Written Answers of 24 April 1996

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by his Department in 1995–96;[26160]

  (2) what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96.[26111]

  The Attorney-General
  The Serious Fraud Office paid 92 per cent. of valid invoices on time—within 30 days, or specific contract provision if different—during 1995–96. The value of late payments made by the SFO to the private sector was £977,000. This represents about 6 per cent. of total expenditure and includes a number of substantial and complex invoices from large companies.

  On the basis of samples of bills settled during 1995–96, the percentage of valid invoices paid on time was 94.3 per cent. for the Crown Prosecution Service and 75 per cent. for the Treasury Solicitor's Department.1 Information is not held about the value of late payments made by these departments.

  1 Includes figures for Government property lawyers, the legal secretariat to the Law Officers and the lawyers management unit.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  "Hansard" Index
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee on which date the latest bound publication of a Hansard index was published and for which Session; what are the estimated dates of publication of all sessional indices not so far published; and what are the reasons for delays in publication after January of the preceding normal Session. [26010]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The index for the long Session 1992–93 was published in November 1995. The proofs for Session 1993–94 will be returned to HMSO parliamentary press in early June 1996 and should be published two to three months thereafter. It is expected that the 1994–95 index will be sent to HMSO by the end of 1996 and published early in 1997. Editing the 1995–96 index will begin in January 1997, with a likely publication date later in 1997.

  The Library provides the copy for the fortnightly, volume and sessional indexes to Hansard, which are printed and published by HMSO. The entries for the sessional index are generated after the last volume index for the Session has been processed; the copy for the volume is usually received by the indexers two to three months after the proceedings reported. The objective is
  148
  that the index for a Session of normal length should be published late in the following Session. I understand that this objective should be met for the 1995–96 Session.

  The current backlog is a result of problems arising from major changes to the Library's computer system in the summer of 1995.

ENVIRONMENT

  Abbatoir Waste
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if fifth-quarter material derived from cattle can be spread on agricultural land outside the waste management licensing regime; and if he will make a statement; [25719]

  (2) for what reason fifth-quarter material derived from cattle is not classified as waste; and if duty of care waste transfer notes are required once this material changes hands. [25718]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Department's views on the application to animal by-products of(a) the definition of waste, (b) waste management licensing and (c) the duty of care, are set out in DOE circular 11/94, paragraphs 1.17(c), 2.33(d) (ii), 4.91-4.94 and 5.167.

  Wheelie Bins
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many rural district councils currently collect domestic refuse from the doorstep; and how many have transferred to the wheelie bin system. [26092]

  Mr. Clappison
  Mr. Department does not hold the information requested, but I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the publication by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy entitled "Waste Collection Statistics 1993–94 Actuals", which contains that organisation's most recently published statistics covering the information that the right hon. Gentleman requests.

  Seal Skins
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the(a) locations and (b) seal species from which the skins exported from the United Kingdom in 1994 and during the first nine months of 1885 came.[26446]

  Mr. Clappison
  Between 1 January 1994 and 30 September 1995 permits were issued for the re-export of skins of the Afro-Australian fur seal,Arctocephalus pusillus, originally imported from Namibia; and the South American fur seal, Arctocephalus australis, originally imported from Uruguay.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96.[26115]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.
  149
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was paid late to the private sector by his Department for goods and services in 1995–96. [26156]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department does not hold a central record of the amount owed to businesses not paid within the agreed period. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Heating Costs
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the percentage of extra fuel which is required to heat identical houses in(a) Nottingham and (b) Derby, taking Bristol as the base. [26602]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The percentage of extra fuel required to heat a typical semi-detached house with gas central heating is estimated to be as follows for each of the specified locations:

  (a) Nottingham +17 per cent. and

  (b) Derby +17 per cent.

  These figures have been calculated using the Building Research Establishment domestic energy model and taking Bristol as the base case.

  Tyne and Wear Development Corporation
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment if he will list those(a) new and (b) established companies in the Tyne and Wear development corporation area which have appointed staff members of the corporation as (i) directors and (ii) advisers to their boards, indicating (1) the period of appointment of individuals, (2) their remuneration, (3) if capital or revenue financial assistance, grants or loans from the corporation have been awarded to the companies and for what purpose and (4) other corporation assistance to the companies.[26557]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Six companies in the urban development area of the Tyne and Wear development corporation have members of the corporation's staff appointed as directors in pursuance of the corporation's statutory object of securing the regeneration of the urban development area.

  Of these, five companies are regarded as new, having been formed since the corporation was created in 1987. These five companies are The Customs House Trust Limited, Jarrow AD Limited, North Shields Fish Quay Development Company Limited, Sunderland Enterprise Park Management Company Limited and Tyneside Enterprise Factory.

  The sixth company, South Tyneside Groundwork Trust Limited, is regarded as an established company, being part of a national group undertaking similar work in different areas of England.

  No companies in the urban development area have appointed any members of the corporation's staff specifically as advisors.

  Each appointment of a member of the corporation's staff will terminate not later than 31 March 1998.
  150
  No remuneration is paid to any of the corporation's staff for the work that they undertake as directors of the companies.

  In addition, Ms S. Thomas, a former member of the corporation's staff, is also the current chairman of The Customs House Trust Limited. As in the case of each of the other directors of that company, she does not receive remuneration for that position.

  The further information requested in relation to each company is as follows:

  Customs House Trust Limited

  One member of staff appointed as a director from mid-1991 to mid 1993 and from mid 1994 as chair.

  One member of staff appointed as director from mid-1994 to 31 March 1998.

  Capital costs: design fees (£291.000), building (£2,392 million), legal fees £86,000) and car park and external works (£530, 000).

  Revenue funding: towards production costs and local arts development to 31 March 1996 is £198,000 including VAT.

  Other assistance: The corporation's member of staff provides general advice as part of the role of director.

  Jarrow 700 AD Limited

  One member of staff appointed as a director form January 1993 to 31 March 1998.

  Revenue funding: £40,000 towards education post plus £7,500 for survey of local needs.

  Other assistance: The corporation's member of staff provides general advice as part of the role as director.

  North Shields Fish Quay Development Company Limited

  One member of staff appointed as director from 1992 to 31 March 1998.

  Capital costs: £20,000 for setting up costs and £300,000 contribution to the partnership for refurbishment of operational premises at North Shields fish quay.

  Other assistance: The corporation's member of staff provides general advice as part of their role as director.

  South Tyneside Groundwork Trust Limited

  One member of staff as a director from April 1991 to 31 March 1998.

  Capital costs: £275,000 general sponsorship and specific project costs.

  Other assistance: The corporation's member of staff provides general advice as part of their role of director.

  Sunderland Enterprise Park Limited

  One member of staff appointed as a director from August 1995 to 31 March 1988.

  Capital costs: Assistance towards setting up costs including installation of a sixteen camera closed circuit television network security system £525,000 including VAT up to 1996–97. There is provision for up to a maximum of £400,000 to be received by the corporation before 31 March 1998.

  Other assistance: The corporation's member of staff provides general advice as part of the role of director.

  Tyneside Enterprise Factory

  One member of staff appointed as a director from June 1995 to 31 March 1998.

  One member of staff appointed as a director from December 1994 to 31 March 1998.

  Capital costs: £120,000 establishment costs.

  Other assistance: The corporation's member of staff provides general advice as part of their role as director.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26118]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much was paid late by his Department to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96.[26152]

  Mr. Evans
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Franchise Applicants
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what instructions he has issued to the franchising director on the eligibility to bid for rail franchises of companies that are under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office; and if he will make a statement. [25592]

  Mr. Watts
  The Railways Act 1993 requires that the franchising director should not invite any person to tender for franchises unless he is satisfied that they are financially robust, managerially competent and otherwise suitable to be a franchisee. In order to prequalify for franchise competitions, potential bidders are required to notify the franchising director of any factors which might affect his assessment of their suitability to be a franchisee. It is therefore unnecessary for my right hon. Friend to issue any instructions to the franchising director on this subject.

  Temporary Speed Restrictions (Rail Track)
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the sections of rail track on the(a) west coast, (b) east coast, (c) Midland and (d) Great Western main lines currently subject to temporary speed restrictions due to the poor conditions of the track; and in each case, when it is estimated that these restrictions will be lifted. [25593]

  Mr. Watts
  The information required in not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.

  Pedestrians and Cyclists
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the percentage of passenger kilometres that were(a) walked and (b) cycled in each year in Great Britain since 1979; [25402]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of miles (a) walked and (b) cycled in each year in Great Britain since 1979. [25401]
  152
  Mr. Norris
  Figures for cycling based on table 9.1 of the 1995 "Transport Statistics Great Britain" are as follows:

  Distance cycled (billion passenger miles)

  Percentage of all passenger miles exc. walking (per cent.)

  1979

  2.9

  1.0

  1980

  3.2

  1.0

  1981

  3.4

  1.1

  1982

  4.0

  1.3

  1983

  4.0

  1.3

  1984

  4.0

  1.2

  1985

  3.8

  1.1

  1986

  3.4

  1.0

  1987

  3.5

  0.9

  1988

  3.2

  0.8

  1989

  3.2

  0.8

  1990

  3.3

  0.8

  1991

  3.2

  0.8

  1992

  2.9

  0.7

  1993

  2.8

  0.7

  1994

  2.7

  0.6

  Figures for walking are less reliable and available only for particular years. They are as follows:

  Distance walked (billion passenger miles)

  Percentage of all passenger miles including walking (per cent.)

  1975–76

  14

  5

  1985–86

  13

  4

  1989–91

  13

  3

  1992–94

  11

  3

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money he estimates(a) has been paid to date and (b) will be paid in the current financial year by the Government or Railtrack for advice and other assistance in connection with the sale of Railtrack to (1) SBC Warburg, (2) Linklaters and Paines, (3) Ernst and Young, (4) Solid Solutions Associates, (5) Freshfields, (6) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, (7) N. M. Rothschild & Sons Ltd., (8) Merrill Lynch International, (9) Simmons and Simmons, (10) Sullivan and Cromwell, (11) Deloitte and Touche, (12) Dewe Rogerson Ltd, and (13) the Royal Bank of Scotland plc (i) separately and (ii) in total. [25869]

  Mr. Watts
  Information about the payments to individual advisers is commercially confidential. However, as usual for major Government share sales, I expect to make an announcement about the total costs of the Railtrack flotation shortly after this has been completed.

  Mr. Gorden Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what amendments were made to the draft prospectus for the privatisation of Railtrack following receipt of the views of the chairman of the British Railways Board. [26418]

  Mr. Watts
  At the time the chairman of the British Railways Board's views were received the Pathfinder prospectus was still being drafted. A number of changes have been made to the draft since the version on which
  153
  the chairman was expressing his views to take account of comments received from the British Railways Board and other interested parties.

  Nuclear Energy
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many shipments abroad by(a) sea or (b) air of mixed oxide fuel have taken place from the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. Sellafield MOX plant since it opened; what safety licences are required for such transports; and if these transports are covered by (a) European Union legislation and (b) International Atomic Energy Agency or International Maritime Organisation guidelines. [26241]

  Mr. Norris
  There have been five such shipments by air, and none by sea.

  All package designs for MOX fuel have to be approved to IAEA standards by the competent authority of the country of origin. Such approvals must be validated by the competent authorities of the countries through which the shipments pass.

  The shipments complied with all relevant international transport regulations.

  A406
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when work is due to be completed on the A406 east of Falloden way. [26315]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. John Marshall, dated 24 April 1996:
  As you know the Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the completion of the A406 London North Circular East of Falloden Way scheme.
  Our current best estimate is that these works will be completed at the end of this year.
  I shall let you know if that changes.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the DVLA takes to ensure delivery of drivers' licences to the correct addresses; and what use is made of recorded delivery. [26592]

  Mr. Norris
  Delivery of driving licences is the responsibility of the Royal Mail. Recorded delivery is not used because it would delay the delivery of licences and increase costs.

  Driving Licences (Fraudulent Use)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many driving licences have been used fraudulently in each of the last five years. [26590]

  Mr. Norris
  Some 2, 000 fraudulent driving licence applications are identified each year, representing 0.1 per cent. of applications.

  London Transport
  Mr. Tracey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial objectives he has set for London Transport. [26918]

  Mr. Norris
  I have written to Peter Ford, chairman of LT, to set new medium-term financial objectives for LT to achieve in 1998–99. These replace the objectives which came to an end on 31 March 1996. The package of new objectives sets challenging but achievable targets for the continued improvement in LT's financial performance and efficiency. The objectives are as follows:

  All figures are at 1995–96 prices

  Objective

  Cost per train kilometer1

  Not more than £9.45

  LUL gross margin2

  At least £285 million

  Bus subsidy per kilometre3

  Not more than 6.0 pence

  LT Buses gross loss4

  Not more than £20 million

  Group services etc.5 gross loss

  Not more than £21.5 million

  Dial-a-Ride costs per trip

  Not more than £9.40

  Property rental income growth

  To be at least as good as the average shown by the IPD index (6) on three-year following basis

  1 Costs per operated train kilometre to exclude depreciation, renewals, restructuring and PFI costs.

  2 LUL gross margin before depreciation, renewals, restructuring and PFI costs.

  3 Net subsidy per operated bus kilometre before depreciation, renewals, restructuring and PFI costs.

  4 LT Buses gross loss before depreciation, renewal, restructuring, and PFI costs.

  5 LT Group Services, plus Victoria coach station, unit for disabled passengers, PASS and LT museum.

  6 IPD is the Investment Property Databank index.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26124]

  Mr. Norris
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid late by his Department to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [26145]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is not available.

  Distress Calls
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what dates and at what stations in the last 12 months coastguard operational staff have initially missed distress calls over the emergency 2182 radio frequency; and if he will make a statement; [26643]

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 19 February to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley), Official Report, column 49, for what reasons there are no designated staff from his Department listening for distress calls over the emergency 2182 radio frequency; and if he will make a statement. [26705]

  Mr. Norris
  I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.
  155
  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the 2182KHz Distress Watch.
  PQ 1846/95/96
  There is no evidence of any Distress and Urgency messages being missed.
  PQ1855/95/96
  The watchkeeping complement at each Rescue Centre fulfils the requirement to monitor Channel 16, 2182KHz and the reception of 999 calls. There is no requirement to have staff designated to 2182KHz.

  Road Building Schemes
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the expected date of completion for each of the schemes for which the Highways Agency has responsibility, now under construction, and for each of those upon which construction is expected to start by 31 March 1997. [25812]

  Mr. Watts
  I have set out in the table details of all schemes currently under construction, including their expected completion dates, and the anticipated completion dates for those schemes upon which construction is expected to start by 31 March 1997. I have also set out in the final table those schemes which are including within tranches 1 and 1A of design, build, finance and operate projects or DBFOs. It is not possible to indicate completion dates for the schemes contained within those projects.

