certificates were issued in Wales during 1994.

  Driving Insurance (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for driving without insurance there have been in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [25256]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: Information on the number of proceedings at magistrates courts for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks, for the latest five years which are available, are given in the table.
  Proceedings at magistrates' courts for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks, England and Wales:

  Year

  Number of offences

  1990

  317,797

  1991

  364,035

  1992

  404,492

  1993

  446,568

  1994

  446,559

  Coroners (Wales)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many coroners were in post in Wales on Friday 29 March; [24479]

  (2) how many coroners had been appointed to the new jurisdictions established by the Coroners Districts (Wales) Order 1996, by Saturday 30 March, to hold office from 1 April, giving their appointment dates; [24523]
  524
  Mr. Maclean
  Information about complaints made against the Metropolitan police, which have been settled on cash terms, is given in the table. The information requested in the latter part of the question is not available centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  (3) which lead authorities under the Coroners Districts (Wales) Order 1996 have made (a) requests and (b) arrangements to use the services of coroners appointed to other areas after 1 April. [24524]

  Mr. Sackville
  Responsibility for the appointment of coroners rests with the relevant councils. There were 16 coroners in post in Wales on 29 March. Five coroners were formally appointed to the new districts by 30 March to hold office from 1 April, with appointment dates of 29 March. I am informed that Wrexham county borough council and Denbighshire county council made arrangements to use the services of coroners appointed to another area. I am not aware of any other requests made.

  Morgan Report
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement the recommendations of the Morgan report, on the role of local councils. [24932]

  Mr. Maclean
  Over 200 local authorities are already engaged in crime prevention partnerships of the kind endorsed in the Morgan report. Given this level of activity, we see no need to burden them with new statutory responsibilities.

  Private Security Industry
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the transfer of core and ancilliary tasks from the police to the private security industry. [24885]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have conducted a major review of police core and ancillary tasks and a report of its findings was published on 27 June 1995. The review made no recommendations to transfer traditional police tasks to the private security industry, and we have no plans to do so.

  Prisoner Entitlements
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the entitlements of detainees at(a) HMP Rochester (b) HMP Haslar and (c) Campsfield

  525
  house to (i) receive incoming phone calls, (ii) make phone calls, (iii) receive personal and legal visitors and (iv) spend time in common areas not in cells or dormitories; and if he will make a statement. [25473]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: Responsibility for this matter as regards the Prison Service has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given in consultation with the Immigration Service.

  Rochester

  Haslar

  Campsfield House

  Incoming telephone calls

  Answer- Phone only.

  Dedicated telephone in each dormitory available 24 hours a day.

  0900–2200 daily via switchboard.

  Messages passed on by staff

  Emergency calls may be accepted at other times.

  Outgoing telephone calls

  One legal call a day at public expense. Cardphones available for as many calls as they can afford whenever unlocked.

  Two cardphones in each dormitory available 24 hours a day.

  Access to payphones 0700–2400 daily. Duty supervisor has discretion to allow calls at other times.

  Personal and legal visitors

  One personal and legal visit a day, except Sundays, subject to space being available in the visits area.

  Monday—Friday 0930–1200 1330–1630 Personal and legal visits

  Personal: 1400–2100 daily (at other times in emergency or on compassionate grounds).

  Personal: Mon—Fri 1400–1630 Saturday 1400–1500 1530–1630

  Saturday—Sunday: 1330–1415 Personal visits (legal visits exceptionally)

  Legal: 0900–2100 daily (exceptionally at other times).

  Time in common areas (not in cells/dormitories)

  10 hours 20 mins a day.

  Monday—Friday: 12 hours a day Saturday and Sunday:11 hours

  0700–2400

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Consumer Council
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received on the impact of the reductions in the budget of the National Consumer Council since 1993. [23935]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There is regular contact between the National Consumer Council and my Department on matters including the council's funding. I have received no other representations on this subject.

  Heysham 2 Nuclear Power Station
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representation he has received regarding refuelling problems at the Heysham 2 nuclear power station; and if he will make a statement. [23941]

  Mr. Eggar
  This event, which involved the automatic shutdown of one of the two reactors at Heysham 2 on 29 January, was raised in the House by the hon. Member for Clackmannan (Mr. O'Neill) and other hon. Members during the debate on nuclear privatisation of 26 March. I have received no other representations on this subject. There was no danger from the event and it was not a matter that needed to be reported to Ministers under incident reporting criteria. However, Nuclear Electric has kept my Department informed about the event and the on-going investigation into its cause.
  526
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 17 April 1996.
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the entitlements of Immigration Act detainees at Rochester and Haslar prisons, and at Campsfield House immigration detention centre.
  The information provided about Campsfield House, which is not a Prison Service establishment, has been supplied by the Immigration Service.
  The information requested is set out in the attached table.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Ms Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next intends to meet his European Union counterparts to discuss the implication of the IGC on European trading and industrial policies. [23942]

  Mr. Lang
  My colleagues and I regularly meet our European Union counterparts to discuss a range of issues, including, when appropriate, the implication of the IGC on European trade and industrial policies.

  West Cumbria Development Agency
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department will give to West Cumbria development agency in the promotion of the Marypride project. [23943]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Maryport is an assisted area. Any proposals for investments which create or safeguard jobs would be considered for support in accordance with the normal criteria for regional selective assistance. West Cumbria is also an objective 2 area and is eligible for European funding for business support measures, training and re-skilling activities.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of our gross domestic project is spent on(a) Government and (b) private research and development and basic science. [23944]
  527
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In 1994, the latest year for which data is available, Government-funded R and D was 0.71 per cent. of GDP and private sector-funded R and D was 1.48 per cent. of GDP. Government-funded basic research amounted to about 0.24 per cent. of GDP and private sector-funded basic research was about 0.1 per cent. of GDP.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on Government funding for research and development. [23951]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In 1995–96 the total expenditure on research and development by Government Departments is expected to have been about £5.6 billion.

  Telecommunications Industries (Regulation)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the regulation of the telecommunications industries. [23945]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Telecommunications have a key role to play in building UK competitiveness, both in attracting new investment and in revolutionising the way all companies do business. The UK led the way for telecommunications worldwide by privatising BT in 1984 and by progressively liberalising the UK market. This policy has been an outstanding success. Business and residential consumers have benefited from lower prices, a real and growing choice of operator, and innovative new services. BT's prices have reduced by around 40 per cent. overall in real terms since 1984. Liberalisation has also stimulated the introduction of multimedia services, which will enable the UK to be at the forefront of the transition to the information society. The Government launched the information society initiative in February to increase awareness of the new opportunities created.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of manufacturing output in the UK as a percentage of gross domestic product; and what is the average for the European Union. [23947]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The OECD estimates that in 1993 manufacturing output accounted for 21 per cent. of gross domestic product the European Union and, measured on a comparable basis, 19 per cent. in the UK.

  Ice Cream (Inquiry)
  Ms Church
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking following the investigation by the Office of Fair Trading into the veracity of the evidence given by Bird's Eye Walls to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry into ice cream published in 1994. [23948]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The matter is being considered with a view to deciding whether a criminal investigation should be undertaken. The decision taken will be announced in due course.

  Fossil Fuel Reserves
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has made of the life-span of remaining United Kingdom fossil fuel reserves. [23949]
  528
  Mr. Page
  Total British reserves of oil and gas in all known discoveries could, at 1994 rates of consumption, last respectively for 19 and 34 years. If the full potential from all possible future discoveries were to be included these would increase to over 50 years for both fuels.

  The remaining reserves of coal at existing mines are estimated at around 1 billion tonnes, while 53 million tonnes were extracted in 1995. However, the prospects for future coal production are limited not by the resource base but by the economics of opening new mines.

  Aerospace Industry (Lancashire)
  Mr. Atkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the aerospace industry in Lancashire. [23950]

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has regular contact with the aerospace industry in Lancashire, including the Consortium of Lancashire Aerospace.

  Visible Trade Balance
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for how many years since 1979 the visible trade balance has been in deficit. [23952]

  Mr. Nelson
  The visible trade balance has been in deficit for 14 of the 17 years since 1979.

