Written Answers of 15 February 1996

ENVIRONMENT

  Youth Service
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total public spending on the youth service by each local education authority(a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of the total local authority budget for each year since 1979; and what estimate he has made of the figures for (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97.[14656]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have placed the available information in the Library of the House.

  Water (Pesticides)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the costs to the water industry of removing pesticides from water in 1994–95. [14642]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Director General of Water Services estimates that £200 million was spent on treatment to remove pesticides from drinking water supplies in England and Wales in 1994–95.

  Mrs. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the costs to the water industry of removing(a) nitrates, (b) phosphates and (c) pesticides from water. [14647]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Director General of Water Services estimates that the costs to the water industry up to 1994–95 of removing nitrates from drinking water supplies in England and Wales is £150 million, and pesticides £600 million. No equivalent estimate is available on the cost of removal of phosphates.

  Water Regulations
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the annual costs to the water industry of complying with the existing water regulations. [14646]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Director General of Water Services estimates that the cost to the water industry in England and Wales, in order to meet the requirements of the water quality regulations, in the period 1990–91 to 1994–95, was around £2,600 million.

  Mrs. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the costs to the water industry of complying with the water regulations in 1994–95. [14641]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Director General of Water Services estimates the cost to the water industry in 1994–95 in England and Wales, in order to meet the requirements of the Water Quality Regulations, was around £500 million.
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  New Dwellings
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list by region the total number of dwellings started by(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations, (c) new town development corporations and (d) other public authorities in each local authority area in England in each year since 1979; [15067]

  (2) if he will list by region the total number of dwellings completed by (a) local authorities, (b) housing associations, (c) new town development corporations and (d) other public authorities, in each local authority area in England in each year since 1979. [15068]

  Mr. Curry
  Local authorities' primary housing tasks are now the efficient management of their own stock of housing and enabling other organisations to provide new housing. Housing associations are now the main providers of new social housing.

  The publications "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Area: 1980 to 1989" and "Local Housing Statistics" show estimates of housebuilding starts and completions. They cover each local authority area and each new town development corporation area in England. They show starts and completions by sector, including activity by local authorities and by housing associations.

  "Housebuilding in England by Local Authority Area: 1980 to 1989" shows figures for the period 1980 to 1984. "Local Housing Statistics" shows figures for 1979 and later years: issue number 59 covers 1979; number 103 covers the years 1985 to 1990; number 105 covers 1991: number 106 covers 1992; number 110 covers 1993; and number 114 covers 1994, the latest year for which annual figures are available. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  However, the starts and completions figures do not show all the new and additional social lettings made available by housing associations each year. In particular, lettings provided by renovation are rehabilitation and by shared ownership and incentive scheme programmes do not feature in the housebuilding statistics.

  Local Government Finance
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum allocated to each English local authority from central Government resources in each year since 1974. [13822]

  Mr. Curry
  I have placed the available information in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region the total amount of(a) useable and (b) set-aside capital receipts held by each local authority in England at 31 March 1995. [15066]

  Mr. Curry
  A list by region of the amounts of accumulated usable capital receipts for each English local authority at 31 March 1995 was placed in the Library of the House in response to the question of Monday 22 January 1996,Official Report, column 85 from the hon. member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith).

  Figures for the amounts of set aside capital receipts are not available. These form part of the provision for credit liabilities, which is reported to the Department, but which also includes amounts set aside from revenue.
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  Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the rules regarding payment of non-domestic rates by businesses being run while in receivership; and if he will make a statement. [14997]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In general, any non-domestic property which is in beneficial occupation is liable to a non-domestic rate. However, a number of recent court cases have cast doubt over the ability of local authorities to recover rates where a receiver or administrative receiver has been appointed.

  We believe that companies which continue trading while in receivership should also continue to pay their on-going liability for rates. We are considering possible measures to make it easier for local authorities to ensure that this is done. We will issue a consultation paper later this year.

  Minewater Discharges
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate has been made of the cost of eliminating(a) minewater pollution and (b) minewater discharges on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement. [14935]

  Mr. Clappison
  Discharges from operational mines are regulated in the same way as other discharges to controlled waters. As regards pollution from abandoned coal mines, the Coal Authority, in consultation with the National Rivers Authority, is in the process of assessing the cost of dealing with water pollution at a number of key sites. So far as discharges from other types of abandoned mines are concerned, it has not been practicable to make a general assessment of the cost of eliminating them. However, in the case of watercourses affected by discharges from the Wheal Jane tin mine in Cornwall, I understand that the National Rivers Authority has so far spent approximately £9 million on the treatment of minewater, and is currently assessing the cost of that treatment in the future.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received in respect of minewater pollution with particular reference to discharges produced by abandoned mines; and if he will make a statement. [14934]

  Mr. Clappison
  In the last six months, my Department has received three representations relating to the provisions on pollution from abandoned mines in the Environment Act 1995.

  Urban Waste Water Directive
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated number of overflows requiring work to meet the requirement of the urban waste water directive; and at what cost,(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the north-west region; what funding his Department will make available; and if he will make a statement. [14936]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Director General of Water Services, when he set new price limits for the industry in July 1994, made provision of more than £1 billion for 662
  the upgrading of over 2,400 combined sewer overflows in England and Wales under the urban waste water treatment directive. The details of the programme of works are matters for the companies and the local offices of the National Rivers Authority.

  Anti-social Neighbours
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had on the issue of criminal anti-social neighbours. [13858]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Housing Bill now before Parliament includes a range of legislative measures to help landlords to tackle anti-social behaviour. Discussions on this topic continue between officials in the relevant Government Departments and the local authority associations.

  Bury and Oldham Borough Councils
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has decided to take in relation to Bury metropolitan borough council following the notices served on it on 12 June and 29 August 1995 and to Oldham metropolitan borough council following the notice served on it on 15 August 1995 for anti-competitive behaviour in assigning certain services in-house. [15649]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  On 12 June and 29 August 1995, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State served notices on Bury metropolitan borough council, setting out his view that the authority had acted anti-competitively during a competition for refuse collection, street cleaning, public convenience cleaning and highways maintenance work worth £1.95 million per annum. On 15 August 1995, my right hon. Friend also served a notice on Oldham metropolitan borough council setting out his view that the authority had acted anti-competitively during a competition for the north-west area (area 2) building maintenance contract worth approximately £1.5 million per annum.

  My right hon. Friend has given careful consideration to the authorities' responses to the notices.

  Bury withheld information from private contractors relating to depot facilities and to the available vehicle fleet. In my right hon. Friend's view this was unfair as it made it impossible for private contractors to put in bids for the work based on the same information as was available to the in-house team. He has therefore today given the authority a direction which requires it to re-tender the refuse collection, street cleaning, public convenience cleaning and highways maintenance work by 14 October. It must seek his consent if, at the end of the re-tendering process, it plans to assign the work to its direct services organisation.

  Oldham required prospective contractors to undertake to submit a TUPE bid—one incorporating the present staff's terms and conditions—if they were given the TUPE information. In my right hon. Friend's view, private contractors who have been given details of the present terms and conditions should still be allowed the freedom to bid using different assumptions because the

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  in-house team can revise the way in which it delivers the work and it is unfair to deny this to some of the bidders. He has therefore today given the authority a direction which requires it to re-tender the north-west area (area 2) building maintenance contract by 14 October. The direction bars its direct services organisation from undertaking the work in future.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. John Townend
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources he will make available to those local authorities which are to be reorganised on 1 April and which were asked to reconsider whether the reorganisations in their area could be implemented more economically. [15858]

  Mr. Curry
  The councils of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull city, Bristol city, Bath and North East Somerset and York district were asked to reconsider their estimates of the amount of expenditure they expect to incur on transitional costs of reorganisation in 1996–97. On the basis of the revised information provided by the five authorities, I have decided the maximum amounts to allocate towards such costs in 1996–97. The amounts are as follows:

  Maximum amounts: £ thousands rounded

  Authority

  1996–97

  Cumulative total 1995–96 and 1996–97

  East Riding of

  Yorkshire Council

  7,000

  8,200

  Hull City Council

  3,000

  6,000

  Bristol City Council

  3,500

  6,500

  Bath and North East

  Somerset Council

  4,000

  5,810

  York District Council

  3,500

  6,050

  I shall make a further announcement about the allocations to authorities for which reorganisation orders have not yet been made.

  Water Companies (Delayed Payments)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about North West Water's delayed payments for work undertaken by local authorities on the company's behalf. [13202]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 5 February 1996]: None. Any arrangements between water companies and local authorities are a matter for the individual parties concerned.

WALES

  Teachers
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time equivalent teachers were employed by each Welsh education authority in:(a) January 1991 and (b) January 1995. [14039]
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  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is given in the following table. Figures refer to school teachers only. Teachers in further and higher education establishments were employed by local education authorities in 1991 but by 1995 the majority were employed by the institutions themselves. Comparisons between the two years would not therefore be meaningful.

  Number of full-time equivalent school teachers

  Number1,2

  Local education authority

  1991

  1995

  Clwyd

  3,707

  3,212

  Dyfed

  3,527

  3,570

  Gwent

  4,038

  4,049

  Gwynedd

  2,299

  2,232

  Mid Glamorgan

  5,302

  5,443

  Powys

  1,234

  1,184

  South Glamorgan

  3,733

  3,831

  West Glamorgan

  3,632

  3,464

  Total

  27,472

  26,984

  Notes:

  1 At January each year. Includes teachers based in schools, peripatetic teachers, advisory teachers and teachers in occasional service.

  2 Full time equivalent teacher numbers are shown to the nearest whole number.

  Source:

  Form 618G.