  Schemes currently under construction

  Scheme

  Expected completion date

  M1/M621

  Link Road, Leeds MB

  Late 1997

  M1

  J21-21A Widening Phase 1, Leicestershire

  Mid 1996

  M1

  J43-45 Lighting

  May 1996

  M4/M5

  Second Severn Crossing Approach Roads, Avon

  Mid 1996

  M4

  Second Severn Crossing, Avon

  Mid 1996

  M4

  Landscape Improvements

  Early 1996

  M5

  J18-19 Widening, Avon

  Mid 1998

  M6

  J20-21 A Widening, Lancashire

  Late 1996

  M25

  J7-8 Widening, Surrey

  Late 1996

  M25

  J8-10 Widening, Surrey

  Mid 1997

  M25

  Controlled Motorway M25 Pilot Scheme

  Mid 1996

  M65

  Blackburn Southern Bypass Contract 1, Lancashire

  Late 1996

  M65

  Blackburn Southern Bypass Contract 2, Lancashire

  Late 1997

  M66

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

  Early 1999

  M66

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

  End 1996

  Al (M)

  Walshford-Disforth, North Yorkshire

  Mid 1997

  A4/A46

  Batheaston/Swainswick Bypass, Avon

  Mid 1996

  A5

  Beech Road

  May 1996

  156

  Schemes currently under construction

  Scheme

  Expected completion date

  A10

  Carterhatch Lane in AA406 Cycleway

  Early 1996

  A10

  Royston to Huntingford Traffic and Safety Imp.Herts

  May 1996

  A11

  Besthorpe-Wymondham, Norfolk

  Early 1996

  Al2

  Hackney Wick-M11 Link Contract 2, L. Bs Hackney, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Newham

  Late 1997

  Al2

  Hackney Wick-M11 Link Contract 4, L. Bs Hackney, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Newham

  Late 1997

  Al2

  CRSF Feering—Marks Tey, Essex

  June 1996

  Al3

  Thames Avenue- Wenningron, LB Barking and Dagenham

  Mid 1997

  A13

  Blackwell Tunnel/Cotton Street Junction Imp, LB Tower Hamlets

  Mid 1996

  A27

  Drainage Imp, Lancing W.Sussex

  April 1996

  A30

  Minizies Down—Imp. of westbound carriageway, Cornwall

  June 1996

  A36

  Improvement, Wick Farm, Somerset

  May 1996

  A41

  Parking Imp. North of Dame Roundabout, Herts

  April 1996

  A45

  Windmill Hill

  May/June 1996

  A46

  Stragglesthorpe Crossroads

  June 1996

  A47

  Walpole Highway/Tilney High End Bypass, Nolfolk

  Late 1996

  A50

  Blythe Bridge-Queensway Phase 1, Straffordshire

  Late 1996

  A50

  Blythe Bridge-Queensway Phase 2, Straffordshire

  Early 1998

  A102

  Blackwall Tunnel Northbound Escape Ramp

  Early 1997

  A205

  Kew Bridge Relighting

  Early 1997

  A249

  M2-wade Imp, Kent

  Mid 1996

  A282/M25

  VMS for Bridge Maintenance, Dartford Crossing

  May 1996

  A406

  Dysons Road-Hall Lane, LB Enfield

  Late 1996

  A406

  Silver Street-Fore Street Imp. LB Enfield

  Late 1996

  A406

  East of Falladen Way- Finchley High Road, L.B Barnet

  Late 1996

  A417

  Birdlip Single Lane Dualling

  May 1996

  A428

  Bedford Southern Bypass, Bedfordshire

  Late 1996

  A501

  Euston Road—Traffic and Pedestrian Improvement

  Mid 1996

  A564

  Derby Southern Bypass and Derby Spur Contract A. Derbyshire

  Mid 1997

  A568

  Widnes Eastern Bypass (South), Cheshire

  Mid 1997

  A570

  Bushey Lane Roundabout

  Sept 1996

  A585

  Mains Lane, Singleton, drainage

  June 1996

  157

  Schemes currently under construction

  Scheme

  Expected completion date

  A4123

  Environmental Enhancement

  Sept 1996

  A6119

  Brownhill Improvement

  June 1996

  Kent Variable Message Signs

  Late 1996

  Trunk Road Cabling and Communications, London

  Late 1996

  Birmingham-Notts DLS

  Late 1997

  Kent VMS

  Late 1996

  Urban Traffic Control System, London

  Early 1997

  MOVA Signal Control, London

  Early 1997

  Cable Modifications, London

  Early 1997

  Installation of VMS, London

  Early 1997

  CCTV Upgrade, London

  Spring 1997

  Blackwall Tunnel Overhight Detector

  Late 1996

  Enforcement CCTV Pilot, London

  Early 1997

  Enforcement Cameras, London

  Early 1997

  Schemes upon which construction is expected to start by 31 March 1997

  Scheme

  Expected completion Date

  A12

  Hackney Wick-Mill LinkContract 1. LB Hackney, Redbridge, Walth

  February 1999

  A12

  Hackney Wick-Mill Link contract 3. LB Hackney, Redbridge, Walth

  August 1999

  A13

  Wennington-Mar Dyke, Essex

  June 1998

  A13

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

  February 1999

  A34

  Newbury Bypass, Berkshire

  August 1998

  A40

  Gypsy Corner Imp. LB Hounslow

  August 1999

  A40

  Western Circus Junction Imp. LB Ealing

  August 1999

  London Primary Route Signing Project

  Summer 1999

  DBFO Projects showing schemes which are included within each project

  Project

  Schemes included

  Project start date

  A69: Carlile- Newcastle

  A69 Haltwhistle Bypass

  Awarded 1995–96

  A1(M): Alconbury- Peterborough

  A1 (M): Alconbury— Peterborough

  Awarded 1995–96

  A419/A417: Swindon - Gloucester

  A419/A417 Cirencester and Stratton Bypass

  A417 North of Stratton—Nettleton Imp

  A419 Luton BypassAwarded 1995–96

  M1-A1 Link Road: Lofthouse- Bramham

  M1-A1 Link Road: Lofthouse—Bramham

  Awarded 1995–96

  158

  Project

  Schemes included

  Project start date or expected start date

  M40: J1 to 15

  M40: J1A. 3 widening

  Spring/summer 1996

  A19: Dishforth-Tyne Tunnel

  A19 Norton-Parkway Interchange Imp

  Spring/summer 1996

  A30/A34: M5 J29-Bere Regis

  A30 H. oniton-Exeter Imp A35 Talpuddle-Puddletown Bypass

  Spring/summer 1996

  A50/A564: Stoke-Derby Link

  A564 Doveridge Bypass

  Spring/summer 1996

  Vehicles (Illegal Operators)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the final report on the roadside checks of illegal operators undertaken by the Vehicle Inspectorate in October 1995. [26767]

  Mr. Norris
  The report has been published today. It shows that 1.8 per cent. of miles travelled on roads in Great Britain by goods vehicles are travelled by vehicles that are being operated without an operator's licence. The survey also indicates that vehicles that are being operated illegally are more likely than other vehicles to have roadworthiness defects. I have placed copies of the report in the Library.

TREASURY

  Customs and Excise (Redundancies)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the statement by management of Customs and Excise in the recent expenditure review that further redundancies in the number of front line anti-smuggling officers including those specialising in drug offences, would be implemented in accordance with the level of drug seizures. [26523]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The fundamental expenditure review of anti-smuggling recommended that reductions in staffing should take place in two phases and that the effects of the first tranche of reductions should be comprehensively reviewed before any further savings are contemplated. Some 292 posts were withdrawn in the first phase during 1995–96 and the review is taking place throughout this year.

  In addition to monitoring drug seizures, the review will evaluate Customs' success in dismantling smuggling organisations, seizing illicit assets and detecting other prohibitions. The drugs risk faced by the United Kingdom, the effectiveness of intelligence in informing targeting, and the effects of changes in tactical deployment are also being closely monitored.

  Tax Reliefs
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of tax relief for(a) enterprise investment schemes, (b) venture capital trusts and (c) enterprise zone trusts in the financial years (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96. [23975]
  159
  Mr. Jack
  The available information is in the table.

  £ million

  Cost of tax reliefs1

  1994–95

  1995–962

  Enterprise

  10

  15

  Investment Schemes Venture Capital Trusts

  —

  50

  1 Estimated cost of income tax relief and capital gains tax costs of re-investment relief and exempting gains from tax.

  2 Provisional.

  The cost of tax relief for enterprise zone trusts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  I am delighted that the venture capital industry and investors have responded to the challenge and opportunity offered to them by Parliament to invest in small and developing companies through venture capital trusts. The first 12 VCTs have between them raised over £150 million in the first few months of the scheme. This is excellent news for the financing and development of the companies, which are a crucial part of our growing economy. We should also congratulate the British venture capital industry on the energy they have put into raising this new form of capital for their growing business.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the percentage change in unemployment since 1992 for each county and former metropolitan county area in England in rank order from the greatest increase to the greatest decrease. [26482]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested is available from the Nomis database accessed by the House of Commons Library.

  Season Tickets (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce tax relief on season tickets. [24727]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: Under current law, the cost of a season ticket for home-to-work travel is not tax deductible. There are no plans to change that.

  Self-assessment (Investment Income)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the yield in 1997–98 from higher rate income tax charged by direct assessment on investment income received net of lower rate income tax will be higher under the new system of self-assessment; and what estimate he has made of the extent of the difference. [26190]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: Self-assessment rationalises the payment dates for income tax, replacing the current plethora of dates and allowing a taxpayer's affairs to be brought together in one place and on one bill. Under self-assessment, payments on account will be required from certain taxpayers on 31 January within the tax year and on the following 31
  160
  July—broadly following the existing payment dates for the self-employed. Any balance will then be required at the following 31 January. For those taxpayers not required to make payments on account, the whole amount will be due on the following 31 January.

  The transition from the old to the new pattern of payment dates will result in some one-off changes in Exchequer yields in 1997–98. Receipts of higher rate tax on investment income taxed at source will increase by £500 million because in-year payments on account of this tax will be required from some taxpayers from 1997–98, in contrast to the present arrangements whereby most such tax is collected in the following year. There will also be an offsetting reduction of £500 million in 1997–98 receipts of tax on rent and investment income not taxed at source because the bulk of 1997–98 tax will not be collected until the following year, whereas most of this tax is currently collected in-year—and this will also be true for 1996–97 tax. The £50 million shown in table 5.2 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1996–97" as the net yield in 1997–98 from self-assessment reflects both these effects.

  The figures in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" assume that no payments on account would be required in January and July 1998 from those whose tax due in 1996–97 was less than £500 or who paid 80 per cent. or more of their 1996–97 tax liability through pay-as-you-earn or other reduction at source arrangements. These limits will be confirmed when Treasury regulations are laid later this year. Under self-assessment, higher rate taxpayers who do not need to make payments on account will generally pay higher rate tax on their investment income taxed at source later than they do at present.

PRIME MINISTER

  Louise Jensen (Killing)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons a letter of condolence was not sent by a Minister to the family of the Danish tour guide for whose manslaughter three British service men have been convicted. [26301]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has written a private letter to Louise Jensen's parents.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Prime Minister what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26120]

  The Prime Minister
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Prime Minister how much was paid late by his Department to the private sector for goods and services in 1995–96. [26149]

  The Prime Minster
  The information is not held in the form requested.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Turkey
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to support moves by the UN Commission on Human Rights to prevent the continuing human rights violations in Turkey.[26441]

  Mr. David Davis
  We contributed to the Presidency statement at the UN Commission on Human Rights which conveyed to the Turkish Government the depth of our continuing concern about a number of human rights issues in Turkey. We will continue to raise these concerns directly with the Turkish authorities at every opportunity.

  China
  Mr. Jack Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the subject of the human rights situation in China at the forthcoming United Nations Commission on Human Rights. [26424]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We are tabling a resolution on human rights in China at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, together with our European partners. We are working for maximum support for it among members of the Commission. The statement to the Commission by the European Union also expressed in detail our specific concerns about human rights in China.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of bills were paid late by(a) the diplomatic wing and (b) the Overseas Development Administration in 1995–96. [26108]

  Mr. Hanley
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by(a) the diplomatic wing and (b) the Overseas Development Administration in 1995–96. [26155]

  Mr. Hanley
  We do not distinguish between payments to the public and private sectors and to analyse invoices paid in 1995–96 on this basis would involve disproportionate cost.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many appointments to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" for his Department were made during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit; and if he will list them.[25950]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: During 1994–95, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office made five appointments from names supplied by the public appointments unit to public bodies listed in the FCO 1996 departmental report.
  162
  They are as follows:

  Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission

  Dr. Robert Stevens

  Commonwealth Development Corporation

  Ms Caroline Hayman

  Commonwealth Institute

  Lord Armstrong

  Dr. Ann Robinson

  Mr. Algie Cluff

DEFENCE

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26175]

  Mr. Soames
  Capital expenditure by the private sector on private finance initiative projects within my department is estimated as follows:

  1995–96: up to £5 million

  1996–97: £30 million

  1997–98: £80 million

  Peacekeeping Forces (Weapons)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what limitations are placed on Her Majesty's armed forces by the United Nations on the types of weapons that may be used in peacekeeping operations. [26264]

  Mr. Soames
  The type of weapons that may be used in peacekeeping operations is a matter for discussion between the United Nations and individual troop-contributing nations in the particular circumstances of each operation.

  Israel-Lebanon Conflict
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his recent speeches regarding the present Israeli-Lebanese conflict represent a change in Government policy in respect of territorial integrity between Lebanon and Israel as outlined in Security Council resolution No. 425. [26139]

  Mr. Soames
  No.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96; [26113]

  (2) how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by his Department in 1995–96. [26162]

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Bills Agency, the Met Office and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executives to write to the hon. Member.
  163
  Information across Government on what percentage of bills were paid late by Departments in 1995–96 is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my tight hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Letter from T. R. Thurgate to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 24 April 1996:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995/96, and how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by his Department in 1995/96. As this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Bills Agency I have been asked to reply.
  We monitor our prompt payment performances closely. Of the 3.1m bills paid by the Defence Bills Agency in 1995/96, less than 0.1% were not paid within thirty days of receipt at Liverpool.
  The payment performance statistics which are readily available are held by volume of bills, not value, and are not split between private and public sector, therefore the amount of money paid late to the private sector for goods and services in 1995/96 could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 24 April 1996:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about late payment of bills by the Meteorological Office as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive.
  On 1 April 1995 the Office took over responsibility for paying most of its bills. Since that date we have paid 100% of our bills within the target of settlement no later than 30 days after the invoice has been validated and passed for payment.
  Our payment procedures make no distinction between the public and private sectors.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation & Research Agency to reply to your questions about the percentage of bills that were paid late by this Agency in 1995/96 and what percentage of these were paid late to the private sector.
  As I said in my letter to you of 1 November 1995, we define late payment as not paying bills within 30 days of receipt of a validated invoice at our bill paying section. On this basis, virtually all DERA's 285, 642 bills paid in 1995/96 were paid within the 30 day period. We keep a lot of data on bill paying, as an aid to improving our performance, but I am afraid we do not keep statistics on those very few bills that fell outside of this target.
  Nor do we keep our statistics in a way which allows us to differentiate readily between bills paid to the private sector and those paid to other areas. I regret, therefore, that the information to answer your second question is not available without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many appointments to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" for his Department were made during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit; and if he will list them. [25954]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: There were no appointments made to my Department's public
  164
  bodies using names supplied by the public appointments unit during 1994–95.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26180]

  Mr. Willetts
  The Cabinet Office—including the Office of Public Service—Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the Central Office of Information have not yet approved any projects under the PFI. The Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency hopes to involve private finance in the provision of the Metropolitan Telecommunications Service. This could involve capital expenditure of some £750, 000 in 1996–97 and £1.5 million in 1997–98. Final offers are due at the end of May 1996, and the contract is likely to be awarded in June 1996.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid late to the private sector by his Department for goods and services in 1995–96. [26158]

  Mr. Willetts
  The information is not held in the form requested.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26114]

  Mr. Willetts
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many regulations relating to firms with fewer than(a) 100 employees, (b) 50 employees, (c) 20 employees and (d) 10 employees were in force in each of the last 20 years. [26107]

  Mr. Freeman
  This information is not held in the form requested. To collect such information would involve disproportionate cost.

