Written Answers of 5 February 1996

TRANSPORT

  Heavy Goods Vehicles (Drivers)
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of new regulations for drivers of heavy goods vehicles on the work prospects of drivers who wear spectacles; and if he will make a statement. [12913]

  Mr. Norris
  We estimate that some 3,000 drivers will be unable to renew their entitlement to drive large goods and passenger-carrying vehicles when the new eyesight regulations are introduced. It is not possible to estimate how many of these will lose their job or how many will find some other work with their present employer. The work prospects of those who wish to take up the driving of these vehicles will not be affected.

  Bus-to-rail Connections
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to improve bus-to-rail connections. [13107]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government recognise the importance of ease of interchange for people using both buses and trains. By maximising private sector involvement, through our policies of privatisation and deregulations, we expect to see connections improve as bus and rail operators respond innovatively to passenger demand and seek to generate custom. The winning franchisee for South West Trains has committed itself to introducing a number of dedicated bus links to SWT stations. In the publication PPG 13: "A guide to better practice", which we published last October, we stressed the need for local authorities to consider both the location and the attractiveness of bus to rail and bus to bus interchanges when developing their transport strategies.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport from which railway stations rail services have been withdrawn in 1995. [13133]

  Mr. Watts
  Passenger rail services were withdrawn from five stations during 1995—Attercliffe Road and Brightside in South Yorkshire and Godley East, Miles Platting and Park in Greater Manchester. The services at these stations immediately before closure were nine trains per week day for Attercliffe Road and four for Brightside; one train a week at Godley East, five trains per week day at Miles Platting, and three per weekday at Park. All were very lightly used.

  Vehicle Inspectorate (Enforcement Activities)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many rolling road brake testing machines there have been in operation within the Vehicle Inspectorate in each of the last five years; [13234]

  (2) if he will list the targets set out for the Vehicle Inspectorate regarding traffic and vehicle reinforcement for each of the last 10 years; [13242]

  (3) if he will list the number of immediate and delayed prohibitions imposed by the Vehicle Inspectorate on heavy goods vehicles for each year from 1984 to 1994; [13282]

  (4) how many inspections have been undertaken by his Department on tankers contracted by Yorkshire Water in the Yorkshire area; and how many were found to be defective; [13239]

  (5) how many traffic examiners and vehicles examiners have been employed as a result of the extra £350,000 invested in the Vehicle Inspectorate in the last year; [13241]

  (6) if he will list the procedures that have to be followed by officers from the Vehicle Inspectorate and the police following an accident involving heavy goods and passenger carrying vehicles. [13233]

  (7) if he will list the number of (a) prosecutions brought and (b) convictions in magistrates courts for (i) tachograph and hours offences and (ii) mechanical illegalities. [13273]

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

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions relating to enforcement activities within the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI).

  The number of roller brake testers in operation within VI in each of the last 5 years was

  1991: 193

  1992: 193

  1993: 193

  1994: 193

  1995: 192

  (191 roller brake testers are in use at February 1996).

  Additional roller brake testing capacity is available in vehicle operators' (designated) premises, primarily for annual statutory testing purposes. This capacity has increased by 43 roller brake testers over the past 3 years.

  The number of immediate and delayed prohibitions issued from 1984 to 1994 is shown in the attached Table 1.

  The key targets for enforcement activities are shown in the attached Table 2. Previous to 1991, performance on 5 activities was measured against targets related to the number of operators and vehicles. The targets were:

  a) MOT Inspections—the equivalent of 1.5 routine visits per year per garage on the broad assumption that there would be one visit. The additional effort would be spent in applying extra checks on garages where it was evident that attention was necessary.

  3

  b) HGV Premises—the number of visits would equate to one visit per operator every 5 years. After the initial visit following granting or consideration of a licence, subsequent visits would depend upon need relative to evidence of poor maintenance or substantial changes in the nature of operation.

  c) HGV Spot Checks—the equivalent of 20% of the HGV population examined per year (including vehicles examined at operators' premises).

  d) PSV Premises—the equivalent of one visit every 5 years with each operator being visited when the licence was being granted or considered. Subsequent visits would be based upon evidence of poor maintenance or a considerable change in operating circumstances.

  e) PSV Spot Checks—the equivalent of 30% of vehicle population (including vehicles examined at operators' premises).

  All heavy goods vehicles have an annual statutory roadworthiness examination and are subject to roadside checks conducted by VI regardless of the nature of the goods carried. We do not have separate information for tankers carrying water which are checked as part of this normal routine. However, we have carried out special roadside checks on water tankers in the Yorkshire area; total of 203 vehicles were checked between October and December, 29 immediate and 19 delayed prohibitions were issued.

  The number of additional posts created because of additional funding provided to VI is 11.5 traffic examiners and 2.5 vehicle examiners.

  In accidents involving HGVs or PSVs, a VI vehicle examiner, on notification from the Police, will arrange to inspect the vehicle at the accident site, if possible, or at a suitable location that allows a full examination of the vehicle to be carried out. Particular attention is paid to safety critical systems eg brakes, steering, tyres and suspension, and any defects which the examiner considers may have contributed to the accident recorded. When the examination is complete, the relevant information is entered on VI's accident database. The examiner may issue an immediate or delayed prohibition if, in his opinion, the vehicle is unfit for service. The Police may also request a written factual statement of his findings which can be produced as evidence in Court. In "Special Interest" accident cases eg serious accidents involving passenger carrying vehicles or serious multiple collisions with several fatalities, the procedures are the same although in the case of coaches a detailed examination of the coach interior will be carried out to establish possible causes of passenger injury eg crushing by seats, normally by specially trained teams.

  Separate statistics for prosecutions are only currently available for drivers' hours and overloading. All other offences, including tachograph and mechanical illegalities, are counted under a general heading and we cannot provide separate information

  The detailed breakdown for drivers hours offences for 1994/95 is as follows.

  Total offences reported for prosecution

  Offences successfully prosecuted

  HGV's

  2,835

  2,386

  PSVs

  198

  170

  Table 1: Immediate and delayed prohibitions issued to Heavy Goods Vehicles for roadworthiness defects

  All prohibitions

  Immediate

  Delayed

  1984–85

  3,619

  6,956

  1985–86

  5,545

  8,477

  1986–87

  4,260

  5,331

  1987–88

  7,693

  11,727

  4

  Table 1: Immediate and delayed prohibitions issued to Heavy Goods Vehicles for roadworthiness defects

  All prohibitions

  Immediate

  Delayed

  1988–89

  7,774

  10,446

  1989–90

  7,816

  9,433

  1990–91

  9,229

  10,615

  1991–92

  9,827

  10,788

  1992–93

  11,041

  11,040

  1993–94

  10,834

  11,426

  1994–95

  11,516

  11,788

  Table 2: Key targets set for enforcement activity within the vehicle inspectorate

  Target set

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Turnaround time on MOT documentation

  1.4 days

  1.4 days

  1.4 days

  1non applicable

  Production of traffic enforcement operator licence reports to Traffic Commissioners

  non applicable

  90 per cent. within 4 weeks

  1non applicable

  non applicable

  Time to produce interim or completed traffic enforcement operator reports for the Traffic Commissioner

  non applicable

  non applicable

  95 per cent. of cases within 4 weeks unless another deadline has been agreed

  95 per cent. within 4 weeks unless another deadline has been agreed. 95 per cent. within the agreed deadline

  Roadworthiness prohibition error rate

  non applicable

  non applicable

  non applicable

  0.5 per cent.

  Time to return maintenance assessments for operator licence renewals and variations

  non applicable

  non applicable

  non applicable

  95 per cent. within 6 weeks. 99 per cent. within 12 weeks

  Time to decide all MOT statutory appeals against refusal to issue a test certificate

  non applicable

  non applicable

  non applicable

  99 per cent. within 5 working days

  Minimum number of tachographs charts to be examined—minimum 15 per cent. at roadside: 25 per cent. at operators premises

  non applicable

  non applicable

  non applicable

  HGV 1.4 million. PSV 0.145 million

  5

  Table 2: Key targets set for enforcement activity within the vehicle inspectorate

  Target set

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Minimum number of heavy goods vehicles weighed

  non applicable

  non applicable

  non applicable

  115,000

  Weighbridge equipment availability (nationally)

  non applicable

  non applicable

  non applicable

  90 per cent.

  1 Target no longer used as a key target.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what qualifications are required by personnel who carry out the maintenance of brakes and other safety critical parts on heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles. [13237]

  Mr. Norris
  Responsibility lies with goods and passenger vehicle operators to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy; there is no legal obligation for maintenance personnel to hold a relevant qualification. However, when applying for a licence, operators make a formal declaration to the traffic commissioner that they will"undertake to make proper arrangements so that motor vehicles and trailers, including hired vehicles and trailers, are kept fit and serviceable." Advice on how this should be achieved is set out in the "Guide for Maintaining Roadworthiness" which incorporates the procedures necessary to satisfy the requirements for traffic commissioners.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals his Department has to investigate incidents of wheel loss involving heavy goods vehicles; and what funding his Department has made available to investigate this problem. [13240]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Trade and Industry contributed £35,000 to a study of wheel loss which resulted in a 1989 report by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers and led to a British Standard—BS AU 50: Part 2: Section 3:1994—and a British standard code practice—BSAU50 Part 2: Section 7a 1995. The code of practice is referred to in the Department's "Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness" for operators of heavy vehicles.

  An information leaflet, outlining various aspects of the problem and suggesting ways of overcoming some of the difficulties, was produced by the Department at the time of the IRTE report. We plan to update the leaflet to draw attention to the code of practice.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what controls his Department has put in place to prevent the sale of inferior brake pads and linings and other safety critical replacement parts for heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles. [13236]
  6
  Mr. Norris
  None. However, discussions in Europe have resulted in a proposal for the control of replacement brake pads and linings which is expected to be incorporated in the braking directive 71/320/EEC. We shall consider taking advantage of these initiatives to introduce into the UK controls for replacement pads and linings. Decisions on the control of other replacement parts will continue to be taken on a case by case basis.

  Vehicle and Traffic Computer Information
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the expenditure by the Vehicle Inspectorate and the traffic areas specifically on computerisation of enforcement intelligence. [13232]

  Mr. Norris
  The expenditure on computerisation of enforcement intelligence by the traffic areas is as follows:

  1991–92: nil

  1992–93: £131,000

  1993–94: £46,000

  1994–95: £10,200

  (1995–96: year to date £3,400).

  The initial set-up cost of the Vehicle Inspectorate's enforcement roadworthiness database in 1991–92 was £379,000. Subsequent running costs are not identified separately from all other computer running costs.

  Brake Testing Machines
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many portable air brake testing machines are currently in use for the purpose of detecting air leaks in commercial vehicle breaking systems at roadside vehicle checks. [13235]

  Mr. Norris
  None

  Disabled People (Bus Access)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines and advice he has issued to(a) manufacturers and (b) purchasers of buses about access for disabled people since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [13188]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport has set up working groups with both manufacturers and operators of buses to discuss the regulations that will be drawn up under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  We will also shortly be publishing the first in a series of information bulletins which will report the progress we are making in implementing the transport provisions of the Act. Bulletins will be circulated widely to manufacturers and operators, as well as to local authorities and to disability organisations. When regulations are made under part V of the Act we will issue separate detailed guidance to all those affected.

  Vehicle and Traffic Examiners
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle examiners and traffic examiners were employed by his Department in(a) 1989, (b) 1990 and (c) 1991. [13244]

  Mr. Norris
  The number of vehicle examiners and traffic examiners employed for 1989, 1990 and 1991 were:

  Vehicle examiners

  Traffic examiners1

  1989

  480

  213

  1990

  474

  222

  1991

  477

  204

  1 Figures include traffic examiners, senior traffic examiners and enforcement managers.

  Vehicle Crashes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of vehicles weighing(a) 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, (b) 7.5 to 17 tonnes and (c) more than 17 tonnes which were involved in crashes producing (i) fatalities, (ii) serious injuries and (iii) minor injuries in each of the last 10 years. [13238]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Number of heavy goods vehicles1 involved in injury road accidents: by accident severity: Greater Britain: 1994

  Accident severity

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  All injury accident

  All heavy goods vehicles involved

  633

  2,924

  11,009

  14,566

  Of which, gross vehicle weight known1

  3.5 to 7.5 tonnes

  80

  417

  1,597

  2,094

  7.5 to 17 tonnes

  65

  406

  1,551

  2,022

  More than 17 tonnes

  411

  1,571

  5,353

  7,335

  Total known

  556

  2,394

  8,501

  11,451

  1 Goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.

  2 The police record heavy goods vehicles as such as on the STATS19 road accident report form.

  However, the exact gross vehicle weight is only known for those cases where a link can be made with the vehicle details held by DVLA.

  Railtrack Staff
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of staff are employed by Railtrack to oversee safety on the railways; how many of these have been appointed within the last year; how many people employed in this capacity have left the employment of Railtrack in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [13218]

  Mr. Watts
  I understand that Railtrack's safety and standards directorate currently employs 103 permanent staff and 12 temporary staff. During the last 12 months, six staff in this capacity have been appointed and eight staff have left the employment of Railtrack.

  Rail Franchise Agreements
  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the franchise agreements and related documents for the LTS Rail, Great Western Trains and South West Trains passenger rail franchise. [13589]

  Mr. Watts
  Copies of the franchise agreements for Great Western Trains and South West Trains have today been placed in the Library, together with the disabled, senior and young persons railcard schemes, the staff travel scheme, the ticketing and settlement agreement, the Association of Train Operating Companies' LRT scheme, the Travelcard agreement and the through-ticketing (non-travelcard) agreement. Certain provisions of these documents have been deleted in line with section 73 of the Railways Act 1993.

  The franchise agreement for the LTS rail franchise will be placed in the Library in due course.

  Railtrack (Privatisation)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the eligible amounts for capital allowances on plant and machinery and on industrial building in respect of the qualifying assets transferred to Railtrack which will be transferred to the private sector. [13747]

  Mr. Watts
  The amounts of capital allowances allocated to Railtrack PLC in respect of property transferred to it from the British Railways Board on 30 March 1994 are as follows:

  in relation to plant and machinery: £521,536,242

  in relation to industrial buildings: £618,530,990

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  International Trials
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's relations with the Dutch legal authorities in relation to international trials in The Hague. [12000]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  No. if the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Libyan proposal to hold in The Hague the trial of those accused of the Lockerbie bombing, we have made clear to the Dutch and other Governments our view on holding the trial in a third country.

  Prisoners of Conscience
  Mr. Fachett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department circulates country-specific lists of prisoners of conscience to other Departments whose Ministers are about to undertake visits aborad; if he encourages Ministers from outside his Department to raise such cases on visits; and if he will make a statement. [13221]
  9
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We frequently raise cases of individual political prisoners with our Governments. When a reliable, country-specific list is available, and is likely to be an effective means of alerting another Government to our concerns, Ministers from other Departments due to visit the country in question may be briefed accordingly and encouraged to make use of it.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  UNICEF
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was Britain's contribution to UNICEF in each of the last five years, at constant prices; and what is the planned contribution for 1996–97. [12578]

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is as follows:

  £ million

  Core contribution at cash prices

  Core contribution at constant 1995–96 prices

  1991–92

  9.00

  10.09

  1992–93

  9.50

  10.23

  1993–94

  9.50

  9.94

  1994–95

  8.50

  8.73

  1995–96

  8.50

  8.50

  We plan to contribute £8.5 million to UNICEF's core budget in 1996–97.

  In addition to its annual core contribution, the ODA also makes ad hoc contributions to UNICEF's supplementary and emergency activities. These figures are as follows:

  £ million

  Contribution at cash prices

  Contribution at constant 1995–96 prices

  1991–92

  4.75

  5.33

  1992–93

  4.50

  4.85

  1993–94

  13.60

  14.23

  1994–95

  17.10

  17.57

TREASURY

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the percentage of information on the Inland Revenue's Corporation's tax pay and file system which(a) is unreliable, (b) is inaccurate, (c) is not updated and (d) omits interest charges. [11121]

  Mr. Jack
  The Inland Revenue continually assesses the performance of the CT pay and file system. There are no significant problems with the reliability and accuracy of the information which the system handles.
  10
  A recently identified software problem in the updating of information used by collectors of taxes—including information on interest charges—is scheduled to be fixed early this month.

  Office for National Statistics
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of market research undertaken on the name of the new office for national statistics; what were the options considered for the name of this agency; what market research was undertaken; if he will publish the results of this market research; and if he will make a statement; [11629]

  (2) what is his estimate of the expenditure by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on market research associated with the renaming of the combined Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and the Central Statistical Office; and if he will make a statement. [13172]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have asked the director of the Central Statistical Office to write to the hon. Member and will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Economic Secretary has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions on the cost of market research undertaken in selecting the name of the new Office for National Statistics.

  2 The choice of name for the new agency formed by the merger of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and the Central Statistical Office is particularly important. Individuals and businesses who will supply the new agency with its data have to recognise it as a safe guardian of data. It must also be widely recognised by users of statistics.

  3 In terms of public confidence, the new agency must be identified with professionalism, integrity and independence from governmental control of statistical processes.

  4 The existing names of the two organisations had created a measure of confusion in the public's mind as to the roles and functions of each organisation. It is important to create a simple, easily identifiable identity for the new agency. The new name also had to be carefully chosen so as to avoid conflicts with the roles and responsibilities of the territorial statistical services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  5 To help in the difficult task of choosing a name for the new agency that would do all these things, a small scale market research consultancy was commissioned in 1995. This tested possible names amongst a range of users and other interested groups to identify the connotations of various terms, including "Official", "National" and "Government".

  6 The clear findings of the market research were that there were strong benefits in using the terms "National" or "UK" rather than "Official" or "Government". This strongly influenced the choice of "Office for National Statistics" as the name for the new agency.

  7 Almost all the work associated with publications design, design of a new logo and style of new office stationery was concluded in-house. The total money expended on consultancy advice was £4,250.

  8. The research was significantly different from the large scale quantitative enquiries normally carried out by the CSO and is therefore not suitable for publication.

  Incomes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage year on year change in real personal disposable income in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) the United States of America, and (e) Japan since 1979. [11936]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  UK figures can be found in table 4.1 of the UK national accounts. For the remaining countries, figures on a comparable basis are available in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication, "National Accounts", various issues. These publications are in the House of Commons Library.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money in 1995 prices the nuclear industry has received from the Exchequer in grants, subsidies and debt write-offs in each year since 1966. [12470]

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  British Energy
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the sum that the proposed sale of British energy will raise for the Exchequer. [12473]

  Mr. Jack
  The proceeds of the British energy sale will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions at the time of the sale. The Government never release estimates of proceeds from forthcoming sales as such information would be market sensitive.

  Privatised Companies' Debt (Sale)
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the sale of part of the Government's holding of privatized companies' debt. [14018]

  Mr. Jack
  The following bonds were offered for sale.

  Issuer

  Face value £ million

  Coupon (Per cent.)

  Maturity

  National Grid

  150

  12.895

  March 2001

  Norweb

  76

  12.365

  September 2008

  Norweb

  77

  12.661

  September 1999

  SWEB

  80

  12.365

  September 2008

  Northern Electric

  55

  12.661

  September 1999

  I am pleased to report that the sale was successfully completed on 2 February. Three of the issuers, National Grid, Norweb and SWEB have purchased their bonds for early redemption. BZW has sold the Northern Electric bond on behalf of the Treasury.

  Payment will be made to the Exchequer on 9 February. The net proceeds from the sale will total £538 million.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual cost to his Department and his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies of their empty and under utilised properties for(a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95, (f) 1995–96 and (g) 1996–97. [11450]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The properties occupied by the Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Paymaster agency and the Valuation Office formed part of the Government's civil estate until 1990 and then the Government's common user estate. Information relating to the costs of holding CUE space vacant were given my hon. Friend Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 31 January, columns 648–49.

  From 1 April 1996, Departments and their agencies assume responsibility for the CUE vacant space. The cost of such vacant space to the Treasury and the agencies responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer is estimated to be £574,000 for 1996–97. The Treasury is making every effort to dispose of the empty property as efficiently as possible.

  The Royal Mint is responsible for its own property. It has not incurred, and does not envisage incurring, any costs in respect of vacant space for the years in question.

  Inter-agency Co-operation
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on co-operation between the Inland Revenue, the Contributions Agency, and Customs and Excise since 19 September 1995. [12540]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: Excellent progress continues to be made on co-operation between the Inland Revenue, the Contributions Agency and Customs and Excise. A number of measures have been implemented since 19 September 1995, including the successful launch of a telephone helpline pilot in Scotland for employers and VAT traders; a joint leaflet to help those setting up in business on their own; and new arrangements being piloted in the North of England to give new businesses a single form to register with all three departments. Peter Wyman—head of tax at Coopers and Lybrand and a member of the deregulation task force— has accepted an invitation to oversee work on joint working between the Inland Revenue and the Contributions Agency to bring in an external perspective. All three departments are continuing to work closely to identify other areas which will streamline their relationship with business.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage of people unemployed for(a) up three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months, (e) one to two years, (f) two to three years, (g) three to four years, (h) four to five years and (i) five years and over who get a job in the following month. [13084]
  13
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: The following table shows the percentage of claimants unemployed on 9 November 1995, in the UK, who left claimant unemployment in the following month for each unemployment duration band. No information is available on the destination of claimants who cease to claim unemployment-related benefit.