  Health Service
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions(a) wards and (b) departments of hospitals have been closed in Wales in (i) 1995 and (ii) 1996; and if he will list the hospitals. [14802]

  Mr. Richards
  The information is not held centrally.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to request the Welsh health planning forum to review the future supply and demand for hospital beds. [15124]

  Mr. Hague
  The responsibility for ensuring that the NHS has the appropriate number of beds to meet the needs of the population rests with health authorities. Health authorities regularly review the bed capacity available in their areas and through the contracting process and in discussion with NHS trusts balance the provision between emergency, planned and continuing care.

  The Department's contract with the Welsh Health Common Services Authority for the services provided by the Welsh Health Planning Forum expired last year.

  Paediatric Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the supply and demand for paediatric intensive care beds in(a) Welsh hospitals and (b) in adjoining English specialist hospitals serving adjoining areas of Wales; how many paediatric intensive care beds there are in each Welsh hospital which has them; how many beds are (i) installed but are not currently staffed and (ii) under construction; and if he will make a statement. [15141]
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  Mr. Hague
  There is currently one paediatric intensive care facility at the cardiac unit at the University hospital of Wales. Other demand is met by adult units.

  My Department has asked all health authorities and NHS trusts in Wales to work in partnership to review against assessed need the adequacy of the current provision for intensive and high dependency care facilities, including the requirement for dedicated facilities for children. Health authorities are due to report the outcome of this exercise, including action to address any deficiencies, by the end of this month.

  Mr. Glyn Davies
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the payments of(a) salary, (b) expenses and (c) other emoluments to Mr. Glyn Davies in respect of membership of (i) the Development Board for Rural Wales and (ii) other public appointments between 1985 and 1995. [15221]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not readily available. I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 15 February. [14015]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 15 February. [14017]

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

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister how many directives have been passed through the Council of Ministers in each of last five years. [13906]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 February 1996]: The Commission's most up-to-date figures for the number of Council directives in the last five years are:

  1991: 68

  1992: 93

  1993: 66

  1994: 49

  1995: 31.

  Ghazanfer Ali
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will call for a further report into the case of Ghazanfer Ali who is detained in prison in Mirpur city in Azad Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [15348]

  The Prime Minister
  I understand that Mr. Ali, a Pakistani national, has now been formally charged with murder and the illegal possession of arms and that he is making regular appearances in court. The next hearing are 666
  scheduled for 24 and 29 February. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will continue to monitor his case on humanitarian grounds.

DEFENCE

  Armed Forces (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the presence and activities of the armed forces in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [14918]

  Mr. Soames
  Force levels in Northern Ireland are kept under continuous review and will remain appropriate to the security situation and to the need for UK bases.

  Kevin Duncan
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations to the court were made on behalf of Kevin Duncan, a serving soldier in the Highlanders, in respect of his sentence for a drink driving conviction in January. [15075]

  Mr. Soames
  It is normal practice, as in the case to which the hon. Member refers, for an officer to accompany all soldiers to civilian court appearances to provide character references, job descriptions and details of pay and allowances. Information is also offered to the court about military matters which it may find helpful in its consideration of the case. The conduct of the court's proceedings is a matter for the court itself.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Freight Capacity
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what spare freight capacity exists on the rail routes running north from London. [14741]

  Mr. Watts
  I am informed by Railtrack that considerable spare capacity exists.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he first learnt of the alleged irregularities involving work by Union Railways on the channel tunnel rail link. [15162]

  Mr. Watts
  I was first informed by Union Railways of the alleged irregularities on Tuesday 6 February.

  There is no suggestion of any connection between the alleged irregularities and the evidence Union Railways has presented to the Select Committee considering the Bill, or of any connection with the competition to select the private sector promoter for the channel tunnel rail link project.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the inquiry into the alleged irregular processes involving Union Railways is to be completed. [15163]
  667
  Mr. Watts
  The inquiry into the alleged irregular processes involving Union Railways began on Wednesday 7 February and is expected to take several weeks to complete.

  Dial-a-Ride Service (London)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of the dial-a-ride service in the London area. [15297]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government are committed to the continued provisions of a dial-a-ride service in London.

  Motor Vehicle Licensing Offices
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are employed at the Coventry motor vehicle licensing office; and what provision for transfer of staff to other licensing offices when the Coventry office closes has been made. [15218]

  Mr. Norris
  There are currently 22 staff employed at Coventry vehicle registration office including job sharers and part timers, a member of staff on secondment from a neighbouring VRO and five casual staff. Permanent staff have given the opportunity to say if they would want to transfer to a neighbouring VRO. Every effort will be made to effect whatever transfers are necessary.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to close the Leicester motor vehicle licensing office. [15216]

  Mr. Norris
  As part of the rationalisation of DVLA's local office network, Leicester vehicle registration office will close later this year and the work will be transferred in stages to neighbouring VROs such as Nottingham, Peterborough and Birmingham. The VRO' s customers including motor dealers, will be consulted so that their needs can be taken into account when making these revised arrangements.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles were registered at(a) Coventry and (b) Nottingham motor vehicle licensing offices in each of the last six years. [15217]

  Mr. Norris
  The table shows the number of new vehicles registered at(a) Coventry and (b) Nottingham vehicle registration offices over the last four financial years excluding those intended for personal and direct export. The information is not readily available for the earlier periods as it was compiled on a different basis.

  Coventry

  Nottingham

  1991–92

  46,233

  46,015

  1992–93

  72,677

  44,230

  1993–94

  72,696

  48,463

  1994–95

  68,773

  50,171

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from vehicle manufacturers in Coventry regarding the closure of the Coventry motor vehicle licensing office; and what proportion were in favour of the closure. [15219]

  Mr. Norris
  None.
  668
  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation his Department held with motor vehicle manufacturers in Coventry regarding the closure of the Coventry motor vehicle licensing office. [15220]

  Mr. Norris
  In August 1994, it was announced that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency was to close all its local offices, including Coventry, by 1997. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Retail Motor Industry Federation were informed through their normal links with the agency. No consultation was undertaken with individual manufacturers. A later review completed in January showed a continuing need for a local office presence and although 40 of the 50 offices will remain, open 10—including Coventry—will still close by 1997.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations underlay his Department's decision to close the Coventry motor vehicle licensing office. [15213]

  Mr. Norris
  In August 1994 my right hon. Friend wrote to the hon. Member to announce the closure of the vehicle registration office in Coventry. Although a more recent review has recommended retention of 40 offices, the one in Coventry is still planned to close.

  The overall aim is to reduce the network's operating costs and to match its size to the expected future work patterns. In the case of Coventry, the lease on the premises had expired.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what extra provision he has made for increases in registration at the Nottingham motor vehicle licensing office from March. [15214]

  Mr. Norris
  Motor dealers who currently use Coventry vehicle registration office which is to close in March have been asked to indicate which vehicle registration offices they would prefer to use to conduct their business in future. That consultation is currently taking place and when complete will indicate what additional work will move to neighbouring offices such as Birmingham, Nottingham and Northampton. Resources will be adjusted to take account of any increases in order to maintain service standards.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the average capacity of a motor vehicle licensing office in respect of the issue of vehicle licences. [15215]

  Mr. Norris
  The capacity of each office varies according to the size and population of the area for which it provides services and the mix of those services, in particular the mix of work between registration and licensing work and vehicle excise duty enforcement. A national average capacity based on licensing work handled by the 50 local offices in 1994–95 would be around 94,000 licences per office per year.
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  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when construction work will start on the modernisation of the west coast main line. [15298]

  Mr. Watts
  It is Railtrack's intention to invite tenders and award the main works implementation contract later this year.

  A programme of initial modernisation work is being planned to commence this summer and will be targeted in those areas from which the greatest benefits can be gained.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Probate Offices, Bradford and Leeds
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many personal interviews took place at the Bradford probate office in each of the last five years to date; how many personal interviews took place at the Leeds district probate registry over the same period; what were the opening hours of both offices during this period; what representations have been received, to date, to the proposal to close the Bradford probate office; how many such representations have been(a) supportive of and (b) opposed to closure. [15347]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Max Madden, dated 15 February 1996:

  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about Bradford Probate Office and Leeds District Probate Registry.

  The number of personal interviews at Bradford Probate Office for each of the last five years are as follows:

  1991: 229

  1992: 209

  1993: 287

  1994: 281

  1995: 309.

  The number of personal interviews at Leeds District Probate Registry for each of the last five years are as follows:

  1991: 1,035

  1992: 1,145

  1993: 1,235

  1994: 1,309

  1995: 1,348

  Bradford Probate Office is open to the public for interviews on the first and third Thursday of each month. Interviews can be arranged between 10.15am and 3.40pm. Leeds District Probate Registry opens Monday to Friday, except bank holidays, between 9.30am and 4pm.

  The only representation received to date about the proposed closure of Bradford Probate Office has been from Mr. Gerry Sutcliffe, the Honourable Member for Bradford South, who is opposed to the proposal.
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TREASURY

  Incomes
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the total income before and after tax and national insurance and (b) the average earned and unearned income in 1995–96 and 1996–97 of (i) the top 1 per cent., (ii) the top 5 per cent., (iii) the top 10 per cent., (iv) the bottom 70 per cent., (v) the bottom 10 per cent. of taxpayers and (vi) all taxpayers. [14251]

  Mr. Jack
  Estimates are given in the table. Total income relates to income subject to tax and excludes non-taxable incomes such as certain social security benefits.