  Civil Service College
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the Government's proposals for the future of the Civil Service college. [26900]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Civil Service college has a continuing role in the provision of training and development courses self evidently linked to the civil service. I am also pleased to announce that the college is now developing a number of partnerships with the private sector which will enhance its status in the provision of courses for those in the public and private sectors.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Holloway Prison
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which Home Office Ministers have visited Holloway prison in the past two years indicating the Minister who carried out the visit. [25620]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have visited Holloway prison twice in the past two years, on 27 July 1995 and on 14 March 1996.

  I am the only Home Office Minister to have visited Holloway over that period.

  Hillsborough Fund
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the status and future of the Hillsborough fund. [25734]

  Mr. Sackville
  The disaster appeal had two trusts, the Hillsborough Disaster Appeal Trust, a non-charitable discretionary trust, and the Hillsborough Disaster Charitable Trust, which was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in April 1989. The appeal trust was closed in June 1992 and its remaining assets transferred to the charitable trust. The charitable trust was removed from the register in November 1995 because the trustees thought that the trust had served its purpose and wound it up after distributing all the funds.

  Prisons (Mandatory Drug Testing)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the prisons in England and Wales which conduct mandatory drug testing; [26138]

  (2) how many prisons in England and Wales pursue a policy of random urine drug testing; and if he will make a statement. [26094]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions concerning the number of prisons which conduct mandatory drug testing and the number which pursue a policy of random urine drug testing.
  All establishments in England and Wales conduct a mandatory drug testing programme and all perform random tests as a part of that programme.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the local authorities which have been granted financial help with the provision of city centre closed circuit television. [26272]

  Mr. Maclean
  The 106 winners of the first Home Office closed circuit television challenge competition are 166
  listed. Additionally, phase 1 of the Home Office safer cities initiative funded some CCTV schemes. These areas are also listed. In both cases, the areas covered are not necessarily town or city centres, and payments were made to local partnerships, not to local authorities.

  CCTV CHALLENGE COMPETITION 1994–95

  Successful bids:

  Addlestone, Surrey-town centre

  Ashford, Kent-town centre

  Banbury, Oxfordshire-railway station, arts and sports centres

  Basingstoke, Hampshire-town centre

  Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham-town centre

  Blackpool, Lancashire-town centre

  Bodmin, Cornwall-town centre

  Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire-town centre

  Boscombe (Bournemouth), Dorset-town centre

  Boston, Lincolnshire-town centre

  Brigg, Humberside-town centre

  Bristol, Avon-Berkeley Square car park and shopping centre

  Brodsworth, Doncaster, South Yorkshire-Scawsby community centre

  Bury, Lancashire-town centre

  Carlisle, Cumbria-city centre

  Chelmsford, Essex-town centre

  Chesham, Buckinghamshire-town centre

  Chester, Cheshire-city centre

  Chester le street, Co. Durham-town centre

  Cirencester, Gloucestershire-town centre

  Clithoroe, Lancashire-town centre

  Colwyn Bay, Clwyd-town centre

  Cwmbran, Gwent-town centre

  Dartford, Kent-town centre

  Denton (Tameside), Greater Manchester-business development centre

  Doncaster, South Yorkshire-Balby street school

  Donington, Lincolnshire-town centre

  Dover and Deal, Kent-town centre

  Driffield, Humberside-town centre

  Eastbourne, Sussex-town centre

  Egham, Surrey-town centre

  Ely, Cambridgeshire-town centre

  Erith, Kent-town centre

  Falmouth, Cornwall-town centre

  Folkestone, Kent-town centre

  Gainsborough, Lincolnshire-industrial estates

  Gateshead, Tyne and Wear-Team Valley industrial estate

  Gateshead, Tyne and Wear-town centre

  Gloucester, Gloucestershire-city centre

  Hadleigh and Sudbury, Suffolk-town centres

  Harlow, Essex-town centre

  Harrogate, North Yorkshire-town centre

  Harrow, London borough-town centre

  Havant, Hampshire-town centre

  Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed-town centre

  Hereford, Herefordshire-city centre

  High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire-town centre

  Hillingdon, London borough-mobile CCTV system

  167

  Hitchin and Letchworth, Hertfordshire-town centre and business park

  Hounslow, London borough-town centre

  Hull, Humberside-Sutton Fields industrial estate

  Hyde, Greater Manchester-town centre

  Ilkeston, Derbyshire-town centre

  Islington, London borough-Archway mall

  Keighley, West Yorkshire-town centre

  Kettering, Northamptonshire-town centre

  Kirkby, Merseyside-railway station

  Kirton, nr. Boston, Lincolnshire-town centre

  Lancaster, Lancashire-city centre

  Ledbury, Worcestershire-High street

  Lichfield, Staffordshire-town centre

  Loughborough, Leicestershire-town centre

  Maidstone, Kent-town centre

  Mansfield, Nottinghamshire-town centre

  Market Harborough, Leicestershire-town centre

  Moira, North West Leicestershire-village centre

  Morecambe, Lancashire-seafront

  Nailsea, Bristol, Avon-Crown Glass Centre

  Neston, Cheshire-town centre

  Newhaven, Sussex-town centre

  Newquay, Cornwall-town centre

  North Walthamstow, London borough-Webbs industrial estate,

  Higham Lodge business centre and Blackhorse mews

  Penrith, Cumbria-town centre

  Peterborough, Cambridgeshire-town centre

  Portsmouth, Hampshire-Fawcett road shopping area

  Rhondda, Mid Glamorgan-Fawr road, Ystrad neighbourhood scheme

  Richmond, London borough-town centre

  Rochdale, Lancashire-town centre

  Rochester, Kent-Business Estate

  Rugby, Staffordshire-town centre

  Salisbury, Wiltshire-town centre

  Sandwich, Kent-town centre

  Scarborough, North Yorkshire-town centre

  Sheffield, South Yorkshire-Lower Don Valley industrial area

  Shrewsbury, Shropshire-town centre

  Solihull, West Midlands-town centre

  South Bank, Cleveland-Skippers Lane Indsutrial Estate

  Spelthorne, London borough-Sunbury Cross Shopping Centre

  Stevenage, Hertfordshire-town centre

  Stockton, Cleveland-Mill Lane Primary School

  Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire-town centre

  Tamworth Staffordshire-town centre

  Thetford, Norfolk-town centre

  Tiverton, Devon-town centre

  Tiverton, Devon-business park

  Tonbridge and West Malling, Kent-town centres

  Torquay, Devon-town centre

  Truro, Cornwall-town centre

  Wakefield, West Yorkshire-Outwood Grange school

  West Glamorgan-mobile CCTV system

  West Wiltshire-mobile CCTV system

  Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear-town centre

  Wigan, Lancashire-town centre

  168

  Wokingham, Berkshire-town centre

  Worcester, Worcestershire-city centre

  York, North Yorkshire-city centre

  SAFER CITIES PHASE 1

  Areas in which CCTV schemes were funded:

  Birmingham, West Midlands-city centre

  Bradford, West Yorkshire-sports centre

  Coventry, West Midlands-city centre, car parks and community centres

  Derby, Derbyshire-city centre and school

  Hammersmith, London borough-Shepherds Bush green and market area

  Hartlepool, Cleveland-industrial estate, car park and college

  Hull, Humberside-car park and bus station

  Leicester, Leicstershire-city centre

  Middlesbrough, Cleveland-town centre

  Nottingham, Nottinghamshire-portable system

  Rhyl, Clwyd-White Rose centre

  Sunderland, Tyne and Wear-port, residential area, portable system, wildlife area

  Wandsworth, London borough-shopping centre, high street, park and railway station

  Wolverhampton, West Midlands-hospital, residential area and pub

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the amount of money the Government are providing for closed circuit television in town centres in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [26267]

  Mr. Maclean
  In 1995, £5 million was paid to 106 winners in the first closed circuit television challenge competition. Over the next three years, my Department intends to distribute a further £45 million to help establish CCTV schemes in England and Wales.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum amount his Department is able to grant an individual local authority for city centre closed circuit television; and if he will make a statement. [26271]

  Mr. Maclean
  The bidding guidance for the current closed circuit television challenge competition specifies that no scheme will receive more than £250,000.

  Inspectorate of Constabulary (Budget)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the budget allocated to Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary in(a) 1992, (b) 1994, (c) 1995 and (d) 1996; and if he will make a statement. [26003]

  Mr. Maclean
  Budgets allocated were:

  1992–93: 3,723

  1993–94: 4,364

  1994–95: 4,707

  1995–96: 5,154

  1996–97: 5,017

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary has existed since 1856 and is the means by which my right hon. and learned Friend monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces. The budget for 1996–97 will, as have previous budgets, enable Her Majesty's inspectorate to

  169
  inspect police forces, monitor key police initiatives, advise on policing policy and promote good policing practices.

  Police Officers
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were(a) prosecuted and (b) disciplined in each of the last five years arising from cases where awards of damages or out-of-court settlements had been made; and in cases where offices were disciplined, what form the discipline took. [26009]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not held centrally.

  Prisoners (Foreign Nationals)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what records are kept by his Department of foreign nationals serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales; and how often these are updated. [26091]

  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. Tom Cox, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what records are kept on foreign nationals in prisons in England and Wales.
  The information available centrally on individual prisoners is held on the Central System Database. Nationality information is included on that database and foreign nationals can be separately identified. The Central System Database is updated daily from information provided electronically by the individual prisons. Computer extracts are then taken once a month from the Central System Database for analytical purposes. Each prison will hold both manual and computer records for individual prisoners.

  Chief Inspector of Prisons (Visits)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unannounced prison visits have been made by the chief inspector of prisons since 1 January; and to which prisons in England and Wales. [26090]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many unannounced prison visits have been made by the Chief Inspector of Prisons since 1 January; and to which prisons in England and Wales.
  Since 1 January HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, or members of HM Inspectorate, have made four announced inspections of Prison Service establishments. The establishments inspected were Sudbury, Preston and Dartmoor prisons and Aylesbury young offender institution.

  Boot Camps
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to set up boards of visitors 170
  groups for military establishments being used as boot camps for young offenders; and if he will make a statement. [26303]

  Miss Widdecombe
  On 17 April, I announced our proposal to pilot a demanding new regime for young offenders at a young offender institution which is to be established at the military corrective training centre at Colchester. Her Majesty's young offender institution Colchester will be run under the young offender institution rules and will have a board of visitors appointed by the Home Secretary. There are currently no plans to pilot similar regimes at other military establishments.

  Lowdham Grange
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the current and future use of the former borstal establishment and grounds at Lowdham Grange near Nottingham. [26416]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this mater 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. David Hinchliffe, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the current and future use of the former Borstal establishment and grounds at Lowdham Grange near Nottingham.
  Lowdham Grange has been mothballed since 1989. It is the Prison Service's intention to use the site for a 500 place closed training prison. The new prison will be built, financed and managed using the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). Contract signature is expected in the Autumn of 1996, with the view to opening the prison in December 1997.

  Firearms Licences
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences for firearms and shotguns were(a) granted, (b) refused, (c) renewed and (d) varied for the last five years in Greater Manchester. [26466]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is published annually in Home Office statistical bulletins "Firearm Certificate Statistics, England and Wales" (tables 2 and 4), copies of which can be found in the Library. The bulletin references are 23/91, 19/92, 23/93, 22/94 and 11/95. Statistics for 1995 are not yet available.

  Private Sector Contracts
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a summary of the main contracts with the private sector for the provision of prison buildings and services, including information on the duration of contracts, and the terms of any break or review clauses, for each Prison Service establishment. [26038]

  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.
  171
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jack Straw, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about placing a summary of the main contracts with the private sector for the provision of custodial services in the Library of the House of Commons.
  The contracts for the supply of custodial services at the Wolds, Blakenhurst, Doncaster and Buckley Hall prisons have been placed in the Library.
  On 3 April, the contracts for the first two design, construct, manage and finance contracts for the provision of prisoner places at Bridgend and Fazakerley under the Government's Private Finance Initiative were also placed in the Library.
  The only details not included in those copies is a relatively small amount of commercially sensitive information and, in the case of Bridgend and Fazakerley, an extensive design schedule which is sensitive for security reasons.
  The parts dealing with duration and break clauses have been placed in the Library in full.

  Firearms Amnesty
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give further details of the forthcoming firearms amnesty. [26959]

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have today announced that a national firearms amnesty will start on 3 June and will run for the rest of that month. It will apply to England and Wales and to Scotland and will enable people to hand in to a police station illegally held weapons without fear of prosecution. It will not, however, give immunity against any offences committed using those weapons. The amnesty will also provide an opportunity for people to hand in unwanted but legally held weapons.

  Guidance has been issued to the police to ensure that all appropriate arrangements are made to facilitate the surrender of weapons during the period of the amnesty.

  Publicity material will be made available locally to provide people with information as to how they can hand in weapons.