  Percentage of UK Claimants Unemployed on 9 November 1995 who left the claimant count in the following month

  Duration on 9 November 1995

  Percentage in the following month (ie. before 14 December 1995)

  Up to 3 months

  17.8

  Over 3 and up to 6 months

  12.4

  Over 6 and up to 9 months

  11.8

  Over 9 and up to 12 months

  8.7

  Over 1 and up to 2 years

  9,5

  Over 2 and up to 3 years

  7.4

  Over 3 and up to 4 years

  4.7

  Over 4 and up to 5 years

  4.3

  Over 5 years

  2.7

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons, according to the latest available information, are employed under contract for(a) zero hours per week, (b) one to eight hours, (c) nine to 15 hours, (d) 16 to 24 hours, (e) 25 to 30 hours, (f) 31 to 40 hours, (g) 41 to 50 hours, (h) 51 to 60 hours, (i) 61 to 70 hours, (j) 71 to 80 hours and (k) more than 80 hours per week; and what percentage of the total work force each group represents. [13169]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 31 January 1996]: The available information from the labour force survey is as follows:

  Basic usual hours1 worked by employees in Great Britain (summer 1995, not seasonally adjusted)

  Basic usual hours worked per week1

  Number of employees (thousands)

  As a percentage of all employees

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  1 to 8

  968

  4.4

  9 to 15

  1,394

  6.3

  16 to 24

  2,095

  9.5

  25 to 30

  1,355

  6.1

  31 to 40

  13,154

  59.7

  41 to 50

  2,069

  9.4

  51 to 60

  571

  2.6

  61 to 70

  159

  0.7

  71 to 80

  69

  0.3

  more than 80

  83

  0.4

  1 Hours usually worked in their main job, excluding meal breaks and overtime.

  n/a not available, estimate below 10,000.

  Cyclical Social Security
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition his Department has of cyclical social security; and if he will indicate each category of person included with spending on each category in 1994–95, and a forecast of 1995–96,1996–97 and 1997–98. [13616]
  14
  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  Cyclical social security is defined as unemployment benefit and income support paid to people of working age. From October 1996 it will cover jobseeker's allowance and income support to people of working age.

  The client group definition for cyclical social security is as follows:

  "Unemployed" includes Unemployment Benefit (JSA from October 1996) plus IS to the unemployed.

  "Short term sick" is IS to people who are sick for up to six months and who do not receive a disability pension.

  "Long term sick and disabled" is IS paid to disabled people and people who are sick for more than six months.

  "Families" is IS to lone parents.

  "Widows and others" is IS paid to people who do not fall into the other client groups.

  The expenditure details are shown in the attached table.

  Cyclical Social Security client group expenditure

  £ millions

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Unemployed

  6,583

  6,522

  6,473

  6,468

  Short term sick

  429

  457

  478

  503

  Long term sick and disabled

  2,218

  2,290

  2,364

  2,460

  Family

  3,992

  3,770

  3,623

  3,836

  Widows and others

  379

  420

  468

  531

  Total

  13,602

  13,459

  13,400

  13,800

  Notes:

  1. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  2. 1994–95 estimated outturn; 1995–96 to 1997–98 planned expenditure.

  3. These figures are currently being updated and will be available in the 1996 Departmental report which will be published at the end of March 1996.

  Source:

  1995 Social Security Departmental Report.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  British Coal Properties
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much revenue he expects to be generated from the remaining sales of British Coal properties. [13258]

  Mr. Page
  The disposal of its property is a matter for British Coal. It would not be appropriate to speculate on what the eventual proceeds might be.

  Domestic Electricity Consumers (Discount)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what number and percentage of domestic electricity consumers will not receive the National Grid discount because they live in mobile homes; and if he will provide an age breakdown of the affected consumers. [13551]

  Mr. Page
  My Department does not keep this information.

  The National Grid discount is being made by the regional electricity companies to their 21 million domestic customers.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to restrict the use of category 3 fireworks to those operating under licence from the local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [13491]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have no plans to restrict the use of category 3 fireworks to organisers of fireworks displays. Category 3 covers a wide range of firework types, some of which are not suitable for use in small spaces. For this reason, category 3 fireworks are required to be clearly marked as "display" fireworks, carry instructions for use and indicate the safe distance for spectators. This allows people to make choices and purchase fireworks to suit their own circumstances.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average price for a kilowatt hour of electricity in each of the organisations for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; and if he will make a statement. [13738]

  Mr. Page
  The information requested is given in the table and relates to the annual average prices for 1994. Data for all countries include any duties or taxes payable which are non-recoverable.

  pence per kWh

  Industrial electricity

  Domestic electricity

  Austria

  4.68

  10.79

  Belgium

  3.84

  11.44

  Canada

  2.47

  3.90

  Denmark

  4.10

  11.70

  Finland

  3.38

  5.72

  France

  3.45

  9.75

  Germany

  5.98

  11.57

  Ireland

  3.97

  8.00

  Italy

  6.11

  10.27

  Japan

  11.25

  16.19

  Luxembourg

  n/a

  8.32

  Mexico

  2.73

  4.49

  Netherlands

  3.71

  7.48

  New Zealand

  2.34

  4.36

  Norway

  n/a

  4.36

  Portugal

  7.54

  10.60

  Spain

  5.20

  11.31

  Sweden

  2.41

  5.53

  Switzerland

  6.89

  8.52

  Turkey

  5.01

  4.94

  United Kingdom

  4.42

  8.00

  United States

  3.06

  5.46

  Note:

  Data for Australia and Greece are not available.

  Source:

  International Energy Agency.

  Electricity prices for both industrial and domestic consumers in the UK have fallen, in real terms, by 10 and 7 per cent. respectively since privatisation of the electricity supply industry. The above table show that United Kingdom prices are among the lowest in the industrialised world and are generally lower than our main European competitors. Further reductions in UK prices during 1996 are likely to improve the UK's position even more.
  16
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average price for a kilowatt hour of electricity charged to consumers in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [13739]

  Mr. Page
  In 1995, the average standard tariff charge for a kilowatt hour of electricity in the United Kingdom was 7.3p. Domestic customers also pay a quarterly standing charge. In 1995, the average standing charge in the UK was £10.39. The standard tariff and standing charge quoted do not include VAT.

  In 1995, the average price paid by industrial electricity consumers per kilowatt hour was about 4.5p.

  Domestic electricity prices in the UK have fallen, in real terms, since 1990. The average price of electricity is now 7 per cent. lower, in real terms excluding VAT, than it was before privatisation. Domestic consumers will benefit from further reductions during 1996. The National Grid rebate, tightened distribution price controls and a reduction in the fossil fuel levy, mean that average domestic electricity bills in 1996 should be around one fifth lower, in 1995 prices, than in 1995.

  Since privatisation, industrial electricity prices have fallen by 10 per cent. in real terms. Industrial electricity prices are now at their lowest level, in real terms, than at any time since records began in 1970. Reduction in distribution charges and the fossil fuel levy will also benefit industrial customers during 1996.

  Research and Technological Development
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the total sums allocated to(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each other EU state under the European Union's framework programme for research and technological development in each of the years from the establishment of the programme. [13364]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Payments from European Community expenditure programmes are not allocated to member states in the legislation supporting the programmes.

  Framework IV, which runs from 1994–98 is the EU's main research and development programme. It has a budget of 13.1 billion ecu—approximately £10.9 billion. It is administered by the European Commission, which receives applications and manages the project selection process. The budget is not pre-allocated in any way among member states. Projects are selected on the basis of scientific excellence. UK researchers have participated strongly in successive framework programmes.

  Official Receiver
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 1995,Official Report, column 600, what contracts have been awarded with regard to the functions of the official receiver. [13112]
  17
  Mr. Oppenheim
  Following the conclusions of the initial and financial evaluation of the six tenders received for the case administration work of official receivers, I have agreed to an extension of the timetable to allow additional discussions to take place with those bidders most likely to be able to offer increased value for money. It is now my intention to make an announcement on the outcome of this exercise before the end of February.

  Company Procedures
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 1995,Official Report, column 600–01, what progress he has made with the British Bankers Association on a binding code of practice. [13113]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The British Bankers' Association has accepted the invitation to develop a code of practice.

  Departmental Publicity
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) of 26 January,Official Report, column 424, how much has been spent by his Department on publicity and media relations for each year since 1990, including staff costs and how many press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1979. [13114]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  (a) Expenditure from centrally managed budgets on publicity and media relations, including staff costs, has been as follows:

  1990–91: £18,199,000

  1991–92: £12,326,000

  1992–93: £13,002,000

  1993–94: £11,482,000

  1994–95: £10,685,000

  (b) Some 19 press officers are currently employed in the Department's Press Office. Corresponding figures for previous years are as follows:

  1995: 19

  1994: 17

  1993: 19

  The numbers of press officers before 1993 are not separately identifiable.

  Departmental Running Costs (Limits)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 20 December,Official Report, column 1265, when he expects the MINIS process currently being used to seek savings in all areas of the Department's running costs completed. [13591]

  Mr. Lang
  The MINIS 96 process is continuing on schedule. I expect to publish the outcome for the financial year 1996–97 by May 1996. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  European Legislation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he ensures that the negotiating brief for his officials discussing EU legislation takes fully into account the need to minimise the burdens on United Kingdom business. [13685]

  Mr. Page
  Official guidance on how officials are to apply deregulatory principles when negotiating EC regulations are contained in the booklet "Getting a Good Deal in Europe". This guidance has also been supplemented by the recent publication of guidance on the preparation of compliance cost assessments which stresses that the likely burdens on business highlighted by UK compliance cost assessments of EC proposals should be integral to the UK's negotiating strategy.

  Copies of both these guidance booklets have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade after which date National Power and PowerGen can dispose of sites owned at the time of privatisation without a share of the proceeds going to Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement. [12856]

  Mr. Page
  The provisions of the property clawback regime will continue to apply to all of the privatised electricity companies until 31 March 2000.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which power stations or other sites have closed or become surplus to requirements since privatisation by(a) PowerGen and (b) National Power; which of such sites have been sold; and what Her Majesty's Government have received in each instance. [12855]

  Mr. Page
  Detailed questions about the classification, use or sale of sites are a commercial matter for the companies. Since 1990, under the property clawback provisions which apply to all the privatised electricity companies HM Government have received £0.56 million and £0.89 million from National Power and PowerGen respectively.

  Combat-induced Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research is or has been undertaken by the Medical Research Council into combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder. [12905]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Medical Research Council is not currently carrying out, and has not carried out any research into combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder.

HEALTH

  Private Health Care (Referrals)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients were referred to private health care by NHS doctors in 1995–96. [12938]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Psychiatric Hospitals
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the number of medium secure beds provided in each year since 1985 by each private psychiatric hospital, analysed by location and health authority; and what is the average current cost of such beds as compared with equivalent NHS beds; [12297]

  (2) how many medium secure psychiatric hospital beds there have been in each region in each year since 1985; [12296]

  Purpose-built medium secure places by region

  Regional health authorities

  31-01-85

  31-01-86

  31-01-87

  31-01-88

  31-01-89

  31-01-90

  31-01-91

  31-01-92

  31-01-93

  East Anglia

  36

  36

  36

  36

  36

  34

  34

  34

  34

  Oxford

  —

  —

  14

  26

  36

  36

  25

  25

  25

  North-east Thames

  10

  10

  10

  14

  14

  14

  14

  14

  14

  North-west Thames

  —

  40

  40

  40

  40

  40

  46

  46

  48

  South-east Thames

  75

  90

  90

  90

  82

  85

  85

  85

  85

  South-west Thames

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South western

  30

  30

  30

  60

  46

  60

  60

  60

  65

  Wessex

  31

  31

  31

  31

  22

  26

  26

  28

  29

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  40

  58

  63

  77

  77

  77

  Trent

  45

  22

  45

  30

  45

  45

  45

  48

  48

  Yorkshire

  48

  48

  48

  48

  39

  44

  44

  44

  44

  Northern

  30

  30

  30

  25

  15

  15

  21

  25

  27

  North Western

  20

  102

  102

  86

  73

  74

  82

  82

  82

  Mersey

  50

  50

  50

  50

  36

  36

  36

  36

  36

  National total

  375

  489

  526

  576

  542

  572

  595

  604

  614

  Purpose built medium secure places by region

  Regional health authorities

  31 March 1994

  31 March 1995

  5 January 1996

  Anglia and Oxford

  89

  121

  121

  North Thames

  108

  108

  165

  South Thames

  90

  90

  141

  South and West

  94

  108

  112

  West Midlands

  77

  77

  95

  Trent

  48

  48

  48

  Northern and Yorkshire

  101

  101

  131

  North West

  110

  139

  139

  National total

  717

  792

  952

  Regional health authority boundaries changed in 1994 and the date on which the figures were collected changed from 31 January to 31 March. These figures are for medium secure places in the new regions.

  Hospital-at-home Schemes
  Sir Timothy Sainsbury
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the number of patients now being treated under hospital-at-home schemes annually. [12697]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information concerning hospital-at-home schemes is not collected centrally, however health authorities and national health service trusts are continuing to show interest in such developments. Recent initiatives include the expansion of the Peterborough hospital-at-home scheme to include paediatric services and the introduction of a new hospital-at-home scheme funded by East Sussex district health authority and established by collaboration between the South Downs Health and Brighton Healthcare NHS trusts. Further
  20
  (3) how many of the patients currently in medium secure provision in each of the private psychiatric hospitals live within their health authority catchment area; and how many come from homes outside the area. [12298]

  Mr. Bowis
  The tables show the number of purpose-built medium secure places in each region. Since 31 March 1995 a further 160 places have opened. There are also about 450 places nationally in interim secure psychiatric units, many of which are of medium secure standard. The other information requested is not available centrally.

  information is available from the chairman of the North West Anglia Health Commission and the chairman of the South Downs Health NHS Trust respectively.

  Public Health Laboratory Service
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Public Health Laboratory Service abandoned work on hospital disinfectants; and if he was consulted on that decision. [13132]

  Mr. Horam
  The Public Health Laboratory Service has not abandoned work on hospital disinfectants. Its central public health laboratory maintains a continuing expertise in this field. CPHL gives expert advice in response to numerous enquiries, and has in hand a number of specific projects such as testing disinfectants which are suspected of contamination and, for the World Health Organisation, tests of systems currently used for the asepsis and safety of vaccines.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many scientists are employed in the Public Health Laboratory Service; and what number it is planned will be made redundant. [13130]

  Mr. Horam
  The Public Health Laboratory Service employs 224 scientists. Consultations on four redundant posts have recently been completed and are still proceeding on a further two scientists' posts.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the decision that the Public Health Laboratory Service would no longer be represented on EC committees engaged in writing procedures for testing disinfectants. [13131]
  21
  Mr. Horam
  The Public Health Laboratory Service continues to have an input to European consideration of matters relating to the testing of disinfectants. A PHLS representative sits on the British Standards Institute technical committee IH/57 "Chemical Disinfectants and Antiseptics", which links directly with its European counterpart.

  Family Planning
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the medical centres(a) dealing with abortion, (b) providing contraceptive advice and (c) with in vitro fertilisation facilities. [12983]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on medical centres dealing with abortion or providing contraceptive advice is not available centrally.

  On 11 October 1995 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority published "The Patients' Guide to Donor Insemination and IVF Clinics". The publication contains information on treatments offered by licensed centres. Copies are available in the Library.

  Alcohol Information Leaflets
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make funds available for the reprinting of alcohol information leaflets; and if he will make a statement. [12996]

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make money available to assist local alcohol advisory services to rewrite and reprint information leaflets, to reflect the recent changes in the Government statement on weekly guidelines for alcohol consumption. [13560]

  Mr. Bowis
  We recognise that the recommendations in the report of the interdepartmental group on sensible drinking need to be communicated effectively to the public. We are funding the Health Education Authority to do this.

  Cardiac Services, London
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for strategic planning of London's cardiac services; and what is his current plan. [13260]

  Mr. Malone
  The strategic planning of cardiac services in London—as elsewhere—is a matter for purchasing authorities and national health service trusts working together to ensure that comprehensive services are provided to meet patients' needs both now and in the future, taking into account national planning and priorities guidelines.

  Plans for developing specialist services in London are set out in "Making London Better" including an independent review of cardiac services, which was published in July 1993. Its recommendations have contributed to planning the future configuration of these services in the capital. Copies of the documents are available in the Library.
  22
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of the hospitals listed as providing specialist treatment for cardiac patients in the 1993 London implementation group report of the cardiac speciality review(a) have since closed and (b) are in the process of closure. [13245]

  Mr. Malone
  The independent review of the 14 tertiary cardiac centres in London, published in July 1993, is only part of a range of available advice taken into account in considering the future configuration of these services in the capital. In April 1995, decisions were announced on the concentration of cardiac services in south east London at St. Thomas's hospital and in east London at the Royal London hospital site at Whitechapel. Since then, cardiac services provided in outdated accommodation at the Brook hospital have transferred to Guy's hospital and St. Thomas's hospital. The Brook hospital closed in November 1995. There are no immediate plans for the closure of other hospitals named in the report.

  Junior Doctors' Hours
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many newly qualified doctors have joined the NHS in each year since 1979; and how many hours newly qualified doctors work each week on average. [13267]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the numbers of newly qualified doctors joining the NHS is not held centrally. However, the normal route is for them to become pre-registration house officers. Figures for these are shown in the table.

  Number of pre-registration house officers in England as at 30 September each year since 1979

  Year

  Number

  1979

  2,610

  1980

  2,650

  1981

  2,720

  1982

  2,710

  1983

  2,830

  1984

  2,770

  1985

  2,840

  1986

  2,810

  1987

  2,790

  1988

  2,860

  1989

  2,940

  1990

  3,020

  1991

  3,060

  1992

  3,040

  1993

  3,090

  1994

  3,020

  Normally, the duration of the PRHO training period is one year.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest '10'.

  Again, figures for the average number of hours worked each week by junior doctors, whether or not newly qualified, are not held centrally. However, returns from regional task forces on junior doctors' hours indicate that under 1 per cent. of PRHOs were contracted for hours above the December 1994 limits and under 2 per cent. in total remain above the target to be reached by December 1996. These limits are set out in the "New Deal on Junior Doctors' Hours," a copy of which is placed in the Library.

  Secure Places
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by local authorities involved in providing the 170 additional secure places required for criminal justice purposes; and when he expects all the additional places to be available. [13818]

  Mr. Bowis
  The first additional places became available in December of last year. Further new places will come on stream throughout 1996 leading to around 100 additional places being completed by the end of this year and the balance by mid-1997.

  Details of the new places being provided within the capital development programme are shown in the table.

  Local authority

  Number of new places from within the 170 supply plan

  Northumberland county council

  7

  Lancashire county council

  8

  Salford city council

  12

  Leeds city council

  9

  Sheffield city council

  8

  Coventry city council

  8

  Staffordshire county council

  12

  Derbyshire county council

  3

  Lincolnshire county council

  4

  Nottinghamshire county council

  10

  Cambridgeshire county council

  10

  Essex county council

  16

  Northamptonshire county council

  16

  Southwark London borough

  16

  Hammersmith and Fulham London borough

  10

  Hampshire county council

  5

  Avon county council

  6

  Devon county council

  4

  Wales—West Glamorgan

  6

  Total

  170

  Methylphenidate
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions his Department has had with the drug company Ciba regarding(a) the production and (b) distribution of the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [ 13700]

  (2) how much methylphenidate is produced annually; and if he will make a statement; [13698]

  (3) what further steps he is taking to control the (a) production and (b) distribution of the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [13693]

  (4) what guidance he has issued to general practitioner fundholding practices regarding the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [13699]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the effects of the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [13692]

  (6) what representations he has received on the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement. [13694]
  24
  Mr. Malone
  Methylphenidate—Ritalin—has been assessed by the normal procedures for licensing of medicinal products in the United Kingdom to ensure its efficacy, safety and quality. As for all medicines, there is continuous monitoring of safety after marketing by the Medicines Control Agency. Methylphenidate is not manufactured in this country. It is available as a prescription-only medicine under the controls of schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Any discussions between the licensing authority and the marketing authorisation holders are treated in confidence. There are no plans for further controls on the availability of methylphenidate.

  Methylphenidate—Ritalin—is licensed for use under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behaviour disorders. No guidance has been issued regarding prescribing by a general practitioner in a fundholding practice, but this may be done by mutual agreement as part of a joint protocol of care with such a specialist. The Department of Health has received representations in the form of four parliamentary questions and a small amount of correspondence.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what basis the decision was taken to make the drug methylphenidate available as a controlled drug through general practitioners; [13697]

  (2) what consultations took place prior to the decision to make the drug methylphenidate available as a controlled drug through general practitioners; on what basis it was previously available; and if he will make a statement. [13696]

  Mr. Malone
  I understand from the Home Department that methylphenidate, in conformity with the United Nations convention on psychotropic substances 1971, has been a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 since it came into force. It can therefore be prescribed by general practitioners.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the number of prescriptions dispensed for the drug methylphenidate since it became available; and if he will provide a breakdown by(a) general practitioner fundholding practice and (b) health authority for (i) the nations and (ii) regions of the United Kingdom. [13695]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department has a duty of confidence relating to the use of information derived from patient records and, following our usual practice, the information requested cannot be supplied at this level of detail because it is confidential.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collects on(a) travel expenses and (b) overseas visits made by trust personnel. [13751]

  Mr. Malone
  The National Health Service Executive collects annual information on the total staff travelling and subsistence expenditure by each trust. Information is not held centrally on overseas visits by trust personnel.
  25
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department maintains on(a) sickness levels and (b) employee dismissals in trusts. [13750]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE were confirmed in cattle(a) under two years of age, (b) between two and three years, (c) between three and four years, (d) between four and five years, (e) between five years and six years, (f) between six and seven years and (g) seven years and over for each breed of cattle in the United Kingdom, for each year since 1985. [12177]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Tables showing the number of cases of BSE by breed and age and by year of the disease for Great Britain and Northern Ireland are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Cyclamates
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each European Community country the permitted amount of cyclamates which were granted with effect from 1 January; what were the figures 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement. [12865]

  Mrs. Browning
  From 1 January 1996, all member states were required to permit the use of cyclamates in table-top sweeteners and in certain foods up to specified maximum levels in accordance with European Parliament and Council directive 94/35/EC of 30 June 1994 on sweeteners for use in foodstuffs—OJ No. L237, 10.9.94, p.3). Details concerning the maximum permissible levels of use of cyclamates in those foods are given in the annex to that directive.