  Gas Contracts
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Gas Consumers Council about the mis-selling of domestic gas contracts by Swebgas. [23954]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Gas Consumers' Council has kept my Department appraised of its views as to the progress of gas competition in the south-west.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of manufacturing output in the United Kingdom; and what is the average for the European Union.[23929]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Over the last European economic cycle, manufacturing output grew by 1.75 per cent. per year in the United Kingdom compared with 1 per cent. per year in the European Union.

  Sutton Enterprise Agency
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the work of Sutton enterprise agency. [23946]

  Mr. Richard Page
  The Sutton enterprise agency provides a valuable service, particularly to start-up and micro businesses in the borough. I welcome its involvement in local business link developments, particularly its co-location with other business support organisations in Sutton. This will provide an excellent opportunity to develop, through business link London south, a range of quality services appropriate to local business needs.

  Institute of Animal Health
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 606, what are the reasons for the reduction in the number of scientists at the Institute of Animal Health between 1993 and 1995. [25186]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The change in number of scientists employed at the Institute of Animal Health's Neuropathogenesis Unit between 1993 and 1996, as given in my previous answer, was largely due to the expiry of a number of fixed-term contracts. In particular, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council refocused its BSE programme, winding down the first and introducing a second phase. This involved first a reduction and then an increase in number of staff. As far as possible, continuity of research effort has been maintained.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24860]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No central record is kept by my Department of files marked "Not for NAO Eyes". For each NAO study, a number of divisions in different locations may be involved and each may possess in its registries a file with a number of parts—for example, individual jackets. The information requested is therefore not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

HEALTH

  BSE
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the reliability of the research carried out by Dr. Harash Narang into tests on live animals and humans to detect BSE and CJD. [24907]

  Mr. Horam
  Dr. Narang has proposed a number of tests to detect bovine spongiform encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The first of these concerned a technique for examining the brain tissue of dead animals but in trials this proved to be no more successful in identifying cases of BSE than other better-established techniques.

  Dr. Narang has also stated that he has developed urine tests for identifying BSE and CJD in live animals and humans. Such test, if effective, would be of great value and Dr. Narang has been invited to supply details of them so they can be independently evaluated. However, he has so far declined to do this although this question is still being explored with him.

  Health Authority Cars
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cars, and of what engine capacity, were provided for senior managers and board members of (1) the former Yorkshire regional health authority, (2) the former Northern regional health authority and (3) the present Yorkshire and Northern regional health authority in each year since 1992. [22895]

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

  Northern regional health authority

  Yorkshire regional health authority

  Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority

  Northern and Yorkshire regional office

  1992–93

  101

  261

  —

  —

  1993–94

  124

  224

  —

  —

  1994–95

  —

  —

  231

  —

  1995–96

  —

  —

  87

  —

  1996–97

  —

  —

  —

  44

  1. Engine capacity varied from 1100 cc to 2500 cc. The costs of any car in excess of a base vehicle were borne by the employee.

  2. Leases were issued using the terms laid down by Whitley Council.

  Community Health Councils (Chief Officers)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received from(a) individual community health councils, (b) the Association of Community Health Councils in England and Wales and (c)other organisations in respect of his Department's proposed regrading procedure of community health council chief officers; and if he will make a statement; [25459]

  (2) if he will list those community health councils whose chief officer will financially (a) gain and (b) lose from his Department's proposed regrading procedure of community health council chief officers; and if he will make a statement. [25458]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department has not proposed a formal regrading procedure for community health council chief officers. The national health service executive has recently completed some exploratory work into how a common national framework for chief officer gradings might be created. Regional offices of the NHS executive may choose to use that work as a basis for any regrading of chief officer posts taking into account any other local factors that they consider appropriate. A letter setting this out was sent to regional offices on 14 February and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Written representations about the letter have been received from the Trent Regional Association of Community Health Councils, the Society of Community Health Council Staff, and Sheffield Community Health Council. The Association for Community Health Councils for England and Wales also made representations about the letter at a meeting with me on 26 March 1996.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24848]

  Mr. Horam
  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  The usual practice in the Department is to assign the marking to individual documents rather than to files. Information on the number of documents so marked could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  South Manchester University Hospital NHS Trust
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what fees were paid by the South Manchester University Hospital NHS trust to the Audit Commission in 1995–96; what audit work was carried out by the commission during the year; what part the commission had in discovering the accountancy error that led to the closure of 64 NHS beds in Manchester, and if he will make a statement. [25295]

  Mr. Horam
  The Audit Commission played no part in discovering the accounting error. The payment of fees is a matter for South Manchester University Hospitals National Health Service trust and the right hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Peter Hadfield, trust chairman, for details.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what additional funding is made available to hospital trusts to take account of the proximity to airports and motorways;[25296]

  (2) what extra funding was made available in the last financial year to the South Manchester University Hospital NHS trust to take account of its proximity to Manchester Airport and the motorway network. [25297]

  Mr. Horam
  Trusts are not funded directly by my Department but from contracts with purchasers.

  The proximity to airports and the motorway network will impact mainly on accident and emergency work and be reflected in the contracts for this work placed with trusts by their host health authority.

  Abortions
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many partial birth abortions have been carried out for the latest year for which figures are available; [25298]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to ban the technique of partial birth abortion in the United Kingdom. [25300]
  532
  Mr. Horam
  We are not aware of this procedure being used in the United Kingdom. Methods of abortion are a matter of clinical judgment.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on partial birth abortion. [25299]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  State Pensions
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people's national insurance contributions record leaves them without entitlement to a full retirement pension; and how many of these are(a) women below retirement age and (b) women above retirement age. [20736]

  Mr. Heald
  [pursuant to his reply 19 March, Official Report, column 181]: The information I provided was incomplete. A revised answer follows.

  At 31 March 1995, 4,642,330 people over state pension age in Great Britain were in receipt of either a contributory or non-contributory state retirement pension below the standard rate of basic retirement pension. Of these, 4,449,500 were women.

  Some people who are over the state pension age and not in receipt of state pension may be deferring their pension in order to earn increments.

  Equivalent information is not available for people under state pension age or for people over state pension age who have no entitlement to any state pension.

  Source:
  10 per cent. sample of Pension Strategy Computer System.

  Notes:
  1. The figures do not include people receiving Incapacity Benefit or Widows Benefit in place of Retirement Pension.
  2. The figures include 540 men and 1,688,000 women who are not entitled to a full pension on their own national insurance record, but receive a full pension based on their deceased spouses contribution record.

  State Retirement Pension
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people's national insurance contributions record leaves them without entitlement to any state retirement pension. [20735]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  The number of people over state pension age, 60 for women and 65 for men, in 1995 is projected to be 10.4 million1.

  At 31 March 1995 the number of people over state pension age who receive some contributory retirement pension was 9.6 million2.

  The table gives a detailed breakdown of this figure. In addition:
  533
  At September 1994 the number of people receiving widows benefit in place of retirement pension was 47,0003.

  At March 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of people receiving invalidity benefit over state pension age was 297,0004.

  Some people who are over state pension age and not in receipt of state pension may be deferring their pension in order to earn increments.

  Number of beneficiaries

  Category A basic pension—men

  3,322,150

  Category A basic pension—women

  2,421,010

  Category BL basic pension—women

  1,259,300

  Category ABL basic pension—women

  696,600

  Category B—widows

  1,751,190

  Category B—widowers

  540

  Category A or B additional pension only

  14,880

  Graduated Retirement Benefit without Category A or B

  125,910

  Total

  9,591,580

  Note:

  Key to table:

  Cat A—pension derived from own contributions.

  Cat BL—pension derived from spouse' contributions (figure includes a small proportion with underlying entitlement to Cat A pension where both husband and wife reached State Pension age before 6/4/79). Full rate is approximately 60 per cent. of Cat A rate. Cat ABL—pension derived from both own and spouse's contributions. Full rate is approximately 60 per cent. of Cat A rate. Cat B—pension derived from late spouse's contributions. Full rate same as Cat A.

  Source:

  1Government Actuary. Projection for 1995 based on 1994 population figures.

  210 per cent. sample of Pension Strategy Computer System.

  310 per cent. sample of Pension Strategy Computer System.

  41. A small proportion may have no underlying entitlement to State Retirement Pension.

  Source 1 per cent. sample of all claims to Invalidity Benefit in GB, rounded to nearest thousand.

