Written Answers of 30 April 1996

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Cyprus
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated number of Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus living in the area to the south of the UN-patrolled buffer zone; what are current trends in the number; and if he will make a statement. [27152]

  Mr. David Davis
  The UN Secretary-General's report of 10 December 1995 on the UN operation in Cyprus states that 362 Turkish Cypriots located in the southern part of Cyprus have made themselves known to United Nations forces in Cyprus personnel. We support the call in UN Security Council resolution 789 for a Cyprus-wide census under the auspices of the United Nations.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, what is his Department's assessment of the effect of Her Majesty's Government's decision to modernise their stock of anti-personnel mines on the prospects of achieving an international agreement banning all anti-personnel mines. [27323]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are committed to pursuing a total ban on anti-personnel land mines. We shall as soon as possible destroy nearly half of our existing stocks of anti-personnel land mines. We intend to destroy the remainder when an international ban is agreed, or when viable alternatives become available. In the meantime, should it become necessary to replace any of the remaining mines, we shall do so only with self-destruct mines. We have taken no final decision to procure any new anti-personnel mines. We shall continue to pursue the policy which, in our view, offers the best prospect of addressing the terrible consequences for innocent civilians of the irresponsible use of anti-personnel land mines.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, how the Government plan to pursue an international agreement on banning all non-self-destructing anti-personnel mines. [27320]

  Mr. Davis
  We are committed to pursuing a total international ban on all anti-personnel mines and, as an interim measure, will also work for a ban on non-self-destructing mines. We shall consider how best to proceed, in concert with allies and partners who share our objectives, in the light of the conclusion of the UN weaponry convention review conference, which is currently in progress in Geneva.
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  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 84, what is his Department's policy towards sharing self-destruct technology with those countries who currently export non-self-destruct anti-personnel mines to help them switch production to self-destruct anti-personnel mines. [27324]

  Mr. Davis
  Our aim is to bring about the elimination of all anti-personnel land mines as soon as it is practicable, and in the short term to eliminate particularly non-self-destruct mines which are the most dangerous to civilians. We have also announced a total moratorium on the export of all anti-personnel land mines to all destinations. We shall be guided by these factors in considering any sharing of mine-related technology with any country.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visit (Gosport)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Gosport. [25708]

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Department of Transport
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future role of the Department of Transport. [26903]

  The Prime Minister
  The "Transport Report 1996", Command Paper 3206, which was published on 25 March, sets out the Department of Transport's overall objectives and priorities for the immediate future.

  Nuclear Safety and Security Summit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 April to the hon. Member for Reading, West (Sir A. Durant)Official Report, columns 18–19, if he will publish (a) the financial commitments made to the Ukraine to close down and clean up the Chernobyl reactors by (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) the G7 and (b) the timetable over which these commitments are made. [27348]

  The Prime Minister
  The memorandum of understanding signed in December 1995 between the Ukraine, the G7 countries and the European Commission provides for the closure of Chernobyl within the framework of a comprehensive assistance programme for Ukraine's energy sector. The MOU committed assistance to some $500 million in grants and to $1.8 billion in projected investments. To date, the United Kingdom has contributed over £16 million for Chernobyl-related projects and assistance with energy sector restructuring.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimates he has made of the cost to the United Kingdom of(a) additional health monitoring, (b) nuclear installations safety reviews, (c) compensation for loss of trade to the

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  United Kingdom and (d) other costs of the Chernobyl accident of 1986. [27386]

  The Prime Minister
  No central estimate has been made of the cost of the United Kingdom of additional health monitoring of the Chernobyl accident. Direct costs which can be identified amount to around some £13 million for compensation paid to sheep farmers and environmental monitoring projects. In addition, over a 10-year period, £33 million will have been invested in the Government's radioactive incident monitoring network.

  Prince of Wales's Consent
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Prime Minister in what circumstances the Prince of Wales's consent is needed for a Bill. [26043]

  The Prime Minister
  Bills whose provisions affect the hereditary revenues, personal property or interests of the Duchy of Cornwall require the consent of the Prince of Wales to be signified in both Houses before they are passed. The same would apply to any Bill which affected the interest of the Prince of Wales in his capacity as Prince and Steward of Scotland.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 30 April. [26044]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 30 April. [26045]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Performance Targets
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the key performance targets for the Court Service, Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office and Public Trust Office for 1996–97. [27708]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The following tables set out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for the Court Service, Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office for 1996–97.

  Court Service Key performance targets 1996–97

  Indicator

  Target

  Quality of service:

  1. Percentage of courts and offices meeting all charter for court users standards

  95 per cent.

  Supreme court:

  2. Percentage of administrative process dealt with within target time

  95 per cent.

  Crown court:

  3. Percentage of defendants committed for trail waiting 16 weeks or less

  75 per cent.

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  Court Service Key performance targets 1996–97

  Indicator

  Target

  County courts:

  4. Percentage of administrative process dealt with within target time

  92 per cent.

  Enforcement:

  5. Number of warrants paid as a percentage of correctly directed warrants

  70 per cent.

  Unit costs:

  6. Unit cost of a productive courtroom hour (Crown court)

  £522.55

  7. Unit cost of an hour of administrative work as measured by the business management system (county courts)

  £49.92

  Cost recovery:

  8. Percentage of the cost of civil courts recovered

  86 per cent.

  Fuller details of the agency's targets are given in its business plan which is available from the Court Service Headquarters.

  Her Majesty's Land Registry Executive Agency Key performance targets 1996–97

  Indicator

  Target

  Financial

  Return on average capital employed1 (ROCE):

  3 per cent.

  External financing limit:

  £0

  Efficiency

  Cost per unit in real terms3

  £27.84—a 3 per cent. reduction over the 1995–96 target of £28.70

  Cost per unit in cash terms:

  £30.82

  Productivity

  Unit output per post (per day):

  3.34 units—a 4.1 per cent. increase over the 1995–96 target of 3.202 units

  Citizen's charter standards Percentage of pre-completion applications handled in two working days at every district land registry:

  Not less than 98.5 per cent.

  Average processing time for post-completion applications at every district land registry:

  Where no requisitions arise, no more than 15 working days.

  Percentage of registrations handled free of error at every district land registry:

  Not less than 98 per cent.

  Development of land registration

  Number of computerised titles:

  To increase the number of registered titles in computerised format to 14 million.

  Number of title plans:

  To increase the number of title plans in computerised format to 0.3 million.

  Number of account holders using direct computer access at end of year:

  400 account holders

  1 ROCE below 6 per cent. reflects agreement with HM Treasury to apply surplus income generated in 1993–95, when ROCE exceeded 25 per cent. in each year to fee reductions in 1996–99.

  2 The real term unit cost in the base year, of 1992–93 was £30.65. Fuller details of the registry's performance targets are given in its business plan, which is available from Her Majesty's Land Registry.

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  Public Record Office Key performance targets 1996–97

  Indicator

  Target

  1. Efficiency

  Unit costs of key activities:

  (a) record accessions

  Reduce by 3.4 per cent. to £2.99

  (b) providing record storage space per linear metre

  Reduce by 14.6 per cent. to £60.70

  (c) making documents available to users per document

  Reduce by 0.9 per cent. to £5.99

  (d) providing census reader services per reader visit

  Reduce by 4.86 per cent. to £4.03

  (e) providing document reader services per reader visit

  Limit increase to 7.01 per cent., i.e. to £41.54

  (f) providing remote user information services per contact

  Reduce by 3.79 per cent. to £42.20

  Backlog of records reported by Departments as being over 30 years old and awaiting review

  Reduce by 1, 000 metres

  The timely destruction of records not worthy of preservation

  Departments to have in place key features of records management, as specified in the PRO Manual of Records Administration

  Provision of acceptable storage conditions, i.e. meeting the preservation and environmental standards recommended by BS 5454: 1989 Recommendations for storage and exhibition of archival documents BSI, 1989.

  Increase the proportion of records stored to the standards from 87.75 per cent. to 87.85 per cent.

  Management efficiency in running support services and projects

  Reduce the running costs of the office's support services as a proportion of overall running costs from 11.2 per cent. to 9.8 per cent.

  2. Quality of service

  Citizen's charter standards

  Achieve all charter standard targets1

  3. Effectiveness

  Performance in achieving specified milestones towards strategic objectives

  (i) complete new Public Record Office project at Kew

  (ii) review operation of the public records system

  (iii) increase revenue by 10 per cent.

  1 Subject to specified modifications during period of major building works and moves of records.

  Fuller details of the office's targets are given in its business plan, which is available from the Public Record Office.

  Public Trust Office Executive Agency Key performance targets 1996–97

  Indicator

  Target

  1. To carry out accounting transactions within target times

  To bring to account at least 98 per cent. of receipts and payments transactions within turnaround targets

  2. To achieve investment targets

  (a) to pay annually not less than the rate provided by the average of a model set of comparators for special and basic rate at 75 per cent. of special rate

  (b) on an annual basis to ensure that 85 per cent. of all measured funds perform in line or better than their model based on stock market indices

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  Public Trust Office Executive Agency Key performance targets 1996–97

  Indicator

  Target

  (c) on a three-year rolling basis to ensure that 80 per cent. of all measured funds perform in line or better than their model based on stock market indices

  3. To achieve Charter Standards

  To achieve 98 per cent. of charter standards

  4. To achieve unit costs in activity areas

  To reduce overall unit costs so that the target for 1996–97 will be at least 2.75 per cent. lower than the target for 1995–96 (adjusted for inflation)

  5. Percentage of full costs recovered

  To ensure that 100 per cent. of full costs are recovered

  Fuller details of the office's performance targets are given in its business plan, which is available from the Public Trust Office.

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has to ensure that the water companies take steps to guarantee uninterrupted water supplies this summer. [25688]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Under the Water Industry Act 1991 the Secretary of State—or the Director General of Water Services—may make enforcement orders requiring a company to take specific actions in order to secure compliance with any statutory or other requirement enforceable under the Act. One such duty, under section 37, is that water companies must develop and maintain an efficient and economical system of water supply within their area and make supplies available to persons who demand them.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to monitor the future availability of water supplies. [25692]

  Mr. Jones
  My Department commissioned a series of reports from the National Rivers Authority on the water resource situation and prospects for supplies in England and Wales. A further report, from the Environment Agency, is expected to be published on 1 May.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what voluntary leakage reduction target each water company has set over the next five and 10 years; [27164]

  (2) if he will publish water company leakage rates on a quarterly basis at times of water shortage. [27165]

  Mr. Clappison
  The water service companies' current targets for reducing leakage are summarised in the table. The Director General of Water Services is involved in on-going discussions with companies about the adequacy and consistency of these targets. There are not plans to publish leakage rates quarterly.
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  Water Service Company Leakage Targets

  Anglian Water

  Aim to reduce leakage to around10 per cent. by the year 2000

  Dwr Cymru

  Aim to achieve a reduction of over a third by the year 2000

  Northumbrian Water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 15 per cent. in the coming years

  North West Water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 22 per cent. by the year 2000

  Severn Trent Water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 12 per cent. over the next five years

  Southern Water

  Aim to reduce levels to 10 per cent. by the year 2000

  South West Water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 15 per cent. by the year 2000

  Thames Water

  Aim to halve leakage by 2005

  Wessex Water1

  Aim to achieve 15 per cent. leakage by the 2005

  Yorkshire Water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 60M1/d by 1998 and to 20 per cent. in the longer term

  Source:

  Water Services Association April 1996.

  1 October 1995.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional investment each water company approved in the past six months to respond to the present shortage of rainfall [27167]

  Mr. Clappison
  During the latter part of 1995 and the first four months of 1996, the privatised water and sewerage companies have announced additional investment of more than £400 million in developing water resources and improving the distribution network. Figures for individual companies are as follows:

  £ million

  Anglian Water

  10

  Dwr Cymru

  10

  Northumbrian Water

  3

  North West Water

  53

  Severn Trent Water

  100

  Southern Water

  32

  South West Water

  20

  Thames Water

  35

  Yorkshire Water

  171

  Wessex Water

  5

  Unified Business Rate
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the impact on small businesses of his policy to give transitional relief on the unified business rate. [25689]

  Mr. Gummer
  In 1995–96, the transitional arrangements benefited 815,000 small business premises compared with 315,000 large properties. This represents a saving to small businesses of nearly £380 million. Over the period 1995 to 2000, small businesses are expected to benefit by about £1.35 billion from transition.

  District Auditor Service
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Controller of the Audit Commission on the district auditor service. [25690]

  Mr. Curry
  No such discussions have been held, but Ministers meet the chairman and members of the commission informally from time to time.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met local authority leaders to discuss Government contribution to local authority spending. [25693]

  Mr. Curry
  I last met local authority leaders specifically to discuss the financing of local authority revenue expenditure on 15 January. My most recent meeting with chairmen of the local authority associations was on 23 April.

  Local Authority Spending
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in expenditure by local authorities between 1992–93 and the 1996–97 budgeted figures. [25691]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The increase in local authority budgeted expenditure from 1992–93 to 1996–97 is estimated at 9.3 per cent.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to change the basis on which local authorities are authorised to make grants to(a) sporting and (b) other bodies; and if he will make a statement. [26046]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have no plans to change the basis on which local authorities are authorised to make such grants.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of the rules governing the use of funds paid to a company by a local authority for the provision of services, with particular reference to the use of such funds to prepare bids to provide similar services for other local authorities. [27447]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Where a company carries out work for a local authority it is for that company to determine how it uses the income from the contract.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many copies of the rural White Paper have been sold to date. [25694]

  Mr. Gummer
  Since the publication of the White Paper, "Rural England" in October 1995, some 7,200 copies have been sold.

  Local Education Authorities
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received concerning the allocation of funds to local education authorities. [25695]
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  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State received 143 written representations from local education authorities and, with ministerial colleagues, met delegations from 44 local education authorities during the formal consultation period.

  Capital Challenge
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what submissions he has received from local authority leaders concerning capital challenge. [25696]

  Mr. Curry
  Two hundred and twelve responses have been received from local authorities and local authority associations and 36 have been received from other bodies.

  Good Landlord Registration Scheme
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to promote a good landlords registration scheme. [25697]

  Mr. Clappison
  We believe that a compulsory national registration scheme would impose an unnecessary regulatory burden on landlords and local authorities, and unnecessary costs. Research shows that the majority of tenants have a good relationship with their landlord.

  We actively encourage local authorities through the housing investment programme to work with private landlords to make the most effective use of the local housing stock and to provide good quality accommodation. We believe authorities should have the flexibility to develop initiatives which best meet local needs and problems.

  Local authorities have a range of enforcement powers to take action against landlords who provide accommodation which does not meet fitness standards. Proposals in the Housing Bill will strengthen local authorities' powers to deal with the particular problems in houses in multiple occupation.

  Anti-social Tenants
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to help local authorities deal with anti-social tenants. [25698]

  Mr. Curry
  The Government have included in the Housing Bill a substantial package of measures to help local authorities to deal more effectively with anti-social tenants. We have also issued guidance to all local authorities to help them make better use of the court system when evicting troublemakers.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on improvement in energy efficiency in the domestic, industrial and transport sectors of the economy since 1970. [25699]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My Department actively promotes energy efficiency through a wide range of initiatives across all sectors, including information and advice, voluntary schemes, and selective use of grants, incentives and regulation. My Department's recent publication, "Sustainable Development Indicators", shows 426
  that primary energy consumption in the UK has remained fairly constant since 1970, despite the 60 per cent. rise in gross domestic product. The UK expects carbon dioxide emissions to be 4 to 8 per cent. below 1990 levels by the year 2000.

  Built Environment (London)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to improve the built environment in London. [25700]

  Mr. Gummer
  My over-arching objective is to raise the standard of urban design in London, as elsewhere in the country. I have a number of initiatives in hand to achieve this.

  I shall shortly be publishing "Strategic Guidance for London Planning Authorities", which has a chapter devoted to policies to protect and improve the quality of London's environment to ensure that the capital maintains its attractiveness and competitiveness.

  Similarly, "Strategic Guidance for the Thames" will increase awareness of the importance of raising design standards in the sensitive river corridor and will contain a set of design principles which local planning authorities will be required to take account of when considering development proposals.

  Earlier this year, the Government office for London published a research document on London's urban environment, "Planning for Quality", which identifies the principal components of urban quality and illustrates how they can be enhanced as planning policies are developed.

  This is all part of the wider quality in town and country initiative that I launched last year, which seeks to encourage debate and action about what government and others can do to achieve quality in the built environment. Out of this grew last summer's urban design campaign to promote greater consideration of design issues at local level. Out of 21 schemes being supported by my Department nationwide, two are in London-at Borough market and Wimbledon town centre. They will feature in a major exhibition on urban design later this year and the results will help to inform the preparation of good practice on design.

  My Department is also reviewing existing planning policy guidance on design in the context of a general review of planning policy guidance note No. 1.

  Mine Water Discharges
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ensure that the criteria employed by the Environment Agency in deciding how many cases of mine water discharges in England and Wales should be selected for remediation funding are consistent with the EC limits set out in the freshwater fisheries directive. [26880]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I am advised that some of the chemical parameters set out in the Fresh Water for Fish Directive, 78/659/EEC, are used by the Environment Agency in assessing the state of waters affected by discharges from abandoned coal mines.
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  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will obtain from the Environment Agency a copy of the full list of sites of mine water discharges in England and Wales which were considered for possible remediation funding, together with the criteria used in the decision as to the cases to be put forward; and if he will place the list in the Library. [26881]

  Mr. Jones
  So far as mine water discharges from coal mines are concerned, the Environment Agency has considered a large number of sites affected by mine water discharges, using the following criteria:

  Biological impact

  Area biologically affected

  Area visually affected

  Length visually affected

  Substrate quality

  Iron deposition

  Total iron downstream of discharge

  pH, dissolved oxygen levels and aluminium concentration.

  As a result of the application of these criteria, 35 sites have been identified for further study in order to consider the practicability and cost of potential remedial work. I am arranging for a list of these sites to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Out-of-town Superstores
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce his decision with regard to the planning proposals for four out-of-town-centre food superstores at Daventry, Northamptonshire. [27388]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I expect to be able to issue decisions shortly.

  House Building
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of the house building industry to discuss house building in England; and if he will make a statement. [26129]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Secretary of State met members of the volume housebuilders study group on 13 February 1996. This was followed by more detailed discussions with the chairman of the group. In addition, my hon. Friend the Minister for Planning, Construction and Energy Efficiency and I hold regular meetings with representatives of the construction industry including, where appropriate, those from the housebuilding industry.

  There were 135, 700 private housing starts in 1995; that is 13 per cent. higher than in 1992, which was the lowest point in the recent housebuilding cycle. In the three months to February 1996, starts rose 6 per cent. compared with the previous three months. Mortgage interest rates are now at their lowest for nearly 30 years and house purchase is unusually affordable. The Government believe that there is every reason to have confidence in the present and future health of the housing market.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the role of the board of the Environment Agency and its regional committees. [26358]

  Mr. Clappison
  The board is directly responsible to Ministers for all aspects of the agency's organisation and performance. We expect the board to ensure that the agency fulfils its statutory duties and to ensure propriety, regularity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the operation of the organisation.

  Within each of its regions, the agency is required to establish an environment protection advisory committee and a fisheries advisory committee and to consult them about the manner in which it carries out relevant functions in the regions.

  Each region also has one or more flood defence committee, which are responsible for carrying out all the agency's flood defence functions other than the issuing of levies, making drainage charges or borrowing money.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) of 18 March,Official Report, column 9, on the establishment of an interdepartmental working group in respect of perceived blight (a) what is the membership of the group, (b) when it is due to report to him, (c) when its findings will be published, (d) what representations will be allowed from local authorities and affected residents and (e) if it will take into account views expressed by any Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill. [27105]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The interdepartmental working group on blight is chaired by the head of the Department of the Environment planning directorate. The membership of the group is drawn from the Departments for Education and Employment, the Environment, National Heritage, Trade and Industry and Transport and the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and of Defence, Her Majesty's Treasury, the Welsh and Scottish Offices, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, the Highways Agency, the Prison Service, NHS Estates and the Valuation Office.

  The working group will circulate a paper shortly summarising the main issues for consideration and inviting comments. A copy will be placed in the Library. Until we see what evidence is submitted and are able to analyse the options that may arise, it is premature to say when a final report will be submitted, but the working group will proceed as quickly as possible and I have already undertaken that there will be a progress report in September.

  Evidence from affected residents, local authorities or other interested parties is welcome at any time through one of the professional bodies or interest groups, or direct to the working group. Representations should be sent to the secretary, room C16/08a, 2 Marsham street, London SW1P 3EB.

  The working group will, of course, take full account of all views expressed by any Select Committee of the House of Lords on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill, alongside

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  those already expressed by the Select Committee in the House of Commons and by hon. Members during the Commons Standing Committee on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill.

  Butterfly, Bat and Toad Habitat
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to improve the habitats of butterflies, bats and toads. [25682]

  Mr. Clappison
  The biodiversity steering group, chaired by my Department, with members drawn from all sectors, published its findings on 13 December 1995. "Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report", identifies some 25 butterfly, 15 bat and two toad species whose populations should be monitored where possible. The report includes costed action plans for seven of the butterflies, three of the bats and one of the toads and recommends that costed action plans for a further three butterflies, one bat and one toad be produced within three years.

  In addition, many of the species concerned would benefit from the proposals for costed action plans for 14 key habitats included in the report and the recommendation that costed plans for a further 24 key habitats be produced within three years.

  The Government intend to publish their response to the report shortly.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how may householders are currently on a waiting list for assistance under the home energy efficiency scheme; how long he estimates it will take for these householders to have work under the scheme carried out; and if he will make a statement. [27556]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I estimate that installers now have, on average, about 36 weeks' work from the 310,000 expressions of interest recorded by Eaga Ltd, the scheme managers. The queue will be tackled efficiently to return average waiting times to the lengths for which the scheme is rightly well regarded.

  Council Tax (Kingswood)
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was(a) the total sum, (b) the amount paid to Kingswood borough council, (c) the percentage of the total paid to Kingswood borough council and (d) the amount paid per dwelling in Bristol, in transitional relief in respect of the council tax in each year from 1993–94 to 1995–96. [27450]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Total amount of transitional relief

  1993–94: £378,652,826

  1994–95: £111,283,108

  1995–96: £27,178,179(1)

  (b) Amount of transitional relief paid to Kingswood borough council

  1993–94: £164,456

  1994–95: £28,416

  1995–96: £6,125(1)

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  (c) Percentage of total amount of transitional relief paid to Kingswood borough council

  1993–94: 0.04 per cent.

  1994–95: 0.02 per cent.