  Prior to the 1 January 1996 the use of sweeteners in foods was not subject to Community legislation and national rules applied in each member state. While precise details are not available, it is understood that the use of cyclamates was authorised to varying degrees in Germany, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal. Although these sweeteners were not permitted for food use in the United Kingdom because of uncertainties over their safety, the Department of Health's independent expert committee, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment, has recently advised on the basis of the results of new studies, that there are no longer any health concerns preventing their use.

  I have arranged for the COT's statement to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many cases in September 1995 animal export health certificates were presented to his officials at Dover where the certificates or 26
  their accompanying schedules had not been completed in accordance with his Department's instructions to local veterinary inspectors; and if he will make a
  statement. [12637]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) on 26 October 1995, Official Report, column 751. Subsequent returns have identified two further minor deficiencies in documentation of which one was resolved locally and the other was referred back for resolution to the divisional veterinary manager for the area from which the animals originated.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether all consignments of animals for further fattening and calves destined for export from Brightlingsea between 18 January and 25 October 1995 arrived at the port with completed export certificates; and if consignments were unloaded from their respective vehicles and loaded into the MV Caroline with the same accompanying certificates. [12541]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: All consignments of animals for export from Brightlingsea, with one exception, arrived with completed export health certification although a number of minor irregularities were identified and resolved. The sole exception related to one certificate for slaughter sheep which was not signed and stamped by a LVI and the consignment had to be re-certified by a LVI at the port. All consignments were loaded on to the vessel in such a way as to ensure that individual consignments of animals remained segregated, each with the same accompanying health certification.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consignments of sheep for further fattening and calves were issued with an export health certificate for exit through the port of Brightlingsea between 18 January and 25 October 1995. [12542]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: Export health certification is not specific to a port, but 384 consignments of sheep and 664 consignments of calves were exported from the port in this period. It is not possible to given separate figures for sheep for slaughter and for further fattening except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the anomalies in respect of the implementation of health export certificates for calves between(a) Holland, (b) Belgium, (c) France, (d) Italy and (e) the United Kingdom. [12916]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: All certificates for export of live animals to other EC member states are drawn up to ensure that they meet the necessary animal health requirements.

PRIME MINISTER

  Prime Minister's Question Time
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since 9 June 1995 when answers given at Prime Minister's Question Time were subsequently corrected or otherwise qualified. [13669]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter of public record.

  Crime Rates
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 773, if he will set out the basis of his statement that crime is falling for the first time in 40 years. [13721]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 1 February 1996,Official Report, columns 1120–21.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Pendle Borough Council
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the
  Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the organisations located within the boundaries of Pendle borough council that received grants from the Duchy's benevolent fund in
  (i) 1994 and (ii) 1995. [13144]

  Mr. Freeman
  I am not a trustee of the benevolent fund and thus do not have details of donations. However the Secretary of the fund has provided the following information:

  Year

  Fund

  £

  1994

  Burnley and Pendle Greenspace

  400

  A handicapped lady in Nelson

  250

  1995

  A young person in Earby

  200

  Mansfield High school Brierfield

  400

  Barnoldswick Park Rovers FC

  450

  Pendle Duke of Edinburgh's award team

  1,000

  Colne parish church

  500

  Donations are also made to other charities which may assist causes or individuals within the boundaries of Pendle borough council.

  Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what cost savings he expects to accrue from the contracting out of the principal civil service pension scheme; [12932]

  (2) what representations he has received from members of the principal civil service pension scheme concerning the contracting out of the scheme; and what percentage of those representations have been in favour of the contracting out proposals; [12936]

  (3) when the decision to contact out the principal civil service pension scheme was taken; [12934]
  28
  (4) what the level of investment in the administration of the principal civil service pension scheme has been since 1992; [12933]

  (5) how many members there are in the principal civil service pension scheme; [12937]

  (6) if he will make a statement on the conclusion of the efficiency scrutiny into the principal civil service pension scheme, published in December 1992, with particular reference to administration of the scheme; [12931]

  (7) what discussions his Department has had with the current administrators of the principal civil service pension scheme with respect to the contracting-out of the principal civil service pension scheme. [12935]

  Mr. Willetts
  The efficiency scrutiny of administration of the principal civil service pension scheme identified the administration function as suitable for market testing and recommended that departments should be encouraged to pursue this. All the recommendations of the scrutiny were accepted, including those directed at raising standards of service quality and delivery to scheme members. New pensions administration software is being developed at a cost of some £1.2 million. This will facilitate the market testing process and make it particularly effective. Employing departments have been fully involved in the development of the new software, as they have with other aspects of implementation of the efficiency scrutiny recommendations.

  There are some 520,000 active members of the PCSPS. Some 544,000 former civil servants or their dependants are in receipt of a pension, and there are approximately 240,000 former civil servants with pension benefits preserved for payment at pension age.

  It is not possible to specify in advance the savings which result from subjecting particular activities to competition, but I have no reason to doubt that market testing PCSPS administration will identify cost savings consistent with the average saving of 21 per cent. that has resulted from the £2.6 billion worth of activities reviewed under the competing for quality programme in the three years to March 1995.

  My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam), announced in a written answer on 17 October 1995, Official Report, columns 184–85, that an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 opening up administration of the PCSPS to the private sector would be laid in this Session of Parliament. Various representations that had been made were taken fully into account in the decision to open up to competition the administration of the PCSPS. The Council of Civil Service Unions and the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance have been formally consulted. I can assure scheme members that occupational pension arrangements for civil servants will continue to be provided through the PCSPS and that the scheme will continue to be managed and controlled by the Office of Public Service. It is scheme administration that is to be market tested.

  Deregulation
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which regulations have been repealed under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994; and which of them applied to firms with(a) under 100 employees, (b) under 50 employees and (c) under 10 employees. [13099]

  Mr. Freeman
  Two orders have been enacted under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. They contain a number of measures to assist the greyhound industry and building societies. Both measures benefit industry as a whole and were not targeted specifically at small businesses.

  A further 19 proposals have been laid before the Parliamentary Committees which will ease burdens on a wide range of industrial sectors including Scottish salmon fishers and private companies.

  European Directives
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the interdepartmental review of guidance on gold plating is planned to be completed; and which Departments have been involved. [13617]

  Mr. Freeman
  It is expected that the interdepartmental review of guidance on gold plating will be completed by Easter. All Departments with responsibility for implementing EC directives are involved in the review.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date it became Government policy not to gold plate EC directives; and how may(a) existing pieces of legislation have been reviewed and (b) changes to United Kingdom law have been made since that date. [13635]

  Mr. Freeman
  This Government's long-standing policy on the implementation of EC directives in the UK has been to avoid the addition of unnecessary burdens. Government Departments keep existing legislation under review in the light of this policy.

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were booked in 1995 by non-United Kingdom based aircraft from each foreign air force. [12893]

  Mr. Soames
  The number of sorties booked in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1995 by non-United Kingdom-based foreign aircraft were as follows:

  Number

  Belgium

  154

  Denmark

  99

  France

  139

  Germany

  111

  Holland

  164

  Italy

  115

  New Zealand

  1

  Norway

  45

  30

  Number

  Portugal

  21

  Switzerland

  4

  USA

  53

  Total

  906

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the pilots of the four Italian air force AMXs involved in an aircraft proximity incident near Teesside airport on 12 July 1994 were(a) given a pre-flight briefing by RAF personnel on the rules of the United Kingdom low flying system and (b) interviewed by the Royal Air Force personnel following the report of the incident; and how many formal approaches seeking a report from the Italian pilots were made to the Italian authorities by the Civil Aviation Authority personnel. [13255]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:(a) yes; (b) no. The Civil Aviation Authority advised that it has no records of any formal approaches to the Italian" authorities.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to Royal Air Force Chinook crews concerning the safety aspects of prolonged cruising flight at heights of less than 300 ft above ground level. [13211]

  Mr. Soames
  To maintain essential skills for operational low flying, it is routine for RAF Chinook crews to train below 300 ft above ground level. Normal RAF rules for low flying apply and Chinook crews receive training, both in the simulator and in the aircraft, to cope with emergencies which might arise.

  Arms Sales (Saudi Arabia)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of Sir Colin Chandler in respect of arms deals with the Government of Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [13102]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  While head of defence sales, from 1985 to 1989, Sir Colin Chandler discussed the sale of British defence equipment with many countries including Saudi Arabia.

  Munitions Dumping
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Huddersfield of 19 January,Official Report, columns 844–45, for what reasons complete records of past Ministry sea dumping operations are not available. [13382]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is contained in correspondence between my Department and the House of Commons Defence Committee, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
  31
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all(a) ships sunk and (b) aircraft ditched off the coast of the United Kingdom since 1966 which records list as carrying (i) chemical weapons, (ii) toxic wastes and (iii) conventional explosives and munitions; and if he will make a statement on the environmental impact of these wrecks. [13352]

  Mr. Soames
  There are no records of either accidental or deliberate sinkings of RN ships or ditchings of military aircraft carrying these materials.

  Tornado Accidents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving a Royal Air Force Tornado GR.l on 11 January. [13212]

  Mr. Soames
  A RAF board of inquiry is conducting a detailed investigation into the cause of this accident and a copy of a summary of its findings will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nationality of each of the crew involved in the mid-air collision between two Tornado F.3 aircraft on 10 January. [13213]

  Mr. Soames
  The crews were British.

  Air Misses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates, aircraft types and nationalities, locations, risk classifications and causes of air misses involving military aircraft in United Kingdom airspace from 1 January 1994 to the latest available date. [13207]

  Mr. Soames
  Information on air misses in the UK is published by the Civil Aviation Authority three times a year in the joint air miss working group compendium, copies of which are routinely placed in the Library of the House.

  Aircraft Proximity Incident (Perth)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel, and from which units, were on board the Portuguese air force helicopter involved in an aircraft proximity incident at Perth airfield on 6 June 1994. [13254]
  32
  Mr. Soames
  There is no record that any British military personnel were on board.

  Italian Air Force (Exchange Visits)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates of exchange visits by aircraft or crews from No. 56 Squadron Royal Air Force to units of the Italian air force since 1992. [13214]

  Mr. Soames
  Aircraft and crew from No. 56 Squadron have taken part in exchange visits to units of the Italian air force on the following occasions since 1992:

  10–12 October 1994: to Aviano

  17–19 March 1995: to Grossetto

  21–27 April 1995: to Ghedi

  22 June: to Grossetto

  4–6 July 1995: to Gioia Del Colle

  Official Residences
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
  what decision has been made about the future of the official service residence, Haymes Garth; and if he will make a statement. [14019]

  Mr. Soames
  Haymes Garth will be sold on the open market. Thereafter, the air officer commanding in chief, personnel and training command will be accommodated in an existing quarter adjacent to his headquarters which is presently occupied by the air officer training. Disposal will follow AOT's vacation of the quarter on completion of his tour of duty.

  Land Mines (Bosnia)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the dangers of anti-personnel land mines for implementation force troops in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement. [12274]

  Mr. Soames
  IFOR estimates that up to 5 million land mines, including anti-personnel mines, may have been laid in Bosnia. Under the terms of the peace agreement, the clearance of mines and related devices is the responsibility of the consenting parties themselves. IFOR's role is limited to monitoring and co-ordinating this programme, except where there is a serious threat to life or where clearance is necessary to allow IFOR to complete assigned tasks. In a tragic incident on 28 January, three British service men were killed when their armoured vehicle triggered a mine while on patrol.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of staff employed by his Department or related agencies in each of the travel-to-work areas of Carmarthen, South Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan on(a) 31 March 1979, (b) 31 March 1990, (c) 31 March 1992, (d) 31 March 1995, (e) the latest available figure and (f) the estimate for 31 March 1997. [13298]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Historical information is not available in the form requested. However, data are available for 1 April 1995 and 1 April 1998. Details are:

  Travel to work area1

  1 April 1995

  21 April 1998

  Carmarthen

  750

  740

  South Pembrokeshire

  1,050

  873

  Haverfordwest

  1,021

  870

  Fishguard

  992

  852

  Cardigan

  540

  468

  1 Travel to work area is defined as a radius of 25 miles.

  2 1 April 1998 figures are a forecast based on current plans and could be subject to change.

  1. Figures are for civilian and service personnel.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
  if all individuals that served in the Gulf war will now qualify for medical assessment following his recent announcement. [13754]

  Mr. Soames
  All service and ex-service personnel who think that they are suffering some form of illness as a result of their service in the Gulf war are entitled, upon referral by a service medical officer or general practitioner, to be seen under the medical assessment programme run by my Department.

  Equal Treatment Directive
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, (1) pursuant to his answer of 23 January,Official Report, column 139, if he will list the measures taken by his Department to implement article 7 of the equal treatment directive; and when each was taken; [13587]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the documents showing how article 7 of the equal treatment directive has been implemented by his Department. [13588]

  Mr. Soames
  Members of the armed forces were brought within the scope of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 on 1 February 1995, the effective date of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Application to Armed Forces etc.) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/3276). Sections 4 and 6 of the SDA have the effect of implementing article 7 of the equal treatment directive. Copies of all these documents are already held in the Library of the House.

  Royal Flight
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flights are charged to the Privy Purse when the aircraft of B2 (the Royal Squadron) return to 34
  base between the outward and return journey by the passenger. [13684]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department does not levy a charge for the positioning or recovery of flights associated with private travel in aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal Squadron) by those entitled members of the royal family.

ENVIRONMENT

  European Commission Meeting
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what matters relating to the environment were discussed at the European Commission weekly meeting on 24 January. [12683]

  Mr. Clappison
  The agenda for the weekly Commission meeting is a matter for the Commission rather than my Department. I understand, however, that at the meeting on 24 January the Commission adopted its review of the fifth environmental action programme.

  Wind Farm, Forest of Bowland
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the possibility of a wind farm in the forest of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty. [12597]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish(a) the proposed or actual total external support in 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 and (b) the proposed or actual spending limit, taking into account the revision of Somerset's spending limit during 1995–96 for each of the seven counties of the south-west plus Kent, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. [11827]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information is given in the following tables.

  Total external support (revenue support grant + income from non-domestic rates + damping grants)

  £ million

  Local authority

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Somerset

  199.328

  186.054

  197.383

  Cornwall

  215.42

  208.475

  220.175

  Devon

  449.441

  434.932

  463.274

  Dorset

  255.181

  247.173

  260.960

  Avon

  413.732

  387.500

  —

  Wiltshire

  238.899

  222.890

  233.338

  Gloucestershire

  224.118

  215.769

  227.311

  Kent

  754.492

  714.126

  744.804

  Oxfordshire

  234.920

  221.320

  229.819

  Warwickshire

  198.916

  186.319

  197.072

  Provisional cap limits

  £ million

  Local authority

  1994–95

  1995–96

  21996–97

  Somerset

  280.204

  1264.920

  279.277

  Cornwall

  294.73

  280.749

  296.637

  35

  Provisional cap limits

  £ million

  Local authority

  1994–95

  1995–96

  21996–97

  Devon

  622.177

  592.045

  627.857

  Dorset

  373.866

  358.274

  379.241

  Avon

  588.244

  558.317

  n/a

  Wiltshire

  336.801

  313.981

  330.177

  Gloucestershire

  318.382

  300.713

  317.968

  Kent

  1005.828

  955.879

  1004.539

  Oxfordshire

  330.891

  315.959

  332.024

  Warwickshire

  288.339

  273.596

  287.877

  1 Figure shown is the cap imposed on Somerset; Somerset's provisional cap limit for 1995–96 was £262.320 million.

  2 Cap limits implied by provisional criteria for 1996–97, announced on 31 January 1996.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the
  Environment what was(a) the per capita and (b) the total standard spending assessment in both current and real terms for Hereford and Worcester county council for (a) social services, (b) education and (c) total council expenditure in (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94, (iii) 1994–95, (iv) 1995–96 and (v) 1996–97. [12070]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information is as follows:

  SSA for each category of spending in education for the years 1991–92 to 1996–97 inclusive

  SSA element

  Local authority

  Primary education

  Secondary education

  Post 16 education

  Under 5 education

  Other education

  Total

  1991–92

  Lancashire

  179.247

  198.909

  92.713

  22.900

  24.031

  517.800

  Essex

  183.498

  218.819

  90.652

  21.632

  23.523

  538.123

  Kent

  181.129

  213.555

  92.536

  22.099

  23.990

  533.309

  Hampshire

  179.192

  197.356

  101.458

  22.770

  24.140

  524.916

  1992–93

  Lancashire

  191.442

  209.223

  102.651

  24.919

  25.012

  553.247

  Essex

  196.384

  232.814

  102.760

  23.912

  24.945

  580.814

  Kent

  192.767

  225.967

  100.210

  24.136

  25.051

  568.131

  Hampshire

  193.503

  209.809

  109.316

  24.830

  25.182

  562.640

  1993–94

  Lancashire

  193.978

  211.548

  18.347

  24.725

  24.562

  473.160

  Essex

  203.468

  240.749

  34.788

  25.188

  26.534

  530.727

  Kent

  201.056

  235.907

  47.953

  25.740

  26.704

  537.360

  Hampshire

  203.178

  219.978

  11.352

  26.346

  27.623

  488.477

  1994–95

  Lancashire

  200.410

  211.902

  18.264

  25.773

  23.593

  479.942

  Essex

  214.362

  246.484

  34.373

  28.051

  25.248

  548.518

  Kent

  211.578

  240.234

  48.900

  27.953

  24.857

  553.522

  Hampshire

  213.330

  224.759

  11.244

  28.230

  25.427

  502.990

  1995–96

  Lancashire

  204.835

  211.310

  17.384

  26.372

  24.078

  483.978

  Essex

  218.850

  235.083

  31.779

  28.851

  25.892

  540.456

  Kent

  217.906

  237.703

  49.414

  28.640

  25.400

  559.063

  Hampshire

  217.771

  221.297

  9.239

  28.678

  25.572

  502.556

  1996–97

  Lancashire

  216.964

  223.726

  18.074

  28.439

  23.246

  510.448

  Essex

  230.935

  248.624

  31.758

  30.963

  24.701

  566.981

  Kent

  229.337

  246.442

  51.288

  30.520

  24.147

  581.733

  Hampshire

  229.349

  230.093

  10.680

  30.660

  24.371

  525.153

  36

  Hereford and Worcester County Council Standard Spending Assessments

  SSA

  Year

  Education

  Social services

  Total

  1992–93

  358

  70

  587

  1993–94

  308 (299)

  75 (73)

  543 (528)

  1994–95

  314(299)

  89 (85)

  562 (536)

  1995–96

  320 (297)

  101 (94)

  531 (493)

  1996–97

  331 (299)

  114(103)

  556 (502)

  SSA

  Year

  Education

  Social services

  Total

  1992–93

  241.88

  47.19

  397.04

  1993–94

  211.59

  51.24(49.78)

  372.57 (362.00)

  1994–95

  216.53

  61.28 (58.45)

  388.04 (370.09)

  1995–96

  219.79

  69.57 (64.57)

  364.55 (338.39)

  1996–97

  229.01

  78.60 (71.01)

  384.19 (347.07)

  £ million (figures in parenthesis are at 1992–93 prices, using the current GDP deflators).

  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give figures for standard spending assessments to cover each category of spending in education for the counties of(a) Lancashire, (b) Essex, (c) Kent and (d) Hampshire each year since 1991–92. [12492]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information is given in the table.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of whether health and safety arrangements made by contractors and security companies employed to clear the route of the Newbury bypass are sufficient to minimise risks to the public. [12745]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Health and Safety Executive inspectors are working closely with the contractors, security company, the Highways Agency, police and local authorities and are monitoring site activities to ensure that risks to the health and safety of the public are minimised.

  Right to Buy (Discounts)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since 1980–81 the total value of discounts to public sector tenants in England exercising their right to buy. [13090]

  Mr. Clappison
  Figures for discounts given to council tenants exercising their right-to-buy were not collected by the Department before 1994, nor were such data collected in respect of new town tenants. However, information is available for the total value of discounts allowed from all sales of council dwellings for owner-occupation in England and this is shown in the table:

  Value of discounts allowed on completed disposals by local authorities and New Towns

  England

  1980–81 to 1994–95 £ million

  1980–81

  430.8

  1981–82

  926.4

  1982–83

  1,316.4

  1983–84

  960.2

  1984–85

  885.1

  1985–86

  914.8

  1986–87

  1,089.9

  1987–88

  1,557.0

  1988–89

  2,688.2

  1989–90

  2,865.2

  1990–91

  1,800.2

  1991–92

  1,167.9

  1992–93

  880.1

  1993–94

  1,011.6

  1994–95

  918.4

  The number of public sector sales for owner-occupation during this period was about 1.450 million, and 85 per cent. of such sales resulted from tenants exercising their right-to-buy.