  Child Support Disregard
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost in the 1996–97 financial year of providing a child support disregard of(a) £5 per week, (b) £10 per week and (c) £15 per week; and what are the assumptions upon which these three costings are based. [23331]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  It is estimated that the cost of introducing a £5 maintenance disregard in 1996–97 would be around £50 million; the cost of a £10 disregard would be around £90 million; and the cost of a £15 disregard would be around £120 million. The annual cost of a disregard is likely to double over time as the Child Support Agency caseload increases.

  These estimates apply the disregard to child support maintenance and other forms of child maintenance, and assume that the disregard would apply to lone parents and parents with care who have entered into a new partnership. Other assumptions include the number of full child support assessments where the parent with care receives income support, and rates of compliance by absent parents.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) 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; [23733]

  (2) if he will set out the terms of the contract the Child Support Agency has with the EDS computer system; and if he will make a statement. [23539]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The contract to outsource the Department's data centre services was awarded to EDS Ltd. on 1 June 1995 and is for a period of 10 years. The contract is volume/output based with a value depending on future levels of business.

  Current estimates are that charges will be in the region of £600 million over the 10-year period.

  Other details relating to the terms and conditions of this contract, and the Child Support Agency's contract with EDS, are commercial in confidence.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how long a claimant of attendance allowance going abroad outside the European Union(a) may receive attendance allowance payments and (b) is entitled to resume attendance allowance payments; and if these entitlements are available to disability living allowance recipients. [24062]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  A recipient of attendance allowance or disability living allowance going abroad, outside the European Union, may continue to receive that benefit provided that the conditions of entitlement continue to be met and their right to reside in Great Britain is not subject to any limitation or condition, for:(a) up to 26 weeks if the absence, when it began, is for a temporary purpose and does not last for a continuous period exceeding 26 weeks; or
  (b) as long as the absence is
  (i) temporary and
  (ii) for the specific purpose of being treated for incapacity, or a disabling condition, which begins before they leave Great Britain, and
  (iii) the Secretary of State certifies that it is consistent with the proper administration of the Act that he should be treated as though he were present in Great Britain.

  Special arrangements exist for people who are abroad as serving members of Her Majesty's forces and their families and for certain airmen, mariners and continental shelf workers.

  On return to this country, people who meet the above conditions while abroad will continue to receive attendance allowance or disability living allowance, providing they continue to satisfy the conditions of entitlement and have no limitation placed on their right to reside in Great Britain. People who do not satisfy the above conditions whilst abroad may reclaim attendance allowance or disability living allowance on return to this country and requalify in the normal way.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance is issued to social fund adjudicating officers in cases where an application is made prior to establishing a fair rent on the applicant's tenancy. [24128]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Secretary of State's directions 12(o), 23(f) and 29(d) exclude a payment of a budgeting loan, crisis loan or community care grant respectively to meet housing costs, including rent. There is an exception to this rule for both budgeting loans and crisis loans for rent in advance where the landlord is not a local authority. Other exceptions which apply to these loans are charges for board and lodging accommodation and residential charges for hostels, other than for deposits. In the case of budgeting loans this is where such charges are payable in advance to secure accommodation. There is no guidance on the rent exclusion, since the directions are self explanatory. The Secretary of State's directions and guidance to social fund officers are contained in the social fund guide, a copy of which is held in the Library.

  With the exceptions referred to above, the reason for excluding help with rent from the social fund is to avoid duplication of help from the housing benefit scheme. There are procedures in place to ensure that both local authorities and rent officers make timeous determinations of claims and that payment on account is made where a delay is not due to the claimant failing to supply all the necessary information.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24861]

  Mr. Burt
  There are 20 live master files in this Department marked "Not to be seen by National Audit Office (NAO) without reference to the appropriate Head of Division", sometimes abbreviated to "Not for NAO eyes". Each file usually relates to a specific NAO study and may run into number of volumes, covering the course of the study from feasibility work to the production of a Treasury minute. Each study could involve a number of divisions in different locations, who may hold duplicates of all or part of the master file, as necessary.

  The marking "Not for NAO eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to receive the report from the Industrial Injuries advisory committee on chronic bronchitis and emphysema; and if he will make a statement. [25180]

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the main recommendations of the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council review 536
  of the criterion used to diagnose chronic bronchitis and emphysema in coal mines; and when the report will be published. [24818]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We have now received a copy of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council report and are considering it carefully. The report will be published within the next few weeks.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the number of appeals against clawback decisions taken by the compensation recovery unit, (b) the number and percentage of which were successful and (c) the average amount repaid to successful appellants in each quarter of the last five years. [24002]

  Mr. Roger 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 Dr. Norman Godman, dated 16 April 1996:
  As Peter Mathison is away from the office on annual leave at the moment, the Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will list (a) the number of appeals against clawback decisions taken by the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU), (b) the number and percentage of which were successful and (c) the average amount repaid to successful appellants in each quarter of the last five years.
  Since the introduction of the scheme in 1990 to the 31 March 1996, 825 appeals against clawback decisions were received by the CRU. 682 have been processed so far, out of which 374 (54.8%) were successful. Of those which were successful, the CRU reviewed the decision without reference to the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) in 318 cases and in the remainder of the cases the appeal was allowed/partially allowed by the ITS.
  The average amounts repaid to successful appellants in each quarter of the last five years are given in the annex attached.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Quarterly period

  Average amount repaid £

  1 April 1991 to 30 June 1991

  5.81

  1 July 1991 to 30 September 1991

  675.54

  1 October 1991 to 31 December 1991

  91.76

  1 January 1992 to 31 March 1992

  2,972.98

  1 April 1992 to 30 June 1992

  3,015.68

  1 July 1992 to 30 September 1992

  1,584.84

  1 October 1992 to 31 December 1992

  2,199.72

  1 January 1993 to 31 March 1993

  1,519,10

  1 April 1993 to 30 June 1993

  2,014,29

  1 July 1993 to 30 September 1993

  5,948,50

  1 October 1993 to 31 December 1993

  3,003.87

  1 January 1994 to 31 March 1994

  2,350.49

  1 April 1994 to 30 June 1994

  4,610.49

  1 July 1994 to 30 September 1994

  2,894.40

  1 October 1994 to 31 December 1994

  2,712,33

  1 January 1995 to 31 March 1995

  5,447.71

  1 April 1995 to 30 June 1995

  3,238.33

  1 July 1995 to 30 September 1995

  5,590.87

  1 October 1995 to 31 December 1995

  6,032.08

  1 January 1996 to 31 March 1996

  4,545.16

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many incoming telephone calls were made to the Child Support Agency client helpline; how many received ring tone no reply, number busy or number
  537
  unobtainable; how many were successfully answered; and what percentage of the total number of incoming calls were ineffective. [24645]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Miss Liz Lynne, dated 16 April 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about telephone calls made to the Child Support Agency.
  Information on incoming calls to the Child Support Agency Client Help Line (CHL) is available for the period from September 1994 to February 1996, and the details are as follows: incoming calls 7,022,325; answered by BT National Screening Centre 933,844; answered by CHL 2,523,082; call terminated before being answered, number busy or unobtainable 3,565,399. Of the total calls received, 50.77% received neither a personal nor a recorded answer.
  Like any other organisation where a great deal of contact with clients is by telephone, calls to the Agency that are initially unsuccessful for whatever reason (be it the client choosing to ring at another time or experiencing difficulty in connection) will almost certainly be repeated and the future contact will be successful.
  Up to February 1995 calls were diverted to the BT National Screening Centre when they were unable to reach the CHL queue, and a recorded message was delivered to the caller. However, this was costly both for the Agency and the callers, and since February 1995 the diversion of calls has only taken place outside office opening hours.
  I hope this is helpful.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Careers Service Companies
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the possible delays in the development and improvement in the services provided by the careers service companies from the competition process. [25173]

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment is satisfied that careers service companies have continued to develop and improve the services they provide. Assessment of the service provided is in the chief inspector's annual report on the careers service, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums she will make available to fund the careers advice for adults to be provided by the new careers advice companies. [25169]

  Mr. Paice
  The primary role of the careers service is to provide careers guidance to its statutory client group, who are young people in education and those who have recently left. The Government are investing over £200 million this year to support the careers service in this role. Careers service companies attract funding from a wide range of sources to fund their adult guidance activities, including indirectly from the Department.