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the prisoner demonstration that occurred at Buckley Hall prison on 16 April;how many prisoners took part in a rooftop demonstration; how many were subsequently moved to another prison; and what investigations will be carried out by the Prison Service. [26024]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 23 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 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking if he will make a statement on the prisoner demonstration that occurred at Buckley hall prison on the 16 April; how many prisoners took part in a rooftop demonstration; how many
  172
  were subsequently moved to another prison; and what investigations will be carried out by the Prison Service.
  On 16 April a minor passive demonstration was made by a group of prisoners who wished to express grievances about tighter control on release on temporary licence. This was resolved by discussion and no disciplinary charges were laid. There was no roof top demonstration. The incident lasted approximately two hours.
  Later in the day one prisoner was transferred to another establishment. Normal debriefing arrangements are now in hand with regard to the incident.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions have been given to the local police in dealing with media inquiries in relation to Buckley Hall prison; and in what circumstances they are instructed by his Department to refer media inquiries about Buckley Hall prison to Group 4. [26025]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 23 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 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what instructions have been given to the local police in dealing with media inquiries in relation to Buckley Hall prison; and in what circumstances they are instructed by his department to refer media inquiries about Buckley Hall prison to Group 4.
  There are no instructions given to the local police when dealing with media inquiries in relation to Buckley Hall prison. Media incident inquiries within the Prison Service are normally referred to the Prison Service Press Office.
  In addition Buckley Hall also refers inquiries to the Group 4 Press Office.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 3 April,Official Report, column 291, on a full inspection of Buckley Hall prison, on what date, and by whom, the decision was taken that all new prisons should be operational for two years before being fully inspected and what are the implications of this for short, unannounced visits by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons. [25760]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 23 April 1996]: The decision that new Prison Service establishments should not be inspected until they have been operational for at least two years was taken in 1993 by the then chief inspector. The policy applies to inspections which are included in Her Majesty's inspectorate's annual programme of inspections. In addition, Her Majesty's chief inspector may inspect prisons unannounced, or direct a member of Her Majesty's inspectorate to do so, at any time.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 3 April,Official Report, column 293, on security fencing at Buckley Hall prison, how the design of the initial fencing at the prison differed from other similar category C prisons; and for what reasons the cost of additional fencing and external cameras is being incurred by Group 4. [25761]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 23 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.
  173
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 24 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the design of the fencing and the cost of additional fencing and external cameras at Buckley Hall prison.
  The prison fence at Buckley Hall is a standard category C prison perimeter and was designed by the Prison Service.
  Following the escape, on 19 February, of a prisoner who was serving a sentence of two and a half years for burglary a Prison Service investigation concluded that a number of factors had contributed to the escape.
  Although Group 4's record for security at Buckley Hall is similar to that of comparable category C prisons, they were warned that the Prison Service took the view that there had been security failures and intended to impose a remedy. In the event Group 4, having reassessed physical security at Buckley Hall is investing in the provision of additional security measures including fencing and security cameras.

  Entry Visas
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of entry visas for business people from Commonwealth countries who need to make urgent visits to this country. [26306]

  Mr. Hanley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Almost all entry clearance sections process straightforward visit or business visa applications worldwide within 24 hours. Frequent visitors to the UK may apply for multiple entry visas which are valid for periods between six months and five years.

HEALTH

  International Peto Institute
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the agreement between the United Kingdom and Hungarian Governments on the funding for the International Peto Institute; and what will happen to the money donated by Her Majesty's Government at the expiry of the agreement; [25873]

  (2) what progress has been made in the proposal to create an International Peto Institute; [25872]

  (3) what is the value at current prices of the donation by Her Majesty's Government towards the appeal fund to create an International Peto Institute in Hungary; when the donation was made; and where the money is now; [25870]

  (4) what is the total value of international donations for the International Peto Institute. [25871]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government made a contribution in 1991 towards the cost of building a new International Peto Institute in Budapest. These funds are held in trust in a bank account in Budapest and their current value is around £2 million. The Peto Institute has received donations from Hungarian and foreign donors, both private and public. Under the terms of our agreement with the Hungarian Government, the new institute had to be operational by February 1996. As the Hungarians have not brought the new institute into operation, the agreement has expired. Discussions are taking place with the 174
  Hungarian Government about the financial implications, including the disposal of money lodged in Hungary and how best to secure benefits for British children, parents and students.

  Mental Health
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 18 March,Official Report, column 79, in what ways the crisis accommodation he proposes for mentally ill people will differ from that treatment and care provided in acute wards of psychiatric hospitals; and what guidance is being given to health authorities on the purchase of such accommodation and the provision of 24-hour nursing care in them. [26212]

  Mr. Bowis
  Acute treatment units provide a protective environment for people who pose a significant risk to themselves or others. They should be used to treat and care for patients who require intensive medical and nursing support for a brief period of time but usually longer than overnight. The needs of patients who do not require such a high level of support, but nevertheless are in a crisis situation, can better be served by providing them with crisis accommodation in a variety of settings and with varying levels of support.

  Guidance was issued on 19 February to health and local authorities in health service guidelines LASSL(96)16/HSG(96)6. The guidance and accompanying documents are available in the Library.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the United Kingdom representatives on the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products notified his Department that it had discussed the referral made by the United Kingdom on 11 October 1995 in the context of article 12 of directive 75/319/EEC on 27 October; and if he will make a statement. [26165]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 8 February at columns 343–44.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 428, if licensing action has started with respect to oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and gestodene; [26250]

  (2) what plans the Medicines Control Agency has to vary the product licences of third generation oral contraceptives. [26574]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 19 December 1995 at column 1149.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 752, if at the meeting on 3 October 1995 he and the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines discussed issues relating to the safety of desogestrel and gestodene. [26255]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column

  175
  184, if the Jick manuscript faxed to the Medicines Control Agency after dispatch of papers to the Committee on Safety of Medicines on 11 October was made available to the committee on 13 October. [26251]

  Mr. Malone
  No. A near final version of the manuscript from the Jick study was included with the papers despatched to committee members prior to the meeting. There was no substantive change to the analysis in the final version.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he took prior to authorising the issuing of the "Dear Doctor" letter of 18 October 1995 to establish that the Committee on Safety of Medicines had based its advice on all available relevant evidence; and if he will make a statement. [26292]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 19 December 1995 at column 1152.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, columns 344–45, which pharmaceutical companies were contacted by the Medicines Control Agency prior to the meeting of the Committee on Safety of Medicines of 13 October 1995 with a view to establishing continuity of supply of combined oral contraceptives. [26253]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 2 April at column 185.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Medicines Control Agency received unpublished data from the study of oral contraceptives by Professor Richard Farmer and colleagues prior to the meeting of the Committee of Safety of Medicines on 13 October 1995. [26252]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the safety of third generation oral contraceptives following the recent announcement from the committee for proprietary medicinal products. [26601]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made to the House on 23 October 1995,Official Report, columns 701-2. Since that time further evidence has become available which strengthens the basis for the Committee on Safety of Medicine's advice. The justification for that advice is not altered in the light of the recent position statement issued by the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to alter the procedures for dealing with future marketing authorisation applications for third generation oral contraceptives. [26573]

  Mr. Malone
  None. Future applications for marketing authorisations for third generation oral contraceptives will be assessed according to existing procedures.

  Safety of Medicines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place for the communication of fatal adverse drug reactions from the 176
  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys to the Medicines Control Agency and the Committee on Safety of Medicines. [26290]

  Mr. Malone
  Statistical analyses and death certificate reports are available to the Medicines Control Agency from the Office for National Statistics—the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys became part of the office for National Statistics on 1 April 1996—for use in drug safety monitoring.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the outside experts who attended the meeting of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on 13 October 1995 were appointed members for the day; and on what basis they were present at the meeting. [26246]

  Mr. Malone
  Yes, and I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave him on 11 December 1995 at column 522 and on 7 March at column 322.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 December,Official Report, column 522, on what basis members may be appointed members for the day to the Committee on Safety of Medicines; and if those members are legally liable for the advice emanating from the Committee on Safety of Medicines on that day. [26254]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave him on 11 December at col 522 and on 7 March at col 322, which also apply to members appointed to the Committee on Safety of Medicines for the day.

  All members of the committee, including those appointed for the day, may be liable in law if incorrect advice is given.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from what date Professor Klim McPherson was appointed as a member of the pharmacovigilance sub-committee of the Committee on Safety of Medicines. [26249]

  Mr. Malone
  From 1 January 1996.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 7 March,Official Report, column 322, if the experts on the Committee on Safety of Medicines who assessed the tables provided by Professor Spitzer on 9 October 1995 recognised arithmetical errors in those tables; and if they asked Professor Spitzer for clarification of the results of the transnational study. [26572]

  Mr. Malone
  The proceedings of meetings of the Committee are confidential.

  Clinical Waste
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are in place covering the disposal of clinical waste. [25939]

  Mr. Horam
  There is much guidance on waste management and waste disposal produced by many organisations. Main general sources of published advice from Government bodies on best practice in waste management and disposal of clinical waste in particular are as follows:
  177

  (i) The Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste (Health and Safety Executive 1992);

  (ii) Waste Management Paper No. 25 (Department of the Environment 1983; Revised in preparation);

  (iii) Strategic Guide for Waste Management (Department of Health 1991);

  (iv) A Strategic Guide to Clinical Waste Management (Department of Health 1994);

  (v) Waste Management—The Duty of Care: A Code of Practice (Department of the Environment 1991).

  Copies of the guidance will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what quantity of clinical waste has been disposed of in each of the past five years. [25937]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if hospital trusts have a statutory duty to ensure the appropriate disposal of clinical waste. [25938]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 21 March at columns 319–20.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the safeguards in place to prevent the dumping of clinical waste classified for incineration. [25940]

  Mr. Horam
  The Environmental Protection Act 1990 includes a duty to prevent the unlawful depositing, handling and disposal of clinical waste, and is enforced by county council waste regulation units. Any body which produces controlled waste, including clinical waste, is responsible for any pollution caused to the environment or any harm to health from clinical waste while in their control and has a duty to transfer it only to an authorised person. Authorised persons must hold a waste management licence or be carriers registered with the Environment Agency. Breach of the duty of care is an offence, where conviction on indictment can lead to unlimited fines. In estates policy letter (95)33, issued in December 1995 by the National Health Service Estates Agency, trusts were reminded of their legal obligations in respect of the safe disposal of clinical waste and were asked to review their current arrangements to ensure that the necessary safeguards were in place.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions NHS estates has issued memoranda concerning the trusts' responsibilities regarding the disposal of clinical waste. [25942]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. McLeish) on 14 March at columns 753–54, which listed all letters and guidance issued by National Health Service Estates to NHS hospital trusts about medical waste management. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Hospital Incinerators
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital incinerators were in operation in each year since 1989; and what agency is responsible for the inspection of hospital incinerators. [25935]
  178
  Mr. Horam
  The number of hospital incinerators in operation in each year since 1989 is not available centrally.

  The inspection of hospital incinerators with a capacity of more than 1 tonne per hour is the responsibility of the Environment Agency—previously Her Majesty's inspectors of pollution. The inspection of incineration plant with a capacity of less than 1 tonne per hour is the responsibility of the local authority's environmental department.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital trusts have built incinerators in the past five years. [25936]

  Mr. Horam
  Six hospital trusts have built incinerators in the last five years. An additional thirteen incinerators have been built on hospital sites as the result of joint ventures between the national health service and private companies.

  Supplies Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on (i) the savings per annum and (ii) the severance costs of the staffing review of the NHS supplies authority. [26319]

  Mr. Horam
  The review is still in progress, so it is not yet possible to estimate the total annual savings to be achieved, nor the aggregate costs of severance payments. The changes are designed to improve the service to customers and to give better value for money by simplifying the structure and removing unnecessary duplication of effort.

  Medical Devices Agency
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the key business targets for the Medical Devices Agency for 1996–97. [26746]

  Mr. Horam
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of the 1996–97 key business targets for the Medical Devices Agency.

  Care of the Elderly
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish his consultative document on care of the elderly; and if he will make a statement. [25308]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave him on 23 April.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26116]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is being collected by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid late to the private sector by his Department for goods and services in 1995–96. [26154]
  179
  Mr. Horam
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Paracetamol and Methionine
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the licensed preparations which contain paracetamol and, for each preparation, whether the preparation is prescription-only medicine, pharmacy or general sale list, the year when the product was first marketed and if the product contains methionine or similar compounds. [26248]

  Mr. Malone
  A list of the 378 currently licensed preparations, which includes whether each is prescription-only medicine, pharmacy or general sale list, will be placed in the Library. It will state the year when the licence was granted, but not when each was first marketed as this is a matter for the licence holder, not the licensing authority. There are two licensed preparations containing methionine: Pameton caplets and Paradote, both of which are pharmacy products.

  Cortico-steroid Drugs
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on research evaluated by his Department relating to the harmful side effects of cortico-steroid drugs; [26595]

  (2) if he will institute a national programme to monitor the prescription of cortico-steroid drugs in the United Kingdom and the extent and nature of side effects on patients; [26597]

  (3) what is the most recent research evaluated by his Department on the suitability of prescribed cortico-steroid drugs; and what plans he has to promote further research; [26596]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the provision of compensation for patients who have suffered long-term damage as a result of prescribed cortico-steroid drugs in cases where no warning had been given of such risks. [26598]

  Mr. Malone
  Corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of many serious and life-threatening disorders and have been used for many years. All medicines have side- effects. Those for corticosteroids are well documented in the product information which is produced by the manufacturer and authorised by the licensing authority and in the British National Formulary which the Department sends free of charge to all doctors.

  A national programme for monitoring the side-effects of medicines already exists. The Medicines Control Agency continuously monitors and assesses the safety of all licensed human medicinal products including corticosteroids. This includes evaluating research obtained from various sources. In 1994, the Committee on Safety of Medicines evaluated the association of corticosteroids and severe chickenpox, as a result of which the product information of corticosteroids was revised.

  I have no plans to monitor the prescribing of corticosteroids. It is for the prescribing doctor to decide on the suitability of treating a patient with corticosteroids using their clinical judgement and knowledge of the patient involved. Nor are there plans to commission research in this area at present.
  180
  The Government believe that any claims for compensation as a result of suspected reactions in association with prescribed medicines is a matter for individuals to pursue with the person or company involved, if necessary through the courts.

WALES

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has had concerning the nursery voucher scheme; and if he will make a statement. [25588]

  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis) on 15 January 1996,Official Report, column 379. Some 3, 000 separate representations have now been received, the vast majority continuing to consist of petitions, printed pro forma letters and postcards, many organised by primary schools.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26181]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Estimated capital expenditure by the private sector on Welsh Office private finance initiative projects in 1996–97 is £60 million and for 1997–98, £150 million. No capital expenditure was recorded for 1995–96.

  Beef and Suckler Cow Premiums
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to announce payment of beef and suckler cow premiums. [26183]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I announced on 4 April that the vast majority of claimants should receive their payments by the end of April. We are on target to achieve that objective.