  Quantile group of taxpayers

  Total income before income tax and national insurance £ million

  Total income after income tax and national insurance £ million

  Average total income before income tax and national insurance £ million

  1995–96

  Top 1

  34,300

  22,400

  133,300

  Top 5

  81,600

  56,000

  63,400

  Top 10

  121,500

  85,700

  47,200

  Bottom 70

  176,100

  146,100

  9,800

  Bottom 10

  11,700

  11,100

  4,600

  All taxpayers

  407,700

  315,500

  15,900

  1996–97

  Top 1

  36,100

  23,700

  140,300

  Top 5

  85,800

  59,200

  66,600

  Top 10

  127,600

  90,800

  49,500

  Bottom 70

  182,300

  151,900

  10,300

  Bottom 10

  12,500

  11,700

  4,800

  All taxpayers

  428,100

  334,300

  16,600

  Single European Currency
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the impact of a single European currency on the United Kingdom economy. [14950]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 8 February 1996,Official Report, column 363.

  Taxation
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 186, if he will set out the effects of the flat rate tax for income exempt from taxation in £1,000 increments from £3,000 to £10,000 on the basis of (a) a single tax exempt amount per household, (b) a shared tax exempt amount per couple and (c) both (a) and (b) with an additional £2,000 tax exempt amount for married couples only. [14947]

  Mr. Jack
  Such an analysis of the effects of introducing a flat rate of income tax on a joint or household basis could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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  Pension Schemes
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers are at present in(a) occupational pension schemes, (b) personal pension schemes and (c) executive pension schemes. [14665]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 12 February 1996]: Latest available estimates are that about 1.3 million members of occupational pension schemes and some 0.5 million members of personal pension schemes are higher rate taxpayers. A separate figure for executive pension schemes is not available.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many environmental appraisals were produced by his Department using the guidance contained in the Department of the Environment's "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" in 1995; and if he will place copies in the Library. [15113]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 14 February 1996]: None.

  Child Care Disregard
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions he has made of the effect the proposed increase in the child care disregard will have in 1996–97(a) on the number of women who will take up the disregard and (b) on the flowback to the Exchequer from bringing more women into the work force. [15222]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  We estimate that, on average, between 5,000 and 10,000 families will benefit from the increase in the child care disregard. The behavioural effects of the increase, and the pace at which they occur, are uncertain. No specific assumption has been made as to the flowback to the Exchequer.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements have been made for(a) distribution of the Scott report within the civil service and (b) access to legal support and representation for civil servants criticised by Lord Justice Scott. [14841]

  Mr. Freeman
  Copies of the Scott report will be obtained by Government Departments in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of civil servants. Legal support for civil servants criticised in the report will be given where their Department concludes that such support is appropriate

  Fire Safety Review
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on each of the recommendations contained in the interdepartmental review of fire safety legislation and enforcement in the United Kingdom. [15398]
  672
  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have been considering the findings of the review and the views expressed by interested parties, including the deregulation task force. It has also been further considering the fire safety aspects of the EC framework and workplace directives. An announcement on both will be made soon.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Belarus
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources have been committed to the Republic of Belarus to assist with the(a) medical, (b) agricultural and (c) other consequences of the Chernobyl incident; what resources will be committed in 1996–97; and when the Government propose next to review the level of assistance required. [15181]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  In 1986, the UK was the first country to respond to the United Nations' resolution on the Chernobyl accident. We have since contributed to international study and assistance programmes to Belarus and Ukraine through the EU, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organisation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Nuclear Safety Account. The first priority of these programmes has been to ensure the safety of other nuclear installations in the region. Since 1991, 236 million ecu, around £180 million, has been committed via the EU' s programme of technical assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States, to which the UK contributes 16 per cent. We also provide financial and technical expertise to international projects in the region on radioactive contamination, feasibility studies for cleaning up contaminated areas, and radiological training. Bilateral assistance to Belarus in dealing with the environmental effects of the Chernobyl accident is through the environmental know-how fund, and during 1996 and 1997 we will continue to examine suitable projects directed at the rehabilitation of the area.

  Chechnya
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries he has undertaken to establish whether Russian troops serving with British forces in Bosnia have been involved in atrocities in Chechnya. [15390]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have made no inquiries about whether the Russian troops, who are deployed in the American sector, have served in Chechnya.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a member of Her Majesty's embassy in Moscow last visited Chechnya. [15385]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Two members of Her Majesty's embassy in Moscow last visited Chechnya from 25 to 26 May 1995.

  British Council Staff
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff
  673
  are employed at each British Council office; what changes have taken place in staffing levels since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [14471]

  Mr. Hanley
  The British Council currently employs 1,173 staff in the UK—excluding the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges, CBEVE—and 4,985 staff overseas in 229 offices in 109 countries. The number of staff employed in each overseas office is not immediately available. I will, however, write to the hon. Lady giving the detailed figures.

  Since 1990, the number of British Council staff working in the UK—excluding the CBEVE—has been reduced by 30 per cent. from 1,687 to 1,173. Over the same period, the number of British Council staff working overseas has increased by 13 per cent. from 4,390 to 4,985.

  These changes reflect the fact that the council is now operating in 109 countries compared with 90 in 1990 and has over the same period implemented radical efficiency measures to reduce the number of its headquarters support staff.

  Gibraltar (Pensions)
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on pensions in Gibraltar. [15753]

  Mr. David Davis
  We remain in close touch with the Gibraltar Government on the question of pensions. Discussions are continuing.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for primary and secondary legislation passed since 5 April 1995 which measures were subject to a compliance cost assessment; and what was the compliance cost in each instance. [13640]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 7 February 1996]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 14 February, Official Report, column 578.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Senior Salaries Review Body
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council which grades, appointments and other positions are covered by the Senior Salaries Review Body; and what are the three lowest salaries and the appointments to which they apply. [14626]

  Mr. Newton
  The Senior Salaries Review Body advises the Prime Minister on the remuneration of holders of judicial office, senior civil servants and senior officers of the armed forces. It can also be invited, from time to time, to advise on the pay, pensions and allowances of Members of Parliament and Ministers.

  For the SSRB' s three main remit groups, the lowest salaries and the appointments to which they apply are as follows. The salaries are those which will be payable from 1 April 1996.
  674
  £38,000

  Entry point to Senior Civil Service (minimum of pay band 1).

  £65,655

  Two star officers (Rear Admiral, Major General, Air Vice-Marshall).

  £62,018

  Judiciary Group 7 (Chairmen, Independent Tribunal Service; Chairmen, Industrial Tribunals (England and Wales, and Scotland); Chairmen, Value Added Tax Tribunals; District Judges; District Judges of the Principal Registry of the Family Division; District Judges (Northern Ireland); Immigration Adjudicators; Masters and Registrars of the Supreme Court, Masters of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland); Metropolitan Magistrates; President, Pensions Appeal Tribunals; Provincial Stipendiary Magistrates; Resident Magistrates (Northern Ireland); Vice President of the Value Added Tax Tribunals (England and Wales); Special Commissioners of Income Tax).

  1Excluding salary leads for individual posts.

  Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many oral statements have been made by the Secretary of State for Wales in each Session since May 1992 and what was the total length of time taken in making these statements and replying to questions. [1709]

  Mr. Newton
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 December 1995, c. 27]: I regret that the information given was inaccurate and should have read:

  Number of statements made

  1992–93

  16

  1993–94

  2

  1994–95

  1

  128 October 1992, 14 December 1992, 1 March 1993, 1 April 1993, 14 June 1993, 19 October 1993.

  The total length of time taken in making the statements and in replying to questions was six hours 20 minutes. I have written to the hon. Member expressing my apologies for the error.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Spare Computer Capacity
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all cases where spare computer capacity has been sold to other Departments since 1987, giving the Department and value of each contract. [14073]

  Mr. Boswell
  The management of MAFF' s IT is in many cases the responsibility of local units. Consequently, not all records of any such transactions would be held centrally. There is insufficient time to gather the information requested from anywhere other than central records.

  MAFF did charge for computer capacity in respect of the processing of grants and subsidies payments for the Department of Agriculture, Northern Ireland. The computer processing component of the total charge was approximately £50,000 per annum, and the contract came to an end in July 1994.
  675

  Empty Buildings
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many empty buildings his Department currently owns; what is the cost of insuring and securing these buildings; how many were designed as residential properties; and what was the total amount spent by his Department on empty property taxes in each of the last five years. [14573]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Ministry owns or leases 45 empty buildings. Most of these are surplus storage depots in the process of being sold. However, five were designed as, and still are, residential properties, but these are either due for disposal or awaiting new tenants.

  The Ministry does not insure its buildings; as a general rule the Government carry their own insurance risk.

  The Ministry does not pay uniform business rates to local authorities. Instead contributions in lieu of rates—CILOR—are paid to the Inland Revenue's Crown property unit. The amounts paid in the last three years in respect of empty properties are set out below.

  1993–94: £7,403

  1994–95: £57,208

  1995–96: £53,194

  The 1991–92 and 1993–94 CILOR payments, any reduced community charge/council tax on empty dwellings and the costs of securing empty property could be identified only at disproportionate cost.

  MV Caroline
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the MV Caroline was used for the purposes of feeding, watering and resting live animals, and declared as such on respective journey plans during the period 18 January to 25 October 1995, for the purposes of the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1994. [14455]

  Mrs. Browning
  Yes.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to recover the costs awarded in favour of the Ministry in the case between the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Live Sheep Traders Ltd., Live Sheep Traders (Ireland) Ltd. and Roger Ernest Mills. [14634]

  Mrs. Browning
  This matter was referred to a taxing master of the Supreme Court for adjudication. The Ministry is now seeking to recover the costs awarded.