  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to license careers companies which satisfactorily meet their contractual obligations with her Department. [25175]
  538
  Mr. Paice
  We have no plans to license careers service companies at this time.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects the reports of the joint study groups of Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, Treasury and her Department's officials on the scope for private finance initiative in higher education. [24987]

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects the joint working group to report to her in early summer.

  Careers Advice
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to provide careers advice for adults wishing to extend their education. [25171]

  Mr. Paice
  A consultation exercise has recently been undertaken to consider ways to take forward lifetime learning, including careers advice for adults. There was an excellent response from a wide range of interested parties, and this is now being analsyed. It would be premature to make any announcements at this stage. The Government will respond in due course.

  Contracting
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will postpone or abandon the contracting round due to take place this year. [25174]

  Mr. Paice
  No. The contracts for the first round Pathfinder careers services end in March 1997. To secure the provision of services from April 1997 onwards, a prospectus will be published next month.

  In-work Training
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 16 to 24-year-olds in the west midlands are in in-work training; and, of those, how many are employed in the manufacturing industry. [25167]

  Mr. Paice
  The number of employed status trainees on major schemes funded by the Government via training and enterprise councils in the west midlands as at 25 February 1996 is:

  Youth programmes = 13,728 (total in training 26,596)

  Training for work = 3411 (total in training 6,672)

  Total: 14,069 (total in training 33,269)

  1Includes 35 self employed.

  It is not possible to extract the numbers employed in manufacturing from the overall figures.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums have been provided in 1995–96 to fund the range of advice and information centres and other schemes run directly or indirectly by TECs; and what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of transferring these funds in future years to careers services. [25170]
  539
  Mr. Paice
  In 1995–96 training and enterprise councils were provided with £13.4 million to fund careers guidance for 13 and 14-year-old children and £1.5 million to fund careers libraries. From April 1996 the routing of all careers guidance and careers libraries funding will be through careers services. This simplifies the way the money is provided since careers services—as direct providers of services—are closer to schools and colleges and to young people.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to ensure increased liaison between the local community and training and enterprise councils. [24056]

  Mr. Paice
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 27 March,Official Report, column 620.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the current procedures for investigating a complaint against the training and enterprise councils; and what plans there are to bring the complaints system under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. [24058]

  Mr. Paice
  As private companies, it is for training and enterprise councils to deal with any complaints made against them. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration has no jurisdiction over private companies. I welcome the fact that the TEC National Council's framework for local accountability, which is endorsed by all TECs, emphasises the necessity for TECs to have robust and well-publicised complaints procedures.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what investigations she is undertaking into child care facilities provided by training and enterprise councils; what plans she has to promote a national uniformity of such facilities; and if she will make a statement. [24057]

  Mrs. Gillan
  All training and enterprise councils deliver the Department's out-of-school child care initiative, which gives grant support towards the start up costs of new out-of-school child care provision. In making grants to child care providers, TECs must have regard to four national criteria: quality, viability, labour market impact and extra child care places. Thereafter, the initiative is flexible and allows TECs to tailor the delivery to meet the needs of the local community. The initiative has been fully evaluated. A copy of the report, which was published on 23 January 1996, has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to include a commitment to equal opportunities as criteria for training and enterprise councils being issued with a three-year licence; and if she will make a statement. [24059]

  Mr. Paice
  Equal opportunities is already addressed in the licensing criteria. In addition, the licensing agreement requires licensed training and enterprise councils to implement their strategies for equal opportunities.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals she has to introduce a stricter policy on the disclosure of contracts for the training and enterprise councils; and if she will make a statement. [24060]
  540
  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils are private companies. It is for them to decide whether they should disclose details of contracts within the guidelines of the code of practice on open government.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research she has undertaken to review the boundaries of training and enterprise councils areas; and if she will make a statement. [24061]

  Mr. Paice
  The existing network of training and enterprise councils reflects the make-up of local labour markets and the views of local partners, including the private sector. I have no plans to review boundaries, but would consider any proposals by TECs on their merits.

  Left-handedness
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate she has made of the proportion of left-handed pupils in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools: [25368]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the impact of left-handedness on educational attainment; and if she will make a statement. [25366]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Left-handedness is not recognised as a special educational need within the meaning of the Education Acts. The Department does not collect information on what proportion of pupils are left-handed, nor on whether being left-handed has an impact on likely educational achievement.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by her Department. [24851]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The ex-Department for Education has 104 files marked "Not for NAO Eyes" out of a total of over 700,000. The several million records created by the former department of Employment are handled at a number of locations across the country and although some will be similarly marked, the number could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The marking is used in accordance with the agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office under which documents relating to the handling of relations between departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they remain current.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Attorney-General how many files marked "Not for NAO Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24855]

  The Attorney-General
  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between
  541
  Departments and the NAO and Public Accounts Committee are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current. There are 13 such files held in the Departments for which I am responsible, two of which are divided into two parts.

PRIME MINISTER

  Interception of Communications Tribunal
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made following the expiry of the terms of appointment of the members of the interception of communications tribunal on 10 April; and if he will make a statement. [25619]

  The Prime Minister
  Sir David Calcutt QC has been appointed vice-president of the tribunal. He and Mr. Peter Scott QC have been re-appointed to the tribunal for a further period of five years. Two new members, Mr. Robert Seabrook QC and Mr. William Carmichael, have also been appointed for a term of five years.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister if he met(a) Li Ka Shing, (b) David Choy, (c) Rong Yien, (d) Stanley Ho, (e) T. T. Tsui and (f) C. H. Tung at events during his visit to Hong Kong. [24569]

  The Prime Minister
  I met a broad range of business men, politicians and other opinion formers during my recent visit. I understand that Mr. Li Ka Shing attended a dinner at which I was present and Mr. C. H. Tung was

  £million

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Outturn

  Forecast

  Supply estimates

  Government figures from baselines, other income and agency income from plans

  FCO: grant in aid

  97.6

  1102.7

  398.3

  395.3

  395.5 See note 3

  ODA: grant in aid

  34.5

  234.3

  432.7

  429

  426

  Other income

  123.2

  138.2

  142.6

  147.6

  157.4

  Agency income

  171.6

  165.5

  156.8

  145.9

  147.2

  Total

  426.9

  440.7

  430.4

  417.8

  426.1

  1This figure includes £2.2 million overseas price mechanism and £2 million 1994–95 provision for capital expenditure rolled forward to 1995–96.

  2This figure includes £750,000 OPM.

  3These figures include estimates for OPM of £2.4 million.

  4These planning figures exclude OPM.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the effect of his proposed reductions in the British Council's budget over the next three years on the council's overseas operations. [24914]

  Mr. Hanley
  The reductions in the British Council's budget will require some adjustment to its overseas operations. The council has proposed a number of options which are still under consideration.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he proposes to fund future redundancies within the British Council. [24911]

  Mr. Hanley
  The question of the funding of future redundancies is under discussion.
  542
  Present at my meeting with the Executive Council, of which he is a member. I an not aware of any other occasion.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Council
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many posts he estimates will be lost in the British Council over the next three years; and at what United Kingdom locations; [24912]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of posts within the British Council which will be lost by redundancy over the next three years; and at what cost. [24913]

  Mr. Hanley
  Following the recent public expenditure survey settlement, the British Council is still discussing with us its proposal for future manpower levels and for the distribution of resources.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the British Council has to close United Kingdom offices within the next three years. [24898]

  Mr. Hanley
  The British Council is looking at options for further restructuring its UK network. This could involve the closure of some offices.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the annual budgets for the British Council for(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97; and what are the projected budgets for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99. [24910]

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is as follows:

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the current United Kingdom staffing levels within the British Council by location. [24915]

  Mr. Hanley
  The latest figures available for the British Council United Kingdom staffing levels, including the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges, are as follows:

  Area

  Number of staff

  London

  1700.00

  Manchester

  1498.00

  Belfast

  13.50

  Edinburgh

  19.00

  543

  Area

  Number of staff

  Glasgow

  6.50

  Aberdeen

  1.00

  Dundee

  2.00

  Cardiff

  6.00

  Aberystwyth

  0.25

  Bangor

  0.50

  Swansea

  0.25

  Cambridge

  2.50

  Colchester

  0.50

  Norwich

  0.50

  Nottingham

  2.00

  Loughborough

  2.00

  Birmingham

  2.50

  Southampton

  1.00

  Brighton

  1.00

  Guildford

  0.50

  Canterbury

  1.00

  Bristol

  3.00

  Plymouth

  1.00

  Oxford

  3.00

  Reading

  2.00

  Newcastle

  3.00

  Leeds

  2.00

  Hull

  0.50

  Huddersfield

  1.00

  Sheffield

  0.50

  Total

  1,277.50

  1These figures are full time staff equivalents paid through Chessington Computer Centre, February 1996.