  1995–96: 0.02 per cent.(1)

  (d) Amount paid per chargeable dwelling in Kingswood

  1993–94: £4.59

  1994–95: £0.78

  1995–96: £0.16(1)

  These figures are averages. The actual amount of transitional relief varied according to a household's council tax banding, its composition and its previous liability for community charge.

  (1)Information for 1995–96 is provisional and is subject to final grant claims to be made during 1996–97.

  Council Tax (Bristol)
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was(a) the total sum, (b) the amount paid to Bristol city council, (c) the percentage of the total paid to Bristol city council, and (d) the amount paid per dwelling in Bristol, in transitional relief in respect of the council tax in each year from 1993–94 to 1995–96. [27449]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Total amount of transitional relief

  1993–94: £378,652,826

  1994–95: £111,283,108

  1995–96: £27,178,1791

  (b) Amount of transitional relief paid to Bristol city council

  1993–94: £2,061,364

  1994–95: £529,832

  1995–96: £148,6661

  (c) Percentage of total amount of transitional relief paid to Bristol city council

  1993–94: 0.54 per cent.

  1994–95: 0.48 per cent.

  1995–96: 0.54 per cent.1

  (d) Amount paid per chargeable dwelling in Bristol

  1993–94: £12.94

  1994–95: £3.32

  1995–96: £0.931

  These figures are averages. The actual amount of transitional relief varied according to a household's council tax banding, its composition and its previous liability for community charge.

  1 Information for 1995–96 is provisional and is subject to final grant claims to be made during 1996–97.

  Cable Companies (Access)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of permitting access by cable companies(a) across local authority land, (b) to install their services to local authority builders and (c) to install their services to listed buildings and in conservation areas; and if he will make a statement. [27057]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.
  431
  Cable television operators are granted special powers under section 10 and schedule 2 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 to assist with the installation of their systems in the public highway and, with the appropriate consents, on private land.

  A cable operator does not have the automatic right to carry out works on private land unless it has first obtained the written agreement of the owner, be it a local authority or a private individual. If a cable operator were to be refused agreement to install its apparatus in these circumstances, it could apply to the courts for the necessary rights to be granted, on terms to be decided by the court.

  The powers given to cable operators, through the terms of their individual licences under the Act, do not override the obligation imposed by section 7 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to obtain listed building consent for any works which affect the character of a listed building.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what recent representations his Department has received concerning the expansion of water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement; [26994]

  (2) what plans he has for legislation to require water companies to extend the provision of fluoridated water; and if he will make a statement. [26993]

  Mr. Malone
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department of Health regularly receives correspondence expressing opinions both for and against water fluoridation. Our professional and scientific advisers continue to advise us of the safety and effectiveness of optimal water fluoridation as a means to improving the oral health of the nation, and we therefore support fluoridation, especially in areas of poor dental health. This remains, however, a local matter for agreement between health authorities and water undertakers after local public consultation. There are no plans for changes to current legislation.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime (Clear-ups)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the recorded crimes which were cleared up in each of the past five years were cleared up by secondary means. [25603]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is given in table B of Home Office statistical bulletin 3/96, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the post of chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission was advertised; when the interviews took place; how many candidates were interviewed; why no appointment has yet been made; and if he will make a statement. [26883]
  432
  Mr. Kirkhope
  The post of chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission was advertised on 3, 5 and 8 September 1995. Six candidates were interviewed on 12 and 20 December 1995. It was announced on 3 April that the chairman will be Sir Frederick Crawford. He will be appointed formally when section 8 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 is brought into force.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Criminal Cases Review Commission to be established; what is the reason for the delay; when he is proposing to advertise for members of the commission; and if he will make a statement. [26884]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We expect the Criminal Cases Review Commission to start work later this year. Work to establish it is proceeding as quickly as possible. Advertising for the members of the commission will begin on 5 May.

  Mr. Brian Parsons
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he first received representations on behalf of Mr. Brian Parsons; when he expects to complete his considerations; and if he will make a statement. [26886]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Representations were first made between March 1991 and January 1993, but on the basis of these it was decided in May 1993 not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal. Further representations were made following television documentaries shown in 1994 and 1995. As a result of these, the entire case was re-examined by the Devon and Cornwall police. Once we have finished considering their report, we shall aim to reach a conclusion about the case as quickly as possible.

  Driving Licence Fraud
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions driving licences have been used fraudulently in each of the last five years. [26902]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information relates to the number of findings of guilt for fraud, forgery and similar offences associated with driving licences in England and Wales, and is as follows:Findings of guilt in England and Wales for fraud, forgery and similar offences associated with driving licences.

  1990: 1,436

  1991: 1,200

  1992: 1,015

  1993: 944

  1994: 1,344.

  Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  James Hanratty
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive a report from Superintendent Roger Matthews on his inquiry into the James Hanratty case; and if he will make a statement. [27155]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We expect to receive shortly a report from the Metropolitan police on certain matters raised in the representations in this case.

  Asylum and Immigration
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce measures to register and regulate individuals and organisations offering legal advice and representation to applicants for asylum and immigration. [27248]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I have no plans to introduce such measures. Discussions are continuing with the Law Society and other interested parties on the question of regulation.

  Immigration Complaints System
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the annual report for 1995 of the complaints audit committee of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and if he will make a statement. [27768]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. It is a wide-ranging, informative and encouraging document and I am grateful to the committee for its comments and recommendations. These are already receiving careful consideration.

  UK Passport Agency
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the UK Passport Agency performed against its targets in 1995–96; and what performance targets he has set for the agency in 1996–97. [27769]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I am pleased to say that the UK Passport Agency achieved all its targets in 1995–96. The targets for processing properly completed straightforward applications were met despite a 20 per cent. increase in demand for passport services with an average turnround time for the whole year of 6.1 working days, well within the average target of seven working days. The Passport Agency's financial target was to reduce its unit cost by 5 per cent. in real terms. The latest indications are that the agency has achieved a 7.25 per cent. real terms reduction in its unit cost. Another notable achievement was the re-award of the chartermark in December 1995.

  During 1996–97, I shall expect the Passport Agency to continue to improve its standard of service to the public, while seeking further efficiency savings in its operations.

  Euro 96
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will ensure that all police forces will have adequate equipment and manpower available to control unruly behaviour at European nations cup football matches; [27390]

  (2) if he will ensure that water cannons will be available to police authorities in the United Kingdom to control unruly spectators attending the European nations cup football matches; [27392]

  (3) if he will list the steps that have been and will be taken to ensure the safety of spectators at the European nations cup football matches to be held in the summer in England; and if he will make a statement. [27391]
  434
  Mr. Maclean
  Decisions about the deployment of officers and the allocation of resources to police Euro 96 are the responsibility of the chief officers of the eight forces concerned. They must decide how many officers need to be deployed at matches and in surrounding public places. Chief officers are well used to policing football throughout the ordinary football season and are thus best placed to make decisions of this kind.

  A joint Home Office and police working party has concluded that water cannon should not be added to the range of public order equipment available to the police This is because they are heavy and cumbersome and cannot be mobilised quickly to deal with spontaneous disorder.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers has developed extensive plans for the policing of Euro 96, in conjunction with the Football Association and Government Departments. There will be police intelligence centres adjacent to the grounds with a national co-ordinating centre in central London. Police "spotters" will be used to identify troublemakers from home and abroad: very close liaison with the police forces of the participating countries is taking place and will continue throughout the period of the tournament. The latest technology is now in place and will be used to ensure that local police have up-to-date information about the movements of known and suspected hooligans.

  The police strategy is aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of the great majority of genuine and law abiding football supporters who will be coming to enjoy Euro 96. However, anyone intending to disrupt the competition and spoil the enjoyment of others can be assured they will be swiftly dealt with by the police, the prosecuting authorities and the courts.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Ahmadi muslims(a) in Pakistan and (b) elsewhere have sought asylum each year since 1984; and how many such applications in each year have been successful. [26042]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Asylum applications are recorded on the basis of nationality rather than religious beliefs, so therefore, applications lodged by Ahmadi muslims are not separately identifiable in the statistics.

  Tables 2.1 and 3.1 to 3.3 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1994", issue 15/95, give asylum application and decision figures for nationals of Pakistan and other Muslim countries, for the years 1986 to 1994. Equivalent information for 1985 is given in issue 17/94 of this publication, both of which are available in the Library.

  Raghbir Singh
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long Raghbir Singh has been detained; for what reason he has been detained; what recourse to appeal he has against his detention; and if he will make a statement. [26210]
  435
  Mr. Howard
  Raghbir Singh has been detained since 29 March 1995, when he was served with a notice of intention that he should be deported on the ground that his deportation would be conducive to the public good for reasons of national security.

  The lawfulness of my decision to detain Mr. Singh under Immigration Act powers and to initiate deportation action against him has been the subject of judicial review proceedings before both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. On both occasions, the courts concluded that the action was lawful.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the safety of pro-democracy supporters being returned to Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [27136]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Our assessment of the general situation in Nigeria is summarised in the December 1995 country information document which has been placed in the Library. That assessment is kept under review. Each asylum application is, however, considered in the light of its particular individual circumstances.

  Chief Constables
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what direction he has given to chief constables in relation to activities not related to their duties in managing and supervising the police force in their area, and the amount of time to be spent on such activities not related to the immediate duties for which they are employed; and if he will make a statement; [26809]

  (2) if he will list for all chief constables the amount of time each has spent out of force over the past 12 months; where this has exceeded one week, what clearance has been given from the Home Office for such out-of-force activities; and if he will make a statement; [26810]

  (3) what guidance he has given to chief constables and police authorities in relation to the amount of leave out of force for any one chief constable in a given 12-month period; what provision has been made for cover to be provided in the light of such absence; and if he will make a statement. [26811]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answers 26 April 1996]: These matters are for chief constables and their police authorities to manage within the provisions of the Police Regulations 1995. During periods of absence, an assistant chief constable, who is designated under the terms of section 6 of the Police Act 1964, as amended by section 6 of the Police and Magistrates Courts' Act 1994, will exercise all the powers and duties of the chief constable.

  Police Officers
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police officers there are in each member state of the Council of Europe; [26356]

  (2) what is the current ratio of police officers per 1,000 population in each member state of the EU. [26357]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: This information is not centrally collected.

  Learmont Report
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Home Office report on the Learmont recommendations will be published; for how long he has had the report; what are the reasons for the time taken to publish the report; and if he will make a statement. [26668]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: My right hon. and learned Friend gave his initial response to the report on 16 October 1995, when he dealt with the key recommendations. He agreed that the Prison Service should take forward the policy reviews recommended by Sir John Learmont. My right hon. and learned Friend said that he would come back to the House with a full report in due course. He will do so when he receives the findings of these major reviews.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra funding is being made available to meet the cost of implementing the recommendations arising from the Learmont report; and if he will make a statement. [26669]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The cost of implementing recommendations arising from the Learmont report is being examined as part of the preparation of my right hon. and learned Friend's response to the report.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  "The Panshangar Fra Bartolommeo"
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action she intends taking to ensure the retaining in the United Kingdom of the painting "The Panshangar Fra Bartolommeo" by Fra Bartolommeo; and if he will make a statement. [27265]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Secretary of State has deferred a decision on the export licence application for Fra Bartolommeo's "Holy Family" until after 8 May 1996. The purpose of the deferral is to allow time for a potential purchaser to come forward to keep the painting in the UK, and my Department is aware of the serious intention to make a purchase offer. It is for the owner of the painting to decide whether to accept any forthcoming offer. If such an offer were made and accepted, the licence application would lapse, the painting would become the property of the purchaser and would be retained in the UK. If such an offer were refused, the Secretary of State would take into account the existence of the purchase offer in making a decision on the licence application.

TREASURY

  Private Finance Panel Executive
  Mr. Derek Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will name the 24 seconded staff in the Private Finance Panel Executive; and if they are employed on civil service pay and conditions. [25360]
  437
  Mr. Jack
  There are 25 members of the Private Finance Panel Executive: 13 are seconded; the remaining 12 are employed directly by the PFPE. Panel executive members on secondment from other organisations are:

  Mr. Douglas Hogg (Chief Executive)

  Mr. Rees Griffiths (Deputy Chief Executive)

  Mr. Alisdair Evans

  Ms Catherine Clarke

  Ms Philippa Roe

  Ms Nathalie Nonninton

  Mr. Chas Johnson

  Mr. Neil Carey

  Mr. David Goldstone

  Mr. Andrew Neil

  Mr. David Cain

  Ms Angela Brewis

  Mr. Alex Harris.

  Secondees to the PFPE remain under contract to their employer and their pay and conditions are a matter for them and their employer. The PFPE negotiates with employer organisations an agreed level of reimbursement.

  The PFPE is also subject to an overall budgetary constraint. Within this, it fulfils its remaining staffing requirement through direct employment on the basis of short-term appointments. The PFPE, as a limited company, has management responsibilities for its staff which are unconnected with civil service terms and conditions.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the revenue spending estimated by his Department in connection with the private initiative for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26633]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated revenue spending in connection with the private finance initiative by Departments responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer is:

  1995–96: £0 million

  1996–97: £2 million

  1997–98: £7 million.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 March,Official Report, column 52, what would be the estimated full-year costs at 1996–97 income levels of introducing a single positive rate of income tax at 23 per cent. assuming transferable personal allowances of £5,000 per person and the abolition of all other tax expenditures, exemptions and reliefs now allowable against income tax. [27242]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated full-year cost of introducing a single 23 per cent. rate of income tax at 1996–97 income levels would be about £3 billion. This assumes a personal allowance of £5,000 transferable between spouses and the abolition of all other income tax allowances, mortgage interest relief, tax relief on employer's contributions to occupational and personal pension schemes, reliefs for TESSAs, PEPs and profit-related pay, national savings certificates, employee share schemes and charitable giving.
  438
  This estimate does not take into account the substantial behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of such a change nor do they allow for any subsequent changes to the tax system, such as changes to tax relief on employer's contributions to pension schemes or relief for investment income in pension funds.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the change in revenue to the Exchequer resulting from a rise in the top rate of income tax from(a) 40 per cent. to 50 per cent. and (b) from 40 per cent. to 60 per cent. [26762]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]:Estimated full-year yields at 1996–97 income levels are given in the table. The estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of such changes. The figures include consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax.

  Higher rate at:

  Yield £ billion

  50 per cent.

  4.7

  60 per cent.

  9.3

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield from higher rate income tax charged by direct assessment on investment income received net of lower rate income tax in the latest year for which figures are available. [27033]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 April 1996]: In 1995–96, £1.2 billion tax was collected via assessments for additional tax on investment income from which tax had already been deducted at source.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the(a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable public expenditure per head in (i) England and (ii) the United Kingdom in the latest year for which figures are available. [27109]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The latest available figures are for 1994–95:

  £ per head

  Identifiable

  Non-identifiable

  England

  3,614

  n/a

  Scotland

  4,505

  n/a

  Wales

  4,208

  n/a

  Northern Ireland

  4,976

  n/a

  United Kingdom

  3,760

  688

  The term "non-identifiable expenditure" is used to refer to spending which cannot be attributed to the benefit of any one part of the Union.

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the current estimate of the revenue to be expected from the landfill tax; [27378]

  (2) what is his estimate of the revenue available for environmental trusts from the landfill tax. [27413]
  439
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The estimated net revenue yield from landfill tax is £450 million in a full year. However, because precise figures about the amount of waste sent to landfill are not available centrally, the revenue estimate for the tax is open to a greater than usual margin of error. The estimate assumes that credits of tax amounting to £50 million will be given to site operators in respect of voluntary contributions they make to environmental trusts, although, on the basis of the revenue projection for the tax and the maximum credit entitlement, as much as £100 million is potentially available for trusts in a full year.

  Privatisation Issues
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reasons led him to offer shares to the market(a) in tranches and (b) in one complete issue for each privatisation since 1979. [27343]

  Mr. Jack
  Decisions on offer structure are matters for each vendor Department, taking account of such issues as the size of the company being sold and market conditions at the time of each sale.

  International Monetary Fund
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the recent spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. [27709]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I attended meetings of the IMF's interim committee and the IMF/World Bank development committee in Washington on 22 and 23 April, where progress was made on several issues of importance for the world economy and for developing countries. As usual, the IMF and World Bank meetings were preceded by meetings of the G7 and G10 Finance Ministers and central bank governors.

  The G7, the interim committee and the development committee all discussed the joint IMF/World Bank proposals on the multilateral debt of the poorest, most indebted countries which was one of my top priorities for the meetings. I first launched this initiative at Valletta 18 months ago, and good progress is now being made. In Washington, all agreed that there is a problem which must be tackled. A substantial number of countries now agree with us that, as the managing director has now proposed, the IMF should sell a small part of its gold and invest it to produce commercial returns, which could be used for contributing to the ongoing enhanced structural adjustment facility. The G7 countries all agreed that the resources of the international financial institutions themselves must be mobilised for the purpose of relieving multilateral debt.

  With the support of other Ministers, I asked the IMF and World Bank last autumn to produce proposals by the spring. These were delivered in outline form and, last week, we agreed on the principles and a framework for action. We have now called on the IMF and World Bank, in co-operation with the regional development banks, swiftly to put forward more specific proposals, making the fullest use of their own resources to finance them. Our aim is to take final decisions by the time of the annual meetings which will be held from 29 September to 3 October.
  440
  At the G7 meeting, we reviewed economic and financial market developments in the world economy and assessed the outlook for the G7 economies, concluding that, despite the recent pause in growth in some countries, the underlying fundamentals in the G7 were promising, particularly in light of progress in reducing inflation. We agreed that policies should continue to be directed at sustaining non-inflationary growth and, where necessary and appropriate, at strengthening recovery. We welcomed the call from the Lille employment conference for continued reduction of structural obstacles to jobs growth. We had a useful discussion of the Russian economy with the Finance Minister and central bank chairman of Russia. We welcomed their 1996 economic reform programme and encouraged the authorities to continue with its full implementation.

  We reviewed the progress achieved and the considerable work underway to implement the initiatives arising from the Halifax summit last June, and this discussion was continued in the G10 and interim committee.

  The G10 commended the report of the working party on the resolution of sovereign liquidity crises, and agreed that the report should be released to the public. A copy of the executive summary containing the conclusions of the report, which has not been released, has been placed in the Library of the House. It contains some important messages about the handling of future crises of the kind that occurred in Mexico.

  We discussed the work being done by the Basle committee on banking supervision, the International Organisation of Securities Commissions and other bodies to improve the soundness of financial institutions and markets, and welcomed the efforts to increase co-operation among supervision authorities which will provide a good basis for the further work to be done in this important area.

  Further progress has been made in developing new financing arrangements which would double the resources currently available to the IMF under the general arrangements to borrow, and we urged the discussions to come to a successful conclusion as soon as possible. I stressed the importance in this work involving a wider range of countries, including some of the emerging market economies, recognising their interest in the stability of the international financial system.

  At the IMF interim committee, I strongly supported the recent publication of the IMF's special data dissemination standard, and I am delighted to say that the UK was the first country to subscribe to this demanding standard.

  In the development committee, in addition to the discussion of multilateral debt, I welcomed the good outcome of the International Development Association replenishment, which was achieved in difficult circumstances. The committee also commended the report of the task force on multilateral development banks.

  Copies of my speeches to the interim and development committees, and the communiqués of those meetings and the G10 Finance Ministers' meeting, have been placed in the Library of the House. The G7 did not on this occasion issue a communiqué.

  Hand Rolling Tobacco
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual revenue losses which are due to the importation of hand rolling tobacco as a consequence of(a) smuggling and (b) the implementation of the duty-free/duty-paid regulations. [26438]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: Customs does not have any reliable estimate of the extent of revenue losses due to smuggling of hand rolling tobacco. It is working closely with the tobacco and alcoholic drinks industries with the aim of achieving an objective measurement of smuggling of excise goods.

  Customs' estimate of tax revenue—excise duty and VAT—lost from legitimate personal importation of duty-paid tobacco products for the year ending 30 June 1995 is £150 million. There are no separate figures available for hand rolling tobacco, and no official estimate of the extent of duty-free sales of hand rolling tobacco.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission a study of the sales of hand rolling tobacco and of cigarette papers with a view to establishing the extent of tobacco smuggling; and if he will make a statement. [26373]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: No. I have already told the Treasury Committee, in response to the report on its 1995 inquiry into cross-border shopping, that Customs and Excise is having discussions with the trade to find an agreed methodology for deriving credible estimates of the level of smuggling in tobacco products. Factors such as sales of hand rolling tobacco and of cigarette papers may form part of the methodology, or may be used to validate it.

  VAT Avoidance Schemes
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action Customs and Excise has taken to counter well known, widely used and successful VAT avoidance schemes. [27271]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: Countering successful VAT avoidance schemes normally requires changes to the law. These are proposed in the annual Finance Bill, as with the recent changes to the VAT group registration provisions, or introduced by secondary legislation.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how Customs and Excise is proposing to counter well-known VAT avoidance schemes that use VAT place of supply rules to ensure VAT costs are avoided. [27272]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: Customs and Excise, as part of its normal functions, is active in identifying VAT avoidance schemes, including those involving the manipulation of the rules on place of supply, and in suggesting and implementing measures to combat such avoidance. It would not be appropriate to specify in advance what any new measures might be.

  Iraq (UN Special Commission)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigations are planned in respect of suspected breaches of United Kingdom export controls following the UNSCOM report on the involvement of British companies in supplying Iraq with the components of chemical and biological weapons. [25663]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: Any information from UNSCOM reports passed to Customs and Excise is carefully examined and given appropriate attention. It is not, however, the practice of that department to provide information on any planned investigations lest disclosure should prejudice the effectiveness of any inquiries.

  Investments (Hong Kong, China and India)
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of United Kingdom(a) direct and (b) portfolio investment in each year since 1990 in (i) China and Hong Kong and (ii) India. [26298]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I have been asked to reply.