  Whales
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many whales have become stranded and have died around the shore of the United Kingdom in each year since 1990; what research he has commissioned into the causes; and what advice he has issued to local authorities on the disposal of the carcases. [13143]

  Mr. Clappison
  The numbers of whales, including dolphins and porpoises, recorded as stranded around the United Kingdom since 1990 are shown in the table.
  38
  The marine mammals stranding project, funded by the Department of the Environment and the Welsh Office, includes post mortems to study gross pathology, bacteriology and virology. Results of post mortems have been used to consider contaminant levels and incidences of bycatch in fishing nets.

  The project co-ordinators and veterinarians offer advice to local authorities on disposal of carcases according to individual circumstances including the location, the size of carcase, and matters affecting public health and safety.

  Numbers of whales (including dolphins and porpoises) stranded and perished around the shores of the United Kingdom since 1990

  Year

  Total strandings

  Confirmed live when stranded

  Live strandings which subsequently perished

  1990

  147

  8

  8

  1991

  192

  14

  10

  1992

  423

  15

  5

  1993

  321

  25

  16

  1994

  368

  55

  31

  19951

  252

  20

  15

  19961

  36

  0

  0

  1 Provisional (some data still to be assimilated).

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, columns 648–50, if he will provide a breakdown of the total costs of holding common user estate space vacant in 1995–96, to show how much of the cost is due to space vacated by each Government Department. [13742]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Vacant space is managed by Property Holdings as an entity. Once space has been surrendered to Property Holdings in accordance with the established rules, the identity of the former occupant or occupants becomes unimportant. In consequence, financial information on vacant space costs does not identify the last occupant. This information is therefore not available.

  Water Companies (Delayed Payments)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the cost to council tax payers of water companies' delaying payment for works undertaken on their behalf by local authorities. [13201]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None. Any arrangements between local authorities and water companies are a matter for the individual parties concerned.

  Planning (Warminster)
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all those(a) organisations and (b) individuals who have made representations to his Department concerning planning application no. W95/0535 at Folly lane, Warminster. [12928]
  39
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State has received representations from

  (a) MAFF, and

  (b) WD Gregory (enclosing petition containing 365 signatures)

  Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Burton

  Mrs. R. D. Irwin

  Mrs. P. M. Robertson

  Mrs. L. P. Anderson

  Councillor John Syme, Wiltshire CC

  C. Bell

  C. R. Bell

  M. G. Bryant

  A. M. Kinman

  Garry Jones

  Michael Hibbs

  S. D. Pick

  A. Pick

  J. M. May

  G. T. Sprangle

  N. Hill

  A. Burt

  G. Hill

  A. M. Stewart

  David Faber MP

  There have also been four representations received where an address was not given. They therefore cannot be acknowledged and consequently have not been taken into account.

  Standard Spending Assessment (Buckinghamshire)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the standard spending assessment in each year since 1990–91 for (i) Buckinghamshire county council, (ii) Aylesbury Vale district council, (iii)
  Chiltern district council and (iv) Wycombe district council. [13351]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information is given in the table.

  Table to show the total SSA for the years 1990–91 to 1996–97 inclusive

  Total SSA local authority

  Year

  Buckinghamshire

  Aylesbury Vale

  Chiltern

  Wycombe

  1990–91

  324.970

  9.593

  4.213

  9.510

  1991–92

  385.943

  12.541

  5.333

  12.181

  1992–93

  418.926

  13.435

  5.606

  13.090

  1993–94

  409.877

  13.595

  6.105

  13.506

  1994–95

  427.261

  13.401

  7.185

  14.223

  1995–96

  393.493

  13.414

  7.226

  14.231

  1996–97

  408.220

  12.685

  7.078

  13.404

  Government Accommodation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of Government accommodation in(a) the SW1 postal district of London and (b) the remainder of the United Kingdom is currently vacant. [13741]
  40
  Sir Paul Beresford
  Property Holdings is responsible for the whole of the Government common user (office) estate in which Government Departments and their agencies are housed. At 31 December 1995:

  (a) The total area of the CUE offices in SW1 was 856,377 sq metres of which 66,271 sq metres was vacant. (7.7 per cent.)

  (b) The total area of the CUE was 7,496,713 sq metres of which 1,017,304 sq metres was vacant (13.6 per cent.) When the SW1 area is excluded from the national figure, the CUE area of the remainder of the United Kingdom reduces to 6,613,336 sq metres of which 951,033 sq metres (14.4 per cent.) was vacant.

  Furs
  Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to implement European Union regulation 3254/91 requiring a ban on the import of furs from animals caught in leghold traps; and if he will make a statement. [13590]
  Mr. Clappison
  The UK wishes to see leghold traps phased out as quickly as possible, and has strongly supported the EU regulation introduced in 1991 for this purpose. We have expressed our disappointment with the Commission's proposal to postpone the ban on import of furs caught by leghold traps, and have urged it to bring forward stronger measures. However, the 1991 regulation requires the Commission to determine which countries have met the conditions to import furs into the Community. Since this has not been done, and the necessary implementing measures have not been adopted, there is some doubt as to whether member states would be acting lawfully if they attempted to implement a fur import ban on 1 January 1996. In view of this, and the absence of routine controls in intra-Community trade, the Government have reluctantly concluded that it would not be appropriate to implement the ban.

  Rough Sleepers, London
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the number of deaths of rough sleepers during the very cold spell over Christmas and the new year; if he will estimate the number who died from causes directly attributed to the cold weather; and if he will make a statement. [9970]

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 22 January 1996]: This information is not held centrally.

  Council Houses
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses in the United Kingdom are currently unfit for habitation. [10501]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 23 January 1996]: The 1991 English house condition survey found 307,000—7.7 per cent.—local authority dwellings in England to be unfit under section 604 of the Housing Act 1985, as amended by schedule 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Scotland does not operate a comparable standard of fitness. The figures for Wales and Northern Ireland may be available from the respective Secretaries of State.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Transsexuals)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the guidelines for the treatment of transsexuals in prison; what plans he has to review these; and what is the time scale for the review. [12842]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about what guidelines there are for the treatment of transsexuals in prison, what plans there are to review them and what is the timescale for any review.

  No formal guidelines have been issued to Prison Service establishments on the care, management and treatment of transsexuals in prison. Clinicians have, however, always been able to call on advice from the Prison Service's directorate of health care to assist them in dealing with individual cases.

  The general principles underlying such advice were set out in letters to you of 29 June 1994 and 22 May 1995, from the former Director General, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The directorate of health care does intend to draw up some formal guidelines to assist clinicians in the field, who may have to deal with transsexuals. It does however, have many competing priorities for its resources and I cannot say when the work will be completed.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of(a) boys and (b) girls to the age of 18 years who are at present serving prison sentences in England and Wales (i) for murder and (ii) for manslaughter of children. [12851]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking, what is the number of (a) boys and (b) girls to the age of 18 years who are at present serving prison sentences in England and Wales (i) for murder and (ii) for manslaughter of children.

  The latest information is for 30 January 1996 and is given in the attached table.

  Population of persons aged under 18 years1 currently serving prison sentences in England and Wales for murder of children and manslaughter of children, by sex, on 30 January 19962

  Offence

  Boys

  Girls

  Murder of children

  3

  —

  Manslaughter of children

  —

  1

  Total

  3

  1

  'The age interpretation used is where age is currently under 18, convicted of murder/manslaughter of someone who was also under 18.

  2 Includes those in Prison Service establishments and local authority secure accommodation.

  British Citizenship (Hong Kong)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the deadline for applications from Hong Kong residents for British citizenship; and what arrangements govern applications made after that date. [13145]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Applications from principal beneficiaries for the governor's recommendation for registration as a British citizen under section 1(1) of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990 were to be made before 31 March 1994 or, in the case of an application made in response to an invitation from the governor, before the date specified in the invitation. Applications for recommendation for registration as a British citizen as the spouse or minor child of a principle beneficiary under section 1(4) are to be made before 31 December 1996. Thereafter, the sole avenue to British citizenship for Hong Kong residents who do not already hold that status will be by way of an application for registration or naturalisation under the British Nationality Act 1981. Such applications are not subject to any deadline.

  Civil Defence Grant
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in respect of civil defence grant allocations for the financial year 1996–97 for each metropolitan fire and civil defence authority, each metropolitan borough, each London borough, each county council and each unitary authority, the expenditure approved by him for grant aid at a rate of 100 per cent. on(a) emergency planning staff, (b) other employees' expenses, (c) rent, rates and premises service charges, (d) other premises-related expenses, (e) offices expenses, (f) departmental recharges, (g) miscellaneous supplies and services and (h) training and exercising costs and the expenditure on activities eligible for grant aid at a rate of 75 per cent.; and if he will make a statement. [13106]

  Mr. Sackville
  Civil defence grant is provided to local authorities as a contribution towards their expenses in meeting their civil defence responsibilities. The following table sets out the total approved expenditure for 1996–97 in respect of each fire and civil defence authority, metropolitan district, London borough, county council and unitary authority. I regret that it would be possible to provide a meaningful breakdown of this expenditure for all the authorities in the nine categories requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Authority

  Expenditure

  Counties

  Bedfordshire

  196,125

  Berkshire

  224,465

  Buckinghamshire

  210,860

  Cambridgeshire

  225,275

  Cheshire

  252,340

  Cornwall

  238,050

  Cumbria

  224,000

  Derbyshire

  266,450

  Devon

  281,575

  Dorset

  252,000

  Durham

  252,000

  Essex

  336,575

  East Sussex

  238,550

  Gloucestershire

  226,112

  43

  Authority

  Expenditure

  Hampshire

  329,250

  Hereford and Worcester

  266,462

  Hertfordshire

  280,250

  Kent

  338,000

  Lancashire

  307,730

  Leicestershire

  266,000

  Lincolnshire

  238,000

  Norfolk

  238,000

  Northamptonshire

  238,000

  Northumberland

  224,550

  North Yorkshire

  197,530

  Nottinghamshire

  253,362

  Oxfordshire

  213,125

  Shropshire

  224,000

  Somerset

  212,570

  Staffordshire

  266,000

  Suffolk

  238,000

  Surrey

  294,740

  Warwickshire

  211,593

  West Sussex

  238,350

  Wiltshire

  211,875

  FCDAs

  Greater Manchester

  334,000

  London

  not yet approved

  Merseyside

  369,000

  South Yorkshire

  229,000

  Tyne and Wear

  369,000

  West Midlands

  194,000

  West Yorkshire

  195,775

  Districts

  Barking

  35,000

  Barnet

  35,000

  Bexley

  35,000

  Brent

  35,000

  Bromley

  35,233

  Camden

  35,000

  Corporation

  35,000

  Croydon

  35,000

  Ealing

  35,000

  Enfield

  35,000

  Greenwich

  35,000

  Hackney

  35,000

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  35,000

  Haringey

  35,000

  Harrow

  35,000

  Havering

  35,000

  Hillingdon

  35,000

  Hounslow

  not yet approved

  Islington

  35,000

  Kensington and Chelsea

  35,000

  Kingston

  35,000

  Lambeth

  35,000

  Lewisham

  35,000

  Merton

  35,000

  Newham

  not yet approved

  Redbridge

  35,000

  Richmond

  35,000

  Southwark

  35,000

  Sutton

  35,000

  Tower Hamlets

  35,000

  Waltham Forest

  35,000

  Wandsworth

  35,000

  Westminster

  35,000

  Bradford

  35,000

  Calderdale

  35,000

  Kirklees

  35,000

  Leeds

  35,000

  Wakefield

  35,000

  Birmingham

  35,000

  Coventry

  35,000

  Dudley

  35,000

  Sandwell

  35,000

  44

  Authority

  Expenditure

  Solihull

  35,000

  Walsall

  35,000

  Wolverhampton

  35,000

  Barnsley

  35,000

  Doncaster

  35,000

  Rotherham

  35,000

  Bolton

  35,000

  Bury

  35,000

  Manchester

  35,750

  Oldham

  35,000

  Rochdale

  35,000

  Trafford

  35,000

  Bristol

  56,000

  Bath and North-East Somerset

  56,000

  South Gloucester

  56,000

  North Somerset

  56,000

  Hartlepool

  196,000

  Middlesborough

  see Hartlepool

  Stockton

  see Hartlepool

  Redcar and Cleveland

  see Hartlepool

  Hull

  not yet approved

  North Lincoln

  not yet approved

  North-East Lincoln

  not yet approved

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  not yet approved

  Isle of Wight

  168,662

  York

  55,400

  Denbighshire

  not yet approved

  Flintshire

  not yet approved

  Wrexham

  not yet approved

  Cardiganshire

  not yet approved

  Carmarthenshire

  not yet approved

  Pembrokeshire

  not yet approved

  Blaenau Gwent

  not yet approved

  Monmouthshire

  not yet approved

  Newport

  not yet approved

  Torfaen

  not yet approved

  Aberconwy and Colwyn Bay

  not yet approved

  Anglesey

  not yet approved

  Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire

  not yet approved

  Cardiff

  not yet approved

  Vale of Glamorgan

  not yet approved

  Caerphilly

  not yet approved

  Bridgend

  not yet approved

  Merthyr Tydfil

  not yet approved

  Rhondda Cynon and Taff

  not yet approved

  Neath and Port Talbot

  not yet approved

  Swansea

  not yet approved

  Powys

  not yet approved

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 56, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the cases of Tamil asylum seekers involved in the incident of 13 February 1989. [13095]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on 22 January 1996,Official Report, column 56. If he would care to provide further details of the incident he has in mind to enable the cases to be identified, I will arrange for inquiries to be made.

  Prison Population
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the projected prison population for England and Wales for(a) 30 June 1996, (b) 30 June 1997, (c) 30 June 1998 and (d) 30 June 1999. [13279]
  45
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. George Howarth, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking for the projected prison population of England and Wales for 1996–99.

  The latest long term prison population projections were published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 4/95 'Projections of the Long Term Trends in the Prison Population to 2002', a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The next update of the long term projections is due to be published in spring 1996.

  Revised short term projections that cover a period of 18 months were produced in October 1995, based on an assessment of current trends. The population is expected to be about 52,700 by June 1996.

  Prison Service Costs
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the planned expenditure on the Prison Service for(a) capital and (b) running costs in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98 and (iii) 1998–99. [13386]

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

  Letter from A.J. Pearson to Mr. Jack Straw, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the planned expenditure on the Prison Service for the next three years.

  The provision agreed in the 1995 Public Expenditure Survey is given below.

  The figures shown are for conventional capital funding. We are now exploring the scope for private finance of capital investment.

  £ million

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Current

  1,404

  1,389

  1,433

  Capital

  117

  110

  112

  Total

  1,521

  1,499

  1,545

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give figures for each prison establishment showing(a) the projected current expenditure for 1995–96, (b) the projected current expenditure for 1996–97 and (c) both the percentage and absolute change in each case. [12766]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about projected current expenditure for each prison establishment.

  The information, by area, is given in the attached table.
  46

  Establishment

  Projected amount expenditure 1995–96, (£ million rounded)

  Provisional allocation for 1996–97, (£ million rounded)

  Percentage variation

  Actual variation

  East Midlands

  Lincoln

  10.8

  10.5

  -2.6

  -280k

  Lindholme

  10.8

  10.7

  -1.1

  -120k

  Moorland

  10.9

  11.2

  +2.7

  +295k

  Morton Hall

  2.3

  2.4

  +4.1

  +95k

  North Sea Camp

  2.9

  2.9

  +1.5

  +43k

  Nottingham

  5.7

  6.7

  +19.1

  +1.1m

  Ranby

  6.8

  8.3

  +22.4

  +1.5m

  Stocken

  6.4

  6.3

  -1.9

  -125k

  Whatton

  4.0

  3.9

  -1.8

  -70k

  North-east

  Acklington

  9.1

  8.5

  -7.4

  -680k

  Castington

  5.8

  5.6

  -3.5

  -202k

  Durham

  15.2

  17.2

  +13.2

  +2.0m

  Frankland

  15.4

  15.2

  -0.8

  -130k

  Full Sutton

  19.7

  19.1

  -3.1

  -614k

  Holme House

  12.2

  13.3

  +8.9

  +1.1m

  Kirklevington

  2.0

  1.9

  -2.2

  -44k

  Low Newton

  5.3

  5.1

  -2.9

  -154k

  North-west

  Garth

  9.9

  9.9

  +0.1

  +12k

  Haverigg

  7.4

  6.9

  -6.0

  -442k

  Hindley

  7.9

  10.0

  +26.6

  +2.1m

  Kirkham

  6.9

  6.7

  -2.7

  -187k

  Lancaster Castle

  4.2

  4.3

  +2.8

  +115k

  Lancaster Farms

  8.0

  9.5

  +18.5

  +1.5m

  Preston

  11.4

  11.1

  -3.0

  -348k

  Thorn Cross

  4.3

  5.5

  +27.6

  +1.2m

  Wymott

  9.5

  13.5

  +42.2

  +4.0m

  Trans Pennine

  Leeds

  18.9

  17.3

  -8.4

  -1.6m

  Liverpool

  21.6

  21.3

  -1.3

  -290k

  Manchester

  21.1

  20.4

  -3.2

  -668k

  New Hall

  5.6

  5.6

  -0.8

  -441k

  Risley

  15.4

  14.7

  -4.0

  -622k

  Styal

  6.2

  6.1

  -1.1

  -71k

  Wakefield

  17.1

  16.9

  -1.3

  -219k

  Yorkshire

  Askham Grange

  2.3

  2.2

  -2.3

  -53k

  Deerbolt

  7.6

  7.3

  -4.0

  -307k

  Everthorpe

  6.2

  6.7

  +8.1

  +503k

  Hatfield

  3.7

  3.5

  -6.3

  -235k

  Hull

  11.5

  12.0

  +4.3

  +497k

  Northallerton

  4.7

  4.5

  -4.0

  -188k

  Wealstun

  7.9

  8.9

  +11.8

  +936k

  Wetherby

  3.7

  3.5

  -4.3

  -158k

  Central

  Ashwell

  5.7

  5.6

  -1.7

  -98k

  Birmingham

  16.6

  16.1

  -3.1

  -517k

  Brinsford

  9.2

  8.8

  -4.4

  -408k

  Featherstone

  8.9

  8.4

  -5.8

  -521k

  Gartree

  8.0

  7.9

  -1.0

  -82k

  Glen Parva

  13.4

  12.9

  -4.3

  -583k

  Leicester

  8.4

  8.4

  +0.6

  +48k

  Long Lartin

  14.3

  13.8

  -3.4

  -485k

  Stafford

  10.1

  9.6

  -4.7

  -470k

  Mercia

  Brockhill

  3.3

  3.4

  +3.3

  109k

  Drake Hall

  3.9

  3.7

  -3.7

  -142k

  Hewell Grange

  2.6

  2.7

  2.7

  +69k

  Shrewsbury

  5.9

  5.5

  -5.5

  -320k

  Stoke Heath

  6.1

  6.0

  -1.8

  -111k

  Sudbury/Foston

  6.2

  6.1

  -0.6

  -35k

  Swinfen Hall

  4.5

  4.3

  -2.8

  -127k

  Werrington

  2.4

  2.3

  -2.4

  -57k

  East Anglia

  Blundeston

  7.9

  7.6

  -4.0

  -315k

  Bullwood Hall

  3.7

  3.6

  -1.4

  -44k

  Chelmsford

  8.2

  9.1

  +10.1

  +836k

  47

  Establishment

  Projected amount expenditure 1995–96, (£ million rounded)

  Provisional allocation for 1996–97, (£ million rounded)