  1. Numbers of posts in all the regions have been taken from the April 1996 UK regional directory.

  Taiwan
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Taiwan; and what plans he has to visit the country. [25158]

  Mr. Hanley
  Her Majesty's Government have no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Informal links in trade, investment, tourism and educational exchanges have increased and improved in recent years.

  I also refer the hon. Member to my response during the Adjournment debate on our relations with Taiwan on 13 March, Official Report, columns 940–47.

  Neither I nor my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary have plans to visit Taiwan.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many files marked "Not for NAO Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24849]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  This department currently holds 16 files marked "Not for NAO Eyes". This includes one file held at an overseas post.
  544
  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO are not automatically available to the NAO while they are current.

  Entry Clearance Staff
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to introduce charter standards for the work of entry clearance staff; and if he will make a statement. [25344]

  Mr. Hanley
  Entry clearance issuing posts conform with a set of standards laid down in "Best Practice", a copy of which will shortly be placed in the Library of the House. Those standards include the requirement that entry clearance sections operate within the spirit of the citizens charter.

  Migration and Visa Correspondence Unit
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many letters from hon. Members were answered by the migration and visa correspondence unit in 1994; and how many were answered within 15 working days. [25345]

  Mr. Hanley
  The unit answered 6,137 letters. The number of letters to which the unit failed to reply within 15 working days in 1994 is not readily available, more than 93 per cent. of letters received in the first quarter of 1996 were replied to within 15 working days.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that a reference number is given to visa applications which are withdrawn at the pre-sift stage; and if he will make a statement. [25346]

  Mr. Hanley
  Entry clearance officers are required—in accordance with "Diplomatic Service Procedure: Entry Clearance", volume 1, chapter 6.6, a copy of which is in the Library of the House—to maintain a record of applicants who withdraw their applications after pre-assessment.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that a decision by an entry clearance office to refuse a visa application is checked by an entry clearance manager; and if he will make a statement. [25347]

  Mr. Hanley
  Guidance on this to entry clearance officers is contained in "Diplomatic Service Procedure: Entry Clearance", volume 1, chapter 9.8, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Meat Safety
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when recommendations from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, concerning meat safety at slaughterhouses, specifically dealing with the deboning of cattle over 30 months in age, were communicated to slaughterhouses; how this was undertaken; and what measures will be taken in order to ensure compliance. [23211]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: A consultation letter was sent out on the 28 and 29 March by my officials to all relevant organisations including those in the red meat industry, explaining the implications of SEAC's recommendations and the measures the Government are proposing to take to minimise the risk to the public from BSE, in the light of SEAC's advice. This includes detailed proposals for consultation on the deboning of cattle over 30 months in age, an indication of the immediate measures taking effect from 29 March relating to the banning from sale of meat over 30 months for human consumption, the banning of meat and bone meal from feedingstuffs and the new specified bovine material order and proposed amendments to the fresh meat regulations.

  Further consultations, where appropriate, will be held with the industry. My officials will, of course, take due account of comments received from the slaughterhouse sector on all these issues.

  The Meat Hygiene Service will be responsible for ensuring local compliance with these regulations. Fresh instructions have been issued to MHS, and resources are currently being deployed on a national basis, to ensure strict adherence to all of the measures necessary to restore public confidence in beef.

  Schedule A: Non-Research and Development

  Contractor

  Type

  1993–94£

  1994–95£

  1995–96£

  Natural History Museum

  Evaluation work

  14,285

  —

  —

  Company not disclosed

  Evaluation work

  4,313

  5,298

  —

  2,938

  —

  —

  2,938

  —

  —

  Til Occam

  Evaluation work

  4,113

  2,738

  —

  4,113

  —

  —

  2,991

  —

  —

  1,246

  —

  —

  Company not disclosed

  Evaluation work

  2,100

  1,575

  —

  2,168

  —

  —

  Campden Food and Drink

  Evaluation work

  2,165

  —

  —

  3,739

  —

  —

  590

  —

  —

  Hazleton

  Evaluation work

  3,123

  —

  —

  588

  —

  —

  940

  —

  —

  1,763

  —

  —

  CSL

  Evaluation work

  7,673

  10,171

  3,830

  —

  3,288

  3,227

  —

  2,563

  4,880

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [22864]

  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 383 contracts via the single negotiated process. These represent 19 per cent. of the total number reported in my recent reply.

  The additional information requested, where it is not confidential, has been listed in the schedules. However, it has not been possible with the resources available to list the reasons why individual decisions to use single negotiated tender were taken. The cost would have been entirely disproportionate. The criteria available to the Ministry for opting for single negotiated contracts are limited and encompass time constraints which do not permit competitive tendering; technical compatibility with existing equipment or systems; or numbers of suppliers restricted to non-competitive levels.

  Where research is concerned, much is done under long-standing commissions or "umbrella" contracts with research councils and other bodies. Apart from these, free-standing contracts are awarded, some of which are single tender negotiated contracts. The latter option is taken either when there is reasonable certainty that there is only one contractor with the knowledge to undertake the work, or when the idea for work comes through a concept note and it would clearly be an infringement of intellectual property rights and unfair on the contractor concerned to allow others access to the idea.
  547

  Schedule A: Non-Research and Development

  Contractor

  Type

  1993–94£

  1994–95£

  1995–96£

  ADAS

  Evaluation work

  7,638

  —

  —

  7,915

  —

  —

  British Library

  Evaluation work

  823

  —

  —

  411

  —

  —

  93

  —

  —

  Water Research Centre plc

  Evalution work

  2,816

  —

  —

  4,217

  —

  —

  10,358

  —

  —

  Soil Survey and Land Research centre (Silsoe) (aka Cranfield University)

  Evalution work

  6,247

  —

  4,465

  4,404,

  —

  4,465

  Inveresk Research

  Evaluation work

  1,469

  —

  —

  2,938

  —

  —

  1,469

  —

  —

  Company not disclosed

  Evaluation work

  5,346

  —

  —

  9,623

  —

  —

  823

  —

  —

  1,069

  —

  —

  Ecosurveys Ltd

  Evaluation work

  1,763

  —

  —

  3,922

  —

  —

  1,137

  —

  —

  758

  —

  —

  Imperial College Consultants Ltd.

  Evaluation work

  2,820

  —

  —

  Consultants in Environmental Services

  Evaluation work

  7,344

  —

  4,179

  2,535

  —

  —

  CITERA

  Evaluation work

  2,350

  —

  —

  1,083

  —

  —

  Natural Resources Institute (NRI)

  Evaluation work

  3,738

  —

  —

  Natural Environment

  Evaluation work

  9,750

  —

  —

  Company not disclosed

  Evaluation work

  354

  —

  —

  Company not disclosed

  Evaluation work

  —

  —

  500

  DBL Consultancy

  Consultancy

  1,375

  162

  —

  485

  —

  —

  646

  —

  —

  323

  —

  —

  646

  —

  —

  Touchstone

  Consultancy

  —

  1,049

  —

  Ingres Consultancy

  Consultancy

  —

  479

  —

  Triad

  30,848

  —

  —

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC)

  755,000

  7,11,000

  697,400

  Long Ashton Aquatic Weeds Research Centre

  —

  12,000

  —

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist(LGC)

  Advice, support and assessment

  30,000

  30,000

  30,000

  Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards (LACOTS)

  Sample collection in meat and animal products

  —

  32,900

  15,000

  BMRB International

  —

  50,760

  49,350

  Clifmar Associates

  Analysis of samples

  —

  —

  51,941

  Fray Design Ltd.