  Imported Animals and Birds
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many deaths of animals and birds have occurred at the animal quarantine station at Heathrow airport for each year since 1989. [8777]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 19 January 1996]: The animal quarantine station at Heathrow airport—AQS—has informed me that the number of deaths of mammals and birds, including those dead on arrival, at the AQS is in the table.
  676

  Birds

  Mammals

  1989

  1,483

  0

  1990

  906

  5

  1991

  528

  22

  1992

  723

  43

  1993

  861

  31

  1994

  286

  5

  1995

  407

  29

  Upland Areas (Support Grants)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the total sums paid in support grants to upland areas in each of the last three years. [13012]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 1 February 1996]: The total of support grants paid to upland areas are not separately recorded. However, the total of direct subsidies paid to livestock producers in the less favoured areas in the United Kingdom is estimated at around £550 million in 1993 and in 1994 and about £600 million in 1995. These estimates cover only payments under the sheep annual premium scheme, suckler cow premium scheme, beef special premium scheme and hill livestock compensatory allowances scheme.

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons his officials on the quayside at Dover returned a vehicle carrying sheep to a local lairage on Friday 2 February; if a prosecution is to be brought in respect of the animals involved; and if he will make a statement. [14328]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 9 February 1996]: This consignment was returned to premises close to the port of Dover because two of the sheep had eye discharges and a more detailed inspection was required. The sheep were unloaded under official supervision and they were inspected the following morning. No serious welfare problems were revealed at this inspection, although 20 sheep had ear tags missing. After rest and a further inspection, at which three sheep were rejected as unfit to travel, the remaining animals were permitted to continue their journey from Dover on Monday 5 February 1996. These events are being considered by officials in consultation with Kent county council.

  Hill Farmers
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additional assistance his Department has the power to offer west Cumbria's hill farmers following the recent adverse weather conditions. [14815]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 12 February 1996]: The EC rules for the provision of hill livestock compensatory allowances, the main form of aid payable specifically to hill farmers, already provides compensation for the permanent natural handicaps affecting farming activities. There is no provision to pay allowances in respect of abnormal weather conditions. However, the Department's staff at the Carlisle regional service centre have been in contact with the local farming community and Cumbria

  677
  county council to co-ordinate assistance where required. Activity is mainly centred around the need for early road clearance to allow for milk tanker access to dairy units.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Nursery Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average contract cost for an Office for Standards in Education nursery school inspection at the latest date for which figures are available. [15125]

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

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Ofsted registered nursery education inspectors there are currently in England. [15126]

  Mr. Squire
  The Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Bill makes provision for the registration by Ofsted of a new body of nursery education inspectors. Registration itself cannot begin until the Bill has been enacted and brought into force.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she had made of the average contract cost, in phase one of the voucher scheme, for an inspection under the auspices of Ofsted of(a) a nursery school, (b) a playgroup and (c) under-fives provision in primary or infant schools. [15127]

  Mr. Squire
  The Department is presently in discussion with Ofsted about the cost of inspection contracts.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of the cash value of the capital repairs backlog in schools in the grant-maintained sector; and when she will publish the findings of the Funding Agency for Schools conditions survey of grant-maintained schools. [15128]

  Mrs. Gillan
  This is a matter for the Funding Agency for Schools. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Schools Inspections
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the original estimate for expenditure on inspection of schools in 1995–96; and what is the present budget. [15088]

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

  Local Education Authorities (Expenditure)
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the money sum and proportion of the standard spending assessment or its 678
  equivalent, allocated to each English local education authority in (a) 1974, (b) 1979 and (c) 1990 and for latest available year, for education purposes; and what was the actual expenditure and proportion of the local authority's budget spent on education in each of those years. [13821]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I am placing in the Library tables that show for each local education authority, for the financial years 1990–91 and 1993–94—the latest available—total standard spending assessments and education SSAs, and total expenditure and education expenditure. Data in a similar form are not available for 1974 or 1979. Both SSA and spending figures include provision for grant-maintained schools. These figures have not been adjusted on account of any change in functions between the two years.

  Computer Networks
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list all(a) Internet and (b) other computer network, sites or bulletin boards operated by her Department or containing information supplied by her Department, indicating for each site or bulletin board (i) the inaugural date, (ii) the timetable and policy in respect of updates, (iii) the Internet, or other network, address and (iv) to whom the site or board is currently made available and the criteria which must be fulfilled by applicants for access. [14229]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department for Education and Employment maintains an Internet site. This world wide web site was first made available on 24 April 1995 and is frequently updated. The address for this site is"Intp://WWW.open.gov.ulddfee/dfeehome.htm".

  For technical reasons, some of the information on this site is held electronically at other sites, but all is available from the Department's home page. The Department has an Internet E-mail address-
  info@dfee.gov.uk.

  The Department does not operate any other bulletin board or supply information for inclusion on any other bulletin board.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are employed by the TECs; and what was the figure for each year since their establishment. [14254]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils are private companies and as such are not required to provide information on the number of staff they employ.

  Spare Computer Capacity
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list all cases where spare computer capacity has been sold to other Departments by her current Department or its two predecessors since 1987, giving the Department and value of each contract. [14082]
  679
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following systems have been/are run for other Departments:

  Department

  System

  Value 1993–94 (£000)

  Value 1994–95 (£000) Dates

  Dates

  Central Statistical Office

  Retail Price Index

  315

  947

  Finished 1995

  Central Statistical Office

  Family Expenditure Survey

  325

  301

  Finished 1994

  Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development

  New Earnings Survey/Census of Employment

  80

  80

  Ongoing

  The above figures include the cost of developments, enhancements, support and process.

  Education (School Premises) Regulations
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many representations she received during the consultation for the Education (School Premises) Regulations; which local authorities wanted the minimum space requirements for teaching and learning removed; and if she will make a statement. [14319]

  Full-time equivalent of teachers in schools in Northamptonshire Local Education Authority area 1979–1995

  Position in January in each year

  LEA maintained1

  Grant maintained1

  Nursery

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  City Technology Colleges2

  1979

  3—

  2,105.7

  2,899.2

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1980

  3—

  2,062.7

  2,977.0

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1981

  3—

  1,962.0

  2,928.4

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1982

  3—

  1,979.7

  2,953.4

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1983

  3—

  2,034.2

  3,028.6

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1984

  3—

  2,024.4

  3,019.7

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1985

  3—

  2,041.0

  2,993.9

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1986

  16.0

  2,055.5

  2,998.4

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1987

  16.8

  2,036.0

  2,851.1

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1988

  15.4

  2,053.2

  2,806.7

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1989

  15.6

  2,066.8

  2,774.0

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1990

  15.8

  2,116.9

  2,717.6

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1991

  14.9

  2,120.1

  2,633.1

  4—

  38.4

  4—

  1992

  16.0

  2,126.3

  2,517.2

  18.9

  194.7

  27.4

  1993

  16.0

  2,135.5

  2,130.8

  37.0

  549.2

  47.6

  1994

  16.6

  2,074.8

  2,097.5

  138.9

  615.1

  61.3

  1995

  16.2

  2,075.8

  2,119.1

  149.9

  628.1

  63.6

  1Qualified teachers only.

  2Includes all teaching staff.

  3Not available.

  4Not applicable.

  Asylum Seekers (Training)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if asylum seekers will be eligible for Government training programmes under the new regulations, with particular reference to training for work. [15172]

  Mr. Paice
  There is no change in asylum seekers' eligibility for Government training programmes. They are eligible for training for work or the Government's
  680
  Mrs. Gillan
  The Department and the Welsh Office sent some 1,500 sets of consultation papers to local education authorities, schools, and other organisations. We received only 119 responses, which is less than 8 per cent. of those consulted.

  Of local education authorities in England and Wales, fewer than two fifths replied. Among those which did, several supported the principle of non-statutory guidance. In particular, East Sussex and Wandsworth LEAs positively welcomed the proposed deregulation of statutory space requirements.

  We have given careful consideration to all the responses and intend to incorporate many of the detailed points raised into the final version of the regulations and the accompanying circular.

  Teachers (Northamptonshire)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many full-time equivalent teachers were employed by the Northamptonshire local education authority, grant-maintained and city technology college schools in the nursery, primary and secondary sectors in each year since 1979. [14309]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The available information is shown in the following table.

  programmes for young people if they have been granted permission to work in the UK by the Home Office pending a decision on their application for political asylum. They must fulfil the other eligibility criteria for those programmes which apply to all UK residents.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the total budget
  681
  for the access to work scheme in each of the last three years; and if she will give a regional breakdown of each national budget; [15331]

  (2) what was the average payment per client of the access to work scheme, in each of the last three years; and if she will give a regional breakdown of the average payment per client. [15332]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mrs. Helen Jackson, date 15 February 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the total budget for Access to work over the past three years and the average payment per client.
  Access to work was introduced in June 1994. The total expenditure for 1994/95 was £15.7 million which included some residual payments on behalf of the preceding Special Schemes for people with disabilities. The budget for 1995/96 is £13.4 million but this is likely to be exceeded by some £6 million. The Employment Service regional breakdown for these years is given in the annex.
  The average cost in 1994/95 was £1,513 per client. This includes people helped during 1994/95 under the special schemes that preceded Access to Work. Unfortunately the information we have for 1994/95 does not enable us to calculate regional average costs. The average costs for 1995/96 cannot be calculated until the end of the year.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Annex: Access to work budgets—regional allocation

  £ million

  ES Region

  1994–95 expenditure

  1995–96 provision

  Northern region

  0.7

  0.9

  Yorkshire and Humberside region

  1.5

  1.3

  East Midlands and Eastern region

  1.6

  0.9

  London and South Eastern region

  4.4

  3.9

  South-west region

  1.3

  1.0

  Office for Wales

  0.7

  0.9

  West Midlands region

  1.5

  1.5

  North-west region

  1.5

  1.7

  Office for Scotland

  1.1

  1.3

  Total

  15.7

  13.4

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people have benefited from the access to work scheme in each of the last three years; and if she will give a regional breakdown of national figures. [15330]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 15 February 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of people benefiting from Access to Work.
  682
  Access to Work began in June 1994. During 1994–95 10, 394 people were helped, of whom 7,669 people benefitted directly from Access special schemes in April and May 1994, some of whom transferred to Access to Work. During the period April to December 1995, the latest month for which we have figures, 12,267 people benefitted. A regional breakdown of these figures is given in the Annex.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Annex: Access to Work beneficiaries June 1994 to March 1995

  Region

  Number

  Northern

  374

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  798

  East Midlands

  758

  London and South-east

  1,776

  South-west

  735

  Wales

  445

  West Midlands

  919

  North-west

  1,106

  Scotland

  758

  Total

  7,669

  We do not have a regional breakdown for the 2,725 people helped under the special schemes in April and May 1994.