  Paramedics
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many qualified paramedics there are per head of population in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26000]

  Mr. Richards
  These figures are not routinely collected. An informal survey showed that there were 434 paramedics in Wales at 31 March 1995—1.49 per 10,000 population.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the bodies and organisations which he has been informed(a) are and (b) are not preparing language schemes in accordance with the Welsh Language Act 1993, indicating for (a) where possible the dates on which those schemes will be received by the Welsh Language Board; and if he will make a statement. [25764]
  181
  Mr. Richards
  This is an operational matter for the Welsh Language Board. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member and I will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  School Admissions
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 16 April,Official Report, column 426, in respect of which schools he has received information on their approved admissions number. [26289]

  Mr. Richards
  Details of approved admission numbers are contained in the formal proposals for grant-maintained status that schools have to publish following a successful ballot and on which my decision as to whether they become grant-maintained is based. These details were provided in my reply of 16 April to the hon. Member.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26126]

  Mr. Hague
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the public bodies to which he appoints members ranked in order of their current level of spending and indicating (i) in total and (ii) for each body(a) the number of members and the percentage appointed by him and (b) the budget for the last available two years expressed in constant 1996 prices, and with the annual percentage change. [26030]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  As the answer to the hon. Members question is detailed, I have made arrangements to place a copy of the reply in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was paid late to the private sector by his Department for goods and services in 1995–96. [26143]

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

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Fluorescent Lighting
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average amount of mercury in a fluorescent lighting tube. [25748]

  Mr. Page
  Fluorescent lighting tubes currently produced are estimated to contain on average 10mg of mercury.

  Beaufort's Dyke
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reports he has evaluated of explosions in 182
  the immediate vicinity of Beaufort's dyke which were related to pipelaying activities undertaken by British Transco. [25721]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department of Trade and Industry did not receive any reports directly but, during our regular contacts with The Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department we were informed of the British Geological Survey's findings. The DTI liaised with Premier Transco Ltd. in its contacts with BGS where information on explosions used during construction of the pipeline, particularly on the landfall sections, were made available, and efforts made to reconcile the data. It was concluded that the hitherto unexplained explosions, highlighted in the BGS survey, were the result of either military activity or preparatory work relating to the construction of the Scotland to Northern Ireland pipeline.

  Employment Costs
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what non-wage employment costs are faced by businesses in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France and (c) Germany. [25108]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the UK, for every £100 paid in wages, employers on average have to find an additional £18 in non-wage labour costs. In France, they must find another £41; and in Germany, £32.

  Wages
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received about levels of wages in industries formerly covered by the wages councils. [25113]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Between April 1994 and April 1995, average earnings of full-time workers covered by the main wages councils prior to their abolition in August 1993 rose at a comparable rate to that of workers employed in all industries. I have received few representations on this matter in recent months.

  Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many firms in city challenge and inner city task force areas received loan guarantees under the small firms loan guarantee scheme in 1995–96; what was the total amount guaranteed to these firms; and what was the total amount guaranteed to these firms because they were in these geographical areas. [26039]

  Mr. Page
  The estimated number of loans guaranteed to firms in city challenge or inner city task force areas in 1995–96 is around 160 at a value of £3.98 million. Final statistical details are not yet available.

  Around 30 of the loans, at a value of around £80,000, would have fully benefited from trading from an address within the specific inner-city areas; around 125, at a value of £3.6 million, would have received partial benefits. The remainder did not benefit from their location.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many firms which received loan guarantees under the loan guarantee scheme in the last year will be ineligible to apply for loans because of new exclusions coming into force on 1 September. [26041]
  183
  Mr. Page
  The estimated number of loans guaranteed under the scheme in 1995–96, for business activities that will be excluded from 1 September, is around 700. Final statistical details are not yet available.

  Business Links
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which business links are charging for services; what is the charging structure for each such business link; and what date will mark the end of the three-year pump-priming period for each business link. [26034]

  Mr. Page
  All business links are charging for at least some of their services. Business links are private sector companies, not Government bodies, and each has its own charging structure. A list of the dates when three-year pump-priming will end, or has ended for all business links with an offer, is given in the table. The final payment of DTI grant will be made up to four months after the dates shown.

  Area

  Date when DTI pump-priming offer funding ended or is due to end

  Birmingham

  31 March 1996

  Manchester

  31 March 1996

  South-east Cheshire

  31 March 1996

  North Cheshire

  31 March 1996

  Tyneside

  31 March 1996

  Leicestershire

  26 September 1996

  Hereford and Worcester

  9 March 1997

  CEWTEC (Ellesmere Port)

  27 March 1997

  Gloucestershire

  30 March 1997

  Thames Valley

  31 March 1997

  Dorset

  31 March 1997

  Barnsley/Doncaster

  31 March 1997

  Wigan

  31 March 1997

  Shropshire

  5 April 1997

  Walsall

  11 July 1997

  Southern Derbyshire

  26 July 1997

  Lincolnshire

  29 July 1997

  Dudley

  31 July 1997

  Wearside

  31 July 1997

  Cumbria

  30 September 1997

  Mers

  30 September 1997

  County Durham

  23 March 1998

  Isle of Wight

  31 March 1998

  Milton Keynes

  31 March 1998

  WESSTTEC (Avon)

  31 March 1998

  Central England

  31 March 1998

  Coventry/Warwickshire

  31 March 1998

  Staffordshire

  31 March 1998

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  31 March 1998

  Rotherham

  31 March 1998

  Northumberland

  31 March 1998

  Teeside

  31 March 1998

  Devon and Cornwall

  31 March 1998

  Sandwell

  9 April 1998

  Bedfordshire

  30 April 1998

  Rochdale

  30 April 1998

  St. Helens

  30 April 1998

  Oldham

  21 May 1998

  Sheffield

  29 June 1998

  Somerset

  30 June 1998

  Bolton/Bury

  31 July 1998

  North Derbyshire

  10 August 1998

  Leeds

  17 August 1998

  Greater Nottingham

  22 August 1998

  Hertfordshire

  31 August 1998

  Humberside

  17 September 1998

  Kent

  30 September 1998

  184

  Area

  Date when DTI pump-priming offer funding ended or is due to end

  City Partners (London)

  30 October 1998

  Wakefield

  9 October 1998

  Wiltshire

  13 October 1998

  East London

  22 October 1998

  Central London

  23 October 1998

  South-west

  24 October 1998

  West London

  24 October 1998

  SOLOTEC (South London)

  26 October 1998

  Northamptonshire

  6 November 1998

  Essex

  18 December 1998

  Sussex

  31 December 1998

  North Nottinghamshire

  17 January 1999

  North-west London

  31 January 1999

  Norfolk and Waveney

  31 January 1999

  Bradford and district

  5 February 1999

  North London

  19 February 1999

  Surrey

  25 February 1999

  Heart of England

  28 February 1999

  Greater Peterborough

  28 February 1999

  Wolverhampton

  12 March 1999

  Central and South Cambridgeshire

  31 March 1999

  Suffolk

  31 March 1999

  North Yorkshire

  31 March 1999

  Hampshire

  31 May 1999

  Working Week
  Ms Quin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received regarding the maximum length of the working week. [25081]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  During the past 12 months, 26 letters have been received by the Department of Trade and Industry and the former Employment Department about the length of the working week. They expressed views both in support of the imposition of restrictions on the number of hours which can be worked in a week, and opposing such restrictions.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  "The Nemesis File"
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Allason) on 14 December,Official Report, column 801, if he will make a statement on the progress of the Royal Ulster Constabulary investigation into the claims made in the book, "The Nemesis File". [25578]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The position remains the same as in my written reply of 14 December 1995 to the hon. Member for Torbay. The RUC investigations into the allegations contained in this book continue.

  St. Patrick's Training School
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residents at the Rathgael centre in Bangor in 1995 were brought there because St. Patrick's training school was unable to provide a place; if these inmates had higher levels of absconding; and if he will make a statement. [25755]
  185
  Sir John Wheeler
  During 1995 a total of 14 boys were referred to Rathgael because they could not be accommodated at St. Patrick's training school. Of these boys, 11 or 79 per cent. were responsible for absconding on a total of 17 occasions—an average of 1.2 abscondings per pupil. Of the remaining throughput of 271 during 1995, 133 or 49 per cent. absconded on a total of 764 occasions—an average of 2.8 times per pupil.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by his Department in 1995–96. [26150]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is not readily available in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26119]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Information available relates to calendar years rather than financial years. In 1995 the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments paid 96.6 per cent. of their bills in accordance with agreed contractual conditions or, where no such contractual conditions existed, within 30 days of receipt of goods and services or the presentation of a valid invoice.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26172]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is estimated that the following amounts, rounded to the nearest £10 million, will be levered in through the private finance initiative:

  1995–96: £60 million

  1996–97: £50 million

  1997–98: £80 million.

  The information for 1996–97 onwards is also published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1996–97.

  Disabled People (Benefits and Allowances)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in each Northern Ireland constituency are currently in receipt of(a) disability living allowance, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) attendance allowance, (d) invalid care allowance and (e) severe disablement allowance. [25758]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is not available at present for either attendance allowance or invalid care allowance. The information for disability living allowance, incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance is given in the following table:186

  Parliamentary constituencies

  Disability living allowance 30 November 19951

  Incapacity benefit2 30 November 19951

  Severe disablement allowance2 30 November 19951

  Belfast East

  3,909

  3,844

  540

  Belfast North

  6,938

  5,985

  713

  Belfast South

  3,494

  3,417

  482

  Belfast West

  9,622

  6,412

  838

  East Antrim

  4,345

  4,918

  646

  East

  Londonderry

  4,554

  5,591

  946

  Fernanagh and South Tyrone

  4,718

  4,599

  885

  Foyle

  9,449

  8,220

  1,209

  Lagan Valley

  5,581

  4,864

  692

  Mid Ulster

  6,536

  7,057

  1,066

  Newry and Armagh

  6,046

  6,474

  1,110

  North Antrim

  3,726

  4,881

  793

  North Down

  3,422

  3,852

  632

  Strangford

  3,739

  4,496

  658

  South Antrim

  4,705

  4,685

  1,040

  South Down

  5,486

  6,342

  1,033

  Upper Bann

  6,779

  6,930

  791

  Missing

  Postcodes3

  3,744

  3,416

  684

  Total

  96,793

  95,983

  14,758

  1 This is the most recent date for which information is available for all three benefits.

  2 Figures do not include clerical cases which are not held on the system. The number of clerical cases is, at present, unknown, but is estimated to form only a small proportion of the total cases.

  3 A number of cases cannot be allocated to constituencies as their postcodes have not been provided. These cases may not be evenly distributed across constituencies.

  Paramedics
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many qualified paramedics there are per head of population in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [26002]

  Mr. Moss
  In Northern Ireland there are 1.26 qualified paramedics per 10,000 population.

  Farmers' Incomes
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the average incomes of farmers in Northern Ireland in each year since 1979. [26198]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: Total income from farming divided by the total number of active farms in Northern Ireland is as follows:

  Total income from farming per farm 1979–1995

  Year

  Income per farm £

  1979

  1,374

  1980

  1,014

  1981

  2,277

  1982

  2,874

  1983

  3,250

  1984

  4,364

  1985

  2,971

  1986

  2,136

  1987

  3,996

  1988

  4,842

  1989

  5,604

  1990

  3,996

  187

  Total income from farming per farm 1979–1995

  Year

  Income per farm £

  1991

  5,403

  1992

  6,917

  1993

  8,309

  1994

  11,021

  19951

  12,105

  1 Provisional

  Intensive Farming
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provisions are in place in the Department of Agriculture to(a) control and (b) restrict over-intensive farming in Northern Ireland with particular reference to the use of fertilisers and pesticides. [26197]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: The control of pesticides and fertilisers is subject to statutory provisions which apply uniformly throughout the UK.

  Provisions exists under five environmentally sensitive areas schemes and the habitat improvement scheme to restrict over-intensive use of fertilisers and pesticides. These schemes form part of the Northern Ireland agri-environment programme.

  Department of Economic Development (Energy Efficiency Unit)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give a breakdown of expenditure in the energy efficiency, mineral, gas and electric unit in the Department of Economic Development in each of the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96. [26204]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: The information requested is as follows:

  Amount

  Budget

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Energy Efficiency

  Energy Enterprise Scheme

  482,808

  680,823

  571,900

  Energy Conservation/Energy Efficiency Survey Scheme

  11,000

  Energy Management Assistance Scheme

  65,317

  105,105

  82,783

  Home Insulation Scheme

  107,890

  220,144

  2135,066

  Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme

  338,651

  2,676, 000

  Minerals

  Standby Generators

  7,647

  7,947

  9,080

  Minerals Exploration

  97,300

  239,864

  211,633

  DED Oil Adviser

  3,207

  3,322

  3,412

  Payments related to subsidence (Abandoned Mines)

  151,618

  58,728

  68,424

  Payments to National Environment Research Council for Geological Survey of Northern Ireland

  370,426

  387,879

  425,681

  Gas

  Wind up of Towns Gas Industry

  4,275, 645

  1,521,811

  247,040

  Development of new Natural Gas Industry

  260

  230,847

  404,317

  188

  Amount

  Budget

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Electricity

  Consultancy Studies on Energy Matters

  102,326

  200,109

  99,355

  Privatisation of the Electricity Supply Industry in NI Expenses

  14,281,024

  1 Residual payments: scheme replaced by energy management assistance scheme.

  2 Residual payments: scheme replaced by domestic energy efficiency scheme.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many appointments to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" for his Department were made during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit; and if he will list them. [25959]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: None of the individuals appointed to public bodies in Northern Ireland during 1994–95 were from names supplied by the public appointments unit.

  Unfair Dismissal (Women)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of unfair dismissal of women have been recorded in Northern Ireland during the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [25212]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 23 April 1996]: The number of unfair dismissal cases brought by women and registered by the industrial tribunals for 1993, 1994 and 1995 are as follows:

  Cases of unfair dismissal brought by women in Northern Ireland

  Year

  Total registered

  1993

  592

  1994

  354

  1995

  340

SCOTLAND

  Algrade Trust
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the progress of the investigation of the affairs of the Algrade Trust by the Scottish Charities Office; and if evidence has been requested from the BBC. [25711]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The further inquiries referred to in my written answer of 27 February 1996,Official Report, column 530, are continuing and are not likely to be concluded before the end of June. The BBC programme has been viewed by the investigators and the matter is being pursued with the corporation.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of investigations by the police and the procurator fiscal into the former Algrade Trust house at Humbie. [25712]
  189
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The police investigation is continuing. A man by name of Robert Herriot appeared on petition on 22 January 1996 at Haddington sheriff court charged with crimes involving indecent conduct. The case is being precognosced by the procurator fiscal and will be reported to Crown counsel for instructions on criminal proceedings.

  Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when that new survey by the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department marine laboratory in Aberdeen will commence; how long it is expected to last; which commercial companies are also involved; what arrangements are being made for representatives of the press and hon. Members to observe the survey; and if he will make a statement. [25772]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The further survey work will be undertaken between the dates of 26 April-17 May and 19-29 July inclusive following some recently completed preparatory work. Underwater Engineering Ltd., Aberdeen is providing support equipment for the side-scan sonar studies and Oceanscan Ltd., Aberdeen is providing the pulse induction equipment. A further contract for the provision of equipment for the July survey is under consideration. Because of the tight survey schedule, no provision has been made for press or hon. Members' involvement. The results of this further survey will be published.