  Percentage variation

  Actual variation

  Highpoint

  10.2

  9.6

  -6.2

  -632k

  Hollesley Bay

  9.7

  9.5

  -2.2

  -215k

  Norwich

  11.0

  11.5

  +4.4

  +488k

  Wayland

  8.1

  8.0

  -0.6

  -47k

  Kent

  Aldington

  2.2

  2.3

  +4.1

  +93k

  Blantyre House

  2.1

  2.1

  +1.0

  +21k

  Canterbury

  6.3

  6.1

  -4.2

  -266k

  Cookham Wood

  2.9

  2.9

  +1.2

  +36k

  Dover

  5.6

  5.5

  -1.8

  -104k

  East Sutton Park

  1.7

  1.7

  -0.3

  -6k

  Elmley

  11.5

  11.5

  +0.2

  +20k

  Maidstone

  9.8

  9.7

  -1.0

  -102k

  Rochester

  7.9

  7.8

  -1.4

  -111k

  Standford Hill

  5.7

  5.4

  -6.0

  -346k

  Swaleside

  9.3

  9.1

  -1.7

  -157k

  London North

  Bedford

  7.1

  6.9

  -3.4

  -241k

  Grendon

  8.7

  8.5

  -1.3

  -110k

  Holloway

  15.5

  15.9

  +2.6

  +406k

  Littlehey

  8.6

  8.5

  -0.4

  -33k

  Pentonville

  16.2

  16.2

  -0.2

  -40k

  Wellingborough

  4.5

  5.7

  -1.3

  -74k

  Whitemoor

  18.5

  19.1

  +2.9

  +541

  Woodhill

  13.7

  14.2

  +3.6

  +489k

  Wormwood Scrubs

  20.1

  20.1

  +0.3

  +59k

  London South

  Albany

  8.5

  8.3

  -2.1

  -180k

  Belmarsh

  21.9

  22.5

  +2.6

  +572k

  Brixton

  18.3

  18.0

  -1.6

  -297k

  Camp Hill

  8.1

  7.8

  -2.8

  -228k

  Feltham

  15.4

  15.1

  -1.7

  -259k

  Latchmere House

  2.2

  2.2

  +2.3

  +51k

  Parkhurst

  15.1

  12.7

  -15.8

  -24k

  Wandsworth

  21.2

  19.6

  -7.8

  -1.652m

  South Coast

  Downview

  5.6

  5.6

  -0.7

  -40k

  Ford

  5.6

  5.8

  +3.1

  +173k

  Haslar

  2.5

  2.5

  -0.8

  -21k

  Highdown

  12.6

  12.4

  -1.3

  -168k

  Kingston

  3.7

  3.6

  -1.1

  -42k

  Lewes

  8.7

  8.5

  -2.1

  -181k

  Send

  2.4

  2.4

  +0.6

  +16k

  Winchester

  11.8

  11.2

  -4.7

  -554k

  Chilterns

  Aylesbury

  7.1

  7.5

  +4.6

  +332k

  Bullingdon1

  12.5

  11.7

  -6.1

  -758k

  Coldingley

  6.1

  6.1

  -0.9

  -53k

  Huntercombe

  5.5

  5.9

  +7.2

  +398k

  The Mount

  7.8

  8.1

  +3.2

  +249k

  Omley

  7.6

  7.5

  -1.3

  -96k

  Oxford1

  1.7

  1.2

  -29.8

  -516k

  Reading

  5.1

  5.0

  -2.0

  -103k

  Wales and West

  Bristol

  12.9

  12.6

  -2.9

  -371k

  Cardiff

  9.8

  10.9

  +11.1

  +1.0m

  Eastwood Park2

  0.4

  2.7

  +544.6

  +2.3m

  Erlestoke

  5.2

  5.0

  -4.6

  -242k

  Gloucester

  6.2

  6.0

  -2.6

  -163k

  Leyhill

  6.1

  6.1

  +0.2

  +9k

  Pucklechurch2

  2.6

  —

  —

  -2.6m

  Swansea

  6.0

  6.0

  -0.4

  -27k

  Usk

  5.3

  5.1

  -2.8

  -145k

  Wessex

  Channings Wood

  8.4

  8.4

  +0.5

  +44k

  Dartmoor

  11.8

  11.6

  -1.1

  -132k

  Dorchester

  4.4

  4.3

  -2.8

  -125k

  48

  Establishment

  Projected amount expenditure 1995–96, (£ million rounded)

  Provisional allocation for 1996–97, (£ million rounded)

  Percentage variation

  Actual variation

  Exeter

  9.3

  8.9

  -4.6

  -432k

  Guys Marsh

  5.2

  5.2

  +0.2

  +13k

  Portland

  8.5

  8.5

  +0.3

  +29k

  Shepton Mallet

  3.9

  3.9

  -0.5

  -21k

  The Verne

  8.3

  8.2

  -1.2

  -102k

  1Bullingdon/Oxford as one:

  14.2

  12.9

  -9.0

  -1.3m

  2Eastwood/Pucklechurch as one:

  3.1

  2.7

  -10.9

  -0.4m

  Some funds are held centrally and allocated for operational difficulties.

  Private Prisons.
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to revise the existing contracts for private prisons in respect of cost reductions in the state sector. [13277]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the revision of contractual requirements for the contractually-managed prisons in regard to cost reductions in the public sector.

  No decision has been taken about whether the services provided by contractually-managed prisons should be changed. However, consideration is being given to whether this can contribute to the Prison Service's cost-reduction strategy for 1996–99.

  Resettlement Grants
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have(a) applied for and (b) been granted a resettlement grant to meet their repatriation costs to their country of origin; what has been the average cost of such grants; and how many were to non-United Kingdom citizens. [13735]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Resettlement grants are not available under the voluntary repatriation scheme run by the International Social Service of the United Kingdom on behalf of the Home Office. The scheme provides limited financial assistance towards travel and baggage costs. A total of 7,390 applications have been received under the scheme between 1972 and 1995 inclusive, and 2,545 individuals have been assisted financially during that period. The average cost per individual assisted in 1994–95 was £1,200. British citizens are not eligible for assistance.

  Ethnic Minority Business Advisory Group
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the ethnic minority business advisory group was established; how many times it met;
  49
  what were the results of its meetings; and what factors led
  to its being disbanded. [13100]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The first meeting of the ethnic minority business advisory group was held on 8 December 1992. There were four more meetings. It provided a forum in which issues of concern to ethnic minority businesses could be raised with mainstream business support organisations and relevant Government Departments. The transfer of the ethnic minority business initiative grant scheme into the single regeneration budget and the establishment of the Government offices for the regions, which moved the focus of activity from central to regional level, were the principal factors in the disbandment of EMBAG.

  Holloway Prison
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the annual expenditure on education at Her Majesty's prison Holloway for each of the past 10 years, the total weekly teaching hours available and the number of teachers in post; and if he will make a statement. [12272]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 31 January 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about education expenditure at Holloway Prison.

  Information for the last six years is given in table one, attached. Information is not available before then.

  The weekly teaching hours and teachers in post for the years 1993–94 and 1994–95 are given in table two.

  Information before then is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Table one: Annual expenditure education (includes salaries, material and capital)

  £

  1989–90

  354,024

  1990–91

  346,182

  1991–92

  523,297

  1992–93

  429,526

  1993–94

  390,223

  1994–95

  441,805

  Table two

  1993–94

  228

  7 full time 31 part time

  1994–95

  270

  7 full time 27 Part time

  50

  Salaries £

  Materials (VT, CIT, pre-release) £

  Education capital £

  1990–91

  285,525

  53,122

  7,535

  1991–92

  403,129

  87,634

  32,534

  1992–93

  343,837

  67,553

  18,136

  1993–94

  321,817

  68,406

  nil

  1994–95

  383,871

  47,967

  9,967

  1995–96

  348,000

  58,900

  2,000

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Prison Service first issued instructions for the use of restraints on women prisoners attending hospital; and if he will list the dates of subsequent instructions issued. [12420]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 31 January 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking on what date the Prison Service first issued instructions for the use of restraints on women prisoners attending hospital, and the dates of subsequent instructions.

  The policy on the use of restraints on all prisoners in hospital, including women prisoners, is a long standing one. Guidance on the use of restraints under Prison Rule 46 was set out in a variety of circular instructions, standing orders and letters to individual governors. These instructions were issued over many years.

  The Security Manual, which codified security instructions was first issued in autumn 1991. A section bringing together instructions on handcuffing, including handcuffing of women prisoner generally and prisoners of either sex in hospital was added in October 1992. Amendments in April 1994 gave further guidance about handcuffing women. In April 1995 an amendment to the manual gave guidance about complying with medical requests when handcuffing women prisoners attending hospital, including for childbirth. In November 1995 a letter was sent to governors which reiterated the policy that women in labour and childbirth should not be restrained.

  On 18 January, the Home Secretary Announced a revised policy to the House. This took into account the meeting I had with representatives of the Royal College of Midwives on 15 January. Instructions reflecting the new arrangements were sent to governors on 19 January.

  Release of Offenders
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on informing police authorities of the release of offenders convicted of manslaughter and murder. [13004]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Ms Ann Coffey, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General, to reply to your recent Question about the policy on informing police authorities of the release of offenders convicted of manslaughter and murder.
  51
  The current procedure for informing the police of the final discharge of all prisoners on completion of sentence is that on or about 28 days before discharge, the establishment where the prisoner is serving completes a Form 99. This form is then sent to the National Identification Service (formerly National Identification Bureau) at New Scotland Yard.

  The form gives all personal details of the prisoner, including, if known, his CRS number. Details of the present conviction, offence, committing courts and sentence are also included as is the discharge address, if known.

  The relevant instructions to establishments to carry out this procedure are contained in Prison Service Standing Order 1I (Discharge of Prisoners), paragraph 11 and Prison Service Circular Instruction 40/1992, paragraph 8.

  Under the arrangements introduced in April 1995 governing the release on temporary licence of prisoners, the Prison Service must notify the police about such releases in cases where the post trial report prepared by the police indicates that notification is required. Post trial reports are completed on any offender serving a custodial sentence (of any length) involving sex, violence or drugs and in respect of any prisoner serving a custodial sentence of 12 months or more.

  The notice of temporary release is faxed to the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) of the police service in whose area the prison is located, at least 5 working days before the temporary release is due to take place. The force FIB will then relay the information either to the police service which originally dealt with the offences and/or the police service to which the prisoner will be going on temporary release.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the(a) mean, and (b) median income for (i) single male pensioners who are aged (1) 65 to 69, (2) 70 to 74, (3) 75 to 79 and (4) 80 years and over, (ii) single female pensioners in groups 1 to 4, (iii) pensioner couples who are in groups 1 to 4, (iv) all pensioners who are (5) aged 60/65 years to 74 years and (6) aged 75 years and over and (v) all pensioners. [12155]

  Mr. Heald
  The available information is in the tables:

  Table 1: Average income—single male pensioners: £ per week at July 1993 prices

  Age

  65 to 74

  75+

  Mean

  169.80

  143.50

  Median

  108.30

  103.00

  Table 2: Average income—single female pensioners: £ per week at July 1993 prices

  Age

  65 to 69

  70 to 74

  75 to 79

  80+

  Mean

  150.70

  111.50

  108.30

  108.10

  Median

  105.10

  96.30

  94.70

  97.50

  Table 3: Average income—pensioner couples: £ per week at July 1993 prices

  Age

  65 to 69

  70 to 74

  75 to 79

  80+

  Mean

  274.40

  233.40

  214.10

  189.70

  Median

  207.80

  178.30

  161.90

  160.00

  52

  Table 4: Average income—all pensioner units: £ per week at July 1993 prices

  Age

  Mean

  Median

  60–65 to 74

  192.50

  139.50

  75+

  139.70

  106.40

  60–65+

  170.20

  123.80

  Source:

  Family Expenditure Survey 1993.

  Notes:

  1. Income figures are gross income before housing costs.

  2. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the husband, or head, is over SPA.

  3.Due to insufficient sample sizes reliable estimates of further age breakdowns for single male pensioners are not available at Table 1.

  Child Rearing Costs
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 23 January,Official Report, column 213, if he will list the specific evidence evaluated by his Department which supported his conclusion concerning the relative costs of bringing up children by lone parents and by couples. [13398]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 January,Official Report, columns 745–46.

  There is a wide range of research on the costs of a child. There is no consistent evidence of a difference in these costs for lone parents and couples, other than a potentially greater need for child care for working lone parents.

  Severe Weather Payments
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the locations which provide the temperature information upon which decisions on severe weather payments are based. [13300]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  All weather stations and the areas they cover are listed in the schedules to the Social Fund Cold Weather Payments Regulations, a copy of which is in the Library. The weather station at Whithorn, which is listed in the regulations, has closed. The weather station at Dumfries has been used to cover the postcode areas specified for Whithorn.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of staff employed by his Department or related agencies in each of the travel-to-work areas of Carmarthen, South Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan on(a) 31 March 1979, (b) 31 March 1990, (c) 31 March 1992, (d) 31 March 1995, (e) the latest available figure and (f) the estimate for 31 March 1997. [13293]

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
  53

  Staff in post in DSS agencies

  31 March 1992

  31 March 1995

  Areas

  Benefits agency1

  Contributions agency2

  Child support agency3

  Benefits agency1

  Contributions agency2

  Child support agency3

  Carmarthen

  54

  5

  0

  56

  6

  0

  South Pembrokeshire

  50

  4

  0

  51

  0

  0

  Haverfordwest

  63

  5

  0

  64

  7

  5

  Fishguard

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cardigan

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Staff in post in DSS agencies

  31 March 1992

  31 March 1995

  Areas

  Benefits agency1

  Contributions agency2

  Child support agency3

  Benefits agency1

  Contributions agency2

  Child support agency3

  Carmarthen

  56

  3

  0

  55

  0

  0

  South Pembrokeshire

  59

  0

  0

  59

  0

  0

  Haverfordwest

  69

  4

  5

  68

  5

  6

  Fishguard

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cardigan

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Source:

  Personnel data from individual agencies.

  Notes:

  1 Launched April 1991.

  2 Launched April 1991.

  3 Launched April 1993.

  4 Estimate.

  1. Resettlement Agency (RA) Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA) and War Pensions Agency (WPA) have no staff in these areas at the specified dates.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the class 1A national insurance contributions collected though(a) the Contributions Agency and (b) the Inland Revenue for (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95. [13744]

  Mr. Heald
  The information requested is in the table.

  £ million

  Estimated total of class 1A collection

  Actual contributions agency (APM) collection

  Estimated inland revenue portion

  1993–94

  419

  246

  173

  1994–95

  476

  283

  193

  1. Figures shown for Contributions Agency class 1A collection via the alternative payment method—APM—for both financial years are actual collection totals.

  2.Figures shown for total class 1A collection and the Inland Revenue portion are based on provisional estimates provided by the Government Actuary's Department and are subject to change.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library the report undertaken by the Contributions Agency of a random sample of employers to provide information on error rates in the collection of national insurance mentioned in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the national insurance fund 1993–94. [13746]
  54
  Mr. Heald
  The report, referred to in the 1993–94 report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the national insurance fund report, was produced by the Department's analytical services division in August 1994. I have today arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Upper Waiting Hall Exhibitions
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to timeshare to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [13376]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 18 March to Friday 22 March 1996.

  Lobby Journalists
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans he has to require lobby journalists to declare their salaries, employers' pension contributions, allowances and other forms of income as a condition of their retaining lobby passes. [13701]

  Mr. Newton
  I have no such plans.

WALES

  Public Transport
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives his Department is pursuing to encourage the use of public transport in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [10705]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  County councils have been given powers to promote the use of public transport in their areas. Grant assistance is available to them from the Welsh Office in the form of transport grant for major projects; revenue support grant and non-domestic rate income; and grants for public transport operators in the rural areas under the rural transport innovation scheme. Other support can be given under the strategic development scheme and the bus priority scheme, the most recent examples of which I announced on 4 January. They include:£6.8 million over three years to help Rhondda Cynon Taff and Cardiff councils to improve rail links between the valleys and Cardiff;
  £1.3 million to complete rail signalling between Pontypridd and Taffs Well;
  £150,000 for a traffic signalling project to improve bus journey times between Pontypridd and Caerphilly; and
  £52,000 for a bus-only route at Swansea.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each unitary authority area and for Wales as a whole in 1996 prices the estimated revenue cost of local government reorganisation for 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [12429]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the costs of reorganisation to each local authority is not held centrally.

  My right hon. Friend will provide supplementary credit approvals totalling £41,394,000 to unitary authorities for 1996–97 to cover a proportion of councils' expenditure on compensation, accommodation and information technology.

  The figures for accommodation and information technology are broken down as follows:

  Council

  Information technology £

  Accommodation £

  Aberconwy and Colwyn

  348,219

  600,000

  Anglesey

  338,546

  1,000,000

  Blaenau Gwent

  562,180

  217,000

  Bridgend

  673,427

  —

  Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire

  889,342

  —

  Caerphilly

  482,142

  —

  Cardiff

  456,987

  —

  Cardiganshire

  445,457

  —

  Carmarthenshire

  366,847

  —

  Denbighshire

  436,048

  2,214,750

  Flintshire

  725,309

  —

  Merthyr Tydfil

  220,000

  —

  Monmouthshire

  460,131

  —

  Neath and Port Talbot

  895,107

  —

  Newport

  505,725

  —

  Pembrokeshire

  236,789

  800,000

  56

  Council

  Information technology £

  Accommodation £

  Powys

  488,431

  —

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  812,304

  —

  Swansea

  576,000

  —

  Torfaen

  752,037

  —

  Wrexham

  424,512

  1,440,000

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  668,710

  —

  Total

  11,764,250

  6,271,750

  No such breakdown is available for compensation costs in 1996–97. SCAs will be authorised upon receipt of audited claims for actual expenditure, up to a limit of £23,538,000.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales under what terms and conditions additional resources will be made available to local authorities in Wales for the year 1996–97; and under what criteria these resources will be distributed. [12885]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for Conwy (Sir W. Roberts) on 30 January,Official Report, columns 682–83.

  Agricultural Marketing and Processing
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of aid for agricultural marketing and processing by each county and for Wales as a whole for each of the last three years. [12813]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The amount of aid offered for agricultural marketing and processing schemes is as follows:

  County

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  Clwyd

  255,000

  73,033

  74,250

  Dyfed

  380,630

  294,298

  791,828

  Gwent

  —

  392,750

  —

  Gwynedd

  625,188

  1,745

  183,479

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  —

  —

  Powys

  46,330

  120,473

  2,500

  South Glamorgan

  —

  —

  56,500

  West Glamorgan

  53,550

  36,889

  5,000

  Total

  1,360,698

  919,188

  1,113,557

  1 Up to 31 December 1995.

  These figures represent the offers which the Welsh Office made to companies in these years. There is a slight time lag between offers being made and expenditure being incurred.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of staff employed by his
  57
  Department or related agencies in each of the travel-to-work areas of Carmarthern, South Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan on (a) 31 March 1979, (b) 31 March 1990, (c) 31 March

  Date

  Carmarthen TTWA

  South Pembrokeshire TTWA

  Haverfordwest TTWA

  Cardigan TTWA

  30 September 19801

  92

  —

  15

  1

  31 March 1990

  102

  2

  9

  —

  31 March 1992

  123

  2

  6

  —

  31 March 1995

  146

  —

  7

  —

  31 January 19962

  152

  —

  7

  —

  1. Estimates are not available for March 1997.

  1 Does not include Ancient Monument Staff.

  2 Excludes temporary staff—(ie, staff employed for less than three months).

  Welsh Joint Education Committee
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what accreditation role he has with respect to the setting of standards by, and response to, requests for(a) remarkings and (b) independent review of the Welsh Joint Education Committee. [13740]

  Mr. Hague
  Requests for remarking are matters for consideration by individual examination boards. Individual appeals relating to GCSE, A and AS-level examinations can, with the support of the examination centre concerned, be made to the Independent Appeals Authority for School Examinations. These arrangements apply to the Welsh Joint Education Committee, as they do to other GCSE, A and AS-level examination boards.

  NVQs

  Gwent

  Mid Glamorgan

  North-east Wales

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  Targed

  West Wales

  Total

  1993–94

  Sub level 1

  107

  123

  9

  7

  42

  7

  42

  337

  Level 1

  400

  253

  150

  52

  361

  245

  952

  2,413

  Level 2

  481

  696

  308

  129

  455

  244

  857

  3,170

  Level 3

  105

  40

  12

  5

  22

  96

  74

  354

  Level 4+

  12

  6

  0

  0

  25

  1

  41

  85

  Total

  1,105

  1,118

  479

  193

  905

  593

  1,966

  6,359

  1994–95

  Sub level 1

  101

  454

  0

  4

  80

  24

  46

  709

  Level 1

  539

  415

  259

  28

  278

  211

  1,103

  2,833

  Level 2

  482

  622

  259

  55

  596

  268

  715

  2,997

  Level 3

  120

  94

  6

  20

  49

  86

  82

  457

  Level 4+

  48

  29

  13

  3

  26

  21

  33

  173

  Total

  1,290

  1,614

  537

  110

  1,029

  610

  1,979

  7,169

  Source:

  TEC Management Information Statistics

  Conservation Schemes
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the annual expenditure figures and forecasts for the(a) countryside access scheme, (b) environmentally sensitive areas, (c) farm conservation grant scheme, (d) farm woodland premium
  58
  1992, (d) 31 March 1995, (e) the latest available figures and (f) the estimate for 31 March 1997. [13297]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is as follows:

  Training for Work Programmes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, columns 820–22 if he will give comparable figures for non-vocational qualifications levels for those undertaking training for work for (a) 1993 and (b) 1994. [13760]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is contained in the following table. The figures quoted are for complete financial years—that is April to March—whereas the figures quoted in my answer of 31 January were for the period 27 March 1995 to 3 December 1995, the latest then available. Finalised figures for 1995–96 will be available in September 1996.

  scheme, (e) habitat scheme, (f) nitrate sensitive areas, (g) moorland scheme, (h) organic aid scheme and (i) countryside stewardship for each year between 1990–91 and 1997–98. [13633]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is set out in the following table.
  59

  £ thousands

  Scheme

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Countryside access scheme

  —

  —>

  —

  —>

  —>

  2

  2

  2

  Environmentally sensitive areas1

  882

  1,458

  1,503

  1,542

  1,536

  3,029

  8,527

  8,201

  Farm conservation grant scheme

  3,867

  6,224

  5,537

  6,249

  5,251

  4,500

  4,722

  4,222

  Farm woodland scheme2

  27

  35

  40

  41

  40

  50

  78

  78

  Farm woodland premium scheme

  —

  —

  —

  57

  117

  160

  271

  284

  Habitat scheme

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  516

  516

  Nitrate sensitive areas3

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Moorland scheme

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,640

  1,140

  Organic aid scheme

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  34

  348

  348

  Tir Cymen4

  —

  —

  —

  1,540

  2,940

  3,500

  4,980

  6,370

  1. Years 1990–91 to 1994–95 inclusive, are actual outturn figures as shown in the respective Appropriation Accounts for those years.