  The available information on direct investment is published by the Office for National Statistics in Business Monitor MA4, "Overseas Direct Investment". Information on portfolio investment, broken down by country, is not available.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if a claimant issued with jobseeker's direction to attend an employment or training programme will suffer benefit sanction if(a) he leaves the programme early and (b) is asked to leave by reason of misconduct. [27104]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The only employment programmes and training schemes in connection with which claimants will normally receive a benefit sanction if they leave early without good cause or as a result of misconduct will be those prescribed for the purposes of section 19 of the Jobseeekers Act 1995. These are jobplan workshops, 1–2–1, workwise, restart courses and, in two pilot areas, project work. However, it may on occasion be appropriate to give an individual a jobseeker's direction to take up a place on a non-prescribed programme to which sanctions will not normally be applicable. Such a direction would be given only if it were reasonable in the jobseeker's circumstances, if it were given with a view to assisting him to find employment or improving his prospects of being employed, and if other prescribed employment programmes and training programmes were not appropriate. Whether such a claimant received a benefit sanction if he left the programme early or through misconduct, having been directed to attend, would depend on the specific terms of the direction.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the number of local education authorities which(a) will and (b) will not benefit in (i) financial and (ii) qualitative terms in respect of nursery education from her nursery voucher proposals. [26422]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  All local education authorities have the opportunity to benefit from extra funding via the nursery education voucher scheme if more four year-olds attend their schools or attend for more terms before compulsory school age; and all LEAs have the opportunity to build upon existing good practice and raise standards in the context of the desirable outcomes for children's learning developed by the School Curriculum Assessment Authority.

  Postgraduate Bursary and Studentship Rates
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will announce the postgraduate bursary and studentship rates for the academic year 1996–97. [27707]

  Mr. Forth
  The main maintenance rates under the Department's own postgraduate awards scheme for certain professional and vocational courses in the academic year 1996–97 will be as follows (1995–96 rates are shown in brackets):

  1996–97

  £

  Bursaries

  London

  3,460 (3,375)

  Elsewhere

  2,735 (2,665)

  Parental home

  2,065 (2,015)

  Studentships

  London

  5,845 (5,695)

  Elsewhere

  4,645 (4,525)

  Parental Home

  3,420 (3,335)

  These represent increases of 2.6 per cent. on the current year's rates. The relevant supplementary allowances will be increased broadly in line.

  Investors in People
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many small firms(a) are
  444
  currently participating in investors in people and (b) have achieved the standard (i) in total and (ii) in each parliamentary constituency. [27008]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: At 29 February 1996, a total of 13,987 small firms in the UK—that is those employing fewer than 200 employees—had made a formal commitment to achieve the investors in people standard; 2,385 small firms are already recognised as having achieved the standard. This gives a total of 16,372 small firms participating in investors in people.

  A breakdown of the figures by parliamentary constituency is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, a regional breakdown is provided in the following table:

  Investors in People Commitments and Recognitions in Small Firms (organisations with fewer than 200 employees)

  Region

  Commitments

  Recognitions

  East Midlands

  1,315

  150

  Eastern

  1,248

  110

  London

  1,926

  142

  Merseyside

  424

  102

  North West

  1,923

  246

  Northern

  472

  126

  South East

  1,837

  219

  South West

  1,280

  380

  West Midlands

  1,305

  252

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,089

  217

  Wales

  633

  145

  Scotland

  457

  203

  Northern Ireland

  61

  25

  Dental Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps are being taken by her Department to develop postgraduate training and continuing medical education in dentistry; and if she will make a statement. [26992]

  Mr. Malone
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since October 1993, it has been a requirement that all new graduates who wish to enter the general dental services take part in one year's vocational training. The continuing professional development of the 18,500 dentists who provide general dental services is organised by dental postgraduate deans and directors. Subject to certain conditions, GDS dentists who attend courses approved by postgraduate deans and directors may claim a postgraduate education allowance for up to two courses per financial year.

TRANSPORT

  Shipping (English Language)
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors underlay his decision not to require that passenger and freight ships operating in British waters should use English as a single designated working language. [26296]

  Mr. Norris
  Our legislation requires that crews on passenger ships on domestic services understand English or that there are adequate arrangements for transmitting orders in a language they understand. Further legislation is being considered, for all UK ships and all other passenger ships operating to or from the UK, requiring effective oral communication between all crew members and adequate means of communication, in the English language, between the ship and shore-based authorities. The ability of crew members to communicate effectively with each other is already monitored by the Marine Safety Agency.

  Many ships which operate in UK waters do not call at UK ports, and international action is, therefore, also needed. The revised international convention on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers, which will be implemented by 1 February 1997, builds on existing international standards and requires every master, mate and officer in charge of watchkeeping on a vessel of 500 gross tonnes and over to have an adequate knowledge of the English language to communicate with other ships and with coast stations.

  Aviation Standards
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries that have been visited by(a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority to assess that country's compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards; and if he will make a statement. [26753]

  Mr. Norris
  At the Department's request, the CAA visited Belgrade in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1995 and Bulgaria earlier this year. We have increased the Department's budget to allow for about three such visits this financial year.

  Visits to assess compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation—ICAO—standards can be arranged only with the agreement of the foreign aviation authority concerned. The need for the UK to arrange such a visit will depend on whether assessments have been, or are being, undertaken in the country concerned by other organisations, such as the Joint Aviation Authorities. In addition, ICAO, has recently launched its own assessment programme. The Department is paying for CAA inspectors to join ICAO teams to visit a number of countries later this year; the details have yet to be finalised.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of inspections which have been undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority in(a) Jamaica, (b) Colombia, (c) Dominican Republic, (d) Gambia, (e) Peru, (f) Philippines, (g) Poland, (h) Swaziland, (i) Trinidad and Tobago, (j) Turkey,
  446
  (k) Uruguay, (l) Venezuela, (m) Zaireand (n) Zimbabwe [26752]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the United Kingdom airports serviced by airlines flying to or from(a) Jamaica, (b) Colombia, (c) the Dominican Republic, (d) Gambia, (e) Peru, (f) the Philippines, (g) Poland, (h) Swaziland, (i) Trinidad and Tobago, (j) Turkey, (k) Uruguay, (l) Venezuela, (m) Zaire and (n) Zimbabwe. [26752]

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom airports currently serviced by airlines flying to or from those countries are listed in the table. In addition, charter services may operate from UK airports to those countries on an ad-hoc basis, as and when applications are made.

  (a) Jamaica

  London Heathrow (Air Jamaica), London Gatwick (British Airways)

  (b) Colombia

  London Heathrow (British Airways)

  (c) The Dominican Republic

  None

  (d) Gambia

  None

  (e) Peru

  None

  (f) the Philippines

  London Heathrow (British Airways), London Gatwick (Philippine Airlines)

  (g) Poland

  London Heathrow (British Airways, British Midland and LOT Polish Airlines)

  (h) Swaziland

  None

  (i) Trinidad and Tobago

  London Heathrow (BWIA, British West Indies Airways)

  (j) Turkey

  London Heathrow (British Airways and THY Turkish Airlines), London Gatwick (British Airways), London Stansted (THY Turkish Airlines)

  (k) Uruguay

  None

  (l) Venezuela

  London Heathrow (British Airways and Viasa)

  (m) Zaire

  None

  (n) Zimbabwe

  London Gatwick (British Airways and Air Zimbabwe).

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the consultations being undertaken by(a) his Department and (b) the CAA with (i) Jamaica, (ii) Colombia, (iii) the Dominican Republic, (iv) Gambia, (v) Peru, (vi) the Phillippines, (vii) Poland, (viii) Swaziland, (ix) Trinidad and Tobago, (x) Turkey, (xi) Uruguay, (xii) Venezuela, (xiii) Zaire and (xiv) Zimbabwe concerning the commencement or increase in flights to and from the United Kingdom. [26751]
  447
  Mr. Norris
  Air service negotiations undertaken by the Department of Transport with these countries are listed in the table. A representative from the CAA is usually present at such negotiations.

  (i) Jamaica

  Negotiations were held on 24 to 26 January 1996 and it is expected that a further round will be held later this year.

  (ii) Colombia

  Negotiations were held in September 1995. No talks are currently planned.

  (iii) The Dominican Republic

  Negotiations were held in 1951. No talks are currently planned.

  (iv) Gambia

  Negotiations were held in February 1992. No talks are currently planned.

  (v) Peru

  Negotiations were held in 1969. No talks are currently planned.

  (vi) the Philippines

  Negotiations were held on 7 to 8 March 1996 and it is anticipated that a further round will be held later this year.

  (vii) Poland

  Negotiations were held in January 1995. No talks are currently planned.

  (viii) Swaziland

  We have no record of negotiations with Swaziland and none are currently planned.

  (ix) Trinidad and Tobago

  Negotiations were held in December 1987. No talks are currently planned.

  (x) Turkey

  Negotiations were held in June 1992. No talks are currently planned.

  (xi) Uruguay

  Negotiations were held in 1970. No talks are currently planned.

  (xii) Venezuela

  Negotiations were held in March 1992. No talks are currently planned.

  (xiii) Zaire

  Negotiations were held in 1974. No talks are currently planned.

  (xiv) Zimbabwe

  Negotiations were held in July 1989. No talks are currently planned.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to introduce an inspection system of auditing a country's aviation infrastructure similar to that operated by the US Federal Aviation Authority. [26759]

  Mr. Norris
  My reply to the hon. Lady on 7 March 1996,Official Report, column 309, set out our procedures for checking that foreign aircraft operating in the UK comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

  In addition, we are participating in the safety oversight programme established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and in discussions on possible actions to be taken by the European Civil Aviation Conference and the EC.

  In some circumstances, the Civil Aviation Authority is prepared to audit overseas regulatory authorities outside the framework of international programmes.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the revenue spending estimated by his Department in connection with the private finance initiative for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26623]

  Mr. Watts
  Revenue spending by my Department in connection with the private finance initiative for the years in question is estimated at roundly:(a) zero, (b) £50 million, and (c) £160 million.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the road-building contractors will meet the costs of security for the work carried out on the Newbury bypass; and if the Government will take into account the cost of security for road-building projects when considering other road schemes in the future. [26797]

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

  Letter from Laurie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 30 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking if the road building contractors will meet the costs of security for the work carried out on the Newbury Bypass; and if the Government will take into account the cost of security for road building projects when considering other road schemes in the future.
  Under the terms of the contract, the cost of security on this scheme will be borne by the Agency.
  With regard to the second part of your question, the Department's standard scheme appraisal methods (principally COBA) take into account all expenditure incurred as a result of a decision to go ahead with a scheme. Thus, the costs of normal security precautions (to protect contractors' equipment for example), are already included. Where it is apparent that exceptional security measures are likely to be required, estimates of these costs will be made and taken into account in future studies.

  Railway Rolling Stock
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average age of railway rolling stock in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) France in 1993. [26972]

  Mr. Watts
  This information is not available.

  A40 Gloucestershire
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the bridge on the A40 trunk road in Cheltenham near the junction of Lansdown road and Gloucester road; and if he will make a statement. [27059]

  Mr. Watts
  The existing brickwork parapets on the Lansdown road bridge do not comply with modern standards. It is proposed that they be upgraded and at the same time the bridge be widened to accommodate a shared cycle and pedestrian facility on the south side and a segregated facility on the north side. The provision for cyclists will form part of the Tennyson road to Shelburne road facility.

  The timing of construction will depend upon the availability of funds.
  449
  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning improvements to the A40 trunk road between Cheltenham and Gloucester; what estimate he has made of the cost of each improvement scheme; in what order of priority he has placed each scheme; what plans he has to implement the improvements before detrunking this part of the A40; and if he will make a statement. [27060]

  Mr. Watts
  Gloucestershire county council has asked the Highways Agency to fund the following schemes on the A40 through Cheltenham before the road is detrunked. The schemes are listed in priority order.

  (1) Lansdown road railway bridge—Parapet strengthening and widening to cater for pedestrians and cyclists. (Cost £860,000).

  (2) Tennyson road to Shelburne road cycleway—Provision of a cycle track and footway along the northern side of the A40. The scheme has been the subject of public consultation. (Cost £120,000).

  (3) Old Bath road/Sandford road—Provision of a roundabout. (Cost £44,000).

  (4) Gordon lamp junction improvement—Scheme has been progressed to tender document stage. (Cost £9,000).

  (5) Lansdown road/Lansdown walk junction—Closure of the side road. (Cost £5,600).

  (6) West Green—Signing improvements, completed in 1995–96. (Cost £2,000).

  Gloucestershire county council has also asked for certain maintenance works to be carried out on the A40.

  The Highways Agency is close to finalising agreement with Gloucestershire county council on the package of works related to the detrunking of the A40, subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures.

  We expect to publish draft orders this summer.

  Aircraft Leasing
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list, by grade, the number of staff employed(a) in his Department and (b) in the Civil Aviation Authority who have responsibility for administering the requests for leasing of aircraft. [26913]

  Mr. Norris
  Four administrative officers in the Department's international aviation negotiations directorate have day-to-day responsibility for processing aircraft leasing applications as part of their duties. However, more senior officers in the directorate give final approval.

  The economic regulation group of the CAA advises the Department on all lease applications except for substitution flights. This accounts for a small proportion of the overall work of three staff graded JMG1, JMG4 and JMG7.

  The safety regulation group of the CAA is responsible for issuing safety approval for leased aircraft. Administering lease applications involves two staff, one leasing co-ordinator and one assistant leasing co-ordinator.

  Aircraft Operating Licences
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which airlines are licensed to operate in or out of the United Kingdom, together with their country of registration. [26905]

  Mr. Norris
  The airlines that have seasonal permits for summer 1996 to operate scheduled and charter services to the United Kingdom are listed, by geographical region. In addition, ad hoc charters may be given permission as and when applications are made. Airlines from the European Economic Area countries are able to operate into the UK without a permit for services operated in accordance with the EC third aviation package. Therefore, only those EEA airlines with permits from the Department for services which are outside the scope of EC regulations are included in the list.

  Airline

  Country of registration

  Air Canada

  Canada

  Canadian Airlines

  Canada

  Air Club International

  Canada

  Air Transat

  Canada

  Canada 3000

  Canada

  American Trans Air

  US

  DHL

  US

  Emery Worldwide

  US

  Polar Air Cargo

  US

  Zantop International Airways

  US

  American Airlines

  US

  Continental Airlines

  US

  Delta Airlines

  US

  Evergreen International Airlines

  US

  Federal Express

  US

  North West Airlines

  US

  Trans World Airlines

  US

  United Airlines

  US

  United Parcel Service

  US

  World Airways

  US

  Laker Airways

  US

  BWIA International

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Cubana de Aviacion

  Cuba

  Air Jamaica

  Jamaica

  Aeroflot Russian International Airlines

  Russia

  Azerbaijan Airlines

  Azerbaijan

  Air Ukraine

  Ukraine

  Belavia Air Company

  Belarus

  Kazakhstan Airlines

  Kazakhstan

  Air China

  China

  Air Hong Kong

  Hong Kong

  Cathay Pacific Airways

  Hong Kong

  EVA Airways

  Taiwan

  Garuda Indonesia

  Indonesia

  Korean Air

  South Korea

  Malaysian Airline System

  Malaysia

  Philippine Airlines

  Philippines

  Royal Brunei Airlines

  Brunei

  All Nippon Airways

  Japan

  Japan Airlines

  Japan

  Air India

  India

  Air Lanka

  Sri Lanka

  Biman Bangladesh Airlines

  Bangladesh

  Pakistan International Airlines

  Pakistan

  Air New Zealand

  New Zealand

  Qantas Airways

  Australia

  Aerolineas Argentinas

  Argentina

  VARIG Brazilian Airlines

  Brazil

  VIASA

  Paraguay

  Air Seychelles

  Seychelles

  Air Mauritius

  Mauritius

  Air Algerie

  Algeria

  451

  Airline

  Country of registration

  Cameroon Airlines

  Cameroon

  EgyptAir

  Egypt

  Ethiopian Airlines

  Ethiopia

  Ghana Airways Corporation

  Ghana

  Kenya Airways

  Kenya

  Air Namibia

  Namibia

  Nigeria Airways

  Nigeria

  Royal Air Maroc

  Morocco

  South African Airways

  South Africa

  Tunisair

  Tunisia

  Air Zimbabwe

  Zimbabwe

  Alyemen—Airlines of Yemen

  Yemen

  Yemen Airways

  Yemen

  EL AL Israel Airlines

  Israel

  Emirates Airlines

  United Arab Emirates

  Gulf Air

  Designated carrier of UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar

  Iran Air

  Iran

  Royal Jordanian

  Jordan

  Kuwait Airways

  Kuwait

  Middle East Airlines Airliban S.A.L.

  The Lebanon

  Trans Mediterranean Airways S.A.L.

  The Lebanon

  Qatar Airways

  Qatar

  Saudia—Saudia Arabian Airlines

  Saudi Arabia

  Balkan Bulgarian Airlines

  Bulgaria

  Air Via

  Bulgaria

  Croatia Airlines

  Croatia

  Cyprus Airways

  Cyprus

  Eurocypria Airlines

  Cyprus

  CSA, Czech Airlines

  Czech Republic

  Estonia Air

  Estonia

  Finnair

  Finland

  Condor Flugdienst Gmbh

  Germany

  Lufthansa German Airlines

  Germany

  Deutsche BA

  Germany

  Eurowings Luftverkehrs

  Germany

  Malev Hungarian Airlines

  Hungary

  Aer Lingus

  Ireland

  Air Baltic Corporation SIA

  Latvia

  Riga Airlines

  Latvia

  Lithuanian Airlines

  Lithuania

  Cargolux Airlines Intl. SA

  Luxembourg

  Air Malta

  Malta

  KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

  The Netherlands

  Braathens SAFE

  Norway

  LOT Polish Airlines

  Poland

  Tarom Romanian Air Transport

  Romania

  Jaro International

  Romania

  Adria Airways

  Slovenia

  Transwede

  Sweden

  Swissair

  Switzerland

  Crossair

  Switzerland

  Air Engiadina AG

  Switzerland

  Edelweiss Air AG

  Switzerland

  Trans European Airways Basel AG

  Switzerland

  THY Turkish Airlines

  Turkey

  Onur Air

  Turkey

  Kibris Turkish Airlines

  Turkey

  Istanbul Airlines

  Turkey

  Pegasus Airlines

  Turkey

  Intersun Havacilik

  Turkey

  JAT Yugoslav Airlines

  FRY (Serbia and Montenegro)

  Road Congestion
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department will publish the report on congestion on the trunk road network. [27402]
  452
  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 26 February, column 340, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, West (Mr. Butterfill).

  Transport Strategy (London)
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to publish a statement on his transport strategy for London. [27770]

  Mr. Norris
  I have today placed in the Library of the House copies of "A Transport Strategy for London". In this document, we set out our overall objectives for transport in London and an integrated strategy to achieve them.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has set for the executive agencies in his Department. [27767]

  Sir George Young
  The following key targets have been set for the Department of Transport's executive agencies. The targets are set out in the agencies' business plans, which also include management objectives, performance indicators and key tasks, where appropriate to the agencies' businesses. Copies of the business plans are placed in the Library.

  The key targets for the Coastguard Agency are to:

  discharge the Secretary of State's responsibility for maritime search and rescue, through its own or dedicated assets by:

  maintaining a 24 hours search and rescue—SAR—co-ordinating capability within, and including the coasts and shoreline of, the UK search and rescue region;

  maintaining a comprehensive radio reception and transmission coverage of the UKSAR which enables SAR co-ordination action for the duration of incidents without interruption or equipment malfunction;

  testing contingency plans for major maritime SAR incidents, particularly those involving passenger carrying vessels/merchant shipping and the offshore oil/gas industry by undertaking six major live exercises and 35 seminars.

  consider how the upward trend in SAR incidents might be arrested and reversed and to report to the Department by December 1996, meanwhile implementing a strategy designed to promote sea and shore safety awareness.

  implement ministerial decisions following the interdepartmental review on SAR helicopter coverage.

  maintain a fully operational 24 hours channel navigation information service (CNIS) covering the Dover strait traffic separation scheme (TSS), in concert with the appropriate French authorities.

  discharge the Secretary of State's responsibility for dealing with marine pollution by the maintenance of a national contingency plan and in particular;

  activate the plan within 30 minutes of notification of an incident; and

  commence action at sea to deal with a spill of dispersible oil within four hours of notification of an incident;

  testing the effectiveness of the plan by undertaking a major exercise and to report on the outcome by 31 March 1997.

  carry out a minimum of 625 hours a year aerial surveillance of the sea area for which the UK has responsibility to detect or deter incidents of marine pollution, including illegal discharges from ships.

  discharge the agency's functions while remaining within its 1966–97 running costs budget.

  453

  implement phase 1 of the proposed reorganisation of the HMCG operational structure Focus for Change" by 31 March 1997

  The key targets for the Driving Standards Agency are to:

  achieve unit costs not exceeding £28.30 for car practical tests, and not exceeding £15.00 for theory tests.

  achieve a national average waiting time for car tests of nine weeks between April and September 1996 and six weeks between October 1996 and March 1997, and for appointments to be available within 10 weeks at 90 per cent. of permanent test centres between April and September 1996 and 99 per cent. of centres between October 1996 and March 1997.

  ensure that appointments cancelled by DSA less than two days before the date of a test average 1 per cent. between April and September 1996, and average no more than 0.5 per cent. of appointments between October 1996 and March 1997.

  answer 90 per cent. of telephone calls to booking offices within 60 second between April and September 1996. From October 1996 to March 1997 the target will be to ensure that:

  four out of five calls will be answered on their first dialling attempt;

  90 per cent. of calls which have been answered by an automatic system will then be answered by a human voice within 30 seconds; and

  an average of no more than 5 per cent. of calls in the queue will be abandoned before being answered.

  Ensure that the theory test contractor has created the required density of test venues and frequency of test sessions in line with the services specification by 1 July 1996, and that theory tests are available to the public from that date.

  The key targets for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are to:

  make an efficiency gain—on the basis of an overall efficiency index—of 2.4 per cent.

  complete successfully 495, 000 vehicle excise duty enforcement cases by imposition of penalties and to recover, through penalties and duty from licensing, at least £2.80 for every £1 full cost spent by DVLA on vehicle excise duty enforcement.

  deliver 95 per cent. of ordinary driving licences to customers within 11 working days, 95 per cent. of vocational driving licences within 10 working days, and 95 per cent. of first provisional driving licences within nine working days.

  deliver 95 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles within 12 days, and 95 per cent. of changes to vehicle registration documents within 13 days.

  deliver answers to 95 per cent. of written inquiries within eight working days, and answer 90 per cent. of telephone inquiries within 30 seconds

  ensure that at least 97 per cent. of driving licences, 98 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles, and 96 per cent. of changes to registration documents, are issued without a DVLA-induced error.