  Annex: Access to Work beneficiaries April to December 1995

  Region

  Number

  Northern

  722

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,345

  East Midlands

  1,335

  London and South-east

  3,243

  South-west

  1,164

  Wales

  576

  West Midlands

  1,267

  North-west

  1,897

  Scotland

  718

  Total

  12,267

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the original budget of the Government's access to work scheme in 1995–96; [15203]

  (2) what is the estimated final outturn of the Government's access to work scheme in 1995–96; and what is the planned expenditure for the scheme for 1996–97. [15204]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Tony Lloyd, dated 16 February 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the Access to Work budget for 1995–96 and 1996–97.
  The original budget for Access to Work for 1995–96 was £13,434,000 and the current estimated outturn is around £19 million. The Access to Work budget planned for 1996–97 is £12,900,000.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations have taken place with private employers about the access to work scheme; and what discussions have taken place in respect of employer's contributions. [15205]
  683
  Mr. Paice
  Discussions are being held with the principal organisations concerned with the future operation of the access to work programme, including ones representing the views of private employers. The discussions are wide ranging.

  Nursery Vouchers Scheme
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 320, relating to the appointment of Capita Manager Services Ltd. as contractors for the management of phase 1 of the voucher scheme for early years education, what was the number of tenders received; and what were the criteria, other than tender price, used in the appointment. [15346]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Three tenders were received. The principal criteria, other than tender price, used to award the contract were: the quality of proposals for issuing and redeeming vouchers; the strength of proposals to ensure security and control; and the ability to comply with the timetable for phase one.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the answer given on 8 February Official Report, column 320, concerning the statutory basis for the appointment of Capita Manager Services Ltd., at what dates in the contract the first advances on payments are due; and on what dates thereafter. [15345]

  Mr. Squire
  Payments were made on 11 December and 20 December 1995 to meet the initial costs of equipment and materials required for the issuing and redemption of nursery vouchers. The remainder of the contract cost will be paid in monthly instalments. These started in December 1995.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools have notified her Department of their interest(a) in increasing their number of assisted places and (b) in using the assisted places scheme for the first time; how many extra places have been notified in the last available year; and if she will make a statement on (i) the numbers to be provided and (ii) the expected timetable of provision. [15445]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Over 400 schools have bid for over 7,400 new entry places from September 1996 as part of the expansion of the assisted places scheme in England, and more bids have been received for further places in 1997. Over 260 of these schools already participate in the scheme, and over 140 have applied for admission. These bids far exceed the scale of expansion necessary to meet the announced doubling of the total size of the scheme over time. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to announce the first allocations of new places for September 1996.

  Skills Training Agency
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Skills Training Agency was first established; how many people it employs; what have been its total running costs to date; and what are the estimated running costs for 1995–96 and 1996–97. [15084]
  684
  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 13 February 1996]: The Skills Training Agency was established as a self-contained agency of the Department of Employment in 1985. It was transferred into the private sector in 1990. At that point, it ceased to be staffed by civil servants. The Department does, however, meet some residual costs relating to former staff and properties arising from the privatisation of the Skills Training Agency: for 1995–96 these are estimated at £1.8 million and for 1996–97 at £1.5 million.

SCOTLAND

  Agriculture Department
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the current ratio of Scottish Office Agriculture Department staff is to the total number of farmers, partners and directors in Scotland. [12304]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The ratio of staff currently employed in agricultural divisions of the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department to the estimated number of farmers, partners and directors in Scotland is approximately 1:43. This figure is based on recorded permanent staffing levels at 1 January 1996 and an estimate of the number of farmers, partners and directors in Scotland from the latest available information, at June 1995.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current target figure for the number of patients to be covered by general practitioner fundholding practices within each health board area in Scotland. [13252]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has not specifically set a target number of general practitioner fundholding practices for each health board area in Scotland. However, all health boards other than Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles have agreed with the NHS management executive an objective of achieving at least 30 per cent. coverage of the population by 1995–96.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many on-line terminals are currently functioning in the national lottery. [14256]

  Mr. Sproat
  This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. The Director General of the National Lottery has licensed Camelot to run the national lottery and he regulates its operations. I have therefore asked the director general to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the exact amount of start-up costs(a) to public funds and (b) to Camelot for the national lottery. [14257]
  685
  Mr. Sproat
  Costs associated with the establishment of the national lottery fall(a) to Camelot Group plc, (b) to the Office of the National Lottery, (c) to my Department and (d) to lottery distributors.

  Details of costs incurred by Camelot Group plc. are a matter for Camelot. I have asked the Director General of the National Lottery to write to the hon. Member with information about the costs of Oflot and to place copies of his response in the Library of the House.

  The costs incurred by the national lottery distribution branch within the Department of National Heritage to 31 March 1995 totalled £247,000. It is estimated that these costs were predominantly for the setting up of systems and procedures for administering the fund. These costs were met from the national lottery distribution fund. Other costs of the national lottery division were met from the Department's administration vote. For the year ending 31 March 1995, these come to approximately £251,000.

  Funds drawn down from the NLDF by the 11 lottery distributors, to cover administration costs, totalled £5.049 million for the period to 31 March 1995. These costs have also been shown to be predominantly set-up costs.

HEALTH

  Anglia and Oxford Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of the Anglia and Oxford regional health authority cook-chill venture; and if he will make a statement. [14529]

  Mr. Horam
  This is a matter for the Anglia and Oxford regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Stuart Burgess, the chairman, for details.

  Paediatric Intensive Care Units
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of paediatric intensive care units in the North West and West Midlands regions, part of whose planned capacity is deemed to meet demand from north and mid-Wales; and how many beds in those regions are installed but not staffed. [15142]

  Mr. Bowis
  Health authorities are responsible for assessing health needs and I understand that the long-standing arrangements for the referral of critically ill children from Wales are taken into account in the planning and provision of paediatric intensive care units in the North West and West Midlands regions. There are currently 44 beds. Two more staffed beds will be brought into use next month.

  Residential Homes
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average daily number and the number per 1,000 people aged 75 years and over, of (i) occupied geriatric beds, (ii) long-stay beds in NHS nursing homes and (iii) places occupied in(a) local authority residential homes, (b) voluntary residential homes, (c) private residential homes and (d) private nursing homes in England and Wales for the latest year for which information is available. [14660]
  686
  Mr. Bowis
  The average daily number of available national health service beds for elderly people in England in 1994–95 was 54,040 and the number per 1,000 people aged 75 years and over was 16. Beds in NHS nursing homes are not separately identified. Data on the average daily number of places in residential care homes or private nursing homes are not available centrally. The number of residents at 31 March 1995 and the number per 1,000 people aged 75 years and over are shown in the table.

  Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Occupied places in residential and nursing care homes, England, 31 March 1995

  All residents in homes for elderly people

  Residents per 1,000 people aged 75 or over

  Local authority residential homes1

  55,100

  16

  Voluntary residential homes1

  32,770

  10

  Private residential homes1

  132,740

  40

  Private nursing homes2

  115,550

  35

  Source:

  DH Annual Statistical Returns.

  Notes:

  1Excluding residents in dual registered homes, who are counted in the nursing homes figure.

  2 Predominantly collected as at 31 March 1995.

  Life Expectancy
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of average life expectancy(a) by region and (b) by health authority. [14807]

  Mr. Horam
  The average expectation of life at birth for 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, for regional health authorities of England and Wales, is shown in the table.

  Average expectation of life at birth from abridged life tables for 1992 Regional health authorities of England and Wales (in increasing order of male life expectancy)

  Health authority

  Expectation of life (years)

  Males

  Females

  North Western

  72.3

  77.6

  Northern

  72.4

  77.7

  Mersey

  72.9

  78.2

  West Midlands

  73.4

  78.7

  Wales

  73.5

  78.9

  Trent

  73.6

  78.9

  Yorkshire

  73.6

  78.8

  England and Wales

  73.8

  79.2

  North-east Thames

  73.8

  79.5

  South-east Thames

  74.0

  79.6

  North-west Thames

  74.5

  80.1

  Oxford

  74.9

  79.6

  South Western

  74.9

  80.3

  Wessex

  75.0

  80.3

  South-west Thames

  75.2

  80.3

  East Anglia

  75.4

  80.3

  By 1993, life expectancy for England and Wales has increased further by 0.2 years for men and 0.1 years for women.
  687
  Calculation of life expectancy at birth by type of authority and type of census ward will be published in "Population Trends" in spring 1996, copies of which will be placed in the Library.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 921, how many of the 66,000 psychiatric hospital beds are in private hospitals; and how many of the 14,000 beds in residential units for mentally ill people are provided (a) by the private sector, (b) by the voluntary sector and (c) by local authorities. [15131]

  Mr. Bowis
  The latest figure for the number of beds in hospital and staffed residential units for mentally ill people is 89,158. The information about these beds is shown in the table.