  2. Year 1995–96 is forecast outturn and may be subject to change.

  3. Years 1996–97 and 1997–98 are planned expenditure and may be subject to change.

  1 Includes figures for Public Access in Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

  2 The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme replaced the Farm Woodland Scheme.

  3 There are no Nitrate Sensitive Areas in Wales.

  4 In Wales the pilot scheme "Tir Cymen" is considered to be the nearest equivalent to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 17 January 1996 to the hon. Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Sweeney),Official Report, columns 624–25, (1) if he will set out the rights of those farmers not wishing to sell or lease their land to the Land Authority for Wales as compensatory feeding grounds for those lost behind the Cardiff bay barrage; [11906]

  (2) if he will name each of the farms in the proposed compensation area east of the River Usk for the loss of inter-tidal feeding grounds at Cardiff bay; and whether they (a) have been bought by voluntary means, (b) are under negotiation for voluntary purchase, (c) are under negotiation for management agreement of (d) are expected to be bought by compulsory order; [11907]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the length of time required to complete the arrangements for the setting up of the bird reserve east of the River Usk to compensate for the loss of feeding grounds at Cardiff bay on the basis of (a) voluntary purchase of the requisite farm, (b) management agreements with land owners and (c) compulsory purchase; and if he will make a statement. [11904]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer Thursday 25 January]: These are operational matters for the Cardiff Bay development corporation. The chief executive has replied and a copy of his letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Access Centres
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received relating to access centres for children of separated parents; what was his response; and if he will make a statement. [11788]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have recently received an enquiry about the funding of access and child contact centres in connection with the Government's proposals for reform of divorce law and the legal aid system. Under 60
  the Government's proposals, services providing mediation in disputes relating to family matters may become eligible to receive funding through the legal aid system. If centres consider that they provide such services, it may become open to them to apply for such funding.

  Contact centres play a valuable role in facilitating contact with children following family breakdown, and can provide a variety of services. There are at present a range of local family centres, some of which are run by charitable organisations, which receive funding from the voluntary sector and from local authorities.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much was spent on state-funded legal aid in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other European Union member states in the last year for which figures are available. [11793]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Excluding administration costs, in 1994–95 the net cost of legal aid in the United Kingdom was £1.4 billion. It is not possible to make direct comparisons with other EU member states since the legal systems are different and the coverage and nature of their legal aid schemes vary considerably.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of legal aid received by asylum seekers in the last financial year for which figures are available. [11794]

  Mr. Evans
  No separate figures are kept for the legal aid costs attributable to asylum matters alone. In 1994–95, total legal aid expenditure for advice and assistance on immigration and nationality cases was less than £14.6 million, representing just over 1 per cent. of the total cost of legal aid.

  Mr. John Marshall
  : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has recently received about legal aid. [11796]

  Mr. Evans
  I have received many representations about the legal aid scheme.
  61
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to broaden the eligibility rules for legal aid; and if he will make a statement. [11795]

  Mr. Evans
  The Lord Chancellor published a Green Paper setting out proposals for the reform of legal aid in May 1995. Both financial eligibility and merits assessment are being examined as part of this process. The Lord Chancellor intends to make an announcement on the future of the Green Paper proposals in the spring.

  Census Returns
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what arrangements he is making for continued public access to the census returns following the closure of the Public Record Office, Chancery Lane. [11797]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Following the closure of the Public Record Office, Chancery lane, public access to the census returns now consulted there will be continued at another central London site, for which negotiations are proceeding.

  Divorce
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received on the question of fault in divorce law reform. [11798]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have received a large number of representations relating to the question of divorce law reform. The records kept do not specify how many of these raised the issue of fault.

  Mr. Sims
  To ask the parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to make additional funding available for mediation services. [11799]

  Mr. Evans
  The Government have no plans to make additional funding directly available to mediation services. However, under the proposals set out in the Family Law Bill, it is intended that legal aid will be made available for mediation to eligible parties in appropriate cases.

  Mrs. Elaine Steele
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what sums of legal aid were expended in the case of Elaine Steele of Workington. [11800]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Legal aid payments to counsel and solicitors for the criminal proceedings with which Mrs. Steele was faced totalled £31,436.09. In a civil case for which Mrs. Steele was granted legal aid, a final bill has not been received, and the legal aid costs have not yet been assessed.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of staff employed by his Department or related agencies in each of the travel-to-work areas of Carmarthen, south Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan 62
  on (a) 31 March 1979, (b) 31 March 1990, (c) 31 March 1992, (d) 31 March 1995, (e) the latest available figure and (f) the estimate for 31 March 1997. [13296]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested for 31 March 1979 and 31 March 1990 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. For the periods 31 March 1992 and 31 March 1995 no staff were employed in the Lord Chancellor's Department or related agencies in south Pembrokeshire, Fishguard or Cardigan. For Carmarthen and Haverfordwest the information is set out in the table.

  The remaining parts of he question relate to information on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Number of staff employed by the Lord Chancellor's Department

  Area

  Courts

  District Probate Registry

  31 March 1992

  Carmarthen

  10.5

  4

  Haverfordwest

  10

  n/a

  31 March 1995

  Carmarthen

  10.5

  2.5

  Haverfordwest

  10

  n/a

  Letter from M. D. Heubner to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 5 February 1996:

  NUMBER OF STAFF EMPLOYED IN TRAVEL-TO-WORK AREAS OF CARMARTHEN, SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE, HAVERFORD WEST, FISHGUARD AND CARDIGAN

  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of staff employed in these areas.

  The Court Service does not hold information about staff employed in travel-to-work areas, and it could be collated only at a disproportionate cost. However, at present there are no Court Service staff employed in Fishguard, South Pembrokeshire or Cardigan and there are no plans for staff to be employed in these areas in the future. There are 24 members of Court Service staff, 21 full time and 2 part-time, employed in Haverfordwest and Carmarthen and it is estimated that 22 full time members of staff will be employed in these areas on 31 March 1997.

  Probate Offices
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many interviews took place at each probate office in England and Wales in each year from 1990 to 1995; and if he will make a statement. [13494]

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

  Letter from M. D. Heubner to Mr. David Lidington, dated 5 February 1996:

  NUMBER OF PROBATE OFFICE INTERVIEWS 1990–1995

  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to the above Question about the number of Probate Office interviews in the years 1990–95.

  I attach a schedule which details this information. As the table accompanying this letter is too long to be printed in the Official Report, arrangements will be made for a copy to be deposited in the Library of the House.
  63

  Number of interviews arranged at Probate Offices

  Probate Office staffed from:

  Probate Office

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Birmingham

  Coventry

  382

  421

  489

  533

  530

  595

  Kidderminster

  163

  161

  225

  258

  217

  265

  Litchfield

  170

  208

  143

  253

  266

  281

  Northampton

  223

  281

  336

  359

  362

  429

  Wolverhampton

  459

  438

  492

  577

  467

  539

  Stoke on Trent

  Crewe

  132

  104

  153

  154

  137

  276

  Shrewsbury

  225

  225

  299

  258

  275

  347

  Stafford

  168

  188

  196

  191

  166

  146

  Brighton

  Chichester

  —

  54

  141

  255

  295

  287

  Crawley

  276

  254

  333

  395

  406

  411

  Hastings

  161

  197

  232

  266

  244

  254

  Worthing

  268

  184

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Maidstone

  Canterbury

  368

  351

  391

  349

  434

  450

  Chatham

  219

  145

  —

  302

  250

  152

  Folkestone

  119

  109

  153

  192

  192

  176

  Tunbridge Wells

  258

  266

  284

  403

  370

  375

  Bristol

  Bath

  339

  349

  354

  422

  488

  485

  Taunton

  159

  189

  189

  218

  247

  290

  Weston Super Mare

  146

  158

  159

  200

  196

  182

  Bodmin

  Penzance

  44

  39

  57

  44

  50

  8

  Plymouth

  298

  300

  352

  442

  385

  445

  Truro

  197

  229

  250

  213

  263

  298

  Exeter

  Barnstable

  79

  75

  72

  100

  126

  116

  Newton Abbott

  162

  133

  170

  175

  170

  167

  Yeovil

  110

  111

  135

  144

  133

  162

  Ipswich

  Chelmsford

  361

  471

  568

  694

  783

  810

  Colchester

  299

  289

  352

  422

  455

  406

  Norwich

  Lowestoft

  71

  75

  104

  100

  127

  119

  Peterborough

  Cambridge

  275

  383

  396

  430

  503

  486

  King's Lynn

  74

  64

  97

  125

  149

  148

  Leeds

  Bradford

  184

  229

  209

  287

  281

  309

  Harrogate

  69

  70

  95

  132

  134

  131

  Huddersfield

  190

  249

  257

  254

  315

  334

  Wakefield

  163

  190

  203

  240

  279

  318

  Lincoln

  Grimsby

  68

  53

  72

  80

  103

  102

  Sheffield

  Chesterfield

  96

  110

  131

  137

  170

  168

  Doncaster

  129

  169

  203

  204

  243

  251

  Liverpool

  St. Helen's

  209

  224

  244

  273

  289

  248

  Southport

  135

  159

  176

  221

  272

  243

  Wallasey

  145

  141

  187

  218

  211

  200

  Chester

  Rhyl

  73

  67

  61

  78

  68

  57

  Wrexham

  60

  53

  73

  64

  66

  32

  Lancaster

  Barrow

  48

  48

  64

  73

  89

  85

  Blackpool

  230

  239

  263

  323

  293

  323

  Preston

  299

  327

  375

  393

  452

  418

  Manchester

  Bolton

  609

  601

  651

  738

  718

  457

  Nelson

  127

  134

  145

  156

  160

  213

  Oldham

  294

  409

  422

  465

  484

  582

  Stockport

  496

  489

  520

  634

  521

  —

  Warrington

  241

  218

  272

  279

  311

  342

  Wigan

  169

  175

  277

  220

  251

  248

  Nottingham

  Derby

  233

  231

  249

  299

  350

  302

  Mansfield

  76

  87

  97

  121

  150

  149

  Newcastle

  Morpeth

  54

  57

  59

  58

  40

  15

  Sunderland

  154

  126

  140

  119

  70

  49

  64

  65

  Number of interviews arranged at Probate Offices

  Probate Office staffed from:

  Probate Office

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Carlisle

  Workington

  104

  96

  77

  —

  —

  —

  Middlesbrough

  Darlington

  107

  96

  99

  134

  168

  101

  Durham

  148

  146

  142

  93

  93

  59

  York

  Hull

  307

  284

  346

  348

  351

  400

  Scarborough

  72

  88

  88

  82

  114

  116

  Oxford

  Aylesbury

  200

  217

  259

  228

  233

  264

  Banbury

  7

  6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  High Wycombe

  290

  292

  350

  414

  254

  367

  Reading

  518

  536

  596

  562

  371

  807

  Slough

  526

  561

  596

  637

  591

  670

  Swindon

  141

  137

  173

  195

  137

  310

  Leicester

  Bedford

  205

  217

  287

  282

  331

  380

  Kettering

  105

  92

  130

  154

  94

  —

  Winchester

  Basingstoke

  199

  240

  224

  278

  306

  279

  Bournemouth

  530

  561

  628

  703

  712

  755

  Dorchester

  170

  144

  161

  177

  197

  184

  Guildford

  640

  744

  851

  846

  980

  942

  Newport, Isle of Wight

  101

  97

  97

  151

  149

  143

  Portsmouth

  434

  491

  491

  528

  568

  540

  Salisbury

  93

  92

  97

  151

  149

  143

  Southampton

  340

  327

  441

  433

  448

  402

  Probate Registry of Wales

  Bridgend

  183

  181

  190

  212

  217

  269

  Newport

  402

  378

  491

  499

  525

  549

  Pontypridd

  261

  319

  284

  365

  378

  398

  Carmarthen

  Aberystwyth

  39

  31

  43

  37

  48

  49

  Haverfordwest

  66

  69

  79

  69

  62

  96

  Swansea

  364

  368

  437

  451

  456

  458

  Gloucester

  Cheltenham

  233

  227

  246

  257

  240

  239

  Hereford

  128

  163

  179

  154

  189

  181

  Worcester

  190

  217

  247

  232

  230

  218

  Principal Registry of the Family Division

  Croydon

  1,186

  1,169

  1,266

  1,383

  827

  1,424

  Edmonton

  789

  764

  866

  949

  563

  968

  Harlow

  263

  344

  423

  509

  399

  605

  Kingston

  1,142

  1,131

  1,311

  1,454

  932

  1,505

  Luton

  507

  592

  712

  814

  588

  871

  Southend

  560

  641

  691

  787

  673

  830

  Woolwich

  580

  583

  702

  770

  520

  742

  Probate Offices
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the probate offices which the court service plans to close; and if he will make a statement. [13495]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. David Lidington, dated 5 February 1996

  PROPOSED CLOSURE OF PROBATE OFFICES

  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about Probate Offices.

  The recommendation that a number of Probate Offices should close follows a review of the locations in England and Wales where a probate service is provided to personal applicants. A public consultation about these proposals began on 23 January 1996 and will conclude on 1 March 1996. Full consideration will be given to all comments received during the public consultation before the Lord Chancellor decides whether to proceed with these proposals.
  66
  The Probate Offices recommended for closure are:

  Coventry

  Kidderminister

  Wolverhampton

  Lichfield

  Crewe

  Stafford

  Chichester

  Chatham

  Folkestone

  Bath

  Penzance

  Newton

  Abbott

  Colchester

  Lowestoft

  King's Lynn

  Bradford

  Harrogate

  Huddersfield

  67

  Wakefield

  Grimsby

  Chesterfield

  Doncaster

  St. Helens

  Southport

  Wallasey

  Barrow

  Oldham

  Stockport

  Warrington

  Wigan

  Derby

  Mansfield

  Morpeth

  Sunderland

  Nelson

  Workington

  Scarborough

  Darlington

  Blackpool

  Durham

  Aylesbury

  Bedford

  Kettering

  Cheltenham

  Worcester

  Basingstoke

  Dorchester

  Salisbury

  Southampton

  Bridgend

  Newport

  Pontypridd

  Rhyl

  Aberystwyth

  Haverfordwest

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has for probate registries and probate offices to open to the public on Saturdays. [13496]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. David Lidington, dated 5 February 1996:

  PLANS FOR PROBATE REGISTRIES AND PROBATE OFFICES TO OPEN ON SATURDAYS

  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about probate registries and offices.

  There are no plans to open any Court Service offices, including Probate Registries and Probate Offices, to the public on Saturdays.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Access to Work
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of those successfully applying for access to work over the past year were employed when applying; and how many were unemployed. [13135]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. David Blunkett, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the numbers of employed and unemployed people successfully applying for Access to Work.

  During the period January to December 1995 there were 9,393 new Access to Work beneficiaries. Of these 7,566 were employed and 1,827 were unemployed. For these purposes we count as "unemployed" those who did not have a job when they applied for Access to Work, and newly employed people who had gained that employment with help from Access to Work.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of access to work funding was given to those who(a) were employed when the applied for assistance and (b) were previously unemployed. [13134]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. David Blunkett, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the proportion of Access to Work funding given to those who were (a) employed and (b) unemployed when they applied for assistance.

  The Employment Service does not collect information about the proportion of funding given to employed and unemployed applicants. However, during the period January to December 1995, 81 per cent. of new Access to work beneficiaries were employed and 19 per cent. were unemployed. For these purposes we count as "unemployed" those who did not have a job when they applied for Access to Work, and newly employed people who had gained that employment with help from Access to Work.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Workstart
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation studies were carried out by her Department into the success of the workstart pilots; and if she will place copies in the Library. [13408]

  Mr. Forth
  I plan to publish the evaluation report on the current pilots, located in the west midlands and the north-west, at the end of this year. The evaluation reports of the initial pilots were published on 12 December 1994 and copies are available from the Library.
  69
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will update the estimates given in the Department of Employment press release of 6 April 1995 on(a) the effect on public revenues of the workstart pilots and (b) the estimated numbers who will benefit from the scheme in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 and (iv) 1998–99. [13410]

  Mr. Forth
  The two workstart pilots which began in April 1995 will continue to help long-term unemployed people into jobs until the end of March 1996. By then, it is estimated that those pilots will have helped some 800 people at an estimated final cost of £1.02 million.

  Jobfinder Grant Scheme
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will update the estimates given by the Department of Employment press release of 29 November 1994 on(a) the effect on public revenues of the jobfinder grant scheme and pilots and (b) the estimated numbers who will benefit from the scheme in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 and (iv) 1998–99. [13407]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from, Mike Fogden to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question which seeks an update on the estimated effect on public revenues and the number of people who will benefit from the Jobfinder's Grant in each of the following years 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  The table below sets out the expenditure and number of opportunities for this programme.

  11995–96

  21996–97

  21997–98

  21998–99

  Expenditure £ million

  3.0

  5.0

  5.0

  5.0

  Opportunities

  13,000

  25,000

  25,000

  25,000

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Plan.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation studies were carried out by her Department into the success rate of the jobfinder grant pilots; and if she will place copies in the Library. [13406]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Fodgen to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the Jobfinder Grant pilots.

  The following evaluation study has been carried out into the success of the Jobfinder Grant pilots:

  Evaluation of the Jobfinders' Grant

  Demonstration Pilot Project

  by Joanne Moore, Peter Dickinson

  The Research Partnership

  September 1995

  70
  This report will be lodged in the House of Commons Library. It is currently available from the Research and Evaluation Division, Employment Service, Rockingham House, 123, West Street, Sheffield.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Jobmatch Scheme
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment is she will update the estimates given in the Department of Employment press release of 29 March 1995 on(a) the effect on public revenues of the jobmatch pilots and (b) the estimated numbers who will benefit from the scheme, giving figures for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 and (iv) 1998–99. [13405]

  Mr. Forth
  The jobmatch programme started in April 1995 and is a three-year pilot. The total budget for 1995–96 is £5 million, and will benefit an estimated 3,000 people. The programme budget in 1996–97 will be £4.359 million, and for 1997–98, £4.354 million. In each of these years, jobmatch should continue to benefit an estimated 3,000 people.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation studies were carried out by her Department into the success of the jobmatch pilots; and if she will place copies in the Library. [13404]

  Mr. Forth
  "A Qualitative Study of Jobmatch", which sought to provide early feedback on the progress and operation of the pilots has been carried out. Copies of this report will be placed in the Library in March. Further evaluation of jobmatch is currently being conducted.

  Class Sizes (Greater Manchester)
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children in primary schools in the Greater Manchester area were educated in class sizes of 40 and above in 1994–95; and what proportion this figure represents of all primary children educated in classes of this size in the United Kingdom. [13165]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In January 1995, 1,595 pupils were being taught in single-teacher classes of 40 or more pupils in maintained primary schools in Greater Manchester area. This represented 9 per cent. of pupils in single-teacher classes of 40 or more in maintained primary schools in England.

  Information about schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.

  Student Debts
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of the average debt of students on completion of their studies in(a) 1992, (b) 1993, (c) 1994 and (d) 1995. [13166]

  Mr. Forth
  Information on total student indebtedness is not collected centrally. I have asked the chief executive of the Student Loans Company to write to the hon. Member providing the approximate average debt to the Student Loans Company of borrowers entering repayment status on 1 April of each of the years listed.

  Work Trials
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation studies were carried out by her Department into the success of work trials; and if she will place copies in the Library. [13413]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the evaluation of work trials.

  The following evaluation reports have been published by the Employment Service into the success of work trials:

  CEI Consultants Ltd (1990), Evaluation of Work Trials, volumes 1 and 2, July, CEI.

  DVL Smith Business Research (1993), Evaluation of Work Trials-Employer Survey, November, DVL Smith.

  These reports are available from the House of Commons Library.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Job Interview Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evaluation studies were carried out by her Department into the success of the job interview guarantee scheme;, and if she will place copies in the Library. [13411]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the Evaluation of the Job Interview Guarantee Scheme.

  The following evaluation studies have been carried out into the success of the Job Interview Guarantee Scheme:

  Job Interview Guarantee Scheme:

  Analysis of monitoring information

  By Kay Pattinson

  RED Report No. 58 November 1990

  Job Interview Guarantee Evaluation:

  Report on a survey of JIG participants

  British Market Research Bureau Limited

  May 1992

  Job Interview Guarantee Evaluation:

  Report on survey of JIG employers

  British Market Research Bureau Limited

  May 1992

  These reports are available from the House of Commons Library.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Work Scheme Costs
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will update the estimates given in Cm. 2805 on(a) the effect on public revenues of work trials and (b) the estimated numbers who will benefit from the scheme in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 and (iv) 1998–99. [13414]
  72
  (2) if she will update the estimates given in Cm. 2805 on (a) the effect on public revenues of the job interview guarantee scheme and (b) the estimated numbers who will benefit from the scheme in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 and (iv) 1998–99. [13412]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about updating the estimates given in Cm. 2805 (the Departmental Report) for the effect on public revenues and the estimated number of people who will benefit from Work Trials and Job Interview Guarantee (JIG) Scheme in each of the following years 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  The tables below set out both expenditure and the number of opportunities for each of the programmes in a similar format to the 1995 Departmental Report to allow comparisons to be made.

  Work Trials

  11995–96

  21996–97

  21997–98

  21998–99

  Expenditure £ million1

  1.8

  2.4

  2.4

  2.4

  Opportunities

  30,000

  40,000

  40,000

  40,000

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Plan.

  3 This expenditure only represents the programme expenditure for Work Trials which is used for paying participants travel and other expenses. Work Trials is also supported by administrative running costs for ES people.