  The key targets for the Highways Agency are to:

  achieve 80 per cent. of the national schemes milestones and design, build, finance and operate tender invitations and contract awards listed in annex D to the business plan, or other milestones as may be substituted or added by Ministers.

  maintain the trunk road network cost effectively by undertaking a programme of capital maintenance aimed at ensuring that the percentage of the trunk road network past the critical condition remains at 7 to 8 per cent. by 2000, with the minimum disruption to traffic, and ensuring that roads are safe, reliable, and offer an acceptable quality of ride; and to ensure that from 1 January 1999, all vehicles up to and including the new 40-tonne maximum gross vehicle weight standard can use all structures supporting trunk roads and other important routes over trunk roads by completing in 1996–97:
  454

  the renewal of 50 nearside lane kilometres (nlks) of motorway and 80 nlks of all purpose trunk road; and

  assessments of the structural capacity of 670 structures and completing the strengthening of 17 structures network management and maintenance division.

  contribute to the Government's target of reducing road casualties by one third by 2000 (compared to the annual average for 1981–1985) by limiting accident rates between 1996 and 1998 on the motorways and all-purpose trunk road network to 21 accidents involving personal injury for every 100 million vehicle kilometres of travel.

  develop and agree, with the Central Transport Group, systems for monitoring congestion on motorways and high standard all-purpose trunk roads by 31 December 1996.

  publish, as part of the agency's annual report, a report covering:

  environmental aspects of new schemes, and network management and maintenance activities, demonstrating that the agency has given full weight to environmental issues in carrying out its function and has struck a balance according;

  the agency's contribution to the follow-up to "Transport: the Way Ahead"; and

  the measures taken by the agency to contribute to the implementation of the Government's air quality strategy.

  improve the effectiveness of the agency by:

  developing an aggregate unit cost indicator (formula) embracing the full range of the agency's outputs, but with inputs limited initially to administration and preparation and supervision costs;

  determining and agreeing with the Central Transport Group by 30 September 1996, the values of that indicator for 1995–96 (to be based on 1995–96 outturn) and for 1996–97 (to be based on 1996–97 business plan budgets and targets); and

  to perform, in outturn, no worse than the agreed ratio.

  Applications to the National Roads Scheme Committee in 1996–97, to increase the cost of schemes are not to exceed 2 per cent. of the total programme value.

  The key targets for the Marine Safety Agency are to:

  implement the international safety management code for ro-ro ferries by 1 July 1996.

  report to shipping policy by 31 October 1996 with proposals to implement, for ro-ro passenger ships operating to and from UK ports, the relevant amendments to the safety of life at sea convention and the regional agreement on the application of higher stability standards.

  complete all necessary work by 31 March 1997 to implement the under 12 m fishing vessel safety code.

  agree with shipping policy, by 31 May 1996, a programme of implementation for the Government's initiative on reducing illegal discharge of wastes from ships and review the waste reception facility provision for marine pollutants from ships in UK ports by 31 December 1996.

  make arrangements for the implementation of the revised standards of training, certification and watchkeeping convention by 1 February 1997 taking account of deregulation and the introduction of vocational qualifications.

  complete the work on the consolidation of existing secondary legislation resulting from the MSA deregulation review by 30 September 1996.

  inspect between 25 and 30 per cent. of foreign flagged vessels using UK ports including ro-ro ferries and fish factory ships.

  achieve an average output of survey and inspection work per marine office surveyor of 3 per cent. greater than the outturn for 1995–96, while delivering the planned programme of surveys and inspections.

  discharge the agency's functions while remaining within its 1996–97 running costs budget.

  The key targets for the Vehicle Inspectorate are to:

  455

  meet the requirements on level and types of activity laid down in the memorandum of agreement on each scheme.

  distribute its resources between each activity so as to achieve at least the minimum number of road safety/environment values laid down for the roadworthiness and MOT schemes and to increase the number of HGV designated premises.

  meet the quality and general effectiveness levels as specified in the business plan measures set for 1996–97.

  implement a system of annual surveys and/or structured interviews to be carried out with all principal customers and evaluated to determine score as the basis of measuring future improvement in performance.

  achieve an aggregated cost efficiency index outturn of +3 per cent.

  break even while achieving an average 6 per cent. real rate of return on capital, over the period 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1998.

  secure the long-term development of the organisation through working for the investors in people award, achieving 70 per cent. of the assessment indicators set out in the standards of the investors in people award and through implementing the three elements of the IS strategy defined in the business plan measures for 1996–97.

  The key targets for the Vehicle Certification Agency are to:

  achieve a net unit cost target of £78.86.

  issue at least 98 per cent. of approval certificates error free. issue at least 97 per cent. of invoices error free.

  issue corrected documents where errors do occur within three working days in 95 per cent. of cases involving certificates and in 90 per cent. of cases involving invoices.

  audit at least 75 per cent. of the agency's approved quality procedures.

  receive a satisfactory appraisal report from the Department's chief mechanical engineer.

  Hackney Council
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to visit Hackney council to discuss transport policy. [25681]

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Hackney council.

  Sea Empress Oil Spill
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the chief inspector of the marine accidents investigation branch intends to interview the right hon. Members for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney), for South Norfolk (Mr. MacGregor) and for Ealing, Acton (Sir G. Young) and Lord Goschen in connection with his investigation into the Sea Empress disaster. [27185]

  Mr. Norris
  The question of who MAIB inspectors should interview, and when, in the course of any investigation is a matter for the chief inspector of marine accidents.

  Esso Mersey Explosion
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps were taken by the marine accidents investigation branch to contact Mill Bay Engineering concerning the inquiry into the explosion on board the Esso Mersey on 4 September 1991. [27184]
  456
  Mr. Norris
  The marine accidents investigation branch has been in correspondence with Mill Bay Engineering Co. Ltd. on a regular basis in connection with the Esso Mersey investigation since 1993. The investigation was re-opened in September 1994 after the emergence of new evidence. Mill Bay Engineering Co. Ltd. was sent an advance copy of the report of the re-opened investigation in accordance with section 9(4) of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1994.

  Marine Accidents Investigation Branch Reports
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the usual procedure for submitting draft reports of the marine accidents investigation branch to those individuals and organisations that are referred to or criticised in marine accidents investigation branch reports. [27186]

  Mr. Norris
  The procedures for submitting draft reports of inspector's inquiries undertaken by the marine accidents investigation branch to individuals and organisations which are criticised in them are governed by regulations 9(4) of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1994. There is no requirement relating to those who are only referred to in reports.

  The regulations require that if, in the opinion of the chief inspector of marine accidents, the reputation of any person is likely to be adversely affected by the report, that person shall be served with a copy of the draft report or that part which affects him. That person is allowed a 28-day period to make representations to the chief inspector who must then consider the representations and notify the person(s) concerned of his conclusions and any changes he intends to make to the report. A further 28-day period is then allowed for the submission of alternative text by the person(s) where passages remain in dispute. Where alternative texts have been submitted, these are to be published as an appendix to the report unless the Secretary of State considers that there is good reason not to do so.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Social Security Agency
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Social Security Agency for the current financial year. [27710]

  Mr. Moss
  The targets are included in the agency's 1996–97 business plan, which was published today. A copy of the plan will be placed in the Library. The targets are in line with the Government's policy of improving the service provided to customers and fully support the standards established in the Northern Ireland citizens charter. I am satisfied that the targets present a demanding challenge for the agency. They are as follows:

  1. BENEFIT CLEARANCE TIMES1

  Social fund crisis loans

  On the day the need arises2

  Income support

  71 per cent. in five days

  90 per cent. in 13 days

  457

  Incapacity benefit

  65 per cent. in 10 days

  85 per cent. in 30 days

  Child benefit

  68 per cent. in 10 days

  94 per cent. in 30 days

  Family credit

  60 per cent. in 13 days

  95 per cent. in 42 days

  Disability living allowance

  65 per cent. in 30 days

  85 per cent. in 53 days

  Unemployment benefit

  75 per cent. in 12 days

  85 per cent. in 53 days

  2. BENEFIT ACCURACY

  Income support

  to pay the correct amount in at least 87 per cent. of cases

  Incapacity benefit

  to pay the correct amount in at least 94 per cent. of cases

  Child benefit

  to pay the correct amount in at least 98 per cent. of cases

  Family credit

  to pay the correct amount in at least 93 per cent. of cases

  Disability living allowance

  to pay the correct amount in at least 98 per cent. of cases

  Unemployment benefit

  to pay the correct amount in at least 97 per cent. of cases

  3. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

  390 per cent. of customers to regard the agency's service as satisfactory or better

  4. FINANCIAL RECOVERY

  recovery of social fund loans—£23.06 million

  recovery of income support overpayments—£1.80 million recovery of centralised benefits overpayments—£0.46 million

  benefit savings from detection and prevention of fraud—£14 million

  sign-offs as a result of anti-fraud activity—4,0004

  to carry out 3, 000 national insurance contributions surveys, including 600 employer educational visits

  identify £1.50 million class 1 arrears as a result of compliance work

  recovery of social fund loans—£23.06 million

  5. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

  to live within a gross allocation of £36.61 million for social fund loans and community care grants

  to live within the agency's gross budget allocation

  to achieve cash efficiency savings of the order of £5.5 million

  Notes

  1 In all cases, clearance time is measured from the date of receipt of a claim or application in the office to the date on which the claim or application is decided. The measure, therefore, excludes the time taken to issue notification of the decision and any payment.

  2 Monitored against 95 per cent. in one day.

  3 The customer satisfaction target covers a two-year period and will be measured by independent survey in 1996–97.

  4 New target.

  Free Bus Passes
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the annual cost of free bus passes in each education and library board area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [26594]

  Mr. Ancram
  The annual cost of concessionary tickets for use on public transport to each education and library board in the last five years is set out in the following table:

  Expenditure £000

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Belfast

  598

  750

  851

  935

  984

  North-eastern

  4,722

  4,790

  5,215

  5,448

  5,786

  South-eastern

  3,727

  4,340

  4,736

  5,095

  5,454

  Southern

  3,360

  3,761

  4,005

  4,221

  4,510

  Westem

  1,894

  2,544

  3,009

  3,040

  3,144

  Total

  14,301

  16,185

  17,816

  18,739

  19,878

  Pig Feed Plant, West Belfast
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement concerning the health implications of the blockage in the pig feed plant of Andrews Mill in west Belfast in February. [26541]

  Mr. Moss
  The problem was investigated by the Eastern health and social services board and Belfast city council environmental health department, who are satisfied that there are no health implications.

  Local Government
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are currently being taken to revise and develop local government in Northern Ireland. [26542]

  Mr. Ancram
  Our aim is to strengthen democracy by returning more responsibility and accountability to locally elected representatives in Northern Ireland on a basis which is widely acceptable. The all-party negotiations commencing on 10 June offer an opportunity to move in this direction.

  Prisons (Library Facilities)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the costs of providing library facilities broken down by(a) books and (b) other costs at (i) the Maze prison and (ii) Maghaberry prison, in each of the last five years. [26732]

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

  Letter from Alan Shannon to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 30 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the cost of providing library facilities at HMP Maze and HMP Maghaberry in each of the last 5 years.
  The information is as follows:
  459

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  £

  £

  £

  £

  £

  HMP Maghaberry

  Books

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  Other costs

  45,358

  44,739

  60,713

  62,411

  64,659

  HMP Maze

  Books

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  3,019

  Other costs

  48,628

  53,012

  59,086

  61,942

  63,798

  The cost of books is normally met by the South Eastern Education & Library Board. The charge of £3,019 to the Prison Service in 1995/96 was to cover the replacement cost of stock damaged during a riot at Maze in March 1995.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people recruited to full-time membership of the RUC during the period 1 October 1995 to 31 March 1996 had previously served as members of(a) the RUC reserve (b) Her Majesty's armed forces. [26548]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Records for recruitment to the RUC regular force during the period 1 October 1995 to 31 March 1996 are as follows:

  Number

  Recruits with previous RUCR full-time service only

  28

  Recruits with previous RUCR part-time service only

  13

  Recruits with both RUCR full-time and RUCR part-time service

  4

  Recruits with previous HM forces service only

  6

  Recruits with both HM forces and RUCR service

  5

  Recruits with no previous HM forces or RUCR service

  55

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were recruited to full-time membership of the RUC during the period 1 October 1995 to 31 March 1996. [26549]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The total number of people recruited to full-time membership of the RUC regular force during the period 1 October to 31 March 1996 was 111.

  Health and Safety Agency
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been spent on the Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland in each year since 1990–91. [26221]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: The Department of Economic Development has funded the Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland in accordance with the following table:

  Financial year

  Amount of funding £

  1990–91

  146,000

  1991–92

  165,500

  1992–93

  173,000

  1993–94

  222,000

  1994–95

  261,000

  1995–96

  314,000

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Procedural Changes
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what representations urging procedural changes he has received since publication of the Scott report. [24703]

  Mr. Newton
  The Government deposited in the Library of the House on 25 March 1996 a document entitled "The Timetable for Taking Forward Recommendations of the Report of the Inquiry into the Export of Defence Equipment and Dual-Use Goods to Iraq and Related Prosecutions". As this document indicates, the Government are currently inviting comments on a range of the issues covered by the Scott report, and a number of representations have now been received. These will be given careful consideration and changes to current Government procedures will be made where there would be benefit in doing so. If any such changes have implications for House of Commons procedures, these too would of course be considered in the appropriate way.

  Northern Ireland Legislative Committees
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Lord President of the Council which hon. Members representing Northern Ireland constituencies have been appointed since January 1995 to Standing Committees on delegated legislation nominated to consider Northern Ireland Orders in Council. [25768]

  Mr. Newton
  The following Northern Ireland Members have been appointed to Delegated Legislation Committees relating to NI orders:

  Member

  Dates

  Appointed

  Attended

  Beggs, Mr. Roy

  7 June 1995

  7 June 1995

  7 December 1995

  7 December 1995

  7 January 1996

  17 January 1996

  Forsythe, Mr. Clifford

  17 October 1995

  17 October 1995

  31 October 1995

  31 October 1995

  Hendron, Dr. Joe

  —

  —

  Hume, Mr. John

  —

  —

  McCartney, Mr. Robert

  —

  —

  McCrea, Rev. William

  —

  —

  McGrady, Mr. Eddie

  —

  —

  Maginnis, Mr. Ken

  16 February 1995

  16 February 1995

  22 February 1995

  —

  18 October 1995

  18 October 1995

  29 November 1995

  —

  28 February 1996

  28 February 1996

  Mallon, Mr. Seamus

  —

  —

  Molyneaux, Sir James

  25 November 1995,

  25 November 1995

  Paisley, Rev. Ian

  —

  —

  Robinson, Mr. Peter

  —

  —

  Ross, Mr. William

  1 February 1995

  1 February 1995

  Smyth, Rev. Martin

  28 February 1995

  28 February 1995

  Taylor, Mr. John D.

  7 February 1996

  7 February 1996

  Trimble, Mr. David

  4 July 1995

  4 July 1995

  Walker, Mr. A. Cecil

  —

  —

  The right hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Sir J. Molyneaux) was appointed to the Chairmen's Panel this Session, but this has not been reflected in the table.

SCOTLAND

  Machine Guns
  Mr. George Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of exemptions under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1994 in respect of machine guns in each of the last five years; and apart from royal ordnance, what is the total number of machine guns covered by these exemptions. [26428]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  There are no exemptions under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1994.

  Judicial Statistics
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the civil judicial statistics relating to the Scottish courts for the years 1994 and 1995. [26965]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The statistics for 1994 will be published shortly; those for 1995 are still in preparation.

  Victoria Hospital, Glasgow
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 will apply in respect of staff at the Victoria hospital, Glasgow following the award of the contract in respect of support services. [27063]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This is a matter for the trust and the company winning the contract to consider with their legal advisers. In most cases where employment is transferred as a result of market testing, TUPE usually applies.

  Cancer
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many registered cases of cancer there were in Scotland in(a) 1985, (b) 1989, (c) 1992 and (d) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27030]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of registered cases of cancer—malignant neoplasms—in each of these years is as follows:

  1985: 26,161

  1989: 26,657

  1992: 28,827

  19951: 21,997.

  11995 data not yet complete

  National Health Service Trusts
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those core services which NHS trusts in Scotland may contract out through the competitive tendering process. [27048]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Since 1983, the Government's policy has been for domestic, cleaning, catering, laundry and similar non-core support services to be routinely market tested. It is for NHS trusts to decide which other services would benefit from being subjected to market testing in response to local circumstances, ensuring that the best quality health care and use of resources is achieved.
  462
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many NHS trusts in Scotland have put support services out to competitive tender; and in how many of these cases an in-house tender was received. [27051]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  By 1991, virtually all hospital ancillary services in the NHS in Scotland had been put out to tender by health boards. As NHS trusts were established, the trust boards assumed responsibility for the management of the existing contracts and for the market testing of such other services as they considered appropriate. Comprehensive information on the number of in-house tenders received is not centrally available, but from a total of 410 contracts awarded following market testing since December 1987,65 per cent. were won by in-house teams.

  Male Rape
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of male rape were reported in Scotland in(a) 1985 and (b) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27013]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not available in the form requested. The term "male rape" is not used in Scots law. The act which that term describes, namely non-consensual anal intercourse with a man, can be prosecuted in Scotland either as the common law crime of sodomy or as a statutory offence under section 13 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995, that is, commission of a homosexual act other than in private or without the consent of both parties or with a person under the age of 18.

  It is not possible to identify within the statistics for the statutory offence those which would equate with the term "male rape". Figures for the number of allegations of the common law offence of sodomy reported to the police are not available, but figures for the number of prosecutions are available from 1988 onwards. In 1988 there were 11 such prosecutions and in 1994, the latest year for which such figures are available, there were 15 prosecutions.

  Sheriff Court Fees Order
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to amend the Sheriff Court Fees Order to provide that no sheriff court dues shall be payable under the order for a party, who would otherwise be liable to pay, who is in receipt of income support under part VII of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. [26966]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to extend current arrangements for exemption from court dues. The vast majority of people on income support will qualify for legal aid, which would include the payment of court fees.

  Scottish Arts Council
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of the Scottish Arts Council arts collection. [27882]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As part of the Scottish Arts Council's collecting initiative, one of the aims of which is to increase public access to works in its art collection, the council, with the agreement of the
  463
  Treasury, will now begin to donate works from its collection to museums, galleries and other public bodies in Scotland for display to the public.

  Pensions Agency
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what key performance targets he has set for the Scottish Office Pensions Agency for 1996–97. [27883]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have set the Scottish Office Pensions Agency the following key targets for 1996–97, which cover important areas of service delivery and steps to improve efficiency and effectiveness:-

  to ensure that awards and transfer payments are accurate to within 1 per cent. of their value in 99 per cent. of cases;

  to pay on time 99 per cent. of all pensions and lump sums where the target date for receipt of claims is met;

  to make transfer payments within four weeks of members' final instructions to transfer pension rights;

  to analyse the results of a survey to measure customer satisfaction with administration of the teachers' pension scheme and produce an action plan, by December 1996;

  to complete the development and implementation of a new pensions administration IT system. by December 1996;

  to reduce total identified operating costs per member/beneficiary by 8 per cent.;

  to amend all schemes for which SOPA is responsible to take account of the Pensions Act 1995.

  Hospital Consultants
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vacancies for consultants there are in each NHS trust hospital in Scotland; what discussions he has had with the medical profession with respect to these vacancies; and what steps he has taken to overcome the shortage. [27239]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The information requested is shown at NHS trust level in the table. Data are not collected centrally for individual hospitals. My right hon. Friend met representatives of the medical profession in September 1995 and discussed medical work force issues generally. To increase the number of candidates for consultant posts, we have continued to increase the number of doctors in higher training.

  Consultant vacancies in Scotland at 30 September 1995

  Number

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  17

  Angus NHS Trust

  1

  Argyll and Bute NHS Trust

  0

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  6

  Borders Community Health Services NHS Trust

  1

  Borders General Hospital NHS Trust

  1

  Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust

  0

  Central Scotland Healthcare NHS Trust

  6

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  2

  Dumfries and Galloway Community Health NHS Trust

  1

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  0

  East and Midlothian NHS Trust

  5

  Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust

  2

  Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust

  5

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  0

  Fife Healthcare NHS Trust

  2

  Glasgow Dental Hospital and School NHS Trust

  1

  464

  Consultant vacancies in Scotland at 30 September 1995

  Number

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  8

  Grampian Healthcare NHS Trust

  7

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  6

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust

  5

  Highland Communities NHS Trust

  2

  Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust

  8

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  4

  Lanarkshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  6

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  14

  Lomond Healthcare NHS Trust

  6

  Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals NHS Trust

  5

  Moray Health Services NHS Trust

  7

  North Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust

  9

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust

  5

  Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust

  7

  Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust

  3

  Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  2

  Royal Alexander Hospital NHS Trust

  5

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  0

  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  0

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust

  8

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  7

  Stobhill NHS Trust

  6

  Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  0

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust

  0

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  0

  Western General Hospitals NHS Trust

  4

  Yorkhill NHS Trust

  6

  Total

  190

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the shortage of consultants in NHS trust hospitals in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [27238]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: My right hon. Friend has received various representations on medical work force issues in Scotland. The number of hospital consultants in Scotland rose from 2,216 in 1990 to 2,490 in 1995, an increase of over 12 per cent.

  Film Industry (Hydra Associates)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when and by whom the decision was made to commission Hydra Associates to report on the film industry in Scotland. [27269]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: Hydra Associates was chosen from a short list of four consultants on 30 October 1995 by a panel consisting of representatives of Scottish Enterprise/Glasgow development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Office.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the remit for the report of Hydra Associates into the film industry in Scotland; and how much it cost. [27270]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The Hydra Associates report "Scotland on Screen: the Development of the Film and Television Industry in Scotland", which was published on 18 April, cost £125,000. Its terms of reference are reproduced as appendix O of the report.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will review the procedures adopted by Parcelforce for dealing with complaints and claims for loss or damage to parcels posted to the United Kingdom from overseas. [23404]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  No, these procedures are an operational matter for Parcelforce. If the hon. Member has a particular complaint, he should contact the managing director of Parcelforce.

  Land Mines
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans he has to ban the manufacture, export and supply of land mines by British companies, and when; [24997]

  (2) if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the manufacture, supply and export of land mines. [24996]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 23 April 1996,Official Report, column 84.

  British Energy
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will limit the extent to which pay for directors of British Energy can be increased after privatisation; [26621]

  (2) what discussions have taken place between his Department and British Energy regarding directors' remuneration after privatisation; [26619]

  (3) if he will list the share options and other bonuses available to directors of British Energy after privatisation; [26618]

  (4) if he will name the top 10 paid employees of British Energy with their (a) pay and (b) other remuneration (i) currently and (ii) a year ago. [26620]

  Mr. Lang
  Policy on executive remuneration for the future will be given in the pathfinder prospectus for British Energy, to be published in the summer, and will include full details of current executive pay. The current basic annual salaries of the executive directors of British Energy plc are:

  Dr. Robert Hawley (Chief Executive): £200,000

  Mr. Michael Kirwan (Finance Director): £179,137 (inclusive of 14.1 per cent. contribution for personal pension)

  Basic salaries paid to Dr. Hawley and Mr. Kirwan in 1995–96 were £190,485 and £171,496 respectively. The latter figure also includes 14.1 per cent. pension contribution. Full remuneration details in respect of 1995–96 for Dr. Hawley and Mr. Kirwan will be included in the annual report and accounts of Nuclear Electric plc.