  Number of available beds and staffed residential places for mentally ill people—England

  1994–95

  Local authority residential places

  4,747

  Voluntary sector residential places

  5,421

  Private sector residential places

  12,973

  Private hospital beds

  24,190

  NHS mental illness beds

  41,827

  Total beds and places

  89,158

  Source:

  Department of Health RAC5, RA13A, K036 and KHO3 returns.

  Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of elective surgical admissions to Fazakerley hospital, Liverpool, and the impact of the market forces factor in the funding formulae. [15132]

  Mr. Horam
  Fazakerley hospital is part of Aintree Hospitals national health service trust. The number of elective admissions to the acute surgical specialty in Aintree Hospitals NHS trust during 1993–94, the latest period for which figures are held centrally, was 21,1501.

  The purpose of the market forces factor in the weighted capitation funding formula for health authorities is to take account of the geographical variations in the cost of providing health services.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics1

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the discharging of patients from Fazakerley hospital under the care in the community legislation. [15133]

  Mr. Bowis
  Responsibility for the discharge of patients from Fazakerley hospital, part of Aintree Hospital national health service trust, under the care in the community legislation lies with clinicians. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the trust for details.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 715, what factors led to the introduction of the
  688
  Deregulation (Still Birth and Death Registration) Order 1996; and what account was taken of the additional expenditure burden on local authorities. [14043]

  Mr. Horam
  The White Paper "Registration: proposals for change" (Cm 939), published in 1990, recommended that it should be possible to register a death or still birth by means of a declaration made in a sub-district other than the one in which the death or still birth occurred. In 1995, my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Mrs. Knight) introduced a ten-minute Bill to give effect to these changes. The Bill failed to gain a Second Reading because of the pressure on parliamentary time. Finally, I am advised by the Registrar General that he has received many letters over the years from members of the public urging him to implement this particular proposal.

  There was also significant support amongst those consulted about the proposed deregulation order, including the local authority associations, for introducing the measure. It was acknowledged that the likely take-up of the facility for giving a declaration would be minimal. It was felt that the improvement to the service offered to the bereaved would far outweigh the burden of the small amount of any additional postage and telephone costs.

  Colney Hospital, Norfolk
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made as to whether the proposed location of the planned Colney hospital in south Norfolk is in accordance with the advice in the Department of the Environment planning policy guidance notes 6 and 13. [15089]

  Mr. Horam
  This is a local matter. Planning permission for any hospital development has to be obtained from the local planning authority, which must take account of the contents of planning policy guidance notes. The planning application is a matter between the local authority and the trust.

  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much of the West Norwich hospital will be retained by the Norfolk Mental Health Care trust; what investment is proposed there; what parts of the West Norwich hospital will be closed by the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care trust if the proposed Colney hospital is constructed in South Norfolk district; and how much of the site is intended to be redeveloped; [15090]

  (2) if his Department has received a business plan for the proposed Colney hospital, South Norfolk district; and if he has yet responded; [15143]

  (3) what is the estimated cost of the proposed Colney hospital in Norwich; what is the expected annual cost to the NHS of the use of the hospital if provided by the private sector; and what expenditure on planning, design and site acquisition has been undertaken by the Norfolk and Norwich health care trust or its predecessor since the site was first identified; [15144]

  (4) what plans there were to retain the Norfolk and Norwich hospital at the time of the Colney hospital public inquiry in 1988; and if it was described as a second district hospital; [15145]

  (5) how many beds are provided in the existing NHS hospitals in Norwich, excluding Norfolk mental health care trust beds; how many beds will be retained within

  689
  the city of Norwich after the construction of Colney hospital; and how many beds will be provided at the proposed Colney hospital. [15146]

  Mr. Horam
  The provision of local services is a matter for local managers. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Stuart Burgess, chairman of Anglia and Oxford regional health authority, for details of the proposals.

  Norfolk and Norwich Health Care national health service trust submitted its formal business case for building a new hospital at the end of January. Given the size of the proposed project, the business case will be considered by officials at both the NHS executive and HM Treasury before it is passed to Ministers for final approval. I cannot comment further until all aspects of the business case have been fully considered.

  National Blood Authority
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the running costs of the National Blood Authority in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; what is the estimated outturn for 1995–96; and how much they are expected to be in the next three financial years. [15354]

  Mr. Horam
  The published accounts of the National Blood Authority do not identify the cost of the headquarters organisation separately from those of the rest of the National Blood Service.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional costs and savings are expected to result from the reorganisation of the operations of the National Blood Authority; and what will be their principal sources. [15353]

  Mr. Horam
  Details of the estimated costs and savings from the reorganisation of the National Blood Service and their sources are set out in the document "Plans for the Future of the National Blood Service" of November 1995, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of bills were paid by the National Blood Authority within 30 days of receipt on(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95. [15355]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Blood Products (Overseas Sales)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy towards the sale of blood products to overseas customers. [15343]

  Mr. Horam
  The National Blood Authority may sell surplus blood products on a cost-recovery basis to any other country after national health service demand has been satisfied. This avoids waste of a valuable resource and keeps down costs to the NHS. The alternative would be destruction.

  Blood Service
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the price charged to hospitals in Oxford for blood products following reorganisation of the blood service will contain an additional charge to reflect the 690
  costs of transporting blood to and from the regional centres at Birmingham, Bristol or Southampton. [15352]

  Mr. Horam
  Charges paid by hospitals reflect the costs of collecting, processing, storing and distributing blood.

  The document "Plans for the Future of the National Blood Service" of November 1995, copies of which are available in the Library, recognises that relocating bulk processing and testing of blood away from Oxford and some other blood centres to other such centres will lead to some increases in transport costs, but it also points out that these extra costs will be more than offset by savings arising from the reorganisation of the service.

  Gender Dysphoria Syndrome
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the definitions of gender dysphoria syndrome recognised within the NHS. [15227]

  Mr. Bowis
  This syndrome is described in ICD 10—Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorder—under code F66.1 egodystonic sexual orientation and would be recognised by clinicians.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many diagnosed cases of gender identity disorder there are in the United Kingdom broken down to show (i) male-to-female and (ii) female-to-male trans-sexuals; if he will indicate the statistical assumptions underlying his calculation; and if he will make a statement; [15228]

  (2) how many citizens are currently being treated for gender identity dysphoria by the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [15229]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Prescribing Records
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish list D data on prescribing records from 1991 onwards. [15225]

  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 the level of detail of list D data because it is confidential.

  St. Charles Youth Treatment Centre, Brentwood
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will allow staff of the former St. Charles youth treatment centre in Brentwood, Essex, to continue occupation of their homes until an alternative use for the site is found; what plans he has to allow local homeless people to use accommodation on the same site on an interim basis; and if he will make a statement; [15374]

  (2) what plans he has for the use of the site and buildings of the former St. Charles youth treatment centre in Brentwood, Essex; and if he will make a statement. [15373]

  Mr. Bowis
  No decisions have yet been taken on the future use of the site of the former St. Charles youth treatment centre.
  691
  The residents remaining in the accommodation on the site have had their notice to quit extended from the required 14 days to six months.

  Hospital Admissions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of(a) surgical, (b) adult medical, (c) paediatric, (d) intensive treatment unit—ITU, (e) accident and emergency and (f) other emergency admissions in each year since 1989–90. [12626]

  Mr. Horam
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The information that is available centrally from the "Hospital Episode Statistics" is shown in the table.

  Published data on emergency admissions have traditionally included, not only the first episode of care, but subsequent episodes of care for each patient within a patient spell.

  A more appropriate system has been developed which counts first episodes of care only. The information from this source is set out in the table. Information in this form is currently available only for the years 1993–94, 1991–92 and 1990–91. Data for 1989–90 and 1992–93 will be available in due course.

  Emergency admissions—NHS hospitals, England, by specialty

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1993–94

  Acute surgical

  1,194,296

  1,182,136

  1,241,728

  Adult1 acute

  non-surgical (adult medical)

  1,039,133

  1,047,224

  1,206,630

  Paediatric

  365,844

  386,301

  405,797

  ITU2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  A and E3

  (71,879)

  (71,558)

  (73,642)

  Other emergency admissions

  500,461

  503,965

  557,491

  1 Adult is defined as aged 15 years and over; adult acute non-surgical excludes those of 15's who are included in the paediatric specialty.

  2 ITU is not a recognised specialty in hospital episode statistics.

  3 Included in acute surgical.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Arcadia Café, Portrush
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what firm proposals have been put to him by private enterprise for(a) the development and (b) the redevelopment of the Arcadia in Portrush; [14405]

  (2) what improvement or refurbishment works have been carried out to the Arcadia in Portrush in each of the last three years and the current year; and what sums were expended in each of these years; [14407]

  (3) what proposals he has for the future development or redevelopment of the Arcadia site in Portrush; [14406]

  (4) what investigations he has carried out into the structural soundness of the Arcadia in Portrush; what was the recommendation of the engineers involved; and when he expects to announce his conclusions as to the future of (a) the ballroom extension and (b) the rest of the building. [14404]
  692
  Mr. Moss
  The private sector made a planning application in 1991 to redevelop the site for student accommodation. Planning permission was refused and a subsequent appeal to the planning appeals commission was dismissed.

  No works for improvement/refurbishment have been carried out. During 1995, internal demolition works were carried out at a cost of £5,300.

  The Department of the Environment, Works Service, carried out a preliminary property survey in 1993 and a detailed property survey in 1995. These confirmed that the ballroom was in a poor state of repair and that it would be feasible to retain the former Arcadia café building.