  Private Prisons
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many representations he has received concerning the proposed private prison at Bishopbriggs; and how many were(a) for and (b) against the proposal; [25911]

  (2) when he expects to make an announcement concerning the siting of the new private prison. [25913]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Three petitions and 56 individual letters have been received objecting to the proposal. One letter has been received which supports the proposal. An announcement about the location for the new prison is expected before the end of June this year.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26179]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  For the three years in question, the estimated capital expenditure under the private finance initiative on programmes within my responsibility is(a) £22 million, (b) £139 million and (c) £362 million.

  Further Education
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effect of employing less experienced staff on the student unit of measurement in further education colleges. [25981]
  190
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  None. There is no evidence that colleges are employing less experienced staff.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will explain the formula used for the student unit of measurement in further education. [25982]

  Mr. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend has placed the document "Funding Methodology for Scottish Further Education Colleges" in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of whether those areas of Scotland with a historically good record of financial support for further education are relatively disadvantaged under the new system of funding. [25998]

  Mr. Robertson
  The purpose of the new system of funding for colleges is to create a more equitable and transparent system of funding for colleges throughout Scotland. In changes to the level of grant allocated to colleges in 1996–97 there is no discernible geographical pattern.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what restrictions there are on Scottish further education colleges taking extra higher national certificate and higher national diploma students; and for what reasons there are such restrictions. [25984]

  Mr. Robertson
  When grant allocations to colleges for 1996–97 were made, it was a condition of grant that they held the number of new entrants to full-time higher education courses at their 1994–95 academic year levels. This was due as part of the Government's policy of consolidating the number of students following higher education courses, on the grounds of affordability and following a period of rapid expansion.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons he has withdrawn the premium in grant given to further education colleges for advanced courses that allowed them to achieve equity with such courses in higher education colleges. [25983]

  Mr. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend is not aware of any premium in grant given to further education colleges for advanced courses.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what way financial allowance is made for courses that are more expensive to run in his calculation of a college's entitlement to funding. [25985]

  Mr. Robertson
  To reflect the costs of different subjects a set of weightings is applied to the funding of student activity at colleges.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effect of the current year's system of funding further education colleges on the likelihood of courses being run for the construction industry; and what is the basis for this assessment. [25986]

  Mr. Robertson
  The approach to funding for further education colleges is designed to encourage colleges to provide courses and training to meet local and national labour market needs. My right hon. Friend has no evidence to suggest there is a shortage of courses relevant to the construction industry.
  191
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if funding for advanced courses in further education contains funding for five units of support studies; [25987]

  (2) if funding for non-advanced studies in further education colleges contains funding for five units of support studies. [25988]

  Mr. Robertson
  No. Neither the academic content of courses nor the form of learning activity undertaken by students is specified by my right hon. Friend.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if expenditure on senior management affects the calculation of student units of measurement for further education colleges; and how. [26031]

  Mr. Robertson
  A fixed element is allocated to each college by applying an additional weighting to the first 5,500 student units of measurement. This element acknowledges that certain fixed costs are incurred irrespective of the size of the college. These costs include the principalship, administration—including computer equipment—and student support.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with representatives of further education in Scotland about the future of the sector; and if he will make a statement about projected expenditure. [26033]

  Mr. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend met the current chairman of the Association of Scottish Colleges last year to discuss further education issues.

  Details of projected expenditure figures for further education colleges in Scotland are contained in "Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government Expenditure Plans 1996/97–1998/99", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect he plans his funding policy for further education colleges to have on the number of high-level courses offered by colleges. [25989]

  Mr. Robertson
  The funding methodology for further education colleges is neutral in terms of level of course or mode of attendance. However, when grant allocation to colleges for 1996–97 were made, it was a condition of grant that they held the number of new entrants to full-time higher education courses at their 1994–95 academic year levels.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which specific areas of skill shortage in Scotland he is seeking to remedy through his funding policy for further education colleges. [25990]

  Mr. Robertson
  The approach to funding for further education colleges is designed to encourage colleges to provide courses and training to meet local and national labour market needs.
  192
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much finance would have been needed, in constant price terms, to provide the same level of service in 1996–97 by further education colleges as in 1995–96; and how much has been provided by him. [25991]

  Mr. Robertson
  The amount of recurrent grant allocated to further education colleges in 1995–96 was £229.631 million. Assuming efficiency gains of 4 per cent. and inflation at 2.75 per cent. the amount of recurrent grant required to maintain the same level of service in 1996–97 would have been £226.508 million. The actual amount of recurrent grant allocated for 1996–97 is £231.160 million.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds the grants for(a) Glasgow college of food technology, (b) Glasgow school of nautical studies and (c) Glasgow college of building and printing were reduced in the current year. [25992]

  Mr. Robertson
  Grant levels of these colleges were reduced as a result of the implementation of a new funding formula which rewards colleges which have been most successful in reducing unit costs and attracting and retaining students. These three colleges continue to have unit costs higher than the national average.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis he intends to allocate funds for bursaries for further education colleges. [25993]

  Mr. Robertson
  Funds for bursaries have been allocated to each further education college in line with the historical bursary levels provided by the former regional councils.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answer of 3 April,Official Report, column 273, if he will make a statement on the numbers of staff and job designations now employed at senior management level in Scottish further education colleges. [26032]

  Mr. Robertson
  The information requested is not held centrally. It is for individual college boards of management to determine the numbers and job designations of staff at senior management level.

  Bursaries
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has reserved sufficient resources to fund this year's bursaries at the same level as those funded by the former regional councils. [25997]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Yes. Sufficient bursary funds have been allocated to further education colleges for 1996–97 to reflect historical bursary expenditure incurred by the former regional councils.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if money for bursaries for further education colleges will take into account levels of poverty in an area. [25994]

  Mr. Robertson
  Yes. The money for bursaries allocated to further education colleges reflects historical bursary expenditure patterns at each college and the bursary scheme has regard to each student's financial status.
  193
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if students already receiving bursaries for courses this year will automatically receive bursaries at the same level in the next academic year. [25995]

  Mr. Robertson
  Very few bursary eligible courses cover two academic years. However, it will be for individual boards of management of further education colleges to determine precise bursary levels and qualifying criteria within a national bursary policy.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take into account existing levels of bursaries in allocating funds to further education colleges. [25996]

  Mr. Robertson
  Yes. Existing levels of bursary provision have been taken into account in allocating funds to each further education college.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by his Department in 1995–96. [26148]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information on the percentage of bills paid late is currently in the process of being collected and collated for publication by the Department of Trade and Industry. The form in which statistical information is collected within The Scottish Office for this purpose does not allow an accurate assessment of the annual value of late payment, and such a figure could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26121]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Monofilament Nets
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has evaluated on the incidence of bycatch of harbour porpoises in large mesh monofilament gill nets in reaching his decision on the use of such nets. [26485]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The likely impacts of various types of synthetic net were evaluated in reaching a decision on this matter.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many harbour porpoises have been killed in large mesh monofilament gill net fisheries(a) in the North sea and (b) in the Celtic sea in each of the last five years. [26486]

  Mr. Robertson
  Information is not available on which to estimate these numbers.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from(a) the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and (b) Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the risk to harbour porpoises from large mesh bottom set monofilament gill nets. [26487]
  194
  Mr. Robertson
  The JNCC expressed concern that the change might lead to an increase in the incidental capture of harbour porpoises. MAFF did not raise this matter.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of his decision on the use of large mesh monofilament gill nets on the achievement the United Kingdom Government's commitment under the agreement on the conservation of small cetaceans of the Baltic and North seas to reduce the number of harbour porpoises caught in fishing nets. [26488]

  Mr. Robertson
  These nets should not pose any greater threat to cetaceans than other synthetic nets. This measure should not affect our obligations under that agreement.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) on 6 March,Official Report, column 267, what are the arrangements for monitoring bycatches of marine mammals; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness at (a) assessing the level of bycatches and (b) reducing bycatches where necessary. [26489]

  Mr. Robertson
  There are national arrangements for monitoring any bycatches involving fishermen reporting incidents on a voluntary basis. The effectiveness of the scheme is kept under review and additional scientific research has been commissioned to aid that process.

  Beef (Safety)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department's medical advisers have made on the safety of British beef; if he will give guidance to local authorities on the suitability of British beef for catering in schools and other institutions; and if he will make a statement. [26286]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: The Chief Medical Officer at the Scottish Office accepts the advice of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee that, with the effective enforcement of current controls and the new measures now being introduced, any BSE-related risk from eating beef is likely to be extremely small, and that children are at no greater risk than adults. In a letter to doctors on 20 March, the Chief Medical Officer made clear his view that there is no reason why people should not continue to eat beef. The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department also wrote on 27 March to chief executives of local authorities, to directors of education and to other interested parties, including independent schools, conveying the advisory committee's advice and stressing the Government's view that there was no reason to advise that beef should be withdrawn from school meal menus.

  Ambulanc Service
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy that the Scottish ambulance service shall continue to be run as an integrated and comprehensive service providing all patient services to all NHS trusts in Scotland. [26019]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: The Scottish Ambulance Service NHS Trust will continue to provide accident and emergency

  195
  ambulance services under contract to Health Boards in Scotland. Where an NHS trust decides to invite competitive tenders for the provision of non-emergency patient transport services, the Scottish Ambulance Service NHS Trust shall continue to run that service if it can demonstrate through the tendering process that it can deliver the standard demanded and offer the best value for money.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the secretary of state for social Security what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26122]

  Mr. Burt
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.
  196
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was paid late to the private sector for goods and services by his Department in 1995–96. [26147]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not held in the format requested.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, (1) what percentage of bills were paid late by the Church Commissioners in 1995–96; [26112]

  (2) how much was paid late to the private sector by the Church Commissioners for goods and services in 1995–96. [26159]

  Mr. Alison
  It is the commissioners' policy to pay their suppliers within the agreed credit terms.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Testing
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received about the programme of testing in schools. [25093]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  There has been an extremely high response to the Government's recent consultation paper on the future of national curriculum assessment and testing with over 2,000 responses received from schools and other organisations. We are currently analysing the replies before considering the next steps.

  School Discipline
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she is taking to help schools enforce firm discipline. [25094]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  We are taking forward the package of measures which my right hon. Friend announced last September, through a programme of developmental projects, worth about £18 million over three years, to identify and promote best practice in managing pupil behaviour and through consideration of legislation to help bolster schools' authority.

  Research Assessment Exercises
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the effects of the most recent research assessment exercise. [25095]

  Mr. Forth
  An independent study for the higher education funding bodies is assessing the effect of recent research assessment exercises and will inform the process in future. We believe that competition for research funds and their selective allocation remains the best way of ensuring the most effective use of public money.

  Student Finance
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent discussions she has had with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals regarding student finance. [25096]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the CVCP on 6 February to discuss a number of issues, including student finance.

  School Standards
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she last met representatives of the Office for Standards in Education to discuss standards in schools. [25097]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Ministers and officials meet regularly with Her Majesty's Chief Inspector and Ofsted officials to discuss issues related to education standards in schools.

  Female Employment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking with regard to the employment of women. [25098]
  198
  Mrs. Gillan
  Our policies encourage economic growth, create jobs and provide opportunities for all in the labour market; there is a full range of measures to enhance the quality and quantity of women's participation in the work force.

  Expelled Pupils
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children were expelled from maintained schools in 1995. [25099]

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children at present she estimates are excluded from maintained schools. [25104]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not available centrally. The Department is collecting figures on permanent exclusion in the school year 1994–95, through the annual census returns sent to all schools in January. Data should be available by the early autumn.

  University Funding
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement about the level of funding for universities. [25100]

  Mr. Forth
  Total public expenditure on higher education in the UK is over £7 billion, some 20 per cent. of total education expenditure. The November 1995 Budget settlement confirmed the 1994 plans for higher education recurrent expenditure. Planned capital expenditure was reduced in line with capital provision in most other public expenditure programmes, reflecting the policy that capital should, wherever possible, be financed through private finance schemes.

  Economic Activity
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals she has for increasing economic activity rates among males of working age. [25101]

  Mr. Forth
  We will continue with the policies which have seen the economy grow for over three years, the number of men in jobs rise by over 100,000 over the last year and unemployment among men fall by over 600,000 since recovery began.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the education budget is spent on pupils with special needs; and if she will make a statement. [25102]

  Mrs. Gillan
  It is not possible to disaggregate expenditure on all pupils with special needs. Expenditure on pupils with statements of special educational need by local education authorities in England was 6.5 per cent. of their total net recurrent expenditure on education, excluding mandatory awards, in 1994–95, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of the training budget is notionally allocated for special needs training. [25110]
  199
  Mrs. Gillan
  The 1996–97 training for work budget for England includes funding for residential training centres and pre-vocational pilots, both of which are for special needs training. These elements represent, respectively, 4 per cent. and 5 per cent. of the total training for work budget. In addition, the funding arrangements of both youth training and training for work are designed to ensure that special needs are supported through the mainstream programmes.

  Rural Training and Job Opportunities
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent evaluation her Department has made of the training and job opportunities available for young people in rural areas; and if she will make a statement. [25103]

  Mr. Paice
  Our training and job opportunities are evaluated as a matter of course. Unemployed young people in rural areas, as elsewhere, have available to them the full range of the Department's training and job opportunities.

  Employment Creation
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in which member states of the European Union more jobs have been created than in the United Kingdom since 1990. [25105]

  Mr. Forth
  There has been a widespread fall in the number of jobs in European Union countries since 1990. Only Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Austria have seen net increases over that period. In the UK, employment fell in the early 1990s but has since recovered quickly, and over the last three years more jobs have been created in the UK than in all other major European countries put together.

  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of policies in creating jobs in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EU countries. [25112]

  Mr. Forth
  The UK, which has the most flexible and deregulated labour market in Europe, also has a higher proportion of the adult population in work, and a lower unemployment rate, than any other major EU country. Between 1983 and 1992, the UK created over 2 million jobs, more than France and Italy combined.

  State Education
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what further action she intends to take to improve the quality and standard of state education. [25106]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government's plans further to improve the quality and standard of state education include publishing primary school tables based on the national curriculum assessment results of 11-year-olds; funding 13 literacy and 12 numeracy centres in local education authorities, starting in September 1996; and working closely with the Teacher Training Agency, in co-operation with the Office for Standards in Education, to review the current arrangements for teacher appraisal.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received on unemployment in Maryport in the last month. [25107]

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Educationa and Employment what recent representations she has received on the level of unemployment in the Nottingham, East constituency. [25114]

  Mr. Forth
  None.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he next expects to meet chairmen of training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies to discuss training in the construction industry. [25109]

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet training and enterprise council representatives to discuss a wide range of topics, including training across different sectors.

  International Labour Standards
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she next plans to meet her European counterparts to discuss international labour standards. [25111]

  Mr. Forth
  International labour standards formed part of discussions at the recent Group of Seven jobs conference at Lille on 1 and 2 April 1996. My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans for further discussions on this issue.