  Export Promotion
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the revisions to his Department's objectives for export promotion since those listed in table 1.3 of "Overseas Trade Services: Assistance to Exporters a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General" (HC 293); and if he will make a statement. [26704]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The revisions referred to by the Comptroller and Auditor General affect only the objectives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. My Department's objectives for exports remain as listed in his report. I refer the hon. Member to the annual report of the Department of Trade and Industry, which is in the Library of the House.

  Current Account Outturns
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the current account outturn of(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany and (c) France in each year since 1990; and what is the estimate of the current account outturns for each of these countries for 1996. [26887]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Information on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries' current account balances is published in "OECD Economic Outlook". The UK's current account balance for 1995 was published by the Office for National Statistics in "First Release CSO (96)68". Both of these publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Coal Mining Areas Recreation Facilities
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the sites in the British Coal recreational package which were intended to be transferred to the National Playing Fields Association and the Coal Industries Social Welfare Organisation together with the parliamentary constituency in which they lie; [27258]

  (2) if he will list separately how many football, cricket, rugby and hockey pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts and children's play areas stand to be preserved within British Coal's recreational package; and what area of land each of these represents. [27257]

  Mr. Page
  These are matters for British Coal.

  Certification Fees
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his reason for increasing the fee payable to the certification officer on application for approval of a proposed instrument of amalgamation or transfer of engagements. [27172]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The increase in fee is required to recover the full cost of providing a service to process applications for approval of proposed instruments.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his reason for increasing the fee payable by a trade union for a certificate of independence. [27171]

  Mr. Taylor
  The increase in fee is required to recover the full cost of providing a service to process applications for certificates. In 1993–94, when the fee covered just 10 per cent. of the full cost, the Government decided to
  467
  move in stages to full cost recovery. The level of fee has subsequently risen in steps and 1996–97 will be the first year in which the full cost will be recovered.

  British Telecommunications
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the judgment of the Director General of Telecommunications in relation to the proposed pricing regime for British Telecommunications plc; and if he will make a statement. [27397]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Director General of Telecommunications has not yet made final proposals relating to the future price cap to be applied to BT's prices, so I am unable to comment on the judgment displayed by the outcome. I am, however, satisfied that the director general has conducted a full and wide-ranging consultation, taking comments from those in the industry as well as users, and seeking advice from a specially convened panel of advisors. The fullness of the consultation process is a sign that the outcome will be based on all relevant considerations, and will be consistent with liberalisation and competition, which have delivered lower prices and higher quality services to consumers.

  Mercury
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total production of mercury in the United Kingdom; and how much mercury was(a) imported and (b) exported in the last year for which figures are available. [27401]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  There was no recorded primary or mine production of mercury within the United Kingdom in 1995. No statistics are available for secondary mercury production recovered from scrap. In 1995, 3.9 tonnes of mercury—£39,000 by value—was imported into the United Kingdom, and 224.3 tonnes of mercury—£108,000 by value—was exported from the United Kingdom.

  Source Customs and Excise trade data SITC 522.27

  Lead
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much lead was produced in the United Kingdom; and how much was(a) imported and (b) exported in the last year for which figures are available. [27399]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Details of the quantities of production, imports and exports of unwrought lead in the United Kingdom in 1995 are given below.

  United Kingdom lead production, exports and imports, 1995, (in thousand tonnes)

  Production

  Exports

  Imports

  Ore/concentrates (lead content)

  1.0

  0.1

  52.7

  Lead bullion

  38.3

  55.8

  121.1

  Refined lead

  317.7

  76.2

  45.8

  of which—primary

  150.2

  —

  —

  —secondary

  167.5

  —

  —

  Note:

  In the UK, lead bullion is produced from imported ores and concentrates. Primary refined lead is produced from imported bullion. Secondary production is refined from secondary and scrap material and domestic ores. Production and trade of semi-manufactures is excluded from the above figures.
  468
  Source:

  Production—World Metal Statistics, April 1996, World Bureau of Metal Statistics.

  Trade—Customs and Excise trade data.

  Council for Science and Technology
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the members who serve on the Council for Science and Technology. [27180]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade chairs the Council for Science and Technology on behalf of the Prime Minister. The chief scientific adviser, Sir Robert May, is deputy chairman, and I also attend. There are 10 independent members of the council:

  Members

  Professor S. Kumar

  Professor of Manufacturing

  Bhattacharyya FEng

  Systems, University of Warwick

  Professor Sir Aaron Kluge OM PRS

  Director, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology; President of the Royal Society

  Sir Robin Nicholson FRS FEng

  Director, Pilkington plc

  Dr. Bridget Ogilvie FIBiol FRCPath

  Director, The Wellcome Trust

  Sir Ralph Robins FEng FRAeS

  Chairman, Rolls Royce plc

  Dr. Alan Rudge CBE FRS FEng

  Deputy Chief Executive, BT plc; Chairman, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland FBA

  Principal and Vice Chancellor, University of Edinburgh

  Sir Richard Sykes

  Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Glaxo Wellcome plc

  Mr. John Towers CBE

  Managing Director, Rover Group Ltd.

  Dr. Peter Williams CBE

  Chairman and Chief Executive, Oxford Instruments plc; Chairman, Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates the Council for Science and Technology has held meetings since it was set up; and what subjects were discussed at each of those meetings. [27182]

  Mr. Taylor
  The Council for Science and Technology has met, and discussed subjects, as follows:

  9 November 1993

  Working methods of the council

  1994 forward look of Government-funded science, engineering and technology

  Implementation of White Paper "Realising Our Potential: A Strategy for Science, Engineering and Technology"

  Technology foresight programme

  Future business of the council

  9 February 1994

  1994 forward look of Government-funded science, engineering and technology

  Government science and technology expenditure and wealth creation

  Supply and quality of teachers of mathematics, science and technology

  469

  26 May 1994

  The response of the Higher Education Funding Council to the White Paper on science, engineering and technology

  NHS research arrangements

  Women in science, engineering and technology

  28 September 1994

  Discussion of science, engineering and technology issues with the Prime Minister

  Industry, science and technology and innovation

  Defence and civil partnerships in research

  Technology and foresight programme

  7 December 1994

  Chief Scientific Adviser's consultation on the 1995 forward look

  "Transport and the Environment": report from the royal commission on environmental pollution

  Scrutiny of public sector research establishments

  Future business of the council

  13 February 1995

  Health research funding

  Technology foresight programme

  1995 forward look of Government-funded science, engineering and technology

  5 April 1995

  Technology foresight: working document

  19 July 1995

  Innovation and competitiveness—the DTI's role and the follow-up to technology foresight

  Implementing technology foresight and the foresight challenge

  18 December 1995

  Education and training

  Technology foresight programme: first progress report

  19 February 1996

  1996 forward look of Government-funded science, engineering and technology

  Towards a fifth European framework programme

  Programme of work for the council

  22 April 1995 (informal group of members)

  Higher education.

  Research Establishments (Redundancies)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the redundancy costs associated with the future options being considered for each of the public sector research establishments. [27183]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The prior options reviews of public sector research establishments are being undertaken in accordance with the guidance placed in the Library of the House on 26 January 1996. This requires the Departments and research councils carrying out the reviews to consider a range of options, including abolition, privatisation, contractorisation, rationalisation and, implicitly, no change.

  Ministers are currently considering the steering group reports of the first tranche of reviews. The overall purpose is to achieve high-quality research that represents the best value for money. Any potential redundancy costs would be taken into account in this consideration. Decisions will be announced as soon as possible.

  EU consumers councils
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Consumers Council held on 23 April. [27771]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Council agreed on priorities for EU consumer policy. The agreement underlined the need for proper enforcement of existing legislation and, where possible, its review and simplification. Some member states also attached importance to work on consumer concerns in relation to public utilities, financial services and informative labelling of products.

  The Council reached political agreement on a proposal for a directive on the indication of prices of products offered to consumers. This follows the Commission's commitment to review existing directives on subsidiarity grounds. The agreed proposal represents an important deregulatory measure which will permit member states to exempt small shops from the burden of unit pricing. It fully meets the UK objective of providing necessary protection for consumers while minimising the burden on small businesses.

  There was an orientation debate on two proposals related to consumer access to justice. The first was the proposed action plan for non-legislative initiatives to enable cheaper and quicker redress for consumers involved in cross-border disputes. There was general support for the principle of this initiative, though more work would be needed on the details. Secondly, a directive was proposed to improve protection of consumers in cross-border transactions by co-ordinating national provisions relating to injunctions against unlawful practices under a list of existing directives. The proposal would secure mutual recognition of the entities qualified to bring such actions in other member states. Again, there was considerable support for the principle, though I and a number of other representatives made clear that it was based on the proviso that a method of implementation could be found which would respect national legal procedures and modalities of law enforcement.

  There was an informal discussion of consumer confidence in relation to foodstuffs, particularly with regard to bovine spongiform encephalopathy—BSE. I set out the steps the United Kingdom Government had taken to protect consumers and explained why we regarded an export ban as unjustified and disproportionate.

  Electricity Industry
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to liberalise the electricity regime. [27772]

  Mr. Eggar
  I propose to amend the provisions governing supply licence exemptions so as to enable local generators to offer their electricity to communities and to commercial and industrial customers without the additional burdens imposed by licences. This will put combined heat and power schemes and businesses who generate their own electricity predominantly for their own use in a better position to offer customers innovative alternatives to established suppliers.
  471
  On 1 April 1998, all customers of the public electricity suppliers will be able to choose their supplier. As we prepare for that new era of competition and choice, we need to ensure that local suppliers can also play their part by offering their services to small communities and local industry and commerce.

  Following extensive consultation with the Director General of Electricity Supply, electricity companies, consumer groups, and other interested parties, we have reached preliminary conclusions on the strategic objectives which will be pursued in the drafting of a new Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order.

  I propose, first, to allow generators to supply on-site to any commercial or industrial customers, up to a maximum limit of 100MW on each site. Secondly, I propose that exempt on-site supply to domestic customers should be permitted, up to a maximum of 1MW on each site, subject to a maximum price to be set in the new exemptions order. Discussions are under way on a voluntary code of practice for those suppliers who will benefit from the exemptions, and who want to supply electricity to domestic customers. The new exemptions would be in addition to existing exemption for on-site suppliers.

  It is proposed that the current geographical definitions of a site would be retained, with an additional alternative site definition based on local electricity networks, where the wires between the supplier and the customers are owned by either party, or by both jointly.

  Other changes to the current order will reflect the need to remove distinctions between electricity from the public electricity suppliers and that from second tier suppliers after 1 April 1998 for the purposes of resale. No changes are envisaged to exemptions for electricity generators or offshore generators and suppliers.

  As the process of drafting the new order progresses, further consideration will be given to whether any of the provisions should be brought into force before 1998.

  These principles commanded widespread support in our public consultation at the beginning of the year. I believe that they should provide a balance between the need to encourage local community and industrial suppliers by reducing the regulatory burden on them, and the need to maintain the integrity of the integrated electricity network.

  Exports (Iraq)
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what conditions apply to companies wishing to supply Iraq in respect of(a) humanitarian goods and (b) services. [27810]

  Mr. Nelson
  Discussions about the supply of humanitarian goods to Iraq after sanctions have been relaxed require a licence from my Department before they can take place. Applications for such licences will be considered according to the circumstances of each particular case. Discussions now about the provision of services to Iraq after sanctions have been relaxed would not require a licence unless those discussions also constituted an act calculated to promote the supply of goods to or from Iraq. Such acts require a licence and applications for licences are also considered according to the circumstances of each particular case.

  Coal Reserves
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his present estimate of accessible and proven coal reserves in the United Kingdom; and what reduction of such reserves has been recorded following the loss of collieries over the last decade. [26359]

  Mr. Page
  The remaining reserves of coal at existing mines were estimated in 1994 to be around 1 billion tonnes. Comparable figures for subsequent or earlier years are not available.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what stocks of British coal were held by(a) British Coal and (b) the generating companies at the end of each quarter over the last five years; and what guidance he offers as to the level which should be maintained. [26374]

  Mr. Page
  Information on coal stocks is set out in the table.

  Thousand tonnes

  Undistributed stocks1

  Stocks held by electricity generators2

  End March 1991

  8,325

  26,522

  End June 1991

  10,193

  28,212

  End September 1991

  10,599

  31,680

  End December 1991

  10,977

  30,648

  End March 1992

  10,655

  31,174

  End June 1992

  13,120

  31,784

  End September 1992

  14,239

  33,685

  End December 1992

  13,714

  32,173

  End March 1993

  12,136

  34,316

  End June 1993

  14,084

  32,432

  End September 1993

  15,987

  32,194

  End December 1993

  15,989

  28,579

  End March 1994

  13,060

  24,981

  End June 1994

  12,724

  20,916

  End September 1994

  12,772

  18,821

  End December 1994

  11,271

  14,102

  End March 1995

  9,031

  9,921

  End June 1995

  8,252

  10,031

  End September 1995

  7,940

  11,555

  End December 1995

  7,219

  9,677

  Notes:

  1 Stocks held at collieries and opencast sites.

  2 Held at coal-fired power stations belonging to major power producers.

  Source:

  Table 6 of Energy Trends.

  I am currently reviewing the level of fossil fuel stocks to be held by generators.

  Compliance Unit
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff are employed in the single market compliance unit. [27073]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: The single market compliance unit, which was relaunched as action single market on 28 March, has three full-time staff helping UK businesses overcome single market trade barriers. Action single market now incorporates work on tackling illegal state aids in other member states. It has two additional staff who spend part of their time on this, as well as dealing with more general state aids matters. Furthermore, action single market draws on a wider network of staff, including those in British embassies

  473
  overseas, in assessing and pursuing complaints, involving senior officials and Ministers where the opportunity arises.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the directives which have affected his Department in each of the past three years and(a) the United Kingdom legislation introduced as a result of the directives, (b) the United Kingdom legislation which goes beyond the minimum standards set out in the directives and (c) the clauses within each piece of United Kingdom legislation which amplify the minimum standards set out in the directives. [27083]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: I have placed information on the directives and their implementing regulations, for which the DTI is responsible, in the Library of the House.

  Technology Foresight
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been allocated to the technology foresight programme; and over that time period. [27007]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: New initiatives worth £200 million over four years from public and private funding are already in place. This figure comprises £36 million to fund research equipment in foresight priority areas during 1996–97, £60 million for the foresight challenge extending over the next four years, and £70 million for new LINK programmes responding to foresight priorities. The balance is made up of new components of mainstream research programmes in research councils and Government Departments, such as 14 new Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council programmes for which £15 million of grants have been awarded, and the DTI's information society initiative—£35 million over four years—which addresses several priority areas identified in the foresight programme. I expect further initiatives to be reported.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Severe Disability Premium
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list by local authority(a) the number of cases where arrears of severe disability premium have now been paid and (b) the average amount of the arrears paid by each authority; [20272]

  (2) when the hon. Member for Burnley will receive an answer to his question of 8 March on cases of arrears of severe disability premiums. [27050]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of income support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Peter Pike, dated 29 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question of 8 March asking if he will list by Local Authority (LA), (a) the number of cases where arrears of
  474
  severe disability premium (SDP) have now been paid; (b) the average amount of arrears paid by each authority; and your further question of 23 April.
  I apologise for the delay in responding to your original question.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Income Support (IS) statistics are collated by Benefit Agency (BA) Districts and not by LA areas. Statistics are not routinely collated on the number of IS awards which include premiums. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  However a statistical sampling exercise was undertaken in 26 offices within 25 BA Districts. From this it is estimated that nationally arrears of SDP amounting to £88.67 million have been paid on approximately 24,000 cases with ongoing entitlement to IS.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average length of time for(a) an incapacity benefit appeal submission to be sent to the independent tribunal service and (b) an incapacity benefit appeal to be heard; [25794]

  (2) how many appeals against the disallowance of incapacity benefit are currently outstanding; [25796]

  (3) how many incapacity benefit appeals have been heard, and how many were successful. [25793]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table.

  Incapacity benefit appeals

  Figures

  Average time between lodgement and submiision to ITS

  5 weeks

  Average time between submission to ITS and hearing

  12 weeks

  Number outstanding

  21,460

  Number heard

  4,906

  Number of decisions in favour ofappellant

  2,270

  1. Figures are to the end of February.

  2. Figures are for all incapacity benefit appeals.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security(a) how many medical examinations for the all-work test of capacity have been scheduled but have not taken place, (b) how many examinations have been performed, (c) how many people have failed to attend an examination without good cause and (d) how many people have been found capable of work for (i) February and (ii) March 1996. [26341]

  Mr. Burt
  The available information is in the table.

  February 1996

  March 1996

  Examinations scheduled, but which did not take place1

  25,143

  23,624

  Examinations performed

  56,247

  59,121

  Failed to attend examination without good cause

  413

  472

  Found capable of work2

  14,289

  15,490

  1 Excludes cases in which scheduled appointments were re-allocated following advance notice from a customer that he would be unable to attend.

  2 Includes cases found capable following failure to return the questionnaire without good cause or failure to attend examination without good cause.

  Severe Weather Payments
  Mr. Shore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in the London borough of Tower Hamlets qualified for severe weather payments during the period 1 November 1995 to 1 April 1996; and on how many occasions. [26297]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Peter Shore, dated 29 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many households in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets qualified for severe weather payments during the period 1st November 1995 to 1st April 1996; and on how many occasions.
  The information is not available in the form you have requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  However I am able to provide you with the number of Cold Weather Payments (CWPs) made by each Benefits Agency (BA) District in your constituency, during the period 1 November 1995 and 1 April 1996. Statistics are kept for BA Districts and not for specific geographical areas. BA customers living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets are dealt with by the City East District or Hackney and Islington District. Postal codes within the areas covered by these Districts are linked to the weather station at Heathrow Airport.
  During the period 1 November 1995 to 1 April 1996, Heathrow Airport weather station identified one recorded period of cold weather from 24 December 1995 to 30 December 1995 inclusive.
  The information available is shown in the attached Annex.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Cold Weather payments 1 November 1995–31 March 1996

  Period 24 to 30 December 1995

  City East District

  Hackney and Islington District

  18,076

  27,615

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a month-by-month breakdown of the number of temporary staff employed by the CSA at its Brierly Hill centre since the CSA was set up. [26447]

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

  Letter from Ann Chant to Mr. John Heppell, dated 29 April 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency staffing.
  The table attached shows a monthly breakdown of casual staff and also those appointed on fixed term contracts at the Agency's Brierley Hill Centre for the periodApril 1993 to March 1996 inclusive.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Monthly breakdown of casual and fixed term contract (FTC) staff1 at the CSA's Brierley Hill Centre for the period 1993 to March 1996

  Month

  Casuals

  FTC

  Total

  1993

  476

  Monthly breakdown of casual and fixed term contract (FTC) staff1 at the CSA's Brierley Hill Centre for the period 1993 to March 1996

  Month

  Casuals

  FTC

  Total

  April

  0

  1

  1

  May

  0

  1

  1

  June

  0

  1

  1

  July

  0

  1

  1

  August

  0

  1

  1

  September

  9

  1

  10

  October

  11

  8

  19

  November

  17

  28

  45

  December

  18

  28

  46

  1994

  January

  62

  30

  92

  February

  82

  30

  112

  March

  86

  30

  116

  April

  98

  29

  127

  May

  113

  8

  121

  June

  114

  6

  120

  July

  128

  5

  133

  August

  83

  5

  88

  September

  71

  3

  74

  October

  75

  1

  76

  November

  72

  1

  73

  December

  71

  1

  72

  1995

  January

  49

  1

  50

  February

  46

  1

  47

  March

  20

  1

  21

  April

  13

  1

  14

  May

  12

  1

  13

  June

  7

  1

  8

  July

  5

  1

  6

  August

  4

  1

  5

  September

  0

  1

  1

  October

  2

  2

  4

  November

  1

  2

  3

  December

  1

  2

  3

  1996

  January

  1

  2

  3

  February

  1

  1

  2

  March

  0

  1

  1

  1 Casuals are temporary appointments usually for a maximum of 12 months or exceptionally 24 months. Fixed term contracts are for a period between 1 and 5 years.

  State Pensions
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table indicating for each of the last 17 years(a) the level of the basic state pension, (b) average weekly earnings and (c) the percentage of average weekly earnings as represented by the basic state pension. [26816]

  Mr. Heald
  The available information is in the table. The information for April 1996 earnings is not yet available.

  Date of uprating

  Rate of basic retirement pension (£pw)

  Average earnings1 (£pw)

  Rate as a percentage of average earnings

  November 1979

  23.30

  100.62

  23.2

  November 1980

  27.15

  120.24

  22.6

  November 1981

  29.60

  132.41

  22.4

  November 1982

  32.85

  142.42

  23.1

  November 1983

  34.05

  156.73

  21.7

  November 1984

  35.80

  166.98

  21.4

  477

  Date of uprating

  Rate of basic retirement pension (£pw)

  Average earnings1 (£pw)

  Rate as a percentage of average earnings

  November 1985

  38.30

  178.71

  21.4

  July 1986

  38.70

  189.12

  20.5

  April 1987

  39.50

  198.90

  19.9

  April 1988

  41.15

  218.40

  18.8

  April 1989

  43.60

  239.70

  18.2

  April 1990

  46.90

  263.10

  17.8

  April 1991

  52.00

  284.70

  18.3

  April 1992

  54.15

  304.60

  17.8

  April 1993

  56.10

  316.90

  17.7

  April 1994

  57.60

  325.70

  17.7

  April 1994

  58.85

  336.30

  17.5

  Note:

  1 Average earning are for all full-time adult employees.

  Source:

  The Abstract of Statistics for Social Security and Contributions and Indices of Prices and Earnings, 1995 Edition, and the Employment Gazette.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 760, what assumptions underlay the answer to the hon. Member for Exeter (Sir J. Hannam) of 5 March 1991, Official Report, columns, 693–94, concerning the impact of using the functional test for disability working allowance for initial claims where no qualifying benefit is in payment. [26365]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The written answer to which the hon. Member refers was given before the introduction of disability working allowance and, as stated, the estimates were tentative.

  The estimates were based on data from the 1985 Office of Population Censuses and Suveys disability survey, which contains detailed information about individuals' disability and other characteristics. Using these data, it is possible to construct a scale of the severity of individuals' disability. The estimates assume that, in order to qualify for DWA, disabled people had to be above a certain threshold on this disability scale.