  Specialist Furniture

  1,903

  13,588

  —

  Frame Express

  Specialist Furniture

  1,537

  —

  —

  Arthur Brett

  Specialist Furniture

  8,646

  2,244

  —

  Storacell Voice System Ltd.

  Call sequence for hotline and upgrade of system

  9,943

  9,204

  —

  BT Sales

  Terminal for Hotline

  4,834

  18,919

  —

  Reprographic Services (UK) Ltd.

  Document Management Service

  160,000

  —

  —

  Taylor, Young and Partners

  Design study Northallerton

  10,000

  —

  —

  Design study Exeter

  9,000

  —

  —

  Additional work Northallerton

  4,500

  —

  —

  Benson Network Support Systems (BNSS)

  Part 1 project record system

  6,485

  —

  —

  MMU Reporting Database

  7,648

  —

  —

  Herring Baker Harris

  Valuation of ADAS centres

  —

  10,543

  —

  Peter Smith Associates

  Furniture move

  —

  —

  4,659

  Yates, Edge Greatorex

  Incinerator CSL York

  —

  —

  75,000

  Midlands Electricity plc

  Utility

  —

  161,843

  71,082

  Eastern Electricity plc

  Utility

  —

  89,647

  90,583

  British Gas plc

  Utility

  —

  61,915

  —

  Southern Electric

  Utility

  —

  55,739

  53,673

  East Midlands

  Utility

  —

  53,035

  —

  548 549

  Schedule A: Non-Research and Development

  Contractor

  Type

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  £

  £

  £

  South Western Electricity

  Utility

  —

  52,771

  —

  Norweb plc

  Utility

  —

  —

  79,519

  British Telecommunications plc

  Telecoms

  —

  632,078

  675,833

  The Quentin Bell Organisation plc

  Publicity

  —

  462,520

  202,703

  Postage by Phone Pitney Bowes plc

  Postage

  —

  127,300

  132,050

  Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Postage

  —

  100,360

  80,110

  Royal Mail

  Postage

  —

  74,627

  66,578

  The Meteorological Office

  Data

  —

  167,336

  103,044

  Ordnance Survey

  Data

  —

  —

  —

  Total of contracts

  1,210,814

  2,957,652

  2,504,072

  Number of contracts

  66

  41

  33

  Schedule B: Research and Development

  Contractor

  Total cost

  Contracts issued 1994–95

  Aberdeen University, Zoology

  19,085

  AEA Technology, Consultancy Services

  58,118

  Alan Martin Associates

  10,802

  Ashbourne Biosciences

  32,879

  Aston University, Department Pharmaceutical and Biological Studies

  58,950

  B and P Instrumentation Ltd.

  16,380

  BBSRC, Silsoe Research Institute

  114,373

  BBSRC, Silsoe Research Institute

  68,449

  Beta Technology Ltd.

  43,200

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Institutes1

  20,383,395

  Bristol University

  64,471

  Bristol University1

  105,974

  Bristol University, Department Agricultural Sciences

  32,540

  Bristol University, Food Refrigeration and Proc. Eng.

  8,419

  Bristol University, Veterinary Medicine

  113,127

  Cambac JMA Research Ltd.

  240,979

  Coventry University, Environmental Research + Consultancy

  177,409

  Cranfield University1

  1,456.500

  Department of Transport

  33,520

  East Anglia University, School of Biological Science

  106,510

  Elm Farm Research Centre

  92,000

  Environmental Research Technology Ltd.

  58,180

  Game Conservancy Trust

  97,155

  GENUS

  214,346

  Glasgow University

  91,162

  Glasgow University, Veterinary School

  40,974

  H. R. Wallingford Group Ltd.1

  673,200

  Harper Admas Agricultural College

  172,137

  Horticulture Research International1

  19,371,951

  IACR, Institute of Arabie Crops Research

  294,753

  IACR, Long Ashton Research Station

  29,896

  IACR, Rothamsted Experimental Station

  40,951

  IACR, Rothamsted Experimental Station

  52,640

  IGER, Aberystwyth Research Station

  143,149

  Institute of Oceanographic Sciences

  38,228

  Institute of Plant Science Research

  297,038

  Leicester University, Department of Botany

  159,957

  Leicester University, Department of Zoology

  126,566

  Leicester University, Mass Communication Research

  77,392

  Manchester University, Department of Pharmacy

  25,066

  Marine Resource Consultants Ltd.

  4,500

  Medical College, St. Batholomew's Hospital

  121,240

  National Institute of Agricultural Botany

  60,534

  National Institute of Agricultural Botany1

  313,876

  Natural Environment Research Council Institutes1

  2,944,177

  Natural Resources Institute

  58,413

  550

  Contractor

  Total cost

  NERC, Institute of Terrestial Ecology, Edinburgh

  470,353

  Nottingham University, Applied Biochemistry and Food Science

  28,558

  Nottingham University, Department Physiology and Environmental

  66,160

  Nottingham University, Department of Genetics

  51,305

  Contracts issued 1994–95

  Aberdeen University, Zoology

  19,085

  AEA Technology, Consultancy Services

  58,118

  Alan Martin Associates

  10,802

  Ashbourne Bilsciences

  32,879

  Aston University, Department Pharmaceutical and Biological studies

  58,950

  B and P Instrumentation Ltd.

  16,380

  BBSRC, Silsoe Research Institute

  114,373

  BBSRC, Silsoe Research Institute

  68,449

  Beta Technology Ltd.

  43,200

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Institutes1

  20,383,395

  Bristol University

  64,471

  Bristol University1

  105,974

  Bristol University, Department Agricultural Sciences

  32,540

  Bristol University, Food Refrigeration and Proc. Eng.

  8,419

  Bristol University, Veterinary Medicine

  113,127

  Cambac JMA Research Ltd.

  240,979

  Conventry University, Environmental Research+ Consultancy

  177,409

  Cranfield University1

  1,456,500

  Department of Transport

  33,520

  East Anglia University, School of Biological Science

  106,510

  Elm Farm Research Centre

  92,000

  Environmental Research Technology Ltd.

  58,180

  Game Conservancy Trust

  97,155

  GENUS

  214,346

  Glasgow university

  91,162

  Glasgow University, Veterinary School

  40,974

  H.R Wallingford Group Ltd.1

  673,200

  Harper Admas Agricultural College

  172,137

  Horticulture Research International1

  19,371,951

  IACR, Institute of Arabie Crops Research

  294,753

  IACR, Long Ashton Research Station

  29,896

  IACR, Rothamsted Experimental Station

  40,951

  IACR, Rothamsted Experimental Station

  52,640

  IGER, Aberystwyth Research Station

  143,149

  Institute of Oceanographic sciences

  38,228

  Institute of Plant Science Research

  297,038

  Leicester University, Departmental of Botany

  159,957

  Leicester University, Departmental of Zoology

  126,566

  Leicester University, Mass Communication Research

  77,392

  Manchester University, Department of Pharmacy

  25,006

  551

  Contractor

  Total cost

  Marine Resource Consultants Ltd.

  4,500

  Medical College, St. Batholomew's Hospital

  121,240

  National Institute of Agricultural Botany

  60,534

  National Institute of Agricultural Botany1

  313,876

  Natural Environment Research Council Institutes1

  2,944,177

  Natural Resources Institute

  58,413

  NERC, Institute of Terrestial Ecology, Edinburgh

  470,353

  Nottingham University, Applied Biochemistry and Food Science

  28,558

  Nottingham University, Department Physiology and Environmental

  66,160

  Nottingham University, Department of Genetics

  51,305

  Oxford University

  6,150

  Oxford University, Growth and Development

  26,655

  Oxford University, Zoology

  140,478

  Phoenix Research Laboratory

  66,165

  Portsmouth University, Economic Department

  8,885

  Reading University1

  113,648

  Roslin Institute, Edinburgh

  77,660

  Rowett Research Institute

  151,238

  Royal Veterinary College

  101,957

  Royal Veterinary College

  99,787

  Scottish Agricultural College, Ayr

  25,092

  Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh

  162,405

  Sea Fish Industry Authority1

  148,900

  Sea Mammal Research Unit

  88,853

  Silsoe College, Cranfield Institute of Technology

  180,095

  Southampton University

  10,000

  Southampton University, School of Biological Science

  319,392

  Stirling University, Institute of Agriculture

  158,152

  Stirling University, Institute of Agriculture

  28,329

  Surrey University, Biological Sciences

  18,650

  Surrey University, Biological Sciences

  9,325

  Surrey University, Biological Sciences

  255,129

  Surrey University, Management Studies for Tourism

  388,342

  TecnEcon Ltd.