  Job Interview Guarantee Scheme

  11995–96

  21996–97

  11997–98

  21998–99

  Expenditure (£ million)3

  0.9

  1.3

  1.3

  1.3

  Opportunities

  300,000

  300,000

  300,000

  300,000

  1 Estimated outturn.

  2 Plan.

  3 Programme expenditure is used to fund Job Preparation Courses. Running Cost expenditure for the other elements of JIG are not included in this table.

  Education SSA (Buckinghamshire)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the education standing spending assessment for Buckinghamshire county council for each year since 1990–91; and if she will make a statement. [13350]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is set out in the list. The figures are in cash terms and therefore unadjusted for local education authorities' loss of responsibility for certain functions, notably most further education 1993–94, and for the reform of inter-authority recoupment in 1995–96.

  1990–91 £206.348 million

  1991–92 £241.804 million

  1992–93 £259.972 million

  1993–94 £242.179 million

  1994–95 £249.922 million

  1995–96 £244.491 million

  1996–97 £252.855 million

  73

  Universities
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many vice-chancellors have been sent a formal invitation to meet her to discuss(a) their institutions and (b) the university sector. [13347]

  Mr. Forth
  It is not generally my right hon. Friend's practice to send individual vice-chancellors formal invitations to meet her. She does meet them and visit universities from time to time at their invitation and she has regular contact with their representative bodies. She wrote to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals on 1 February inviting them to meet her shortly.

  Older Workers
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the evaluation of the Government's policy to promote the skills of the over-45's in the workplace will(a) be completed and (b) be published. [13261]

  Mr. Forth
  The evaluation of the Department's campaign for older workers, which includes a survey of employers' policies, practices and attitudes towards older workers, will be(a) completed by the end of April and (b) published during September 1996.

  Information Technology (Consultation)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has for consulting the teaching profession before the moratorium on curriculum changes ends on the effect which the increasing use of information technology, both in school and in the home, will have on the national curriculum and assessment methods. [13558]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. There was widespread consultation about technology during Sir Ron Dealing's review of the national curriculum. One outcome was that information technology became a national curriculum subject on its own; this was generally welcomed. The School Curriculum and Assessment Authority has a programme for monitoring the implementation of the revised national curriculum subject orders, including IT, during the moratorium period. It will consider, in the light of evidence received as part of this monitoring programme, whether there is a need for further review when the moratorium expires.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the number of staff employed by his Department or related agencies in each of the travel-to-work areas of Carmarthen, South Pembrokeshire, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan on(a) 31 March 1979, (b) 31 March 1990, (c) 31 March 1992, (d) 31 March 1995, (e) the latest available figure and (f) the estimate for 31 March 1997. [13294]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The only part of the Department with staff in these areas is the Employment Service, for which this information is not available either in the form requested or before 1994. Full-time equivalent ES staff numbers of 14 April 1995, the nearest available to 74
  31 March 1995, and for 12 January 1996, are shown in the following table. The estimate for March 1997 is not yet available.

  12 January 1996

  14 April 1995

  Cardigan1

  17

  19

  Carmarthen

  20

  19

  Haverfordwest2

  27

  29

  Milford Haven

  17

  17

  Pembroke Dock3

  27

  28

  Total

  108

  112

  1 Cardigan includes Llandysul ES jobcentre.

  2 Haverfordwest includes Fishguard ES jobcentre.

  3 Pembroke Dock includes Tenby ES jobcentre.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Concessionary Fares Scheme
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are currently issued with travel passes under the concessionary fares scheme in Northern Ireland, broken down by category. [12695]

  Mr. Moss
  This information is not currently available, but has been collected since July 1995 in respect of new passes issued.

  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had, and with which bodies, over the possibility of making travel passes issued under the concessionary fares scheme in Northern Ireland valid in the Republic of Ireland and vice versa. [12696]

  Mr. Moss
  There have been no discussions on this issue at ministerial level. However, officials were involved in discussions with the Department of Social Welfare in the Republic of Ireland about the establishment of the Republic's free cross-border travel scheme for senior citizens, which came into effect on 1 July 1995. That scheme entitles concessionary pass holders in either Northern Ireland or the Republic to travel free on a journey from any point within one jurisdiction to any point within the other.

  Fishing Industry (Portavogie)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the impact of the weather conditions in the past two months on the fishing industry in Portavogie; what proposals he has for severe weather compensation for the fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement. [12515]

  Mr. Ancram
  In November and December the total value of fish landed in Portavogie was lower than in recent past years, which is partly due to the reductions of vessels based at Portavogie of which 30 have been decommissioned since the UK introduced decommissioning schemes in 1993. However, the total value of landings in 1995 is only marginally less than that
  75
  in 1993 and is in keeping with an overall general decline in the value of landings at Portavogie. There are no plans to give severe weather compensation. The vagaries of the weather is one of the several factors which fishermen have to take into account in the evaluation of their operations on a longer-term basis.

  Arms Decommissioning
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the costs of the Mitchell decommissioning body; what public money the Government paid towards those costs; and what arrangements have been made with the Eire Government for sharing those costs and in what proportions. [12823]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The cost of providing office accommodation, equipment and furnishings in Belfast and Dublin for the international body on decommissioning is being met by the British and Irish Governments separately; all other costs are being met jointly and equally by the two Governments. It is not yet possible to give details of the costs; but as soon as they are available I shall write to the hon. and learned Gentleman.

  Cultural Traditions Group
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will require the Cultural Traditions Group to include the word "Fowkgates" in its logo. [12824]

  Mr. Ancram
  No. I am aware that the Cultural Traditions Group is keen to give greater expression to the Scottish strand in Northern Ireland's cultural heritage and I will give it every encouragement in this respect.

  Firearm Certificates
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the adult male population in Northern Ireland holds a firearm certificate. [12845]

  Sir John Wheeler
  At 30 November 1995, 88,092 persons held firearm certificates issued under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. A male/female breakdown of this figure could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, it represents approximately 15.65 percent, of the adult population1 of Northern Ireland.1 Based on the General Register Office, 1994 mid-year estimate.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he has taken, or proposes to take, to reduce the number of people who hold a firearm certificate. [12847]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has not taken, nor is he proposing to take at this time, any measures specifically aimed at reducing the number of people who would otherwise be permitted to hold firearm certificates. The current review of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 aims to ensure that the law strikes the right balance between individual and public safety and the maintenance of order, and reasonable expectations of those who wish to use firearms in a responsible and legitimate manner.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many holders of firearm certificates 76
  have used their weapons in incidents which led to their facing criminal charges in the past five years. [12848]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This information is not available in the form requested and to obtain it would incur disproportionate cost. However, the Chief Constable has advised that the number of incidents in which licensed firearm holders have used their own guns in the commission of a crime, within the past five years, is negligible.

  Planning (Donaghadee)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors led to the woodlands known as "The Walks" at Moat street, Donaghadee being white zoned; and if he will review that decision. [12826]

  Mr. Moss
  The woodlands, which are within the development limits of Donaghadee, are not zoned for a specific use but are referred to as "white land" in the North Down and Ards area plan 1984 to 1995. The Department proposes to commence preparation of a new plan for the Ards borough council area later this year, which will involve the review of existing land use zonings, development limits and planning policies.

  Employment
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the change in the number of people annually who will(a) not get action for community employment in North Down and (b) not obtain alternative employment as a result of proposed budget reductions. [12829]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your questions about the Action for Community Employment (ACE) programme.

  (a) The Agency estimates that in North Down there will be 74 fewer places available for ACE workers in 1996/97 than were available in 1995/96;

  (b) This is impossible to judge precisely. However, the performance of the Northern Ireland economy provides good ause for optimism. Unemployment is at its lowest level for 14 years and employment at record levels. Job vacancies being notified by employers to the Training and Employment Agency's local offices are at record levels—currently standing at 7,500. The opportunities for jobseekers to find work are better now than they have been for some considerable time.

  I hope that you find this reply useful. I will of course be pleased to provide further information if you would find it helpful.

  Family Credit
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average hourly wage earned by family heads in receipt of family credit in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales. [12545]
  77
  Mr. Moss
  The average hourly wage earned by family heads in receipt of family credit in Northern Ireland, England and Scotland and Wales at 31 January 1995, the latest date for which comparable data are available, are shown in the table.

  Average hourly wage earned by family heads in receipt of Family Credit1

  Average hourly wage (£)

  Northern Ireland

  3.22

  England

  3.63

  Scotland

  3.70

  Wales

  3.50

  1 Figures at 31 January 1995.

  Child Support Agency
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the operation in Northern Ireland of the review procedure of the Child Support Agency. [12546]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Child Support Agency under its chief executive, Patrick Devlin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from P. Devlin to Rev. William McCrea, dated 5 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question about the operation in Northern Ireland of the review procedure of the Child Support Agency.

  The procedures used by the Agency in reviewing child maintenance assessments are governed by the provisions of the Child Support (NI) Order 1991; the Child Support (Maintenance Assessment Procedure) Regulations (NI) 1992 and the Child Support (NI) Order 1995.

  Where either parent is not satisfied with a decision of a Child Support Officer he or she may ask for it to be reviewed. The case is then reconsidered by a different Child Support Officer who may refuse to review the decision; or may review and confirm or review and revise the assessment.

  If either party remains aggrieved by the decision of a Child Support Officer in respect of a review or a refusal to refuse an assessment, he or she may appeal to a Child Support Appeal Tribunal.

  During the period 6 April 1995 to 18 January 1996 the Agency reviewed 2273 maintenance assessments. In the same period the Agency referred 78 appeals to the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS).

  I hope you find this information useful.

  Child Rearing Costs
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the current costs of bringing up children to(a) lone parents and (b) couples. [12547]

  Mr. Moss
  Where a lone parent is in employment there is a potentially greater need to pay for child care. Apart from this, there is no consistent evidence that the financial requirements of a lone-parent household in bringing up a child are different from those of a two-parent household.

  Suicides
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suicides there have been in the Province in each of the last 10 years. [12548]
  78
  Sir John Wheeler
  The number of deaths registered as suicides in the Province in each of the last 10 years is set out in the list. Deaths are recorded according to date of registration and not by date of occurrence.

  1985: 117

  1986: 145

  1987: 86

  1988: 153

  1989: 116

  1990: 158

  1991: 129

  1992: 107

  1993: 129

  1994: 138

  1995: 55 up to 30 June

  Social Security (Fraud)
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many fraud investigation officers were employed in social security offices in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years; [12549]

  (2) what priority has been given to tackling fraud in the social service reforms. [12550]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Rev. William McCrea, dated 1 February 1996:

  I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on fraud investigation officers and social security fraud.

  You asked for information on the number of fraud investigation officers employed in social security offices in each of the last 10 years. I'm sorry that records are only available from the 1988/89 financial year and I have set these out in the attached table. I should explain that wile these officers cover social security office areas they are managed centrally by the Agency's Fraud and Prosecutions Unit in a regional office structure and not by SSO management.

  You also wished to know the level of priority given to tackling fraud in social security benefits. I would wish to assure your that providing safeguards against fraud and abuse in the social security system has been and continues to be one of the Agency's top priorities. This stems from the main aims and objectives set out in the Agency's Framework Document and annual Business plans and through my responsibilities as an Accounting Officer. Each year the Agency is set targets for benefit savings from anti-fraud work and these have increased from £7.84m in 1991/92 to £14m for 1995/96. Despite the difficult security conditions in which our investigation officers have had to operate, the Agency has met all its fraud savings targets up to the end of 1994/95 and has saved some £44m in total.

  Recently, responsibility for formulating the policy for social security fraud has been transferred from the Department to the Agency and at the beginning of January this year the Department issued a corporate statement on fraud to all its business areas. The statement contains a set of principles which include the duty to ensure that steps are taken to prevent, deter and detect fraud and, where appropriate, to prosecute offenders. The Agency is in the process of developing a new security strategy for social security benefits which will shift the focus of fraud work from detection and investigation to prevention of offences before they occur. An important element of the new anti-fraud strategy is the introduction of a benefit payment card which will provide a much more secure payment system as well as more efficient accounting arrangements.
  79
  Finally, the Social Security Agency will continue to review its operational procedures, savings targets and objectives to ensure that they meet our main aim that only the right amount of benefit is paid to the right person.

  I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide you with any further information you may require.

  Number of investigation officers employed on social security fraud

  Year

  Number of investigators

  1988–89

  41

  1989–90

  45

  1990–91

  73

  1991–92

  71

  1992–93

  74

  1993–94

  73

  1994–951

  66

  1995–961

  61

  1 The reduction in staff in 1994–95 and 1995–96 was due to problems the Agency had in filling vacancies.

  School Curriculum
  Rev. William McCrea
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the quality and diversity of the curriculum in school education. [12551]

  Mr. Ancram
  For pupils aged four to 16, the Northern Ireland curriculum provides a broad range of subjects offering high-quality programmes of study and ensuring a curriculum of appropriate breadth, balance and depth. The requirements for all compulsory subjects—apart from the statutory core syllabus for religious education, the content of which has not been reviewed—have recently been reduced to give teachers and pupils at all ages more flexibility to study subjects and topics in which they are interested beyond the requirements. The revised programmes will come into effect from September 1996, and I am confident that teachers will welcome them.

  For pupils aged 16 to 19 in schools, there is no compulsory curriculum beyond religious education; each school with a sixth form offers a range of subjects according to its own strengths and students' needs. The Dearing review will be reporting within the next few months on ways to strengthen, consolidate and improve the national framework of qualifications for young people aged 16-plus which of course also applies in Northern Ireland.

  Stormont Parliament Building
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress made in restoring the Chamber at Stormont and other parts of the Parliament building damaged or destroyed by fire. [12919]

  Mr. Moss
  The first priority, after the weatherproofing and salvage had been carried out, was to ensure that the Chamber was structurally sound. This was achieved by demolishing unstable masonry and repairing damaged roof structural steelwork. This was completed in October 1995. The condition of the structure continues to be monitored to establish when conditions have stabilised sufficiently to allow the commencement of the interior fit out of the Chamber. Work is well under way to restore 80
  those other areas of the building damaged by the fire and to refurbish the remainder of the building. The contract should be completed by spring 1997.

  Suckled Calves (Prices)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the price paid for suckled calves in the main Northern Ireland markets in actual and in real terms over each of the last 25 years or for as long a period as is readily available to him. [13447]

  Mr. Ancram
  Estimates of prices paid for suckled calves in a sample of the main markets in Northern Ireland in each of the last 25 years are given in the table, in current prices and in real terms.

  Suckled calf prices in Northern Ireland

  £/head

  Year

  Current prices

  Prices in real terms using 1995 as the base year

  1971

  47.34

  347.55

  1972

  80.53

  553.41

  1973

  78.51

  493.61

  1974

  32.80

  177.84

  1975

  72.17

  314.78

  1976

  164.23

  614.30

  1977

  165.54

  534.61

  1978

  204.20

  609.51

  1979

  176.74

  465.27

  1980

  159.11

  354.85

  1981

  227.41

  453.29

  1982

  257.47

  472.56

  1983

  258.60

  453.51

  1984

  267.10

  446.55

  1985

  230.88

  363.87

  1986

  227.73

  346.88

  1987

  298.87

  437.21

  1988

  357.32

  498.64

  1989

  330.27

  427.11

  1990

  278.97

  329.74

  1991

  263.82

  294.46

  1992

  305.36

  328.72

  1993

  329.91

  349.73

  1994

  374.87

  387.66

  1995

  426.14

  426.14

  Potatoes
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to ensure that diseased potatoes from elsewhere in the European Community are not imported into Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [13448]

  Mr. Ancram
  Council directive 77/93/EEC, implemented in Northern Ireland by the Plant Health Order (Northern Ireland) 1993, sets out the plant health requirements which have to be met before potatoes can be moved into Northern Ireland.

  Commission directive 93/17/EEC, implemented in Northern Ireland by the Seed Potatoes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994, provides a series of measures which set high-quality standards for seed potatoes being imported into Northern Ireland.
  81
  More recently, as a result of outbreaks of the potato disease brown rot in the Netherlands, the EU has laid down requirements to be met by the Dutch authorities to prevent the spread of the disease, Commission decision 95/506/EC. The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland used enabling powers provided by this Commission decision to require the pre-notification of all Dutch potatoes being imported into Northern Ireland. Should any Dutch potatoes be imported they will be subject to detention, inspection and testing.

  Mr. Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the Official Report the tonnage of seed potatoes exported from Northern Ireland to (a) Great Britain and (b) elsewhere from the (i) 1994 crop, (ii) 1995 crop, or his estimate of the 1995 crop, (iii) 1985 crop and (iv) the 1975 crop. [13449]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Tonnage shipped to:

  Crop year

  Great Britain

  Elsewhere

  1975

  10,884

  39,358

  1985

  7,453

  42,348

  1994

  4,167

  21,163

  1995

  14,000

  120,000

  1 Estimated.

SCOTLAND

  Positive about Disabled People Symbol
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for his Department and each of the agencies for which he is responsible if it uses the Employment Services's positive about disabled people symbol for(a) external recruitment and (b) internal recruitment and promotion. [11911]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  None of my departments or agencies currently use the Employment Services's positive about disabled people symbol. However, my Department and agencies are giving further consideration to becoming symbol users.

  Scottish Grand Committee (Costs)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost to public funds to his Department of each meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee in the current Session, and what estimate he has made of the cost of each meeting which is due to take place; and if he will itemise the costs. [12016]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The cost of hiring venues, catering, security and use of equipment and so on, is borne by the House authorities. Scottish Office officials supporting Ministers in connection with Committee meetings do so as part of their normal duties and no additional staff costs are incurred.

  Agriculture Department
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time members of staff are currently employed by the Scottish Office Agriculture Department in Edinburgh; and at what grades are they employed. [12306]
  82
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The numbers and grades of staff employed on a full-time basis in the agricultural divisions of the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department who are based in Edinburgh are shown in the table. The table reflects the position as at 1 January 1996.

  Full-time staff employed in agricultural divisions of the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department in Edinburgh

  Position as at 1 January 1996

  Grade

  Permanent

  Casual

  Total

  Professional and Technical Staff

  Grade 4: Chief Agricultural Officer

  1

  —

  1

  Grade 5: Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer

  1

  —

  1

  Grade 6: Assistant Chief Agricultural Officer

  4

  —

  4

  Grade 7: Surveyor

  2

  —

  2

  Principal Agricultural/Horticultural Officer

  3

  —

  3

  Senior Agricultural/Horticultural Officer

  10

  —

  10

  Higher Agricultural/Horticultural Officer

  5

  —

  5

  Higher Marketing Officer

  2

  —

  2

  Agricultural/Horticultural Officer

  4

  —

  4

  Marketing Officer

  4

  —

  4

  Food and Dairy Officer

  2

  —

  2

  Senior Professional and Technical Officer

  2

  —

  2

  Higher Professional and Technical Officer

  1

  —

  1

  Professional and Technical Officer

  6

  —

  6

  TG2—Tracer

  2

  —

  2

  Administrative Staff

  Grade 3: Under Secretary

  1

  —

  1

  Grade 5: Assistant Secretary

  5

  —

  5

  Grade 7: Principal

  18

  —

  18

  Senior Executive Officer

  5

  —

  5

  Higher Executive Officer

  32

  —

  32

  Executive Officer

  37

  —

  37

  Administrative Officer

  51

  —

  51

  Administrative Assistant

  33

  8

  41

  Personal Secretary

  14

  —

  14

  Typist

  8

  —

  8

  Industrial Staff

  1

  —

  1

  Totals

  254

  8

  262

  Parliamentary Electorates
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the electorates of the new parliamentary constituencies in Scotland as at 16 February 1995. [12730]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The electorates of the new parliamentary constituencies as at 16 February 1995 are not known, as the Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Order 1995 was not made until 11 April 1995.
  83
  Information was collected as at 2 June 1995, however, for the purposes of the European Parliamentary constituencies review, as follows:

  Parliamentary constituency

  Total electors 1995

  Aberdeen Central

  56,278

  Aberdeen North

  54,869

  Aberdeen South

  61,296

  Airdrie and Shotts

  59,047

  Angus

  60,219

  Argyll and Bute

  49,981

  Ayr

  56,138

  Banff and Buchan

  59,781

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  41,801

  Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley

  66,967

  Central Fife

  58,680

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  52,245

  Clydesdale

  63,781

  Coatbridge and Chryston

  52,645

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  47,895

  Cunninghame North

  56,073

  Cunninghame South

  49,826

  Dumbarton

  57,569

  Dumfries

  63,149

  Dundee East

  58,569

  Dundee West

  57,340

  Dunfermline East

  51,481

  Dunfermline West

  53,255

  East Kilbride

  65,519

  East Lothian

  57,232

  Eastwood

  66,280

  Edinburgh Central

  62,072

  Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

  59,640

  Edinburgh North and Leith

  60,715

  Edinburgh Pentlands

  59,265

  Edinburgh South

  62,522

  Edinburgh West

  61,682

  Falkirk East

  56,993

  Falkirk West

  53,558

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  53,440

  Glasgow Anniesland

  53,574

  Glasgow Baillieston

  51,158

  Glasgow Cathcart

  50,578

  Glasgow Govan

  50,339

  Glasgow Kelvin

  55,722

  Glasgow Maryhill

  53,193

  Glasgow Pollok

  50,729

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  51,782

  Glasgow Shettleston

  49,845

  Glasgow Sprinburn

  53,598

  Gordon

  58,998

  Greenock and Inverclyde

  50,300

  Hamilton North and Bellshill

  53,970

  Hamilton South

  47,146

  Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber

  64,755

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  62,610

  Kirkcaldy

  52,018

  Linlithgow

  53,674

  GP fundholder management allowance

  £000

  Health board

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Argyll and Clyde

  5

  17

  134

  170

  211

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  —

  77

  132

  133

  Borders

  —

  —

  26

  55

  71

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  33

  92

  Fife

  —

  —

  36

  85

  125

  Forth Valley

  —

  32

  86

  127

  165

  Grampian

  —

  85

  539

  1,006

  1,310

  Greater Glasgow

  —

  35

  90

  275

  552

  Highland

  —

  —

  34

  101

  105

  84

  Parliamentary constituency

  Total electors 1995

  Livingston

  59,226

  Midlothian

  47,873

  Moray

  59,401

  Motherwell and Wishaw

  52,847

  North-east Fife

  58,390

  North Tayside

  61,166

  Ochil

  57,191

  Orkney and Shetland

  32,421

  Paisley North

  49,548

  Paisley South

  53,467

  Perth

  59,995

  Ross, Skye and Inverness West

  55,638

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  47,318

  Stirling

  52,588

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  63,495

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  51,085

  West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

  58,248

  West Renfrewshire

  52,927

  Western Isles

  23,313

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to vet private health companies which tender for contracts to run NHS services under the Government's private finance initiative. [12611]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All private sector organisations wishing to become involved in NHS schemes must, under European procurement legislation, pass through a prequalification stage under which their financial position, legal status and competence to carry out the task are explored. All companies which succeed in reaching tender stage of a project will have demonstrated their soundness in all these areas. It is the responsibility of NHS trusts and health boards to establish the suitability of prospective partners.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on the management allowances of general practitioner fundholding practices; and how much this represented for each GP fundholder practice in operation in each financial year since the introduction of GP fundholding for each health board area in Scotland. [12505]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Expenditure on management allowances for general practitioner fundholding practices in Scotland in the period 1990–91 to 1994–95 is set out in the table. Details of management allowances for individual GP fundholding practices are not held centrally.
  85

  GP fundholder management allowance

  £000

  Health board

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  178

  418

  535

  Lothian

  16

  33

  168

  429

  697

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland Tayside

  4

  50

  186

  283

  337

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland

  25

  252

  1,554

  3,114

  4,333

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been at the end of each financial year since the introduction of general practitioner fundholding for each health board area in Scotland the amounts retained by general practitioner fundholding practices. [12507]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information in the table sets out GP fundholder savings which are retained by the health board on the fundholder's behalf to be used for the benefit of patients.