  The estimates took account of two groups of potential DWA recipients: those currently in work who score above the threshold on the OPCS scale and are not in receipt of a qualifying benefit; and disabled people not currently in work or in receipt of a qualifying benefit who might be

  Exempt category

  In receipt of incapacity benefit and previously in receipt of invalidity benefit prior to 13 April 1995

  New incapacity benefit claimants since 13 April 1995

  In receipt of severe disablement allowance

  In receipt of incapacity benefit With income support1

  In receipt of servere disablement allowance and income support

  Credit only2

  Receipt of higher rate care component of disability living allowance

  14,380

  1,580

  1,140

  4,880

  600

  Nil

  Severe condition3

  71,040

  15,640

  8,920

  19,300

  5,320

  Nil

  Terminally ill

  20

  100

  Nil

  80

  Nil

  140

  478
  induced to go back to work. The estimates provided in 1991 also assumed, as did other estimates at the time, that the number induced to go back to work would be substantial in relation to those already in work.

  It is not possible to produce revised estimates. The 1985 OPCS disability survey is still the most recent comprehensive survey of disabled peoples' characteristics, but the information about individuals' employment situation, earnings and benefit receipt is out of date and cannot now be used to produce reliable estimates of people who might qualify through a functional test but are not currently in receipt of a qualifying benefit. Any estimate of the size of a behavioural effect is speculative, and depends heavily on the state of the labour market and individuals' personal and other circumstances.

  Disabled People (Incapacity for Work)
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who(a) were previously claiming invalidity benefit, (b) have claimed incapacity benefit since April 1995, (c) receive severe disablement allowance, (d) receive the income support disability premium on incapacity grounds and (e) receive incapacity credits only, have been treated as incapable of work since April 1995 by virtue of (i) receipt of the highest rate of the disability living allowance care component, (ii) being aged over 58 years on 13 April 1995 and received an incapacity benefit between 1 December 1993 and 12 April 1995, (iii) suffering from a progressive disease, (iv) being registered blind, (v) tetraplegia, (vi) persistent vegetative state, (vii) dementia, (viii) paraplegia (ix) a severe learning disability, (x) a severe and progressive muscle-wasting disease, (xi) an active and progressive form of inflammatory polyarthritis, (xii) a progressive impairment of cardio-respiratory function, (xiii) dense paralysis of upper limb, trunk and lower limb on one side of the body, (xiv) multiple effects of impairment of function of brain or nervous system, (xv) a severe and progressive immune deficiency state and (xvi) a severe mental illness. [26726]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  We estimate that 738,000 people are not subject to the all-work test because they were aged 58 or over on 13 April 1995 and have been continuously in receipt of invalidity benefit since 1 December 1993.
  479

  Exempt category

  In receipt of incapacity benefit and previously in receipt of invalidity benefit prior to 13 April 1995

  New incapacity benefit claimants since 13 April 1995

  In receipt of severe disablement allowance

  In receipt of incapacity benefit with income support1

  In receipt of Servere disablement allowance and income support

  Credit only2

  Terminally ill and in receipt of disability living allowance higher rate care component or severe condition

  420

  420

  Nil

  200

  Nil

  Nil

  In receipt of severe disablement allowance prior to 13 April 1995

  n/a

  n/a

  314,560

  n/a

  217,340

  n/a

  Total

  85,860

  17,740

  324,620

  24,460

  223,260

  140

  Notes:

  1 No data are held on the number of exempt claimants who are in receipt of the disability premium in income support.

  2 Credits-only cases are not in receipt of either incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance but may be in receipt of other benefits.

  3No data are available on the nature of the severe condition.

  n/a = not applicable.

  Source:

  5 per cent. scan of the incapacity benefit computer system; all data up to 30 November 1995. Excludes a small number of cases not on the system.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been found incapable of work since April 1995 who(a) had previously claimed incapacity benefit since April 1995, (b) were receiving incapacity benefit and previously received invalidity benefit before April 1995; (c) previously claimed income support with a disability premium, (d) previously claimed severe disablement allowance and (e) received incapacity national insurance credits only. [26728]

  Mr. Burt
  The available information is in the table.

  Numbers found incapable of work

  New incapacity benefit claimants since 13 April 1995

  24,340

  In receipt of incapacity benefit and previously in receipt of invalidity benefit prior to 13 April 1995

  113,500

  In receipt of incapacity benefit with income support1

  37,940

  In receipt of severe disablement allowance

  7,480

  Credits only2

  44,380

  Notes:

  1 No information is available on the number found incapable of work who were in receipt of the disability premium in income support.

  2Credits only cases are not in receipt of incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance but may be receiving other benefits.

  Source:

  5 per cent. scan of the incapacity benefit computer system; all data are up to 30 November 1995. Excludes a small number of cases not on the system.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been(a) found incapable of work since April 1995 and (b) disallowed benefit for failure to return the questionnaire or attend a medical examination; and how many people in both categories
  480
  have (i) signed on as unemployed, (ii) received unemployment benefit, (iii) received income support and (iv) received both. [26727]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Number

  Found capable of work following failure to return the questionnaire

  7,710

  Found capable of work following failure to attend a medical examination

  2,416

  Found incapable of work

  561,502

  Source:

  100 per cent. count of cases on the incapacity benefit computer system. Excludes cases where claim related to national insurance credits only and a small number of cases not on the system. Data as at 31 March 1996.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy on extending exemption from the restrictions to housing benefit from October to all young people who have been looked after by local authorities and to whom local authorities have a duty to provide a service up to the age of at least 21 years, pursuant to section 24 of the Children Act 1989; and if he will make a statement. [27047]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  It would be unreasonable to expect the taxpayer to subsidise rents which are above those for the sort of accommodation which single young people expect to occupy where they meet rent from their own resources merely because a social service department owes duties under the Children Act. The arrangement whereby people aged under 22, who were previously subject to a care order, will be exempt from some housing benefit changes to be introduced in October, is a concession which recognises the particular vulnerability of young people for whom a court considers it necessary
  481
  for a social service department to assume parental responsibility. Other young people will not be affected by the new arrangements if they live in exempt accommodation, including that provided by a housing association, voluntary body or registered charity where care, support or supervision is provided to the tenant by, or on behalf of, the landlord.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice he will give on obtaining housing for young people in housing need in Gloucestershire after the introduction of restrictions to housing benefit in October 1996; and if he will make a statement. [27043]

  Mr. Evans
  Housing benefit will remain available to help young single people in Gloucestershire and elsewhere meet the general level of rents for the sort of accommodation which they tend to occupy if they meet rent from their own resources. It would be unreasonable to expect the taxpayer to subsidise rents above this level. Young people will have access to a pre-tenancy determination to indicate the likely level of rent which would be used to assess benefit.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people aged at least 15 years, who were looked after by Gloucestershire's social services department in March 1996 but who were not subject to a care order, pursuant to section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 1989, will not be exempt from the housing benefit restrictions for young people from October 1996, if they remain in the care system through and beyond their 16th birthdays; and if he will make a statement. [27045]

  Mr. Evans
  The information requested is not yet available.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of young people in Gloucestershire who will be in housing need in the county in the year following the introduction of restrictions to housing benefit in October 1996; and if he will make a statement. [27044]

  Mr. Evans
  The October 1996 housing benefit rules for single young people should not lead to housing need. Housing benefit will remain payable after that date based on rent levels for the sort of dwellings which young single people tend to occupy if they meet rent from their own resources. Local authorities will have discretion, and some additional funding, to pay higher levels of benefit to prevent exceptional hardship in individual cases.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy on exemption from the restrictions to housing benefit from October 1996 for those young people in contact with Barnados leaving care project in Gloucestershire, while looked after by Gloucestershire's social services department(a) who are subject to care orders under section 31(1) (a) of the Children Act 1989, and towards whom the local authority maintains duties until at least their 21st birthday, pursuant to section 24 of the said Act and (b) who are not subject to such care orders, but towards whom the local authority maintains duties until at least their 21st birthday; and if he will make a statement. [27046]

  Mr. Evans
  Young people who are "looked after" by social services departments cannot receive housing benefit if the terms by which they are provided with 482
  accommodation under the Children Act means that they cannot be liable to pay for it. Guidance covering this area will be issued shortly.

  Children who cease to be "looked after" may be entitled to housing benefit if they become liable to pay for their dwelling. It would be unreasonable to expect the taxpayer to subsidise rents for single young people which are above the level for the sort of accommodation which they expect to occupy where they meet rent from their own resources simply because they were previously looked after, or assisted by, a social services department. The concession whereby people aged under 22 who were previously subject to a care order will be exempt from some housing benefit changes to be introduced in October recognises the particular vulnerability of young people for whom a court considers it necessary for a social services department to assume parental responsibility. Other young people will not be affected by the new arrangements if they live in exempt accommodation, including that provided by a housing association, voluntary body or registered charity where care, support or supervision is provided to the tenant by, or on behalf of, the landlord.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Chickens and Pigs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what monitoring of his Department's Veterinary Laboratories Agency has carried out into the hormone residues in(a) pigs and (b) chickens with particular reference to strains of disease similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy; what have been the results to date; and if he will make a statement; [24223]

  (2) what monitoring his Department's Veterinary Laboratories Agency has carried out into the hormone residues in (a) chickens and (b) pigs which are used in the manufacture of pet foods with particular reference to strains of disease similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy; what have been the results to date; and if he will make a statement; [24224]

  Mrs. Browning
  Certain residue testing has been carried out in pigs and chickens; no samples taken showed any residues above the action level. The testing for hormone residues has no relationship with BSE.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the revenue spending estimated by his Department in connection with the private finance initiative for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26622]

  Mr. Boswell
  The revenue spending estimated in connection with the private finance initiative is estimated at up to the following amounts:

  1995–96: nil

  1996–97: £1 million

  1997–98: £5 million.

  Livestock Group Head
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department took in respect of the head of his Department's livestock group to ensure there was not a conflict of interest when he was appointed as a non-executive director of Lucas Ingredients; if he is still associated with that company; and if he will make a statement. [26690]

  Mr. Boswell
  The position of staff holding non-executive directorships or similar appointments is safeguarded by the general requirement binding on all civil servants that they must not take part in activities which might conflict with the interests of their Department, or impair their usefulness as public servants, or be inconsistent with their position as such.

  Civil servants acting as directors remain subject to the Official Secrets Acts and the need to preserve the confidentiality of departmental business and information received in confidence from others. In relation to any particular appointment, individuals and their line managers must consider whether there is a present or potential conflict of interest and, if appropriate, an appointment may not be proceeded with, or restrictions may be placed on the kinds of discussion that the individual can take part in.

  Where necessary, departmental checks would also be made to ensure that the prospective director is not in possession of commercially sensitive information relating to the company's competitors which might give rise to criticism. The company concerned has a right to expect the director to preserve the confidentiality of its corporate affairs.

  The appointment of the head of the livestock group was made with due regard to these principles. The appointment has now lapsed and the person concerned no longer has any association with the company.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost to the United Kingdom of the Chernobyl accident on 26 April 1986. [27096]

  Mrs. Browning
  The main economic effect to the United Kingdom of the Chernobyl accident has been on the UK sheep industry. The introduction of sheep controls on certain areas of upland grazing land contaminated by radioactive fallout from Chernobyl has been mitigated by the introduction of the sheep compensation scheme. This was introduced in July 1986 to compensate farmers whose enterprises had been disrupted as a consequence of the sheep controls. To date, more than £12 million has been paid to farmers who were affected. The compensation has been primarily to recompense farmers for the inconvenience of controls; payments for market losses have been comparatively small.

  Agri-environment Schemes (Birds)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to initiate and fund a whole-farm project for arable farmers under the 484
  countryside stewardship scheme for the benefit of skylarks; [27158]

  (2) what further plans he has to introduce measures for arable extensification as required under the EU agri-environment regulation EEC 2078/92. [27161]

  Mr. Boswell
  EC agri-environment regulation 2078/92 requires member states to introduce a number of different categories of schemes, including one"to change to more extensive forms of crop, including forage, production, or to maintain extensive production methods introduced in the past, or to convert arable land into extensive grassland"

  This is implemented in England through the environmentally sensitive areas, countryside stewardship and some options of the habitat scheme.

  We have recently reviewed our agri-environment schemes and, in particular, the future of countryside stewardship following extensive and detailed public consultations. We relaunched the countryside stewardship scheme this month and our objectives and decisions on priorities for the scheme have been widely welcomed. We have no plans at present to alter our priorities for stewardship or to introduce any new agri-environment schemes.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to stem the decline of birds of the open field; [27159]

  (2) what plans he has to replace the environmental benefits of set-aside by a new arable extensification scheme in the event that the percentage of land currently in set-aside is reduced. [27160]

  Mr. Boswell
  Following a suggestion made at the national agri-environment forum on 25 March, I agreed that officials should set up a working group to look at ways of enhancing the conservation value of cropped arable land, focusing particularly on promoting environmental benefits in the centre of fields for birds and other wildlife. This group will include representatives of key farming and conservation organisations and I expect it to commence work in the near future.

  In addition, the Ministry sponsored the recent farmland bird management guidelines prepared by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which I sent to all farmers in England with more than 100 hectares of arable land. These set out a number of practical ways in which farmers can encourage birds on their farms.

  Specified Bovine Offals
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the State Veterinary Service's surveillance of the handling of specified bovine offals in January, February and March 1996; and if he will make a statement. [27884]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The controls on specified bovine offals—SBO—now termed specified bovine material—SBM—are central to the protection of public health from any risk from BSE. They require the removal of all those
  485
  tissues known potentially to harbour BSE infectivity from all cattle at slaughter. Compliance with these controls is of paramount importance, as I have made clear on a number of occasions in the House and directly to slaughterhouse operators.

  Number of visits

  January 1996 Number of unsatisfactory visits

  Percentage unsatisfactory

  Number of visits

  February 1996 Number of unsatisfactory visits

  Percentage unsatisfactory

  Number of visits

  March 1996 Number of unsatisfactory visits

  Percentage unsatisfactory

  Slaughterhouses

  321

  16

  5.0

  274

  17

  6.2

  264

  10

  3.8

  Hunt kennels and knackeries

  242

  15

  6.2

  187

  7

  3.7

  219

  14

  6.4

  Rendering plants1

  6

  1

  16.7

  6

  1

  16.7

  5

  1

  16.7

  Incinerators1

  28

  0

  0

  15

  2

  13.3

  25

  1

  4.0

  1 Rendering plants and incinerators have to be specifically approved to handle SBOs; only a small number of such plants are so approved.

  These results show that there has been a significant and sustained improvement in the handling of SBM since the most recent intensive surveillance programme began in September 1995. It is disappointing, however, that deficiencies are still being found in a small number of slaughterhouses and hunt kennels and knackeries. I expect all plants to continue to work hard to ensure they fully comply with the controls.

  It is important to note that many of the failings in SBM handling found were comparatively mild—for example, problems with staining SBM or with record keeping, which would not present a direct risk to public or animal health. There were, however, four further instances of the most serious failing, three in which small pieces of spinal cord were left attached to carcases after dressing and one in which the entire spinal cord was left attached, from mid-January to mid-March. There have been no such instances since the middle of March. A total of 25 instances in which spinal cord was left attached to carcases have now been detected since the summer of 1995. In this same period, over 2 million cattle were slaughtered.

  The Meat Hygiene Service has the responsibility of enforcing the SBM controls in slaughterhouses. It does this most rigorously and we have made available extra resources to ensure that the agency can discharge its responsibilities effectively. The agency's staff are fully aware that they may face disciplinary action as a result of their failure fully to enforce the controls. Since the summer, 22 MHS officials have been subject to full disciplinary investigation as a result of their failure to ensure full compliance with the SBM controls. One officer has been dismissed, 12 have received formal disciplinary warnings, and no formal action has been taken against the other nine, although they have been issued with a written caution. In addition, two inspectors are currently under investigation. Before any of these staff have been allowed to begin their work again they have undergone retraining. In one of these cases, the MHS has referred the plant to MAFF's legal services for investigation.

  Slaughterhouses face prosecution for significant breaches of the SBM controls, when sufficient evidence is available. At present, one such case is before the courts and several more are under investigation with a view to prosecution.
  486
  The State Veterinary Service carried out regular unannounced visits to all plants handling SBM to monitor their compliance with the controls. The results of the surveillance visits in January, February and March 1996 are as follows:

  The SVS will continue its regular unannounced visits to all plants handling SBM. The MHS will continue to enforce rules most vigorously, and press for prosecutions where there is sufficient evidence to support a case.

  Nuclear Contamination (Soviet Submarine)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on the food chain of contamination from the nuclear reactors and weapons on board the Soviet November class submarine which sank in the western approaches to the United Kingdom on 12 April 1970; and if he will make a statement; [26707]

  (2) what action he has taken on the report by the International Atomic Energy Authority of July 1991, "Inventory of Radioactive Material into the Marine Environment", with particular respect to the sinking of a Soviet November class nuclear submarine on 12 April 1970; for what reasons the report has not been published; and if he will make a statement. [26706]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: Publication of this report is a matter for the IAEA. A draft of the report was circulated to contracting parties to the convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter—the "London convention, 1972"—including the United Kingdom, in November 1991. Copies of this version have been placed in the Library.

  The reported submarine incident on 12 April 1970 is noted in the draft report. The draft does not identify a specific location but it is given elsewhere as approximately 1,000 km south-west of Land's End, in 4,500 m of water. There is no suggestion the incident took place in the western approaches. Contemporary and subsequent results from MAFF's extensive programme of monitoring for radioactivity in fish, shellfish, sea water and sediments around the British Isles have shown no indication of contamination from this or any other confirmed or reported accidental loss. Reports of the MAFF monitoring programme are also available in the Library.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has
  487
  undertaken to assess the susceptibility of different cattle breeds to BSE (a) by epidemiology and (b) by experiment. [23368]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: Epidemiological studies of the epidemic suggest that all breeds of cattle are susceptible to BSE, and that the numbers of cases confirmed by breed reflect the population of that breed in the country, and the extent to which compound feed containing meat and bone meal has been consumed. Experimental exposures of cattle to BSE have not been intended to determine breed susceptibility, but have used calves of several breeds, including cross-bred animals. Breeds involved include Friesian/Holstein and crosses, Jersey and Jersey cross, Limousin and Limousin cross, Simmental cross, Belgian blue and cross, Charolais, Hereford cross. All appear equally susceptible.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the prion-related protein genes in different cattle have been sequenced in the research into BSE evaluated by his Department. [23357]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: Extensive PrP gene sequencing of cattle of several breeds in Britain has revealed no polymorphisms that are associated with susceptibility to BSE. Recognised polymorphisms are five or six copies of an octapeptide repeat sequence, with PrP alleles encoding proteins of 256 and 264 amino acids respectively; a cytosine/thymine switch at base 576 which does not change the amino acid encoded; an adenine/guanine switch at base 234, also without an amino acid change.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has assessed in respect of(a) maternal and (b) lateral transmission of BSE. [23200]

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the most recent scientific advice evaluated by his Department concerning the likelihood of vertical transmission in cattle of the agent causing bovine spongiform encephalopathy; and if he will make a statement. [24118]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answers 28 March and 2 April 1996]: I refer the hon. Members to the answer that I gave on 25 April 1996, Official Report column 274.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many transgressions of BSE regulations there have been(a) in Scotland, (b) in the rest of the United Kingdom and (c) in each of the regions of (a) and (b). [23365]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: Enforcement of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Order 1991, as amended, is the responsibility of local authorities. Until 1 April 1995, local authorities were also responsible for enforcement of the controls on specified bovine offals in slaughterhouses and head-boning plants. Information on enforcement before that date is not therefore held centrally. It is not possible, without
  488
  disproportionate costs, to collect and collate this information from local authorities.

  Since 1 April 1995 the Meat Hygiene Service has been responsible for enforcement of the controls on specified bovine materials. To date, there is one case before the court. A number of other cases are under investigation.

  The State Veterinary Service regularly monitors the enforcement of the controls in slaughterhouses and elsewhere on specified bovine offals, which are required to be separated and disposed of by incineration or burial. The results of recent surveillance of slaughterhouses and head-boning plants were announced in the House on 19 July and updated on 22 November, 18 January and 30 April.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to provide for the dumping of BSE-infected carcases in the sea; what scientific studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact on the marine food chain; and if he will make a statement; [26855]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 29 April 1996]: In his statement of 16 April, Official Report, columns 513–29, my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced that the waste material, offals and carcase meat resulting from the over 30 months bovine cull scheme will be treated primarily by rendering with the resultant material to be disposed of by the best practicable environmental option. Dumping at sea of BSE-infected carcase or any other bovine material is not an option under consideration.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Serco Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contracts his Department, his agencies and the Cabinet Office have with Serco Ltd.; what is the current cost; when each contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [26640]

  Mr. Willetts
  My Department has two contracts with Serco Ltd., one for the provision of office services and another for the provision of a technical helpline. The Department also has an enabling contract for the provision of security-related maintenance of royal property with Serco Services (Scotland) Ltd. The annual cost of the contracts is some £800,000. The expiry dates for all these contracts is 31 March 1997, with the Department having the option to extend them. There are no penalties involved should the Department seek early termination.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the outcome of the meeting on 10 April with the deregulation unit concerning the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Medical Stores) Regulations 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27087]
  489
  Mr. Freeman
  As a result of this meeting, the Parliamentary Secretary has written to Viscount Goschen reporting the concerns that have been expressed. With the Department of Transport, we propose to review the provisions of the regulations, particularly where they impact on small business, and the scope for improvements. I hope to make a further statement shortly.

  Archway Tower
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the annual cost to his Department of the lease of Archway tower; who is the head lessee; who is the owner of the freehold; and what future use he plans for the building. [27135]

  Mr. Freeman
  As these are purely operational matters, I have asked the chief executive of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate to write directly to the hon. Member.

  Letter from N. E. Borrett to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 29 April 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply to your Question about Archway Tower.
  PACE has responsibility for Archway Tower which is leased to the Secretary of State for the Environment and needs extensive modernisation and refurbishment.
  It was formerly occupied by the Benefits Agency as a public caller office and for other purposes but was operationally unsuitable and these functions transferred to another property in March 1995. The annual rent payable is £913,400.
  Letting Agents are appointed to dispose of the lease by whatever means are possible but the building is considerably over-rented and there is little serious interest. Efforts are continuing to find a Government Department to occupy. Constructed in the 1970's, the building now requires complete refurbishment prior to re-occupation but in view of the depressed rental levels in the area, the capital expenditure is unlikely to be justified in the absence of a firm demand.
  The freehold is owned by London Underground Limited and the head lessees are K P & B P Shah and A M Patel.