  13,897

  UCNW, Marine Science

  113,522

  UCNW, Ocean Sciences

  77,925

  UCNW, Ocean Sciences

  80,925

  UL, Imperial College of Medicine and Science

  43,780

  UL, University College, Department of Geography

  162,059

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

  400

  University of Hertfordshire

  197,772

  University Wales, Bangor

  122,566

  University Wales, Cardiff, School Pure + Applied Biology

  16,875

  Wales University, Swansea

  7,874

  Wisdom Agricultural Limited

  92,428

  95,549,295

  Contracts Issued during 1995–96

  ABP Research and Consultancy Ltd.

  23,500

  Alistair Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science

  492,868

  Aston University, Department Pharmaceutical and Biological Studies

  9,500

  Aston University, Department Pharmaceutical and Biological Studies

  48,625

  BBSRC, Silsoe Research Institute

  196,493

  Beta Technology Ltd.

  44,200

  Beta Technology Ltd.

  88,400

  Bradford University, Food Policy Research Unit

  67,781

  Bristol University

  57,137

  Bristol University1

  1,855,612

  Bristol University, Veterinary Medicine

  279,327

  Bristol University, Veterinary Medicine

  227,901

  British Trust For Ornithology

  1,277

  Cambac JMA Research Ltd.

  86,923

  Cambridge Laboratory

  279,908

  Cambridge University

  93,118

  552

  Contractor

  Total cost

  Central Science Laboratory

  399,598

  CSL, Harpenden

  146,911

  Dr. P. J. Dare

  11,100

  Forest Research Station (Alice Holt)

  81,000

  Forestry Authority

  20,000

  Glasgow University, Marine Biological Station

  196,850

  Gould Rural Environmental Ltd.

  22,916

  Horticulture Research International1

  9,517,820

  H. R. Wallingford Group Ltd.

  234,000

  HRI, Wellesbourne

  125,515

  HRI, Wellesbourne

  210,065

  Hydraulics Research Wallingford Group Ltd.

  225,000

  IACR, Broom's Barn Experimental Station

  72,632

  IACR1

  2,838,677

  IACR, Institute of Arable Crops Research

  60,045

  IGER, Inst. of Grasslands and Environment Research

  93,877

  IGER, Inst. of Grasslands and Environment Research

  490,000

  IGER1

  3,928,922

  IAH1

  5,547,933

  Institute of Occupational Medicine Limited

  217,278

  Institute of Zoology

  154,317

  IPS1

  415,000

  IPSR, John Innes Centre

  149,257

  John Spenser

  2,000

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee

  4,255

  Leatherhead Food Research Association

  10,703

  Levington Agriculture Ltd.

  136,545

  Liverpool University

  184,575

  Liverpool University

  140,751

  Lynch, Professor

  15,034

  Mylnefield Research Services Ltd.

  87,565

  National Trust

  2,000

  Natural Environment Research Council Institutes1

  2,021,210

  Nottingham University, Agriculture and Horticulture

  221,501

  Nottingham University, Faculty Agriculture and Food Science

  94,440

  Oxford University, Zoology

  162,144

  Plymouth University

  163,676

  Portsmouth University, Economic Department

  100,501

  Portsmouth University, Economic Department

  2,200

  Professor H. Kay

  5,000

  Reading University1

  23,156

  Richardson, Professor

  7,625

  Rodgers, Dr. Chris J

  21,000

  Roslin1

  1,116,794

  Roslin Institute, Edinburgh

  275,512

  Roslin Institute, Edinburgh

  106,843

  Royal Agricultural College

  75,364

  School of Ocean Sciences

  138,037

  Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh

  113,338

  Sea Fish Industry Authority

  376,312

  Southampton University

  265,160

  Southampton University, Department Oceanography

  218,995

  SRI1

  1,665,489

  Strathclyde University, Bioscience and Biotechnology

  121,865

  Strathclyde University, Statistics and Modelling

  29,820

  Surrey University, Biological Sciences

  106,566

  Surrey University, Biological Sciences

  23,250

  UL Queen Mary and Westfield College Sch. of Biol Sci

  50,382

  UL, Wye College, Horticulture

  258,835

  Univ. Aberdeen, Arkleton Cent. Rural Development

  13,983

  University of East Anglia

  168,215

  University of Hull

  6,970

  University of York, Department of Biology

  119,143

  University Wales, Bangor, Biological Sciences

  202,864

  553

  Contractor

  Total cost

  University Wales, Cardiff, School Pure + Applied Biology

  10,325

  University Wales, Cardiff, School Pure + Applied Biology

  30,975

  University Wales, Cardiff, School Pure + Applied Biology

  174,241

  Williams, Dr.

  6,825

  61,562,485

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines are currently in force in his 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 his Department to ensure that the use of single negotiated tenders in competitive tendering processes is justified in all cases. [22850]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government's public purchasing policy consolidated guidelines require goods and services to be acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. In addition, the 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.

  In carrying out its purchasing my Department follows these guidelines and has, where possible, incorporated them directly into its own internal guidance. It is intended to consolidate the available guidance as part of the review of the Ministry's purchasing procedures and guidance manual, which is currently under way.

  The criteria for opting for single negotiated contracts are limited and encompass time constraints which do not permit competitive tendering; technical compatibility with existing equipment or systems; or numbers of suppliers restricted to non-competitive levels. Formal arrangements for controlling the use of single negotiated contracts will also be incorporated in the revised purchasing procedures and guidelines manual.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is taken to ensure that blades used for dismembering potentially BSE infected material at slaughterhouse are disinfected. [23212]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: The Meat Hygiene Service ensures that equipment which comes into contact with fresh meat is cleansed and disinfected frequently during the course of the working day, as required by the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 as amended. Sterilisers are sited close to work stations to enable this to be done.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24845]
  554
  Mr. Boswell
  The marking "Not for NAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Treasury and the National Audit Office, under which current documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NAO are not automatically available to the NAO. The use of the marking is strictly controlled and is removed from files as soon as the subject matter is no longer current.

  There are unlikely to be a great number of files with this marking but the Department does not have a centralised registry system and to collect this information from the large number of individuals registries would be disproportionately expensive.

  Nitrates
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the results of the research by Aberdeen university in 1995, commissioned by his Department, on the effect of dietary nitrate intake. [25030]

  Mrs. Browning
  This study at Aberdeen university on the metabolism of dietary nitrate in man is not due for completion until the spring of 1997. Preliminary results suggest that nitrate may play a significant role in protecting the body from bacterial infection, although a full assessment of this work cannot be made until its completion.

  Environmental Impact Assessments
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 180, on what occasions an environmental impact assessment is required for the intensification of uncultivated land. [25322]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: Environmental assessment will be required where the use of such land for intensive agricultural purposes is likely to have significant effects on the environment.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 180, how many environmental statements his Department expects will be required as a result of the regulations on environmental assessments for the use of uncultivated land. [25323]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: The number of environmental statements will depend in part on the terms of the regulations to be introduced.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many compliance cost assessments were produced by his Department in 1995; and if he will place copies in the Library. [25324]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 16 April 1996]: Sixty-four compliance cost assessments were produced by the Ministry in 1995. In accordance with Government policy, all were placed in the Library of the House.

WALES

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase the number of women employed in senior positions in public bodies in Wales; and if he will make a statement.[25007]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  All public bodies in Wales are expected to have full regard to equal opportunities policies.

  A465
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the final cost of construction on the A465 from Aberdulais to Glyn Neath; and if he will make a statement.[24993]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The tender sum for the A465 Aberdulais to Glynneath contract is £45.7 million, excluding VAT. Construction work is ongoing and the final cost will not be known until the completion and final settlement of the contract.