  On 29 January 1996, the Department announced its intention to demolish the ballroom and invite development proposals for the cleared site while retaining the former Arcadia café building as part of any future development.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used to select individuals for appointments to each(a) statutory and (b) non-statutory body and board in Northern Ireland. [14620]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In making public appointments, the prime considerations are an individual's ability or potential to contribute to the work of a particular body and the need for each body to have the range of experience and skills necessary to carry out its functions; individuals are appointed on merit.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are on the waiting list for(a) orthopaedic operations and (b) coronary by-pass surgery in each health and social services hospital trust in Northern Ireland; and what was the figure 12 months previously. [14622]

  Mr. Moss
  The attached table shows the number of patients waiting for hospital treatment in trauma and orthopaedic surgery and cardiac surgery in each health and social services trust providing these specialties in Northern Ireland. The figures reflect the position as at the end of September each year. The waiting list details held centrally are not specific as to the nature of the patients' operation.

  Trauma and orthopaedic surgery

  Cardiac surgery

  HSS trust

  Ordinary admission

  Day case

  Ordinary admission

  Altnagelvin

  1994

  273

  88

  —

  Group1

  1995

  254

  108

  —

  Belfast City

  1994

  131

  5

  —

  Hospital

  1995

  131

  30

  —

  Greenpark

  1994

  2,079

  473

  —

  Healthcare

  1995

  2,020

  572

  —

  Mater

  1994

  1

  —

  —

  Infirmorum

  1995

  3

  —

  —

  Royal Group

  1994

  —

  —

  449

  1995

  3

  7

  460

  693

  Trauma and orthopaedic surgery

  Cardiac surgery

  HSS trust

  Ordinary admission

  Day case

  Ordinary admission

  Ulster, North

  1994

  51

  33

  —

  Down and Ards

  1995

  21

  22

  —

  1 Altnagelvin Group of Hospitals currently has shadow trust status and will attain full trust status on 1 April 1996.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are on the waiting list for orthopaedic operations form the Down/Lisburn trust, Craigavon and Banbridge trust and Newry and Mourne trust; and what was the figure 12 months previously. [14623]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the membership of each(a) statutory and (b) non-statutory board and body established in Northern Ireland between 1 April 1973 and 31 March 1995. [14621]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Northern Ireland Departments maintain records of the membership of statutory and non-statutory boards and bodies for which they are responsible. The provision of this information from 1 April 1973 to 31 December 1994 could be given only at disproportionate cost. The membership of public bodies in Northern Ireland on 1 January 1995 is in the Northern Ireland public appointments list, which is available in the House of Commons Library. This list will be updated at 31 March 1996.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are(a) the criteria and (b) the procedures for public appointments. [14631]

  Sir John Wheeler
  All public appointments are governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit, by the well-informed choice of individuals who, through their abilities, experience and qualities, match the needs of the public bodies in question. Board members must be committed to the principles and values of public service and be prepared to perform their duties with integrity.

  The procedures followed by NI Departments when making public appointments are as follows:
  a specification is drawn up both for the appointment and for the person(s) required to fill it;
  a field of candidates is identified by a combination of using the central appointments database, advertising (where appropriate) and consultation with interested outside bodies;
  candidates are shortlisted based on merit, with the aim of achieving a balance of relevant skills and background and recommended to the appropriate Minister.

  However, these procedures will be revised to take account of the appointment of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Sir Len Peach.
  694

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written parliamentary questions were passed for answer to executive agencies and non-governmental departments in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [14983]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested on the number of written parliamentary questions passed for answer to executive agencies and non-governmental departments is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Parliamentary questions are passed to the head of an executive agency for reply when the matter is one delegated to him or her under the agency framework document.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that the Fair Employment Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission publish reports on the composition of bodies or individuals publicly appointed to quangos, statutory bodies and other non-departmental organisations. [14630]

  Mr. Ancram
  Both the Fair Employment Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission (NI) are independent bodies with their remit defined by statute which does not cover the preparation of reports as suggested by the hon. Member.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a list of all individuals sitting as members of quangos, statutory bodies, and other publicly appointed non-departmental organisations. [14632]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The membership of public bodies in Northern Ireland is contained in the Northern Ireland public appointments list, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Community Employment Schemes
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many redundancies of core workers, who are funded by the Training and Employment Agency through the action for community employment training scheme, he has forecast for each of the next five years; [14728]

  (2) how many core workers who are funded by the Training and Employment Agency through the action for community employment training scheme have so far been made redundant as a result of the changes in the ACE training scheme; [14729]

  (3) what representations have been made to him from the organisations participating in the action for community employment training scheme who have experienced reductions in the number of placements in excess of 25 per cent.; [14730]

  (4) what will be the effect on other programmes of the reduction in expenditure on the action for community employment training programme in each of the next three years. [14733]
  695
  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 14 February 1996]: 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. Eric Illsley, dated 14 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 effects of the reduction in the Action for Community Employment (ACE) budget.
  Question 14728
  The budget reduction may lead to 134 redundancies among the programme's Core Workers during 1996/97. The question of further redundancies over the following 4 years will depend upon the budget available but at present I am not forecasting the need for such redundancies.
  Question 14729
  At this stage I am not aware of any redundancies having been made by ACE schemes.
  Question 14730
  A large number of representations have been made regarding the reduction. The Minister and I have met public representatives and delegations from voluntary organisations and the Northern Ireland Federation of ACE Schemes to discuss their collective and individual concerns. We are not seeking to implement reductions beyond those required to operate within the budget allocated in 1996/97.
  Question 14733
  The reduction in the ACE budget has allowed the Government to meet emerging budgetary pressures in a number of areas and especially those which are important to the continued growth in the NI economy.
  I hope you find this reply useful. I will of course he pleased to provide further information if you would find it helpful.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Treasury Solicitor's Office (Computer Disc Theft)
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what investigations are under way into the theft of a DTI computer disc from the Treasury Solicitor's office; [14636]

  (2) what action is to be taken in respect of the people alleged to have stolen a DTI computer disc from the Treasury Solicitor's office. [14635]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Metropolitan police commenced an investigation in November 1994, and in 1995 reported to the Crown Prosecution Service who advised that, in relation to one of the two persons investigated, there was no evidence of any criminal offence having been committed within the jurisdiction and that, therefore, no action could be taken by the Metropolitan police in relation to him, and in relation to the second person that there was sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction but that it was not in the public interest to prosecute her. The police were advised to caution her.

  Of the two people investigated by the Metropolitan police, only one had ever worked at the Treasury Solicitor's Department. She worked as a temporary typist, but had already left the Department before any investigation commenced.
  696

  Trophy International Animal Products Ltd.
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Attorney-General if the Serious Fraud Office will investigate the franchising operation of Trophy International Animal Products Ltd. [14637]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Serious Fraud Office undertakes criminal investigations and prosecutions only in cases of serious or complex fraud. Relevant factors in deciding whether to accept a case include the need for accountancy and investigative skills to be brought together and for the use of specialist statutory powers of the office. The moneys at risk or lost are usually at least £1 million.

  If there is evidence of criminality in the franchising operations of Trophy International Products Ltd. which would appear to fall within the acceptance criteria, it should be drawn to the attention of the director of the Serious Fraud Office. If the evidence points to criminality, but not of the scale dealt with by the Serious Fraud Office, it should be drawn to the attention of the police for the matter to be investigated.

  Elaine Steel
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will review the papers in the case of Elaine Steel of Workington. [13871]

  The Attorney-General
  I have called for the papers in this case and I shall write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Transexuals
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Attorney-General how much public money has been expended in each of the last five financial years in defence of legal actions relating to transexuals brought against Government Departments; and if he will make a statement. [15226]

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested by the hon. and learned Member cannot be compiled in the time provided. I shall write to him as soon as possible with the information which is available and arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Closed Circuit Television
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his assessment of the contribution to crime prevention made by closed circuit television surveillance in town centres. [13855]

  Mr. Howard
  CCTV systems around the country are having a significant impact on reducing crime and the fear of crime. The value of CCTV has been confirmed by the police and by independent research. This is why we are making £45 million available over the next three years to encourage the spread of this technology.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department is doing to
  697
  broaden the recruitment base of the probation service to encourage the recruitment of more mature and experienced people. [13865]

  Mr. Sackville
  We have ended the unnecessary requirement for probation officers to hold a social work qualification for appointment. We have also put in hand action to create a new, rigorous and more flexible system of training which will recognise the experience of mature candidates.

  Domestic Burglaries
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many domestic burglaries there were in Kent in each of the last two years for which figures are available. [13866]

  Mr. Howard
  The number of domestic burglaries recorded by the police in Kent in the 12 months to June 1994 was 17,900. In the 12 months to June 1995 it was 15,315, a fall of 14 per cent. I congratulate the chief constable of Kent and his officers on this achievement.

  Carl Bridgewater
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fingerprints on the bicycle belonging to Carl Bridgewater are so far unidentified; and if he will make a statement. [13867]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin).

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a final decision in the Bridgewater Four case; and if he will make a statement. [13870]

  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to announce his decision in the Carl Bridgewater case; and if he will make a statement. [13876]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden).

  Prison Service Redundancies
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about proposals for redundancies in the Prison Service. [13869]

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations about Prison Service plans for cost reductions and for improving its efficiency. The aim will be, so far as possible, to achieve any necessary staffing reductions without resort to compulsory redundancy.