  £000

  Health board

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Argyll and Clyde

  56

  nil

  55

  214

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  —

  330

  214

  Borders

  —

  —

  65

  291

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  76

  Fife

  —

  —

  96

  150

  Forth Valley

  —

  —

  23

  101

  Grampian

  103

  95

  551

  1,207

  Greater Glasgow

  —

  13

  185

  888

  Highland

  —

  —

  87

  —

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  458

  1,360

  Lothian

  29

  39

  354

  868

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  —

  12

  278

  363

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland

  188

  159

  2,482

  5,732

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial support is available to general practitioner fundholding practices from(a) Scottish health boards, (b) his Department and (c) the NHS Management Executive in addition to management allowances paid to general practitioner fundholding practices. [12509]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In addition to the management allowance, GP fundholders can receive reimbursement for the purchase of computer systems required for fundholding purposes. This provision allows for GP fundholders to receive 75 per cent. of the cost of computer hardware and 100 per cent. of the cost of the software.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the maximum level of the management allowances payable to general practitioner fundholding practices has been set at in each financial year since the introduction of fundholding; and what additional expenditure incurred by general practitioner fundholders the management allowances is supposed to cover. [12513]
  86
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Year

  Maximum amount of management allowance £

  1990–91

  16,000

  1991–92

  33,000

  1992–93

  34,500

  1993–94

  35,000

  1994–95

  35,000

  From 1 April 1995:

  Standard fundholding practices

  £

  Fixed standard fundholding allowance (per fund)

  27,258

  List size allowance per patient for the first 0–6,999

  1.88

  then 7,000–10,999

  1.61

  11,000–14,999

  1.52

  15,000–20,999

  1.17

  21,000+

  1.02

  Site allowance (for each major branch surgery)

  650

  Standard fundholding group allowance (for each practice in excess of one in a single fund)

  1,400

  Primary care purchasing practices

  £

  Fixed primary care purchasing allowance (per fund)

  14,135

  Site allowance (for each major branch surgery)

  650

  Standard primary care purchasing group allowance (for each practice in excess of one in a single fund)

  1,250

  Management expenses are defined in the National Health Service (Fund-Holding Practices) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1995 as:

  (a) the cost of employing staff in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

  (b) the cost of training members of the practice or their staff in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

  (c) the cost of either—

  (i) employing or engaging (as an assistant or deputy) a registered medical practitioner to provide general medical services to the patients of a member of the practice who is engaged in the management of the allotted sum, or

  (ii) paying a member of the practice for his time in connection with the management of the allotted sum;

  (d) the cost of acquiring office equipment (excluding computers) required for the purposes of the management of the allotted sum;

  87

  (e) the upkeep and running costs of office equipment required for the purposes of the management of the allotted sum, including computer hardware and software running costs;

  (f) the cost of specialist advice required in connection with the management of the allotted sum; and

  (g) the cost of minor internal modifications to any premises from which the members of the practice carry on their practice which are required to provide office accommodation for staff employed in connection with the management of the allotted sum.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been retained out of surplus in their budgets by each general practitioner fundholding practice in Scotland at the end of each financial year. [12508]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what responsibility health boards and the NHS Management Executive have in respect of monitoring the

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Practices1

  Patients2

  Percentage of all patients1

  Total1

  Patients2

  Percentage of all patients3

  Argyll and Clyde

  —

  —

  —

  1

  9,017

  2

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Borders

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Forth Valley

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grampian

  6

  65,656

  12.5

  6

  66,355

  12.5

  Greater Glasgow

  —

  —

  —

  2

  20,054

  2

  Highland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lothian

  2

  10,649

  1.3

  2

  10,587

  1.3

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  3

  19,195

  4.7

  3

  19,432

  4.7

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Total1

  Patients2

  Percentage of all patients3

  Total1

  Patients2

  Percentage of all patients3

  Argyll and Clyde

  5

  36,508

  8.2

  5

  35,996

  8.2

  Ayrshire and Arran

  4

  25,479

  6.5

  5

  34,773

  8.9

  Borders

  1

  7,003

  6.5

  3

  15,984

  14.8

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  1

  7,071

  4.6

  Fife

  3

  31,274

  8.9

  4

  39,959

  11.3

  Forth Valley

  2

  12,390

  4.3

  4

  31,392

  10.8

  Grampian

  26

  251,404

  46.9

  39

  332,484

  61.7

  Greater Glasgow

  6

  39,208

  3.9

  13

  90,096

  9.0

  Highland

  3

  12,218

  5.8

  7

  29,084

  13.7

  Lanarkshire

  9

  93,685

  16.1

  16

  174,059

  29.8

  Lothian

  12

  78,898

  9.8

  26

  159,457

  19.8

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  10

  73,121

  17.8

  11

  83,880

  20.4

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 GP practices which were 'live' fundholders for all or part of the financial year, ie excludes practices in the preparatory stage of fundholding. There were none in the year ended 31 March 1991.

  2 All patients on the lists of practices, as defined above, including those living outwith the health board area, as at 1 April immediately following the end of the financial year.

  3 Patients, as defined above, as a percentage of all patients of all principals contracted to the health board, as at 1 April immediately following the end of the financial year. Includes patients living outwith the health board area and excludes patients who reside in the health board area but are on the lists of principals contracted to other health boards.

  88
  use made of general practitioner fundholding practices of any surpluses retained by their practices at the end of the financial year. [12510]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Under the National Health Service (Fundholding Practices) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1995, it is the responsibility of health boards to be satisfied that expenditure by GP fundholders on audited savings is for the benefit of the patients of the members of practice and represents value for money.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many general practitioner fundholding practices have been in operation, giving the number of patients covered by general practitioner fundholding practices; and what percentage this represented of the health board's total population for each financial year since the introduction of general practitioner fundholding for each health board area in Scotland. [12506]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Edzell Base
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what studies he has commissioned regarding the effects of closure of Edzell base on the local economy; and if he will make a statement; [13687]

  (2) what forms of (a) financial and (b) other assistance from his Department will be available to address the effects of the closure of Edzell base; [13691]

  (3) what additional finance he has provided to (a) Edzell base and (b) the local economy during the transition phase to closure; and if he will make a statement. [13686]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office has assisted in planning for the rundown through membership of the Ministry of Defence joint working group and the Edzell task force. In addition, the Scottish Office contributed to the costs of a consultancy study, assessing the likely impact of the closure, which has been commissioned on behalf of the task force. The need for additional finance from the Scottish Office or any other source to address the effects of the closure of the Edzell base can be assessed only once the consultancy report has been considered and proposals to tackle any problems have been developed. The task force will be considering the consultants' draft report shortly.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whom he has met to discuss the closure of the Edzell base; what alternative uses have been proposed for the base after its closure; and if he will make a statement. [13689]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has not been involved in any meetings specifically concerned with the closure of the RAF base at Edzell. However, he is represented by officials on the Ministry of Defence joint working group, which is considering issues related to the disposal of the base. In addition, a Scottish Office official chairs the Edzell task force, which is considering the need for measures to address the impact of the closure on the local economy. Several possible alternative uses for the base have been proposed by members of the public and bodies with an interest in the area. The task force provides an appropriate forum in which to consider these suggestions.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates he has made of(a) the employment and (b) other economic effects arising from the closure of Edzell base. [13688]

  Mr. Kynoch
  When the closure was announced in July 1995, Scottish Office economists prepared a rough estimate, based on limited provisional information, of the likely impact of the closure on local employment and unemployment. This suggested a reduction in employment of about 400 and a likely increase of about 270 in registered unemployment in the Brechin and Montrose travel-to-work area. Consultants commissioned on behalf of the Edzell task force are currently preparing more refined estimates, based on the results of local surveys, and the preliminary indication is that the initial estimates overstate both the loss of jobs and the impact on unemployment.
  90
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the United States authorities regarding the retention of infrastructure, buildings and other assets after the closure of the Edzell base. [13690]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has made no direct representations to the United States authorities regarding the retention of infrastructure, buildings and other assets after the closure of the RAF base at Edzell. However, my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces wrote to the United States ambassador in July 1995 on a range of issues, including the infrastructure to be retained at Edzell, relevant to minimising the impact of the closure. On behalf of my right hon. Friend, I also wrote to the ambassador in July expressing my support for the approach taken in the letter from my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces. The response from the ambassador confirms my expectation that the United States authorities will adopt a flexible approach on these issues.

  Scottish Office Media Monitoring
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, if he will list those agencies or companies which submitted tenders for (a) the trial media monitoring service and (b) the long-term media monitoring service. [12740]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: Tenders have been invited for a press cuttings service. This service is the identification, selection and compilation of any articles in daily or Sunday newspapers on matters for which the Scottish Office is responsible. It is not possible to identify those press cuttings agencies which have either provided this service on a trial basis or submitted tenders, as this information is classed as restricted-commercial.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, if he will list the independent press cuttings agencies which have been providing a trail media monitoring service to the Scottish Office since October 1995; and what has been the cost to date of such expenditure, including the tender process. [12739]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: This information is classed as restricted-commercial.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, to whom the companies and agencies engaged in media monitoring activities will be directly responsible on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement. [12771]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The company which wins the contract will, like the company at present providing the service on a trial basis, be responsible on a daily basis to the head of the secretariat in the information directorate of the Scottish Office.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, on what dates he invited the tenders for the media monitoring service on (a) a trial and (b) long-term basis; and what form the invitations took. [12741]
  91
  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: Tenders for providing the press cuttings service for a period of three years—with the possibility of an extension to five years—were issued on 8 December 1995 and are in accordance with standard invitation to tender documents used by the Scottish Office.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, what guidance was given to the press cuttings agencies which have been providing a media monitoring service since October 1995 to ensure that the media monitoring activities were limited to coverage of official Scottish Office activities. [12769]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: I understand that the agencies which have provided a press cuttings service on a trial basis were asked in writing to select only articles on matters for which the Scottish Office is responsible.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, if he will make a statement on the criteria to be used in selecting the companies or agencies, during the current tender exercise, to provide the media monitoring service to the Scottish Office. [12743]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The criteria will be the price, the delivery of the service, the quality of the service, experience of similar contracts and customer service.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, if he will make a statement on the criteria which were used in selecting the press cutting agencies to provide the trial media monitoring service to the Scottish Office. [12742]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: I understand that both companies approached the Scottish Office offering to provide a press cuttings service. It was decided to offer both companies a trial period to evaluate the quality of their service against that of the in-house one and to ensure value for money.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, columns 94, what conventions or guidelines apply to outside agencies or companies engaged in media monitoring activities on behalf of the Scottish Office; and if he will make a statement. [12770]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: When the contract is awarded, the successful company will provide the press cuttings service in accordance with the tender specification and will comply with Scottish Office terms and conditions of contract.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 94, if he will publish the remit which was given to the press cuttings agencies which have been providing a media monitoring service since October 1995. [12744]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The companies have been asked to provide cuttings from daily and Sunday newspapers on articles on matters for which
  92
  the Scottish Office is responsible and to deliver the cuttings to St. Andrew's house, Edinburgh or Dover house, London by specified times.

  Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services Scheme
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of expenditure on the highlands and islands veterinary services scheme in 1994– 95; and what is the estimated expenditure in 1995–96 and 1996–97. [12574]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: In the financial year 1994–95 a total of £231,717 was expended on the Highlands and Islands veterinary services scheme. Planned provision in 1995–96 and 1996— 97 is just under £300,000.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many practices have resigned from the highlands and islands veterinary services scheme since 1 January 1995. [12575]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: There have been no resignations from the highlands and islands veterinary services scheme since 1 January 1995.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when it was decided to fund the new Scottish ambulance communication system through a private finance initiative; when tenders were sought on this basis; when they were submitted to the Scottish Office; how many were received; and when he expects the result of this to be announced. [12958]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: Recognising that private sector capabilities and skills might more effectively manage the installation and operation of modern telecommunications systems, early replacement of the remaining old ambulance radio system was included as a key element of a procurement exercise initiated in October 1994. This open procurement, conducted under European Community rules, resulted in keen competition. The proposals of three potential suppliers were evaluated and subjected to field trials in early 1995, following which detailed contract negotiations have continued with a single consortium. It was invited to submit a tender on 28 December 1995; this was submitted on 15 January 1996 and it is expected that a decision will be announced at the end of February.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the decision to equip the Scottish ambulance service with a new command and control communication system was announced; and when he expects it to be fully operational. [12957]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: The decision to provide a new radio system, and associated command and control computer system for the Scottish ambulance service was announced to the Scottish Grand Committee on 7 March 1989, Official Report, column 4. The radio system became operational in the Grampian region in December 1993 and was successfully linked to the command and control system in March 1994. Extension of the system to

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  Highland region and the western isles was completed by the end of 1994; present installation work in Tayside is nearing completion.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many incidents there have been in each year since 1988 when ambulances have been unable to be contacted in emergencies because they were out of contact with the control headquarters. [12959]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: A comprehensive record of the numbers of such incidents is not maintained by the Scottish Ambulance Service NHS trust. Ambulance performance for emergency calls is measured in terms of the time taken for an ambulance to reach the patient. Performance against response time targets has improved consistently across Scotland including in those areas where the new radio communications system has still to be installed.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many prizes have been paid out by the national lottery. [11772]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To date, the total number of prizes that have been paid out by the national lottery is 315,155,491. Of this amount, 73,730,101 are from the on-line game, and 241,425,390 from instants.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations she has received on the subject of the size of national lottery jackpots. [11773]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  I have received a number of representations on the size of national lottery jackpots.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many art galleries have been awarded funds from the national lottery. [11774]

  Mr. Sproat
  Twenty art galleries throughout the United Kingdom have received grants from the national lottery totalling £58.6 million.

  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans her Department has to enable small, rural communities to apply for national lottery funds. [11777]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  The Government and the distributors want to see lottery funds going to communities throughout the UK. The proposals I announced on Monday 22 January,Official Report, columns 41–42, would enable the national lottery to support projects giving greater access to the arts and sport, including in rural areas.

  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many museums have been awarded funds from the national lottery. [11779]

  Mr. Sproat
  Forty-one museums throughout the United Kingdom have received grants from the national lottery totalling £38.5 million.
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  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what further discussions she expects to have with Camelot regarding the national lottery. [11780]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  I plan to visit Camelot's operations centre in Watford on 22 February.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on recent developments in the national lottery. [11764]

  Mr. Sproat
  The changes which I propose to make are a natural development of the national lottery. I intend to make it possible for the distributors to support new initiatives particularly aimed at youth, talent, access and participation. I shall be encouraging the arts councils to make awards that help innovation—for example, to aspiring new playwrights or composers.

  Sport (Young People)
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to promote sport among young people. [11775]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government published the sports policy statement "Sport: Raising the Game" last July which detailed plans for improving the opportunities for young people to take part in sport. The Department of National Heritage, the Department for Education and Employment and the Sports Council are now implementing the initiatives outlined in the document.

  Arts (Business Sponsorship)
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to promote business sponsorship of the arts. [11776]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department actively encourages private sector support of the arts, particularly through its pairing scheme which to date has brought in more than £96 million in new money to the arts since it was introduced in 1984. My right hon. Friend recently announced changes to the scheme which will now be even more attractive for longer-term sponsors and initiatives that aim to attract new and younger audiences.

  Millennium Projects
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many projects in Wales have been, or are being, considered by the Millennium Commission. [11778]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the first round of the competition, the commission received 31 full applications for grant for millennium schemes in Wales including three umbrella projects that incorporate projects in Wales. Of these, 10 projects have been awarded grants totalling £35 million, one is under negotiation and one has been granted an extended deadline to submit further information for consideration in February.

  In the second application round the commission has received 71 outline proposals from organisations in Wales. The closing date for full applications is 12 February.
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  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to(a) receive a further edition of proposals from Imagination Group Ltd. concerning the forthcoming millennium exhibition in London, (b)make those proposals and any further decisions public and (c) publish the terms and conditions of any agreement or contract with that company. [11782]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  The Millennium Commission expects to receive in the next few days the result of additional work undertaken at its request by Imagination Group Ltd. so that the commission can make a decision regarding the two potential sites for the national exhibition, Greenwich and the national exhibition centre. It is hoped that an announcement will be made within the next few weeks. Terms and conditions of any contract would not be negotiated in detail until mid-1996.

  The Millennium Commission makes all funding decisions entirely independently of Government, and conditions of contract relating to grants are a matter for the commission.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans have been made to celebrate the millennium. [11783]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  Twenty per cent. of the net proceeds from the national lottery is distributed by the Millennium Commission to projects which celebrate the year 2000 and the beginning of the new millennium. To date, £336 million has been committed to 303 awards, including four landmark projects. The commission will soon announce 96
  details of the site for a year-long exhibition, to be held throughout the year 2000, as part of the UK-wide millennium festival.

  Sport Broadcasts (Digital Technology)
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if her Department has examined the likely impact of digital technology on the broadcasting of sporting events; and if she will make a statement. [11784]

  Mr. Sproat
  More channels will mean that there will be more opportunities for the coverage of sport on television, giving viewers more choice.

  Welsh National Opera House
  Mrs Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many representations she has received on the funding of the Welsh national opera house. [11785]

  Mr. Sproat
  The decision on this project was, of course, a matter for the Millennium Commission.

  Olympic Games (Televising)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action she is taking to prevent a single broadcaster buying up exclusive rights to televise the Olympic games. [11762]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government have said that, with the exception of listed sporting events including the Olympic games which cannot be shown live on pay-per-view, sporting bodies should in general be free to sell their broadcasting rights in the interests of their sport. We are strongly aware of the public debate on this issue and are keeping it under close review.

  Judgments: Control of Enforcement Agencies
  Judgments: Control of Enforcement Agencies
  Campbeltown/Ballycastle Ferry Service
  Campbeltown/Ballycastle Ferry Service
  Satellite Sensors: Development Policy
  Satellite Sensors: Development Policy
  Lloyd's
  Lloyd's
  Mentally Handicapped People: Community Care
  Mentally Handicapped People: Community Care
  Women Prisoners with Children
  Women Prisoners with Children
  Bracken Control Grants
  Bracken Control Grants
  Passenger Rail Franchise Agreements
  Passenger Rail Franchise Agreements
  Bunscoil an Iuir: Grant-aid Application
  Bunscoil an Iuir: Grant-aid Application
  Treaties in Force
  Treaties in Force
  Former Yugoslavia: US Military Activities and OSCE
  Former Yugoslavia: US Military Activities and OSCE
  Former Yugoslavia: Withdrawal of US Troops
  Former Yugoslavia: Withdrawal of US Troops
  Former Yugoslavia: US Troops outside IFOR
  Former Yugoslavia: US Troops outside IFOR
  NATO: US Policy
  NATO: US Policy
  Russian Federation: Council of Europe Membership
  Russian Federation: Council of Europe Membership
  South Lebanon: Protests against Use of Banned Weapons
  South Lebanon: Protests against Use of Banned Weapons
  UN Special Representative of Internally Displaced People
  UN Special Representative of Internally Displaced People
  Bahrain
  Bahrain