  Youth Training
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals she has to extend training opportunities for unemployed 18 to 25-year-olds. [25115]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department will continue to offer and support a wide range of opportunities for unemployed 18 to 25-year-olds.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many trainees left the youth training scheme for employment in the last year for which figures are available. [25076]

  Mr. Paice
  In 1994–95, the latest year for which figures are available, 72 per cent. of those completing youth training were in employment six months later.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if self-employed people will be required to make a personal contribution toward the funding of personal support they receive through the access to work programme. [25779]

  Mr. Paice
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in her announcement on 26 March,Official Report, columns 489–91, we are considering this issue further.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will publish a comprehensive report on the nursery voucher trials in the four areas concerned. [26421]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department will make available its evaluation of the operational arrangements for the first phase of the nursery education voucher scheme, in time to make any necessary changes before the implementation of phase 2 in April 1997, and is considering plans for further evaluation of the first phase. Inspections of private and voluntary sector providers are expected to begin in the autumn, leading to an accumulating body of published inspection evidence.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of the cost of funding nursery vouchers in the trial areas of Wandsworth, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea; and how many places have been offered in those local education authorities for(a) three-and-a-half-year-old and (b) four-year-old children. [26443]

  Mr. Squire
  The estimated cost of providing a nursery education voucher worth £1,100 for every four-year-old in the London local education authorities participating in phase 1 of the scheme is £7.5 million.

  In January 1995 an estimated 4, 500 four-year-olds were being educated in the maintained sector in those LEAs. Information on the number of places offered to three-and-a-half-year-olds is not held centrally.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the impact of the nursery voucher scheme on the calculation of the standard spending assessment for Solihull council. [26420]

  Mr. Squire
  The nursery education voucher scheme has no impact on the calculation of Solihull's standard spending assessments in 1996–97. In calculating SSAs for 1997–98 it is proposed to reduce each LEA's SSA by the product of the voucher value and the number of four-year-olds in maintained provision in 1995–96, allowing for termly variations in attendance. This implies that each LEA, taking into account both SSA and grant paid under the voucher scheme, will have the same funding as they would have received had the scheme not been introduced, provided the schools they maintain continue to recruit four-year-olds at present levels. The views of local government as a whole on the funding methodology for 1997–98 will be taken into account in the usual way.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the impact of the nursery voucher scheme on the nursery places provided by local authorities in the pilot areas; and if she will make a statement. [25309]

  Mr. Squire
  The impact of the nursery education voucher scheme on the provision of places will become clear once the vouchers returned from providers have been analysed.

  I have every confidence that, over time, expansion will take place across all sectors.
  202
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if, for each of the education authority areas operating the scheme for vouchers for pre-school education, she will state,(a) the number of pupils eligible for vouchers (i) in nursery classes in primary schools and (ii) all others, (b) the number of voucher holders issued with vouchers and (c) the total number of places available and those in (1) nursery classes in primary schools, (2) nursery schools maintained by local education authorities, (3) provision by voluntary organisations and (4) private fee-paying provision. [25518]

  Mr. Squire
  Estimates of the four-year-old population and the number of four-year-olds in maintained provision in January 1995 in the four local education authorities participating in phase 1 of the nursery education voucher scheme are given in the following table. These estimates are, however, less reliable when broken down by both year group and local education authority area. The table also shows the number of vouchers issued in each area accounting, overall, for over 80 per cent. of the estimated population.

  Estimates are not held centrally for four-year-old pupils by type of maintained provision, nor for places in the private and voluntary sectors.

  LEA

  Total four-year-olds in January 1995

  Four-year-olds in maintained provision at January 1995

  Number of vouchers issued

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,650

  800

  938

  Wandsworth

  3,300

  2,600

  2,831

  Westminster

  1,900

  1,110

  1,170

  Norfolk

  9,300

  6,300

  8,507

  School Maintenance
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school inspection reports since 1993 have drawn attention to inadequate maintenance. [26310]

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

  Education and Training
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the value of(a) education for life and (b) training for employment. [25351]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  General education and job-related skills are valuable both to individuals and to our international competitiveness. They are both essential if individuals are to take full advantage of their opportunities in life, and not least to be able to earn a living. Research has shown that educational qualifications reduce the likelihood of unemployment and are associated with increased earnings.

  Opportunity 2000
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those companies and Government Departments that are members of Opportunity 2000. [26467]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Opportunity 2000 is an independent, employer-led body. The following Government Departments and agencies are members: the Benefits Agency, Cabinet Office, Charity Commission, Civil Service College, Contributions Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, Department for Education and Employment, Department for National Savings, Department of the Environment, Department of Health, Department of Social Security, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transport, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, HM Customs and Excise, HM Prison Service, HM Treasury, Home Office, Inland Revenue, Lord Chancellor's Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Ministry of Defence,

  Investors in People commitments and recognitions

  Number of employees

  <100

  <50

  <20

  <10

  Total

  December 1991

  Commitments

  91

  63

  41

  19

  199

  Recognitions

  6

  4

  2

  2

  25

  December 1992

  Commitments

  432

  302

  176

  79

  898

  Recognitions

  48

  34

  16

  12

  129

  December 1993

  Commitments

  2,323

  1,707

  792

  332

  4,000

  Recognitions

  303

  214

  121

  61

  576

  December 1994

  Commitments

  6,912

  5,199

  2,765

  1,288

  10,626

  Recognitions

  934

  665

  378

  187

  1,569

  December 1995

  Commitments

  12,056

  9,116

  4,769

  2,172

  17,774

  Recognitions

  1,978

  1,422

  779

  365

  3,194

  1. The 'total' figure relates to employers of all sizes.

  2. All figures are cumulative.

  Careers Service Companies and TECs
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if (i) careers service companies and (ii) training and enterprise councils are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [25971]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: Careers service companies and training and enterprise councils are private companies and are not subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner.

  Careers service companies and TECs are not subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission. This function is carried out by the National Audit Office, which has access to careers service companies and TECs for the purpose of any examination of the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which Government Departments have used resources.
  204
  Northern Ireland civil service, Overseas Development Administration, Patent Office, Scottish Office, Serious Fraud Office and Welsh Office. A full list of members can be obtained from Opportunity 2000, 44 Baker street, London W1M 1DH.

  Investors in People
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many firms with fewer than(a) 100 employees, (b) 50 employees, (c) 20 employees, and (d) 10 employees and (e) in total (i) achieved and (ii) participated in Investors in People in each year since the scheme began. [26106]

  Mr. Paice
  At 29 February 1996, a total of 18,191 employers in the UK were committed to achieving the Investors in People standard and 3,305 are recognised as having achieved the standard.

  A statistical breakdown is provided in the following table:

  Government contracts with careers service companies and TECs require them to comply with the Government's code of practice on open government. The Department publishes a series of indicators annually for each TEC, the inter-TEC comparison tables, covering performance in the main programme activities under contract with TECs. Performance indicators also form part of the criteria for TECs achieving a three-year licence. It is our intention to publish performance indicators for careers service companies in autumn 1997.

  Government's contracts with careers service companies and TECs, and the TEC National Council's framework for local accountability set out principles for openness, integrity and accountability which are features of the citizens charter. TECs and careers service companies can apply for the charter mark award if they wish.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) minutes of meetings, (d) agendas

  205
  of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests are published by training and enterprise councils; and if in each case this is under statutory requirement. [25967]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: Training and enterprise councils are private companies and are required by the Companies Act to produce annual accounts which are lodged with Companies House. The Government contract with TECs requires that they publish an annual report and audited statement of accounts. The contract also requires TECs to pay due regard to the TEC National Council's framework of local accountability, which expects TECs to make their register of interests available for public inspection,. The publication of board papers is a matter for each company.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of bills were paid late by her Department in 1995–96. [26128]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was paid late to the private sector by her Department for goods and services in 1995–96. [26157]

  Mr. Squire
  The information required could be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department. The Department does not maintain this information in the form requested.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many appointments to the public bodies listed in "Public Bodies" for her

  Figures at 1995–96

  £ million

  1990–91 Outturn

  1991–92 Outturn

  1992–93 Outturn

  1993–94 Outturn

  1994–95 Outturn

  1995–96 estimated Outturn

  1996–97 Outturn

  1997–98 Plans

  Grant-maintained schools

  12

  25

  54

  149

  229

  212

  233

  244

  City technology colleges

  69

  53

  54

  52

  52

  52

  53

  55

  Further education1,2

  1,963

  1,989

  2,026

  2,826

  2,918

  3,024

  2,958

  2,895

  Higher education3

  3,499

  3,114

  3,063

  2,923

  3,513

  3,614

  3,348

  3,216

  Career service4

  143

  142

  149

  144

  156

  193

  196

  203

  Training and enterprise councils5

  1,366

  1,264

  1,275

  1,257

  1,188

  1,262

  1,251

  1 Figures for 1990–91 to 1992–93 cover spend by local education authorities at FE colleges and in adult education centres. Figures for 1993–94 onwards cover funding for the Further Education Funding Council. The figures exclude student support expenditure.

  2 Provision for 1992–93 included grants by the council to institutions in connection with their preparation for independent status.

  3 Figures for 1993–94 onwards are for funding for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Figures for 1990–91 to 1992–93 are for funding of the universities and the polytechnics and colleges funding councils: these figures include Scottish and Welsh universities, but exclude the Open university, Cranfield institution of technology and Royal College of Art which became the responsibility of the HEFCE from 1993–94. Figures exclude income from tuition fees and student support.

  4 From 1994–95 figures show direct expenditure by the Department. Until 1994, the careers service was funded by local authorities.

  5 The TEC network was established nationally in 1991–92. The figures cover the Department's programmes which TECs deliver currently and include the TEC management fee. TECs also deliver Department of Trade and Industry and Department of the Environment initiatives. Expenditure figures exclude programmes transferred to the DTI, e.g. the small firms budgets, and to the DOE, e.g. the single regeneration budget. They also exclude further education funds transferred from TECs to FEFC. Figures exclude payments not channelled through TECs, e.g. allowances for trainees on training for work.

  206
  Department were made during 1994–95 from names supplied by the public appointments unit; and if she will list them. [25955]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: There were 70 such appointments or reappointments. However, no central record was maintained of the sources of names of appointees. In some cases they may have been nominated from more than one source, including the public appointments unit.

  Science and Mathematics Graduates
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students graduating in physics, chemistry and mathematics have applied for courses leading to a teaching qualification during 1996–97; and what were the equivalent figures in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96. [25077]

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The total number of applications received for post-graduate certificate of education courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry and combined science starting in 1995 was around 4,600; about 5,000 applications were received for courses starting in 1994. Applications are still being received for courses starting in 1996, with around 2,400 applications received up to 3 April.

  Educational Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) was the gross public spending for each year since 1990–91, in 1995–96 prices and (b) is the projected expenditure for each year to 1997–98, in 1995–96 prices, of (i) grant-maintained schools, (ii) city training colleges, (iii) further education corporations, (iv) higher education corporations, (v) careers service companies and (vi) training and enterprise councils. [25978]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: The figures requested are set out in the following table:
  207
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) minutes of meetings, (d) agendas of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests are published by (i) city technology colleges, (ii) further

  Annual reports1

  Annual accounts2

  Minutes of meetings3

  Agendas of meetings4

  Registers of members' interests5

  Grant-maintained schools

  1Yes

  1Yes

  1Yes

  1Yes

  2Yes

  City technology colleges

  3Yes

  3Yes

  No

  No

  4No

  Further education corporations

  7No

  5Yes

  6Yes

  6Yes

  7No

  Higher education corporations

  8Yes

  9Yes

  8Yes

  8Yes

  8Yes

  1 Statutory requirements under the instrument and articles of government.

  2 Requirement of funding agency via the rainbow pack—condition of grant.

  3 All are required to prepare an annual report and accounts. Fourteen of the 15 are limited companies, and lodge their report and accounts at Companies House.

  4 Many are in the process of preparing registers.

  5 A condition of funding that they are publicly available.

  6 Required by statutory instrument.

  7 Often produced and made available on a voluntary basis.

  8 Per committee of University Chairmen best practice guide.

  9 Per financial memorandum.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if (i) grant-maintained schools, (ii) city technology colleges, (iii) further education corporations and (iv) higher education corporations are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit

  Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner (a)

  Scrutiny by the Audit Commission (b)

  Scrutiny by the National Audit Office (c)

  Statutory provision for open government (d)

  Performance indicators (e)

  Provisions under the Citizen's Charter (f)

  Grant-maintained schools

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  City technology colleges

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  No

  Further education corporations

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Yes

  1No

  Higher education corporations

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  No

  No

  1 As a condition of grant, colleges must have their own equivalent charters.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the slaughterhouse support measures announced on 16 April,Official Report, columns 513-29, include assistance for cutting, boning, defatting and packing operations; and if he will make a statement. [25724]

  Mrs. Browning
  Wholesale businesses involved in cutting, boning, defatting and packing meat are licensed as cutting premises under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 as amended. Under the emergency aid scheme for the slaughtering industry announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 16 April,Official Report, columns 513-29, the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce will purchase stocks of
  208
  education corporations, (iii) higher education corporations and (iv) grant-maintained schools; and in each case if it is a statutory requirement. [25965]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (9) provisions under the citizen's charter. [25972]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: the information requested is shown in the following table:

  unsaleable beef from licensed cuttings premises at 65 per cent. of their pre-crisis market price, and will arrange for their secure disposal.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the objectives of the Coopers and Lybrand phase 2 study into beef production, processing and distribution; if that study will address whether assistance should be made available for the processing and distribution industries and for those who hold processed frozen-down beef stocks; and if he will make a statement. [25723]

  Mrs. Browning
  Coopers and Lybrand has been commissioned to report to the Agriculture Departments on how much unsaleable beef from UK herds slaughtered in the UK—over and above that identified in the slaughtering and cutting plant stock survey of 9 April 1996—is still in the supply chain. It is asked to:
  209

  identify the volume and location of such beef;

  identify any financial, operational, legal and tax issues which may cause complications in the removal of unsaleable beef from the supply chain;

  in consultation with Government Departments, and taking account of measures already announced, develop a scheme for the removal and disposal of such unsaleable stock.

  In his statement of 16 April my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food noted that the support announced for the slaughtering sector was based on the particular circumstances and role of that sector. The Government therefore did not consider that equivalent assistance should be paid to other sectors.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the operators of abattoirs and meat processing plants, hauliers and others associated with the beef trade will be granted compensation in proportion to lost income resulting from recent developments in relation to BSE. [25606]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 16 April,Official Report, columns 513-29, in which he outlined a comprehensive system of support for the essential links in the beef supply chain, in particular the rendering and slaughtering sectors. The purpose of the temporary financial aid for these sectors is to provide a breathing space during which companies can adjust to the changed market circumstances, not to provide compensation for loss of income.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE have been recorded in the Dexter breed. [25943]

  Mrs. Browning
  None.