  Gwynedd Economy
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the proportion of the Gwynedd economy which is represented by(a) tourism, (b) slate quarrying, (c) farming and fishing and (d) the power industry; and if he will make a statement. [25032]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  An assessment by industry of the Gwynedd economy in terms of employment can be made using data from the 1993 census of employment. The available data are on the Nomis database, which can be accessed by the staff of the Library of the House.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the work force in each local authority area in Gwynedd are in part-time employment; and if he will make a statement.[25020]

  Mr. Jones
  Data on the number of full-time and part-time employees in each local authority area in Gwynedd are available from the 1993 census of employment. The information is on the Nomis database, which can be accessed by the staff of the Library of the House.

  Severn Bridge (Toll Charges)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the effect of current Severn bridge tolling charges and practices on tourism in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [25018]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No recent representations have been received regarding the effect of current Severn bridge tolling charges and practices on tourism in Wales.

  A470 Extension
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the final cost of the A470 extension of the Cardiff to Merthyr trunk road to the A465 heads of the valleys road to Cefn Coed; and if he will make a statement. [24994]
  556
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Pentrebach to Cefn Coed scheme, which extends the A470 trunk road to the A465 and Cefn Coed, comprises three separate contracts with a total tender value of £34.3 million excluding VAT.

  Construction work is ongoing and the final cost will not be known until the completion and final settlement of the contracts.

  Community Care
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to collect statistics on the numbers of(a) elderly persons and (b) others in receipt of community care assistance via local authority social services expenditure who have had to sell their house to comply with means testing of assets. [25394]

  Mr. Hague
  I have no such plans.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the levels of inward investment in each county in Wales in each year since 1990. [25334]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The statistics, on a financial year basis, are contained in the following tables:

  Year

  Projects

  New jobs

  Safe jobs

  Spend (£ million)

  Clwyd

  1990–91

  43

  3,244

  264

  179.671

  1991–92

  47

  1,477

  874

  87.517

  1992–93

  40

  1,579

  835

  332.399

  1993–94

  37

  1,927

  1,145

  345.612

  1994–95

  23

  647

  609

  81.812

  1995–96

  22

  519

  233

  93.094

  Dyfed

  1990–91

  6

  65

  948

  24.284

  1991–92

  11

  331

  960

  56.034

  1992–93

  13

  132

  875

  106.527

  1993–94

  9

  278

  493

  24.469

  1994–95

  11

  381

  140

  11.294

  1995–96

  12

  279

  176

  12.448

  Gwynedd

  1990–91

  5

  380

  —

  6.440

  1991–92

  24

  478

  1,243

  73.634

  1992–93

  22

  618

  391

  25.482

  1993–94

  9

  234

  651

  13.619

  1994–95

  12

  449

  205

  32.629

  1995–96

  6

  89

  —

  3.205

  Gwent

  1990–91

  31

  1,349

  242

  112.818

  1991–92

  35

  1,811

  1,801

  121.565

  1992–93

  42

  1,396

  2,080

  133.639

  1993–94

  27

  3,074

  1,292

  204,775

  1994–95

  20

  1,393

  198

  80.802

  1995–96

  25

  2,073

  985

  359.733

  Powys

  1990–91

  3

  57

  —

  0.655

  1991–92

  24

  648

  —

  68.544

  1992–93

  22

  653

  95

  6.677

  1993–94

  17

  403

  58

  17.043

  1994–95

  24

  453

  245

  214.447

  1995–96

  15

  263

  10

  9.560

  557

  Year

  Projects

  New jobs

  Safe jobs

  Spend (£ million)

  Mid Glamorgan

  1990–91

  28

  1,109

  2,343

  89.986

  1991–92

  30

  2,907

  1,370

  482.625

  1992–93

  29

  1,181

  1,672

  125.431

  1993–94

  38

  1,020

  487

  82.450

  1994–95

  25

  723

  1,103

  66.433

  1995–96

  26

  1,794

  2,739

  128.015

  South Glamorgan

  1990–91

  18

  1,740

  442

  121.450

  1991–92

  21

  632

  651

  206.985

  1992–93

  22

  810

  959

  182.317

  1993–94

  16

  776

  217

  27.908

  1994–95

  7

  1,140

  808

  400.775

  1995–96

  7

  1,004

  1,327

  339,575

  West Glamorgan

  1990–91

  13

  963

  1,825

  49.835

  1991–92

  16

  849

  747

  58.320

  1992–93

  11

  258

  324

  36.990

  1993–94

  15

  299

  1,513

  49.167

  1994–95

  9

  417

  255

  32.550

  1995–96

  9

  779

  378

  30.544

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many files marked "Not for NAO Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24857]

  Mr. Hague
  There are 106 files or parts of files in my Department—out of an estimated total of over 1,000,000—marked "Not for NAO Eyes".

  Road Congestion
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish maps showing forecasts of future road congestion in Wales on the same basis as those published for England.[25494]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I have no proposals at the present time to publish similar maps for Wales.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Agriculture and Rural Development Scheme
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to restore the suspended special programme for the agriculture and rural development scheme. [21745]

  Mr. Ancram
  A decision about re-opening the capital grant elements of the sub-programme for agriculture and rural development can be made only when we have 558
  assessed the finances needed to honour the current commitments on farmers' applications, but we are not in a position to do this as yet.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many files marked "Not for National Audit Office Eyes" are currently held by his Department. [24846]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The responsibility of the National Audit Office does not extend to the six Northern Ireland Departments, which have their own similarly appointed body: the Northern Ireland Audit Office.

  There are 13 files in Northern Ireland Departments marked "Not for Northern Ireland Audit Office Eyes".

  The marking "Not For NIAO Eyes" is used in accordance with an agreement between the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Northern Ireland Audit Office under which documents relating to the handling of relations between Departments and the NIAO are not automatically available to the NIAO while they are current.

  The information in respect of the Northern Ireland Office could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dedicated Memorials (Service Personnel)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 439, what is his policy in respect of the names of service personnel killed in Northern Ireland being inscribed on dedicated memorials; and what are the reasons for that policy. [25194]

  Mr. Moss
  The policy in respect of existing war memorials is that only the names of those killed in a war may be inscribed on them. The civil disturbances in Northern Ireland have not been considered as a war situation. Policy in Northern Ireland, as outlined in existing legislation, is in line with that in Great Britain.

  Gas Interconnector
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the EU support grant for the gas interconnector with Scotland and the conversion of Ballylumford power station indicating which geographic areas, communities and sectors in Northern Ireland were specified in the application to the European Commission as the intended beneficiaries. [24868]

  Mr. Ancram
  EU grant for the gas interconnector with Scotland and the conversion of Ballylumford power station is being provided under the natural gas measure contained in the Northern Ireland single programming document 1994–99. The objectives of the measure include diversification of Northern Ireland's energy sources and the introduction of further competition into the energy system. Specific geographic areas, communities and sectors are not listed as beneficiaries.

  ADAS: Future Structure
  ADAS: Future Structure
  Debates: Ministerial Replies
  Debates: Ministerial Replies
  Negelle Borana: Visit by EC Food Aid Monitor
  Negelle Borana: Visit by EC Food Aid Monitor
  International Criminal Court: Draft Statute
  International Criminal Court: Draft Statute
  European Court of Human Rights: Powers
  European Court of Human Rights: Powers
  Brazil and Indian Land Protection
  Brazil and Indian Land Protection
  OSCE-US: Military Information
  OSCE-US: Military Information
  Juveniles in Secure Units
  Juveniles in Secure Units
  Outer Space: Control of Weaponry
  Outer Space: Control of Weaponry
  The Army: Apprentice Training
  The Army: Apprentice Training
  'Sea Empress' Grounding: Inquiry
  'Sea Empress' Grounding: Inquiry
  Colchester Young Offender Institution
  Colchester Young Offender Institution
  Housing Benefit
  Housing Benefit
  Paymaster Agency: Review
  Paymaster Agency: Review
  Capital Gains Tax
  Capital Gains Tax
  Lloyd's Underwriters: Tax Payments and Refunds
  Lloyd's Underwriters: Tax Payments and Refunds