WALES

  Coal and Steel Workers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons are employed in(a) the steel industry and (b) the coal industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26828]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  About 15,700 people are currently employed in steel manufacturing operations in Wales.

  At 31 December 1995, approximately 2,500 people were employed in the coal industry in Wales.

  I recognise the importance of both industries to the Welsh economy. In British Steel, we have one of the most efficient steel producers in the world and, in the short time since privatisation, the new coal companies have made great strides in developing their businesses.

  Raytheon Corporate Jets
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held concerning job prospects at Raytheon Corporate Jets, Broughton, Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [26833]
  490
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend visited Raytheon Corporate Jets last September. All possible assistance has been given to the company to support the development at its facility in Broughton. The first instalment of regional selective assistance has already been paid.

  Small and Medium-sized Businesses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of employees employed in work in small and medium-sized businesses in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26824]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Different definitions of small and medium-sized businesses are used in various contexts. A breakdown of business units in Wales—roughly corresponding to workplaces—by employment size bands is available from the 1993 census of employment. The data are on the NOMIS database which can be accessed by the staff of the Library of the House.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses; and if he will make a statement. [26822]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has, in recent months, met the Institute of Directors (Wales), the Wales Confederation of British Industry and the Cardiff chamber of commerce. Other meetings are planned. In addition, the Welsh Office has supported the recent series of "Your Business Matters" conferences attended by small firms and their representative bodies.

  Road Congestion
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to eliminate road congestion in north-east Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26830]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Plans for future improvements to the trunk road network in north-east Wales and the level of local authority expenditure on major schemes supported by transport grant are included in chapter 6 of the Welsh Office's departmental report, Cm 3215, published on 25 March. Improvements to the local road network are the responsibility of the new unitary authorities.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning prospects for the steel industry in Wales in respect of hot-rolled coil and coated products. [26858]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Prospects for the steel industry in Wales are good. Companies have made significant investments to improve quality and are seeing the benefits through increased orders. The Government are working closely with the industry to improve competitiveness further.

  Small Businesses (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to stimulate small businesses in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [26826]
  491
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The White Paper "A Working Countryside for Wales" published in March by my right hon. Friend outlines a comprehensive programme of measures to assist small businesses in rural areas. Copies of the White Paper are available in the Library of the House.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the revenue spending estimated by his Department in connection with the private finance initiative for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [26635]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are no revenue costs for the Welsh Office resulting from the one project it has approved so far under the private finance initiative.

  British Aerospace
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held concerning job prospects at British Aerospace, Broughton, Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [26834]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend visited British Aerospace last September and the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, North-East (Mr. Richards), visited the company in March this year. During the visits the company outlined its plans for the future.

  Engineering Jobs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of jobs in Wales provided by engineering; and if he will make a statement. [26825]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest available figures are for 1993, when some 85,400 employees were employed in engineering-related industries—SIC(92) divisions 28 to 35—in Wales, according to the census of employment. This represented an increase of 0.5 per cent. on the 1991 figure.

  Since 1993, the Welsh Office has introduced designated funding for training and enterprise councils to support modern apprenticeships in manufacturing. In 1994–95, some 500 people started such apprenticeships. In 1995–96 and 1996–97, starts are expected to be 1,200 and more than 1,600, respectively.

  Serco Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contracts his Department and his agencies have with Serco Ltd.; what is the current cost; when each contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [26689]

  Mr. Hague
  The only current contract between Serco Ltd. and my Department—including the Cadw agency—relates to the M4, south Wales, communications emergency telephone systems. It was awarded in February 1995 at a cost of £384,368, and the expected completion date is August 1996. I am able to seek early termination of the contract only in the event of default by Serco Ltd.,492
  in which case I would arrange for the outstanding work to be completed by another contractor following normal tendering procedures, and seek recovery from Serco Ltd. of any excess cost incurred as a result.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much cash has been earmarked for research and development matters in Welsh industry for each of the years 1990 to 1995; and if he will make a statement. [26827]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The following sums were allocated for small firms merit award for research and technology, support for products under research and regional enterprise grant—innovation—research and development support schemes in Wales:

  1990–91:£2.53 million.

  1991–92:£2.935 million

  1992–93:£2.422 million

  1993–94:£3,186 million

  1994–95:£3.751 million.

  Welsh industry has also received support from Department of Trade and Industry and European Union research and development schemes.

  Travelling People
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number and location of sites for travelling people in each county in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26986]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The most recent survey of gipsy sites in Wales relates to 17 January 1996. The information is on a county and district basis. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the latest road accident figures for Wales by county; and if he will make a statement. [26866]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested will be published in "Road Accidents: Wales No. 16 1995" on Wednesday 1 May 1996. A copy of the publication will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children were killed in road traffic accidents in each of the counties in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [26868]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is shown in the following table. The figures relate to children killed in accidents recorded by the police.

  Children killed in road accidents during 1995

  Number

  Clwyd

  2

  Dyfed

  1

  Gwent

  3

  Gwynedd

  2

  Mid Glamorgan

  3

  493

  Children killed in road accidents during 1995

  Number

  Powys

  1

  South Glamorgan

  —

  West Glamorgan

  1

  Wales

  13

  River Dee Crossing
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the River Dee crossing and associated works to be completed; what is the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement. [26870]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This scheme is the responsibility of Flintshire county council. It expects completion in July 1997 at an estimated total cost of some £63 million.

  Road Schemes (Air Quality Reports)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve the reports on air quality when public inquiries are held on major road schemes; and if he will make a statement. [26862]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien)Official Report, column 1, on 22 April by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Road Links
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve road communications from Kelsterton, Deeside, to Point of Ayr. [26872]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is the responsibility of Flintshire county council.

  Hawarden Airport
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of Hawarden airport. [26874]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The future development of Hawarden airport is a matter for British Aerospace, its owners.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the cost to the Welsh economy of the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident of 26 April 1986. [26916]

  M4 Wye Bridge Gwent Total flow combined directions

  Averaged from Sunday 1 January 1995 to Sunday 31 December 1995

  Time

  Monday

  Tuesday

  Wednesday

  Thursday

  Friday

  Saturday

  Sunday

  5 day average

  7 day average

  00:00–01:00

  428

  340

  338

  374

  390

  488

  438

  374

  400

  01:00–02:00

  262

  247

  246

  260

  280

  341

  287

  259

  273

  02:00–03:00

  207

  230

  226

  241

  265

  278

  188

  234

  232

  494
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Estimates of the overall cost to the Welsh economy resulting from the Chernobyl accident are not currently available. However, the direct cost to farmers, measured in terms of disruption to their enterprises and for which compensation has been paid since 1986, is estimated to be just over £8 million.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to provide guidance to the franchising director in respect of train operating companies in Wales to ensure guaranteed access to services for those with disability. [26967]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 April by my hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Chidgey),Official Report, columns 75–76.

  A550
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the grade interchange A550 road improvement and associated works to be completed; what is his estimate of the total costs; and if he will make a statement. [26869]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The contract completion date of the A550 Deeside park interchange improvement is November this year. The contract sum is £10.247 million.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of bus companies currently operative in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26873]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There is uncertainty about the number of bus companies operating in Wales because of the rapid rate at which smaller operators enter and leave the industry. It is estimated that there are around 600 companies currently operating in Wales.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has received in relation to the setting up of an all-Wales ambulance service. [27505]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Severn and Queensferry Bridges
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many vehicles per hour cross the current Severn bridge and the Queensferry A550 bridge; and if he will make a statement. [26876]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The following tables show the average hourly flows calculated from all the available data from 1995.
  495

  M4 Wye Bridge Gwent Total flow combined directions

  Averaged from Sunday 1 January 1995 to Sunday 31 December 1995

  Time

  Monday

  Tuesday

  Wednesday

  Thursday

  Friday

  Saturday

  Sunday

  5 day average

  7 day average

  03:00-04:00

  254

  277

  277

  277

  298

  295

  190

  277

  266

  04:00-05:00

  455

  424

  432

  427

  453

  374

  242

  438

  401

  05:00-06:00

  909

  753

  740

  742

  752

  488

  280

  779

  666

  06:00-07:00

  1,929

  1,669

  1,646

  1,656

  1,578

  898

  479

  1,695

  1,407

  07:00-08.00

  4,093

  3,947

  3,882

  3,880

  3,623

  1,577

  819

  3,885

  3,115

  08:00-09:00

  4,402

  4,583

  4,588

  4,588

  4,211

  2,156

  1,183

  4,474

  3,671

  09:00-10:00

  3,630

  3,871

  3,924

  3,922

  3,648

  2,887

  1,907

  3,799

  3,398

  10:00-11:00

  3,459

  3,399

  3,433

  3,459

  3,535

  3,625

  2,715

  3,457

  3,373

  11:00-12:00

  3,421

  3,178

  3,255

  3,314

  3,653

  3,880

  3,217

  3,364

  3,415

  12:00-13:00

  3,270

  3,105

  3,121

  3,236

  3,731

  3.519

  2,964

  3,292

  3,277

  13:00-14:00

  3,158

  3,078

  3,107

  3,250

  3,920

  3,138

  2,707

  3,303

  3,192

  14:00-15:00

  3,180

  3,176

  3,234

  3,414

  4,302

  2,844

  2,959

  3,462

  3,300

  15:00-16:00

  3,398

  3,524

  3,594

  3,743

  4,649

  2,693

  3,431

  3,781

  3,576

  16:00-17:00

  3,812

  4,014

  4,126

  4,237

  4,961

  2,671

  3,828

  4,230

  3,949

  17:00-18:00

  4,185

  4,372

  4,517

  4,552

  4,963

  2,722

  3,967

  4,517

  4,183

  18:00-19:00

  3,523

  3,659

  3,782

  3,918

  4,467

  2,526

  3,692

  3,870

  3,651

  19:00-20:00

  2.119

  2,086

  2,232

  2,380

  3,328

  1,820

  3,147

  2,428

  2,443

  20:00-21:00

  1,431

  1,367

  1,458

  1,605

  2,437

  1,296

  2,465

  1,660

  1,721

  21:00-22:00

  1,043

  992

  1,091

  1,262

  1,730

  935

  1,736

  1,224

  1,254

  22:00-23:00

  764

  772

  827

  945

  1,193

  733

  1,085

  901

  902

  23:00-24:00

  534

  518

  578

  623

  771

  588

  684

  605

  613

  12, 16, 18 and 24 hour totals

  07:00-19:00

  43,531

  43,906

  44,563

  45,513

  49,663

  34,238

  33,389

  45,435

  42,114

  06:00-22:00

  50,053

  50,020

  50,990

  52,416

  58,736

  39,187

  41,216

  52,443

  48,944

  06:00-24:00

  51,351

  51,310

  52,395

  53,984

  60,700

  40,508

  42,985

  53,948

  50,461

  00:00-24:00

  53,581

  54,654

  54,654

  56,305

  63,138

  42,772

  44,610

  56,309

  52,703

  am Peak

  08:00

  08:00

  08:00

  08:00

  08:00

  11:00

  11:00

  08:00

  08:00

  Peak volume

  4,402

  4,583

  4,588

  4,588

  4,211

  3,880

  3,217

  4,474

  3,671

  pm Peak

  17:00

  17:00

  17:00

  17:00

  17:00

  12:00

  17:00

  17:00

  17:00

  Peak volume

  4,185

  4,372

  4,517

  4,552

  4,963

  3,519

  3,967

  4,517

  4,183

  A494 Queensferry Clwyd Total flow combined directions

  Averaged from Sunday 1 January 1995 to Sunday 31 December 1995

  Time

  Monday

  Tuesday

  Wednesday

  Thursday

  Friday

  Saturday

  Sunday

  5 day average

  7 day average

  00:00-01:00

  385

  334

  378

  406

  460

  654

  706

  393

  474

  01:00-02:00

  199

  200

  196

  215

  247

  374

  444

  212

  267

  02:00-03:00

  140

  147

  149

  161

  204

  318

  356

  160

  210

  03:00-04:00

  197

  232

  219

  226

  249

  275

  251

  224

  235

  04:00-05:00

  251

  263

  265

  274

  278

  246

  169

  267

  249

  05:00-06:00

  893

  915

  896

  890

  908

  632

  364

  900

  785

  06:00-07:00

  1,966

  1,950

  1,928

  1,925

  1,897

  1,134

  749

  1,933

  1,649

  07:00-08.00

  4,880

  5,083

  5,070

  5,016

  4,807

  1,867

  1,043

  4,971

  3,966

  08:00-09:00

  5,122

  5,446

  5,513

  5,372

  5,233

  2,374

  1,185

  5,338

  4,320

  09:00-10:00

  3,453

  3,523

  3,559

  3,549

  3,526

  3,075

  2,021

  3,522

  3,243

  10:00-11:00

  3,439

  3,290

  3,393

  3,331

  3,527

  3,975

  3,110

  3,404

  3,443

  11:00-12:00

  3,621

  3,317

  3,375

  3,332

  3,790

  4,491

  3,845

  3,487

  3,681

  12:00-13:00

  3,589

  3,307

  3,363

  3,302

  4,271

  4,498

  3,992

  3,567

  3,760

  13:00-14:00

  3,877

  3,667

  3,718

  3,656

  4,229

  4,391

  3,932

  3,830

  3,924

  14:00-15:00

  3,706

  3,565

  3,651

  3,602

  4,532

  4,075

  3,892

  3,811

  3,860

  15:00-16:00

  3,780

  3,705

  3,865

  3,815

  4,916

  3,672

  3,966

  4,016

  3,959

  16:00-17:00

  5,066

  5,195

  5,331

  5,286

  5,520

  3,680

  4,197

  5,280

  4,896

  17:00-18:00

  5,315

  5,513

  5,636

  5,528

  5,367

  3,691

  3,833

  5,472

  4,983

  18:00-19:00

  3,931

  4,151

  4,234

  4,156

  4,330

  3,224

  3,376

  4,160

  3,914

  19:00-20:00

  2,475

  2,537

  2,623

  2,741

  3,529

  2,443

  2,924

  2,781

  2,752

  20:00-21:00

  1,726

  1,780

  1,852

  2,033

  2,473

  1,772

  2,283

  1,973

  1,988

  21:00-22:00

  1,499

  1,549

  1,639

  1,720

  1,768

  1,355

  1,802

  1,635

  1,618

  22:00-23:00

  1,047

  1,135

  1,237

  1,169

  1,231

  977

  1,179

  1,163

  1,138

  23:00-24:00

  615

  720

  784

  775

  930

  884

  761

  765

  780

  12, 16, 18 and 24 hour totals

  07:00-19:00

  49,779

  49,762

  50,708

  49,945

  54,088

  43,013

  38,392

  50,857

  47,954

  06:00-22:00

  57,445

  57,578

  58,750

  58,364

  63,755

  49,717

  46,150

  59,179

  55,956

  06:00-24:00

  59,107

  59,433

  60,771

  60,308

  65,916

  51,278

  48,090

  61,107

  57,886

  00:00-24:00

  61,172

  61,524

  62,874

  62,480

  68,262

  54,077

  50,380

  63,262

  60,109

  496

  497

  A494 Queensferry Clwyd Total flow combined directions

  Averaged from Sunday 1 January 1995 to Sunday 31 December 1995

  Time

  Monday

  Tuesday

  Wednesday

  Thursday

  Friday

  Saturday

  Sunday

  5 day average

  7 day average

  am Peak

  08:00

  08:00

  08:00

  08:00

  08:00

  11:00

  11:00

  08:00

  08:00

  Peak volume

  5,122

  5,446

  5,513

  5,372

  5,233

  4,491

  3,845

  5,338

  4,320

  pm Peak

  17:00

  17:00

  17:00

  17:00

  16:00

  12:00

  16:00

  17:00

  17:00

  Peak volume

  5,315

  5,513

  5,636

  5,528

  5,520

  4,498

  4,197

  5,472

  4,983

  Regional Railways
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the levels of investment in regional railways as they affect the Wrexham-Birkenhead and Holyhead-Chester-Crewe lines; and if he will make a statement. [26863]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The level of investment in railway lines in north Wales is a matter for Railtrack. I intend to meet the company soon to discuss its investment plans for all lines in Wales.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect of privatisation on the regional railways that serve north Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26864]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government's proposals for franchising the operation of regional railways are designed to improve the quality of passenger rail services. North West Regional Railways will be franchised as soon as is practicable.

  Railways (Safety)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning safety on railways in Wales. [26871]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 April by my hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads to the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell),Official Report, column 33.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the benefits of speed cameras; and if he will make a statement. [26865]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Results from an initial trial of fixed site speed cameras in Llanidloes confirm that they can be effective in controlling excessive speeds close to camera sites.

  However, speed cameras are likely to be justifiable only at sites with a history of accidents associated with excessive driving speeds.

  The Welsh Office is planning a further set of trials in conjunction with Welsh police authorities using portable or semi-portable camera equipment to determine the effectiveness and benefits of such systems.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultations he has had with each of the farming unions in Wales concerning BSE. [26875]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I have met farmers' leaders to discuss this subject on a number of occasions, most recently my right hon. Friend met the Farmers Union of Wales, the National Farmers Union and the Country Landowners Association on 22 April.

  Home Energy Conservation Act 1995
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales will be eligible during 1996–97 for grants under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 action scheme. [27244]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No, the Home Energy Conservation Act does not make provision for grants.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to issue guidelines in respect of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in Wales. [27243]

  Mr. Jones
  In Wales, guidance on implementation of the Home Energy Conservation Act will be issued this summer.

  M4 Relief Road
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the proposed M4 relief road; and if he will make a statement. [27420]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Various views have been received about proposals for the M4 Magor to Castleton relief road as a result of public consultation in 1993 and 1994. My right hon. Friend announced his preferred route for this scheme in July last year.

HEALTH

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings took place between his Department and the manufacturers of third generation oral contraceptives between July and the end of September 1995; and if concerns about the safety of their products were discussed at those meetings. [25589]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 16 April at column 488.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which company his Department employed in October 1995 to print, collate and post the letter to general
  499
  practitioners informing them of safety concerns about third generation oral contraceptives; and if he will make a statement. [25810]

  Mr. Malone
  The Medical Direct Mail Organisation.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines subcommittee briefed on 10 October 1995 about third generation oral contraceptives were not members of the committee. [25590]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 19 December 1995 at column 1151. The ad hoc working group which met on 10 October 1995 included members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines and invited experts who were not members of the committee.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the safety of oral contraceptives following the most recent meeting of the Committee on Safety of Medicines; and if he will make a statement. [27332]

  Mr. Malone
  Ministers rely on their advisory committees for an assessment of such issues.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what attachments were enclosed with the letter of 11 October 1995 relating to oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene in order to inform consideration of the relevant issues by the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products. [27354]

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

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who represented the United Kingdom at the three meetings of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products held on(a) 17–18 October 1995, (b) 26–27 October 1995 and (c) 16 to 18 April 1996. [27355]

  Mr. Malone
  The two members of the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products nominated by the United Kingdom, supported as necessary by experts relevant to the items under consideration.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the consideration of safety issues by the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products relating to oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene took place on the basis of article 8 of directive 75/319/EEC. [27357]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 8 February at column 344. The Medicines Control Agency made a written request that the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products include the matter for discussion at its meeting of 17–18 October 1995. The subsequent CPMP position statement dated 27 October 1995 makes reference to article 8 of directive 75/319/EEC.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the Committee on Safety of Medicines communicated to the relevant pharmaceutical companies about the product licences relating to desogestrel or gestodene, following its meeting on 13 October 1995; [27368]
  500
  (2) what advice the Committee on Safety of medicines gave regarding action on the product licences relating to desogestrel and gestodene at its meeting on 13 October 1995. [27362]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 8 February at column 343. The advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines to the licensing authority is confidential.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 December,Official Report, column 1153, on what date the final report of the World Health Organisation study on oral contraceptives was produced; and if he will make a statement. [27370]

  Mr. Malone
  A number of reports of the World Health Organisation's findings were provided to the Medicines Control Agency between July and October 1995; the report referred to in the answer given on 19 December 1995 at column 1153 provided the final results on venous thromboembolism of the WHO study. The MCA subsequently received a copy of the manuscript which was submitted to The Lancet for publication, dated 13 October. This document was not different in any important way from the previous report received by the MCA.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column 185, if clinical trials with oral contraceptives containing gestodene were terminated in October 1995. [27364]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 8 February at column 346.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column 185, if the referral to the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products of 11 October 1995 was made by one of the United Kingdom's representatives on the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products. [27365]

  Mr. Malone
  Yes. The written request that the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products include the safety of oral contraceptives on the agenda of its meeting of 17–18 October was made by one of the United Kingdom's representatives on the committee.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column 184, if the then Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville), was consulted prior to the written request that the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products consider safety issues relating to oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene; and if he authorised the request to the CPMP. [27366]

  Mr. Malone
  Disclosure of information such as that requested would be in breach of the long-established convention, observed by successive Governments, protecting the confidentiality of the internal decision-making process.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the chief executive of the Medicines Control Agency authorised the request of 11 October 1995 to the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products relating to desogestrel and gestodene. [27367]
  501
  Mr. Malone
  The chief executive of the Medicines Control Agency agreed with the United Kingdom delegate to the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products that this would be an appropriate issue for the committee to consider at its meeting of 17–18 October 1995.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Committee on Safety of Medicines has made a re-assessment of the safety of desogestrel and gestodene in the light of evidence in December 1995 and January 1996. [27369]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 April at column 281.

  Mortality Statistics (Doncaster)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the five most common causes of death for women in the Doncaster health authority in the last year for which figures are available; and what were the figures for each of the previous four years. [26645]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is shown in the table.

  Office for National Statistics: Top five causes of death in females in Doncaster health authority 1990–94

  Cause

  Number of deaths

  1990

  Ischaemic heart disease (ICD1 410–414)

  344

  Cerebrovascular disease (ICD 430–438)

  173

  Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD 162)

  76

  Breast cancer (ICD 174)

  67

  Pneumonia (ICD 480–486)

  67

  1991

  Ischaemic heart disease (ICD 410–414)

  362

  Cerebrovascular disease (ICD 430–438)

  204

  Pneumonia (ICD 480–486)

  98

  Breast cancer (ICD 174)

  77

  Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD 162)

  74

  1992

  Ischaemic heart disease (ICD 410–414)

  376

  Cerebrovascular disease (ICD 430–438)

  190

  Pneumonia (ICD 480–486)

  84

  Breast cancer (ICD 174)

  74

  Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD 162)

  70

  1993

  Ischaemic heart disease (ICD 410–414)

  345

  Cerebrovascular disease (ICD 430–438)

  210

  Pneumonia (ICD 480–486)

  113

  Breast cancer (ICD 174)

  79

  Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD 162)

  72

  1994

  Ischaemic heart disease (ICD 410–414)

  331

  Cerebrovascular disease (ICD 430–438)

  168

  Pneumonia (ICD 480–486)

  142

  Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung (ICD 162)

  72

  Breast cancer (ICD 174)

  69

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision. For 1992 and earlier years, the number of deaths represents the deaths registered annually. Figures from 1993 onwards are those which occurred annually; prior to 1993, the date on which deaths were registered and occurred differed, e.g. a death on 31 December 1991 would probably have been registered in 1992.