  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to extend the 30 months age limit for entry into the food chain to 36 months in respect of extensively produced beef. [26136]

  Mrs. Browning
  Officials are working on a scheme under which animals which can safely be identified as low risk my be sold for human consumption. Such a scheme could operate irrespective of the age of the animal. We will consult the industry on a scheme shortly.

  Miss Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance will be made available to those in the animal feed industry for local authority charges incurred in the disposal of meat and bone meal products. [26135]

  Mrs. Browning
  Residual feedingstuffs may be disposed of either by incineration or by landfill at a suitable site. Only limited resources are available to deal with the very wide ranging consequences of the measures that have been introduced to prevent the continued transmission of BSE. I do not, therefore, propose offering financial assistance for local authority charges incurred by those in the animal feed industry in disposing of meat and bone meal products.
  210
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a ban on the importing of beef and veal from(a) EU and (b) other countries in which there has been a reported case of BSE; and if he will make a statement. [26589]

  Mrs. Browning
  The prohibition on meat from animals aged over 30 months of age applies equally to imports as well as domestic consumption. The only exception to this is meat from a named list of third countries which have never had a case of BSE. Third countries which have had cases of BSE and all member states are covered by the 30-month rule.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being funded by his Department into a live test for BSE based on DNA within cattle; and if he will make a statement. [23370]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: No such research is under way, as BSE is not a genetically inherited disease, nor are changes to the DNA structure and sequence known to be associated with the development of the disease.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department carried out into Professor Harash Narang's test for BSE in live cattle; and what were the results. [23228]

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusion was reached by his Department on the efficacy of the live test for BSE in cattle developed by Harash Narang; when the test was evaluated; and if he will make a statement. [23354]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answers 28 and 29 March 1996]: MAFF is aware of reports in the media that Dr. Narang is working to develop a test to detect BSE in live cattle. No details of such a test have been published in an independent, peer reviewed scientific journal, the usual way for validating such claims. The Department has also asked Dr. Narang for details of his test so that its efficacy and usefulness can be evaluated; he has so far refused to provide any details.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes took place, and when, to enable cattle feed containing animal offal to be fed to cattle; when the manufacturers were allowed to lower the temperature at which cattle feed was processed; when Ministers banned beef offal from(a) animal feed and (b) the human food chain, and what were the reasons for the difference in time between (a) and (b); and which Ministers were responsible for decisions relating to these changes. [23434]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: The processing of offals, and the subsequent use of one by product, meat and bone meal has evolved over a period of many years. It had been a standard practice within the industry to feed bovine animals with feed supplements containing meat and bonemeal derived from ruminants. The contamination of ruminant feed in the early 1980s which led to the BSE epidemic was not the result of any regulatory changes introduced by the Government. A number of changes to the rendering process were introduced for commercial reasons. These changes included a reduction in the time/temperature combination of rendering and also the elimination of an organic

  211
  extraction step. This last measure was removed primarily for health and safety reasons. There were no changes to the regulations governing these aspects of rendering at that time.

  The feeding of ruminant protein to ruminants was prohibited on 18 July 1988.

  The Bovine Offals (Prohibition) Regulations, which forbade the use of certain specified bovine offals or anything prepared from them in human food, came into force in November 1989. In September 1990, following the experimental transmission of BSE by intracerebral injection to pigs, the prohibition was widened to prevent the use of SBOs, or protein derived from them, in food for any animal.

  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Under-Secretary of State for Wales and the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland were responsible for the implementation and subsequent amendment of the controls on specified bovine offals.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the dates of birth, by month and year, of the 10 youngest cattle to have been confirmed as BSE sufferers. [26333]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer on 23 April 1996]: The dates of birth of the 10 youngest cattle, including estimated ages, to have been confirmed as BSE sufferers are as follows:

  Autumn 1986

  January 1987

  November 1987

  Autumn 1987 (3 cases)

  May 1988

  November 1988

  June 1989

  October 1990.

  Horticultural Research
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent on research in horticulture in each year since 1986. [26211]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department's expenditure on research in horticulture for each financial year from 1987–88 is:

  1987–88: £17.2 million

  1988–89: £17.9 million

  1989–90: £17.5 million

  1990–91: £13.3 million

  1991–92: £10.51 million

  1992–93: £11.11 million

  1993–94: £11.41 million

  1994–95: £13.4 million

  1995–96: £13.6 million.

  1 Excludes some work on pesticides for horticultural crops.

  A figure for 1986–87 is not available.

  Food Additives
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the mutagenic and carcinogenic qualities of (i) E233 Thiabendazol, (ii) E231, (iii) E904 and (iv) E914. [26164]

  Mrs. Browning
  My Department has not funded any research on mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in relation to these substances.

  However, each of them has been evaluated by the Department of Health Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, and the EU Scientific Committee for Food and classified as safe for use in food.

  Small Farmers (Financial Assistance)
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions are being held with the Department of Social Security to provide assistance for small farmers whose sole source of income is from sales of cattle at local markets and who are ineligible for family credit, unemployment benefit and income support. [26130]

  Mrs. Browning
  No formal discussions have taken place between MAFF and DSS on the payment of benefits to small farmers whose income is dependent on the sale of cattle. A range of in work benefits is available to people, including small farmers, on low incomes. Eligibility will be dependent on the individual's specific circumstances. Farmers who think they might qualify should make inquiries at their local Benefits Agency office and apply in the usual way.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of funding to be made available to his Department through the private finance initiative in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26178]

  Mr. Boswell
  The estimate of funding to be made available through the private finance initiative is currently:

  1995–96: nil

  1996–97: £10 million

  1997–98: £20 million.

  Meat and Livestock Imports
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what import restrictions he plans to(a) introduce and (b) maintain on (i) live imports and (ii) meat products entering the United Kingdom to ensure that they are subject to the same regulations as United Kingdom animals. [26132]

  Mrs. Browning
  The importation of live animals into the United Kingdom is subject to rules laid down in existing statutory instruments. Additional control measures are added periodically to the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1995 and the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 to
  213
  implement new harmonised EC legislation. There are no plans for the United Kingdom to introduce any unilateral import restrictions.

  As regards meat products, the Beef (Emergency Control) Order 1996, as amended, which came into force on 29 March, prohibits the sale of all bovine meat derived from bovines which, at the time of slaughter, showed more than one pair of permanent incisors unless it can be shown by reference to a national administrative document—in effect, a cattle identification document—that the animal was no more than 30 months old. This new measure, applies to all bovines slaughtered after the commencement of the order, other than those slaughtered in third countries listed in the schedule to the No. 2 amendment order where the Government are satisfied that we can import beef without risk.

  These controls are being kept under review in the light of further progress with the package of measures currently under discussion by the Council of Agriculture Ministers.

  Protection of Animals at Slaughter
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when Her Majesty's Government plans to ratify the European convention for the protection of animals at slaughter; and if he will make a statement. [26240]

  Mrs. Browning
  Council directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing takes account of the European convention for the protection of animals at slaughter. The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, which apply in Great Britain, implement that Community directive.

  Parallel legislation is being prepared in Northern Ireland and should be implemented during this year. When this legislation is in place, it is the Government's intention to ratify the European convention on behalf of the United Kingdom.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of bills were paid late by his Department in 1995–96. [26109]

  Mr. Boswell
  This information is being collated by the Department of Trade and Industry and will be published by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade before the summer recess.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid late to the private sector by his Department for goods and services in 1995–96. [26161]

  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested is not readily available and could not be produced without disproportionate cost. MAFF aims to pay all invoices within 30 days of the receipt or in accordance with terms agreed with suppliers.

  Cats and Dogs
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the special provisions for the United Kingdom and Ireland in the Balai directive 214
  regarding the import of traded cats and dogs were based on the recommendations of the Scientific Veterinary Committee in paper V1/1533/92-EN-REI-1.; and if he will make a statement. [26337]

  Mrs. Browning
  The rabies provisions of the Balai directive—EC directive 92/65—including those provisions for the movement of traded dogs and cats into the UK and Ireland from other member states, we agreed taking into account the Scientific Veterinary Committee report VI/1533/92-EN-Rev.1. Although not identical to the recommendations in this report, these provisions represent the safeguards the Council of Ministers agreed were necessary to reduce the risks that it identified.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licensed mink farms there are currently in the United Kingdom. [26468]

  Mrs. Browning
  At 31 March 1996 there were 12 licensed mink farms in England. This Department is not responsible for mink farm licensing in the other parts of the United Kingdom.

  Chocolate Directive
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress the Commission has made in formulating proposals to amend the 1973 chocolate directive; and if he will make a statement. [27010]

  Mrs. Browning
  I understand the Commission has agreed proposals to amend the 1973 chocolate directive. These would allow all countries to authorise the addition of small amounts of vegetable fat, should they wish to do so, require the use of such fats to be separately labelled, allow the continued manufacture of a high milk formulation of milk chocolate in the UK and Ireland, but require designation of such chocolate as "household milk chocolate" when marketed in other member states.

  The Government welcomes the emphasis given in these proposals to subsidiarity and coherence of the single market but are disappointed by the proposals for double labelling of vegetable fats and the continued pejorative description of some types of high quality milk chocolate. We shall seek changes in those parts of the proposal which seek to discriminate against British products, stifle innovation, limit consumer choice or impose undue regulatory burdens on industry.

  EU Fisheries Council
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on Monday 22 April; and if he will make a statement. [26748]

  Mr. Baldry
  I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Fisheries Council in Brussels on 22 April, together with the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson).
  215
  I emphasised the importance of securing a satisfactory solution to the problem of quota hoppers. In many cases, these vessels have very little economic link with the UK and other countries where they are found. I explained that this is a problem which must be solved as a priority.

  I explained the United Kingdom's ideas for the creation of regional consultative committees. These would increase the regional input into the common fisheries policy by bringing together fisherman and officials from member states active in particular fisheries. They would provide a forum to discuss any issue of regional relevance—for example, technical conservation measures or the state of the stocks. In response, the Commissioner emphasised her concern to secure greater regional inputs from the fishing industry. She undertook to build on these and to establish a pilot committee to test the idea.

  I drew attention to the magnitude of the industrial fisheries in the North sea urging a cautious approach to their management. In particular, I called for the introduction of a precautionary total allowable catch for sand eels and for a greater collaborative research effort on the multi-species interactions connected with industrial fisheries to increase our understanding of their impact on other species.

  The Council unanimously agreed new measures to introduce greater flexibility in quota management and more systematic penalties for quota overshoots. The flexibility provisions have been limited to take account of concerns expressed both by fishermen and environmental organisations. They are optional at member state level. The Council and Commission agreed a UK suggestion that data on landings must be collected and presented on a consistent basis throughout the Community before the new penalties for overfishing apply.

  The Council agreed by qualified majority, with Belgium, France and Ireland voting against, a compromise on the opening of certain autonomous tariff quotas for the import of fish and fishery products balancing the interests of processors with those of the catching sector.

  The Council unanimously agreed a 1996 total allowable catch of 150,000 tonnes for the expanding Atlanto-Scandian herring stock in waters north of Shetland. This provides a welcome additional fishing opportunity for the UK fleet.

  The Commission gave a progress report on its preparatory work for the next series of multi-annual guidance programmes. Scientific advice demonstrated a clear case for further measures to reduce overfishing, but an extensive consultation exercise with fishing interests throughout the Community confirmed the underlying economic difficulties which the sector continued to face. The Council will take up these issues in more detail at its next meeting in June.

  I welcomed a report by the Commission on enforcement activity by member states and called for early action to achieve more consistent standards of enforcement.
  216
  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary reported to the Council on the outcome of bilateral discussions with Norway about the continued weakness in the European farmed salmon market and stressed the need for the Commission to keep the position under close review.

  Poultry
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many broiler chickens slaughtered in the United Kingdom were rejected in the last six months of 1995 and to date in 1996 as being unfit for human consumption; what were the public health considerations leading to such rejections; and if he will make a statement; [26102]

  (2) how many chickens were dead on arrival at United Kingdom poultry slaughterhouses in the first six months of 1995 and to date in 1996; and if he will make a statement; [26103]

  (3) when the national Meat Hygiene Service commissioned a welfare audit in 1995; what were the results of that audit; and if he will make a statement. [26104]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 23 April 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Meat Hygiene Service to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Elliot Morley, dated 24 April 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your questions concerning the number of broiler chickens rejected at slaughter, the number of chickens dead on arrival at slaughterhouses and the results of the MHS's welfare audit have been passed for me for reply [26102, 26103 & 26104].
  The Meat Hygiene Service was launched on 1 April 1995 as an Executive Agency of MAFF. It took over from some 300 local authorities responsibility for enforcement of the hygiene and welfare at slaughter legislation in licensed meat premises in England, Scotland and Wales.
  According to MHS data, 5,855,611 broiler chickens slaughtered in Great Britain in the last six months of 1995 and to date in 1996 were rejected as being unfit of human consumption. Considering a total throughput of broiler chickens of around 483 million for the same period, this represents 1.2% thereof. Poultry meat may not be sold for human consumption unless it meets the conditions laid down in the Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995. These Regulations require, notably, fresh poultry meat to have been obtained from a licensed premise, been subject to pre-slaughter and post-mortem health inspections and show no sign of disease.
  The number of chickens (broilers and hens) which were dead on arrival at slaughterhouses in Great Britain in the last six months of 1995 and to date in 1996 is 1,227,284.
  The report of the animal welfare audit carried out by the MHS has now been finalised. A copy has been placed in the Library today.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances ensiled poultry litter can be fed to(a) poultry and (b) other farm animals; and if he will make a statement. [26105]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 23 April 1996]: It is illegal under regulation 15(11) of the Feedingstuffs Regulations 1995 to sell or use as a compound feed any material which contains faeces or urine, irrespective of any form of treatment or admixture.

  Israel: US Policy
  Israel: US Policy
  Israel: Proposed Security Agreement with US
  Israel: Proposed Security Agreement with US
  Sharm El Sheikh Summit Follow-Up Meeting
  Sharm El Sheikh Summit Follow-Up Meeting
  London Transport: Financial Objectives
  London Transport: Financial Objectives
  Medicine Names
  Medicine Names
  Firearms Amnesty
  Firearms Amnesty
  UK Regional Trade Balances
  UK Regional Trade Balances
  Agriculture Council, 1st to 3rd April
  Agriculture Council, 1st to 3rd April
  Beef Producers and Slaughterers: Support Measures
  Beef Producers and Slaughterers: Support Measures
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Targets
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Targets
  BSE Compensation Payments
  BSE Compensation Payments
  BSE: Dr. Narang's Test
  BSE: Dr. Narang's Test
  BSE Cases in the European Union
  BSE Cases in the European Union
  BSE Cases by Herd Type
  BSE Cases by Herd Type
  BSE Cases by Region
  BSE Cases by Region