  Non-prescription Medicines
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average cost in 1995 of medicines bought without a doctor's prescription in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy and Spain. [26792]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available.

  Grant Aid Funding
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many successful applications for section 65 grant aid funding for HIV-specific applicants were made by(a) non-London organisations and (b) new applicants in 1996–97. [27011]

  Mr. Horam
  Two successful grant applications were made by non-London organisations in 1996–97. There have been five new grants awarded in 1996–97.

  British Dental Association
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has recently received from the British Dental Association; and if he will make a statement. [26995]

  Mr. Malone
  We are in regular contact with the British Dental Association on a wide range of current issues.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to re-introduce free dental examinations under the national health service; and if he will make a statement. [26983]

  Mr. Malone
  There are no plans to re-introduce free dental examinations for all. Certain groups, including all those under 18 years, are exempt from all dental charges, including those for examination. Others on a low income may get free dental treatment or help with the cost. In all, some 25 per cent. of adult courses receive full or partial relief from charges.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people in the United Kingdom currently have private dental plans; and if he will make a statement; [27021]

  (2) how many people were registered with private dentists in (a) 1984, (b) 1989, (c) 1992 and (d) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [27113]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the number of people with private dental plans or who receive dental treatment outside the national health service is not available centrally.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations his Department has received concerning the re-introduction of free dental check-ups; and if he will make a statement. [26977]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health has received a small number of letters concerning the re-introduction of free dental examinations.
  503
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to develop the role of the community dental services as a safety net; and if he will make a statement. [26981]

  Mr. Malone
  On 5 April 1995 the Government announced their proposals for the reform of national health service dentistry. These reforms included the Government's intention of strengthening the role of the community dental service.

  Water Tower Mental Hospitals
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the location by health authority of the water tower mental hospitals in England which were open in March 1994 giving their planned date of closure; and if he will list those hospitals which were open in March 1995 and March 1996 together with the number of patients in each of those dates. [27092]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 1 April at columns 48–50.

  Abortions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the East London and City health authority's instruction to Newham Healthcare NHS trust in respect of(a) patients other than those deemed clinically urgent and (b) women requiring abortions. [27145]

  Mr. Horam
  Agreement has now been reached between East London and City health authority and Newham Healthcare NHS trust on a contract for services for 1996–97. The health authority's instructions concerning patients other than clinically urgent cases and women requiring termination of pregnancies ceased to apply on 25 April.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total amounts of money given to the National Association of Fundholding Practices in each year since 1990; what amounts are proposed for 1996–97 and 1997–98; and if he will list the individual amounts given and what they were given for. [27400]

  Mr. Malone
  The National Association of Fundholding Practices does not receive central funding to support the administration or management of its association. In 1994, the National Association of Fundholding Practices received a project grant of £50, 000 in response to a bid it made to the Department to develop, on behalf of the national health service, a national mentorship scheme available to all general practitioners considering entering fundholding.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the NHS executive letter sent to family health services authorities in May 1990 in respect of management allowances for general practitioner fundholders; and if subsequent alterations of that letter's contents were communicated to the family health services authorities. [27509]
  504
  Mr. Malone
  Yes. Health service guidelines are issued to all relevant health service authorities and copies are normally placed in the Library.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all representations received from family health services authorities between 1991 and 1995 in relation to the lawfulness of their payments of management allowances to general practitioner fundholders. [27506]

  Mr. Malone
  No such representations were received.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the internal inquiry into the circumstances leading to the delay in obtaining parliamentary approval for the payment of management allowances to general practitioner fundholders. [27504]

  Mr. Malone
  A team has been set up to produce an action plan to implement the recommendations of the inquiry.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he received from the National Audit Office in respect of the independent inquiry into the circumstances leading to the failure to enact secondary legislation in respect of the payment of management allowances to general practitioner fundholders. [27507]

  Mr. Malone
  None. Officials from the Department have kept the National Audit Office informed about the independent inquiry and provided them with all relevant papers.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the outline clause drafted in January 1991 to provide parliamentary approval for the payment of management allowances to general practitioner fundholders; and when the decision was taken to cease progress on it. [27508]

  Mr. Malone
  No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 25 April,Official Report, columns 282–83.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he is now ready to publish his consultation paper on making provision for long-term care. [27640]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The consultation paper will be published shortly.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet the Alzheimer's Disease Society to discuss the Government's consultation paper on long-term care; and what other voluntary organisations he will be consulting. [27451]

  Mr. Bowis
  When it is published, we shall welcome comments on the consultation paper from all those who have an interest in the proposals it makes.

  Drug Abuse
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the report of the task force to review services for drug misusers. [27840]
  505
  Mr. Bowis
  The report of the task force, which was chaired by the Reverend Dr. John Polkinghorne, President of Queen's college Cambridge, will be published tomorrow. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Pre-payment Prescriptions
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation his Department has carried out of the awareness among people with severe asthma of the availability of pre-payment certificates for prescriptions; what steps are being taken to encourage general practitioners and pharmacists to promote the pre-payment scheme; and what assessment he has made of the benefits of the introduction of a weekly pre-payment stamp. [26815]

  Mr. Malone
  No evaluation has been made, but we are aware of the research being carried out by the National Asthma Campaign and will be interested in the results. Information about the pre-payment certificates is available in the Department's new leaflet HC11 "Help with Health Costs", which is available from general practitioners, pharmacists and national health service trusts. All prescription forms refer to the availability of pre-payment certificates, as does a poster about NHS prescription charges which has been sent to all pharmacists.

  We have no plans to introduce a weekly instalment system as this would be costly to administer and would as a result increase the overall cost of the pre-payment certificate. This would defeat the object of ensuring that pre-payment certificates are good value for money for those who need regular medication.

  Malcolm Huriston Corporate Consultancy
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts the Malcolm Huriston Corporate Consultancy has had from his Department; and if he will provide details. [27275]

  Mr. Bowis
  Two. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave him on 23 April,Official Report, column 104.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 104, on Mr. Nigel Whittaker, what level of remuneration the Malcolm Huriston Corporate Consultancy will receive; and for how long its services will continue to be provided. [27285]

  Mr. Bowis
  The level of remuneration is commercial in confidence. The contract is for a project and not a period of time.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 104, on Mr. Nigel Whittaker, how the Malcolm Huriston Corporate Consultancy was employed; and if there was competition for the contract. [27284]

  Mr. Bowis
  The contract was placed in accordance with departmental guidance and a number of other teams were considered.

  Beccles and Lowestoft Hospitals
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of eligibility criteria for NHS continuing care on the viability of Beccles and Lowestoft hospitals. [27277]

  Mr. Bowis
  Health authorities were required to consult key local interests in developing policies and eligibility criteria for meeting continuing health care needs. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of Suffolk health authority for information relating to Beccles and Lowestoft hospitals.

  "Choosing with Care"
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of the recommendations of the Norman Warner report "Choosing with Care" have been carried out. [27279]

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authorities have reported significant progress on implementing all of the recommendations addressed to them.

  All the recommendations addressed specifically to central Government and local authority associations have been implemented or are under longer-term consideration.

  Nurses
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the shortfall in nurses in each specialty. [27281]

  Mr. Horam
  There is not a general nationwide shortage of nursing staff but there are some local nurse shortages in some specialties in some parts of the country. The national health service executive issued annual national education and training planning guidance EL(95) 96 on 23 August 1995 to inform education commissioning in 1996–97. Further guidance will be issued this summer.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many student nurse places have been vacant in each of the last five years; [27280]

  (2) if he will publish figures on the nursing student intake for each of the last five years by region. [27282]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, which records data relating to student nurse numbers.

  Surplus Property
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 321, if he will provide a regional breakdown of the number and value of surplus NHS properties. [27283]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is shown in the table.

  Region

  Number

  £ million

  Anglia and Oxford

  71

  112

  Northern and Yorkshire

  182

  148

  North Thames

  113

  269

  North West

  70

  89

  507

  Region

  Number

  £ million

  South Thames

  99

  255

  South and West

  105

  104

  Trent

  57

  80

  West Midlands

  179

  146

  Total

  876

  1,203

  NHS Trusts (Finance)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which trusts were placed on a red light status in relation to their finances in each region in 1995–96. [27274]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 22 March,Official Report, column 382.

  Social Services (Contracting Out)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services provided by local authority social services departments it is his policy not to have contracted out to the independent sector. [27278]

  Mr. Bowis
  Social services authorities may contract out particular services if the relevant law permits it. Subject to that, our policy is that authorities should arrange for the provision of all services in the most cost-effective way.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 640, if he will publish figures for total expenditure on extra-contractual referrals for each year for which figures are available. [27286]

  Mr. Malone
  The national health service executive's estimates of outturn expenditure on extra-contractual referrals in England is shown in the table. As the data have been collected on a fast-track basis and for management purposes they are not subjected to the normal validation checks and definitions.

  Year

  Estimated total ECR expenditure £ million

  Estimated ECR expenditure as a percentage of total health authority expenditure Percentage

  1992–93

  295

  1.5

  1993–94

  350

  1.7

  1994–95

  386

  1.8

  Deregulation
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the consultation document, "Deregulation: a Model Appeals Mechanism, Model Provisions with Regard to Appeals against Enforcement Action" applies to residential care homes and services for children under eight years. [27276]

  Mr. Bowis
  In "Moving Forward", the consultation document for the current review of regulation and inspection of social services, we have asked for views on what changes are necessary to current regulatory 508
  arrangements to ensure that enforcement mechanisms are fair and effective with particular reference to the principles set out in section 5 and schedule 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.

  Safety of Medicines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Licensing Authority, the Medicines Control Agency, the Medicines Division of the Department of Health or the Committee on Safety of Medicines have sought to prevent publication in peer-reviewed journals of information derived from yellow card data. [27351]

  Mr. Malone
  Yes. Permission to publish information derived from yellow card data might be refused if it were considered that inappropriate use was being made of the data.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all legal actions relating to the anti-depressant Mianserin in which the Licensing Authority or Committee on Safety of Medicines has been involved; and for each action if he will indicate whether the Licensing Authority or the CSM initiated the action, what was the legal basis of the action, what was the outcome and what were the legal costs incurred by the Licensing Authority or the CSM. [27352]

  Mr. Malone
  The Licensing Authority, the Medicines Commission and the Committee on Safety of Medicines were involved in judicial review proceedings in connection with Mianserin in 1988 and 1989. The actions were initiated by the pharmaceutical company Organon Laboratories Ltd. in 1988 under section 107 of the Medicines Act 1968 and included applications for several interim orders between 20 December 1988 and 3 January 1989, prior to judicial review proceedings which took place in February 1989. Two applications for review were sought by Organon. The Licensing Authority lost the case on appeal in January 1990. Details of the legal costs are no longer held.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all legal actions relating to Triazolam in which the Licensing Authority or the Committee on Safety of Medicines has been involved; and for each action if he will indicate whether the Licensing Authority or CSM initiated the action, what was the legal basis of the action, what was the outcome and what were the legal costs incurred by the Licensing Authority or CSM. [27353]

  Mr. Malone
  The Licensing Authority is currently involved in judicial review proceedings in connection with Triazolam. The action was initiated by Upjohn Ltd. in 1993 under section 107 of the Medicines Act 1968. The case has not yet been concluded.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the pharmacovigilance subcommittee of the Committee on Safety of Medicines for the period from 1 January 1996. [27363]

  Mr. Malone
  The membership of the sub-committee on pharmacovigilance is as follows:

  Professor A. Breckenridge (Chairman): professor of clinical pharmacology, Liverpool university

  509

  Professor Darbyshire OBE: head of the Medical Research Council's HIV clinical trials centre, University college London medical school

  Dr. K. Beard: consultant physician in geriatric medicine, the Victoria infirmary, Glasgow

  Ms A Lee: principal pharmacist, drugs and poisons information

  centre, regional drugs and therapeutics centre, Newcastle

  Dr. T. MacDonald: senior lecturer, department of clinical pharmacology, Dundee university

  Professor K. MacPherson: professor of public health epidemiology, London school of hygiene and tropical medicine

  Dr. M. Pirmohamed: lecturer in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics Liverpool university

  Professor L. Ramsay: consultant physician at Hallamshire hospital and professor of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, Sheffield university.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those medicines whose licence has been(a) suspended, (b) revoked by the Licensing Authority or (c) withdrawn by the licence holder as a result of information from the yellow card system indicating the year in which the change in licence took place; who prompted the action; and what were the adverse effects identified by the yellow card system. [20505]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: Information about the safety of medicines is obtained from numerous sources of which the United Kingdom's yellow card scheme is only one. It is unusual for licensed medicines to be withdrawn from the market solely on the basis of information from yellow cards.

  The information shown in the table lists those medicines licensed and marketed in the UK after the Medicines Act 1968 came into effect whose licence has subsequently been (a) suspended or (b) revoked by the Licensing Authority, or (c) withdrawn by the licence holder, as a result of information from the yellow card scheme.

  The table does not include those medicines whose licence was suspended, revoked or withdrawn before the product was marketed in the UK. Nor does it include medicines which were granted a product licence of right when the Medicines Act 1968 came into force, or those with safety hazards identified primarily through other sources of information such as spontaneous adverse drug reaction schemes outside the UK.

  Brand name (drug substance)

  Year action taken1

  Major safety concerns

  (a) Medicines whose licence has been suspended by the Licensing Authority

  Opren (benoxaprofen)

  1982

  Hepatotoxicity, serious skin reactions

  Flosint (indoprofen)

  1983

  Gastrointestinal toxicity, multi-system toxicity

  (b) Medicines whose licence has been revoked by the Licensing Authority

  Zomax (zomepirac)

  1983

  Anaphylaxis, renal failure

  (c) Medicines whose licence was withdrawn by the licence holder

  Osmosin (indomethacin—

  1983

  Small intestinal perforations

  510

  Brand name (drug substance)

  Year action taken1

  Major safety concerns

  modified release) Zelmid (zimeldine)

  1983

  Neuropathy, convulsions, hepatotoxicity

  Methrazone (feprazone)

  1984

  Serious skin reactions, multi-system toxicity

  Pe xid (perhexiline)

  1985

  Neuropathy, hepatotoxicity

  Mental (nomifensine)

  1986

  Haemolytic anaemia, renal failure

  Glauline eye drops 0.6 per cent. (metipranolol)

  1990

  Uveitis

  Micturin (terodiline)

  1991

  Cardiac arrhythmias

  Roxiam (remoxipride)

  1994

  Aplastic anaemia

  1 The year the action was taken relates to the year in which the product was removed from the market.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the scheduled retirement date for the chief executive of the Medicines Control Agency; [27356]

  (2) what is the scheduled retirement date of the head of the post-licensing business of the Medicines Control Agency. [27361]

  Mr. Malone
  Personal information about individual members of staff is confidential.

  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the key business targets for the Medicines Control Agency for 1996–97. [27885]

  Mr. Malone
  I have today placed a copy of the 1996–97 key business targets of the Medicines Control Agency in the Library. The agency's business plan will be placed in the Library in the near future.

DEFENCE

  Serco Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the risks of a conflict of interest arising in respect of his Department's permanent secretary and his relationship with Serco Ltd.; and if he will make a statement; [26699]

  (2) what contracts his Department and his agencies have with Serco Ltd.; what is the current cost; when each contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [26677]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The permanent secretary has no relationship with Serco Ltd.

  My Department's central contracts records show that there are about 150 current contracts with various Serco companies, including Serco Ltd. The total value is approximately £125 million. These do not include contracts placed by various defence agencies, which are the subject of separate replies from chief executives. To provide details of the values of each individual contract and to research details of the end dates could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.
  511
  Although each contract will probably contain the Ministry's standard "break" condition which enables the Ministry to terminate the contract after a given period without penalty, there may be other termination provisions tailored to the circumstances of a particular contract. Again, details of these could be researched only at disproportionate cost.

  I have asked the chief executives of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, the Meteorological Office and the Hydrographic Office to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. P. Clarke to Mr. M. Redmond, dated 30 April 1996:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence a Parliamentary Question relating to contracts placed by the Ministry of Defence and Defence Agencies with Serco Limited. As your question relates in part to the Hydrographic Office and such issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Hydrographic Office, I have been asked to reply to you.
  The Hydrographic Office currently does not have any contract with Serco Limited.
  I hope this information has been helpful.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation & Research Agency to reply to your question about contracts with Serco Ltd.
  DERA currently has about 240 contracts and enabling arrangements with Serco Ltd at a total value to £76M. All these contracts will have an early termination clause but I am afraid that it would involve disproportionate costs to check the precise terms of each and also to list the normal end date of each contract.
  I am sorry I could not be more helpful.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 April 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office I am replying to your recent question to the Defence Secretary concerning contracts with Serco Ltd.
  Currently we have no such contracts.

  Marine Collisions (Liability)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what liability for compensation under which international conventions Her Majesty's Government have in respect of accidental collisions between Royal Navy submarines and oil industry installations in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other waters. [26915]

  Mr. Soames
  We are not aware of any international conventions stipulating a liability on Her Majesty's Government in the event of a Royal Navy submarine accidentally colliding with an oil industry installation. In the highly unlikely event of such an incident occurring, liability for compensation would be determined on the basis of the particular circumstances of the incident.

  RAF Jets
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those companies with maintenance contracts to repair and service RAF fast jets. [27303]
  512
  Mr. Soames
  Four fast jet types remain in service with the Royal Air Force: Hawk, Tornado, Harrier and Jaguar. Contracts for major airframe and major component maintenance including repair and overhaul on those aircraft are held by the following UK companies:

  Major airframe maintenance

  British Aerospace

  Major components/equipments

  Rolls-Royce

  Lucas Aerospace Fairey Hydraulics

  Hunting Aviation

  Computing Devices (Hastings)

  W. Vinten

  Moog Controls

  Microturbo

  Gas Turbine Company

  GEC-Marconi

  Smiths Industries

  Dowty

  Flight Refuelling

  Pilkington Optronics

  Aerospace Composite Technologies

  Oxley Aviation

  BP Chemicals.

  In addition, a number of companies in Germany and Italy are involved in work on RAF aircraft and components under sub-contract to Panavia, the Tornado consortium company, notably Daimler-Benz Aerospace and Alenia.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1992 penalties have been imposed as a result of poor quality maintenance on Royal Air Force fast jets. [27294]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  None.

  Infra-red Technology
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if infra-red technology is listed by his Department as a key defence technology. [27168]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We do not keep a detailed list of specific key technologies. Consideration is given periodically to technologies which are important in support of defence research priorities. Infra-red technology is not a separately identified technology in this context. However, it does contribute to other, more broadly defined areas of technology which are considered important.

  Defence Secondary Care Agency
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the creation of the Defence Secondary Care Agency. [27628]

  Mr. Soames
  The Defence Secondary Care Agency will form on 30 April 1996 when secondary medical care currently provided on a single-service basis will be included within a joint service agency under the control
  513
  of a chief executive. Until a decision is taken on its final location, the headquarters of the DSCA will be based in London. The DSCA will include:

  (a) The Royal hospital Haslar at Gosport;

  (b) The Duchess of Kent's hospital at Catterick;

  (c) Three Ministry of Defence hospital units within the NHS trust hospitals at Derriford, Plymouth, Frimley Park, Camberley, and Peterborough;

  (d) The Princess Mary's hospital at Akrotiri, Cyprus;

  (e) The defence service medical rehabilitation unit at RAF Headley Court in Surrey.

  In addition, DSCA personnel will be stationed in smaller facilities at other locations, both at home and overseas.

  Each service will continue to recruit to its own medical branch and will be responsible for issuing appointments and posting orders for personnel of their particular service into, within and out of the agency after agreement with the chief executive and for an agreed duration. It is expected that uniformed secondary care personnel will spend the major part of their career working within the agency.

  The aim of the agency is to make available to commanders in chief appropriate medically trained secondary care service personnel, when required for training, exercises and deployments. In support of this aim the agency will deliver timely and effective treatments consistent with expected outcomes by providing the best possible medical care to all agency patients.
  514
  The chief executive, Mr. R. G. Smith, will be afforded greater responsibility and flexibility to build upon the professional ability and reputation for excellence of secondary care personnel from all three service medical branches. This will ensure that the MOD retains the capacity to deploy trained secondary care staff on military operations, to provide the best possible medical care to all agency patients, and at the same time maximise value for money in the delivery of secondary care for service personnel in order to maintain their operational readiness during peacetime.

  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for the first year of the operation:

  (1) From within available personnel resources, to meet the services' requirements for secondary care skill mix in support of operations.

  (2) To maintain the most appropriate clinical environment for all staff to ensure professional recognition and accreditation by statutory bodies in the light of their continually improving standards.

  (3) To meet all milestones for phase 1 of project ICE—improving clinical excellence.

  (4) To assess the agency against investors in people criteria, within year one and produce an action plan for full accreditation.

  (5) To develop average prices for finished consultant episodes for each specialty, and at each site.

  (6) To meet an efficiency target of 4 per cent. for financial year 1996–97.

  I have arranged for copies of the agency's framework document to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Rwanda: Genocide Investigation
  Rwanda: Genocide Investigation
  Israel's Attack on Iraqi Nuclear Installation
  Israel's Attack on Iraqi Nuclear Installation
  Israel: Nuclear Activities
  Israel: Nuclear Activities
  Chemical Weapons: Destruction
  Chemical Weapons: Destruction
  Agency Performance Targets
  Agency Performance Targets
  Transport Strategy for London
  Transport Strategy for London
  Department of Transport Agency Targets
  Department of Transport Agency Targets
  Road Measurement Units
  Road Measurement Units
  Rail Franchising Director
  Rail Franchising Director
  Dearing Report: Terms of Reference
  Dearing Report: Terms of Reference
  Comfrey
  Comfrey
  Services for Drug Misusers: Task Force Review
  Services for Drug Misusers: Task Force Review
  Social Security Costs
  Social Security Costs
  Passport Agency
  Passport Agency
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Report
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Report
  BSE Cases
  BSE Cases