  Violent Crime
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new measures he plans to introduce to combat violet crime; and if he will make a statement. [13873]
  698
  Mr. Maclean
  Severe penalties are already available for those convicted of serious offences. Life imprisonment is the maximum penalty for the most serious offences, and long terms of imprisonment can be imposed for other violent offences. Maximum penalties for violent offences are kept under constant review and we have not hesitated to increase them when necessary. The Government fully support the private member's Bill being promoted by my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady Olga Maitland), which proposes to tighten the law and increase the penalties for knife-related crime. The Government also propose that the courts should be required to impose an automatic life sentence on those convicted for the second time of a serious violent or sex offence. Full details of our proposals on sentencing will be set out in a White Paper in the spring.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to double the penalties upon those convicted of violent crime within a given radius of schools; and if he will make a statement. [14016]

  Mr. Maclean
  I believe that offences should be punished for what they are, not where they are committed.

  Severe penalties are already available for those convicted of serious offences. Life imprisonment is the maximum penalty for the most serious offences, and long terms of imprisonment can be imposed for other violent offences. Maximum penalties for violent offences are kept under constant review and we have not hesitated to increase them when necessary. The Government fully support the private Member's Bill being promoted by my hon. Freind the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady Olga Maitland) which proposes to tighten the law and increase the penalties for knife-related crime. The Government also propose that the courts should be required to impose an automatic life sentence on those convicted for the second time of a serious violent or sex offence. Full details of our proposals on sentencing will be set out in a White Paper in the spring.

  Stolen Vehicles
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on stolen vehicle recovery rates. [13874]

  Mr. Maclean
  Figures for 1994 show that 59 per cent. of stolen vehicles recorded by the police in England and Wales were recovered. This is the same percentage as that recorded in 1993. Vehicle theft fell by 10 per cent. in 1994 as compared with 1993.

  Crime Victims
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new proposal he has to help the victims of crime. [12875]

  Mr. Maclean
  We are aiming shortly to publish a new victim's charter which will set out the minimum standards of service victims can expect from the criminal justice agencies. It will explain clearly which agency is responsible for providing each service, and how victims can complain if they do not get the standard of service promised.
  699
  Achievement of the charter service standards will be monitored closely by the agencies concerned, and progress will be reported in the Home Office annual report.

  The new charter demonstrates our commitment to respond to the needs and interests of victims in a real and practical way.

  Immigration (Children)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he has issued to immigration officers at ports of entry relating to the admission of unaccompanied children from overseas seeking refugee status in Britain. [13877]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Guidance to Immigration Service staff at ports on unaccompanied children seeking asylum covers a variety of issues and specifically that applications from minors are to be given priority and handled with particular care.

  Prisoners (Debt)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are in prison for debt. [13878]

  Miss Widdecombe
  At the end of November 1995, there were 462 prisoners held in prison custody for non-payment of fines, 38 for non-payment of council tax and 10 for civil debts.

  Crime Victims (Compensation)
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the ways prisoners can compensate the victims of crime. [13868]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are committed to the introduction of arrangements whereby a proportion of prisoners' earnings from prison work is set aside to help victims of crime. I congratulate my hon. Friend on obtaining a Second Reading for his private Member's Bill last Friday which provides a statutory framework for this purpose.

  Prisons (Greater Manchester)
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of(a) the total inmate population of the prisons in the Greater Manchester area in each of the next five years and (b) the total number of prison places that will be available. [13456]

  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. Jim Callaghan, dated 15 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the estimate of the total inmate population of the prisons in the Greater Manchester area in each of the next five years and (b) the total number of prison places that will be available.
  700
  There are three prisons in the Greater Manchester area: Manchester, Hindley remand centre and Buckley Hall. These prisons currently provide a total of 1,656 places and hold 1,723 prisoners. The number of places and prisoners held within each of these prisons is not expected to vary significantly over the next five years. The Prison Service has plans to build a new 800 place prison at Agecroft in the next five years, which will help provide the additional capacity needed in the region.

  Empty Buildings
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many empty buildings his Department currently owns; what is the cost of insuring and securing these buildings; how many were designed as residential properties; and what was the total amount spent by his Department on empty property taxes in each of the last five years. [14567]

  Mr. Howard
  The Home Office assumes accountability for all the office in which it has occupations, including any vacant space therein, from 1 April 1996. Up to that date, responsibility for the whole of the Government common user (office) estate in which Government Departments were housed rests with Property Holdings. That part of the question is, therefore, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  The Home Office has 208 empty properties on its departmental estates at the present time. Of these, 192 are residential properties on the prisons estate, most of which are temporarily vacant awaiting new tenants.

  As a general rule, the Government carry their own insurance risk. The costs of securing these properties and the total amount spent by the Home Office on empty property taxes in the last five years cannot be readily identified without disproportionate cost.

  Fire Service College
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the future of the Fire Service College. [14594]

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Fire Service College. [14795]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 13 February,Official Report, column 517.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has reached on the report on the Fire Service College. [15399]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 13 February,Official Report, column 517.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who had obtained entry clearance as visitors prior to travelling to the United Kingdom were refused entry on arrival in 1994. [14797]
  701
  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information available relates to all persons with an entry clearance or work permit who were refused leave to enter on arrival in the United Kingdom. There were 950 such persons in 1994.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of applications made in(a) Jamaica and (b) Trinidad and Tobago for entry clearance as a visitor to the United Kingdom were refused; and what proportion of applications on arrival for leave to enter the United Kingdom as a visitor from passengers from (a) and (b) were refused in 1994. [14798]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Some 910 entry clearance applications for temporary purposes were refused initially in Jamaica, and 30 in Trinidad and Tobago, in 1994. These represented 26 and 3 per cent. respectively of the applications decided. Citizens of these two countries do not need an entry clearance to visit the United Kingdom. The information available on passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom is given in the table.

  Citizens of Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, admitted and refused at United Kingdom ports in 1994

  Jamaica

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Admissions of visitors

  13,200

  8,480

  Total of passengers refused leave to enter

  366

  61

  Those refused because of insufficient means for proposed visit or not a genuine visitor1

  306

  50

  1 Excluding visitors refused for other reasons, eg false passport.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people with indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom were refused re-entry to the United Kingdom under the returning residents rule in 1994 when they had been out of the country for(a) less than and (b) more than two years; and what were the nationalities of the people concerned. [14800]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The total number and nationalities of persons refused leave to enter and removed from the United Kingdom in 1994, on the basis that they did not qualify as returning residents as claimed, are given in the table. It is not known how many of these persons had been out of the country for less than two years.

  Passengers claiming to be returning residents who were refused leave to enter, and removed from, the United Kingdom in 1994

  Nationality

  Number

  Bangladesh

  8

  Canada

  1

  India

  1

  Iran

  1

  Jamaica

  4

  Malaysia

  2

  Mauritius

  2

  Mexico

  1

  Morocco

  1

  Nigeria

  6

  Pakistan

  3

  Philippines

  3

  South Africa

  3

  USA

  1

  Total

  37

  702

  Contact Orders
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for assault have occurred as a result of incidents(a) prior to, (b) during and (c) after contact between parents whose children were subject to contact orders made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 in each year since 1991. [14850]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the number of convictions for assault relating to incidents where contact orders were made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 is not collected centrally.

  Pregnant Prisoners
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his oral statement on 18 January,Official Report, column 893, if the policy of shackling pregnant prisoners whilst they are escorted to the hospital is still in force; [15000]

  (2) if he will make it his policy that women receiving hospital and maternity care will be escorted by women officers. [14999]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for these matters 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 15 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the treatment of pregnant prisoners.
  Except where there is a medical objection to using restraints or where the governor decides, following a risk assessment, that restraints are unnecessary, pregnant prisoners en route from closed prisons to hospital for antenatal or other appointments will normally be restrained on the journey to the hospital and on the way from the vehicle to the hospital waiting area, or hospital entrance in the case of women prisoners who are being taken to hospital to give birth.
  It is the Prison Service's policy that prisoners may be escorted by officers of either sex except where this would place the officer or the prisoner in an unreasonable position in terms of privacy or decency. For prisoners giving birth our aim is that both officers should be female, but sometimes, for example in the case of an emergency, there may not be sufficient staff on duty to allow this. In this situation, one of the officers must be a woman.

  Secure Training Centres
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the current estimated costs for the construction and operation for secure training centres; and if he will indicate when the successful tenders will be announced; [15013]

  (2) for what reasons tenders for the first two sites for secure training centres have been resubmitted. [15012]

  Mr. Maclean
  Each of the proposals submitted was non-compliant in some respects. Negotiations are continuing with the tenderers, who are being asked to revise the relevant aspects of their bids. For reasons of competition and commercial confidentiality, I cannot disclose the prices of the bids. Contracts will be signed, and announced, as soon as the terms have been settled.
  703

  Drivers (Drugs)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Department what powers the police have to test drivers for driving under the influence of drugs; how many convictions there have been over the past two years; and what representations he has had urging(a) more testing and (b) higher penalties. [15061]

  Mr. Maclean
  Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988—as amended by section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1991—empowers a constable to arrest a person if he has reasonable cause to suspect that that person has been driving or been in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle when unfit through drugs. Section 7 of the 1988 Act empowers a constable to require the suspect to provide a specimen for a laboratory test.

  Separate statistics for driving offences involving drugs only are not available centrally. I am not aware of any representations urging higher penalties for the offences but I know that the Association of Chief Police Officers is concerned about drugs and road safety and has called for the development of a device to test for drugs in drivers similar to the roadside breathalyser for alcohol. As a first step, research into the extent of drug use by drivers is being commissioned.

  Fire Services
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which fire station provides cover for Brent Cross; and what level of cover is provided. [14746]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the London fire and civil defence authority. My hon. Friend should contact the chairman of the LFCDA for details.

  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those local authorities which are currently budgeting to spend on fire services(a) more than their standard spending assessment, (b) at the level of their standard spending assessment and (c) below their standard spending assessment. [14910]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not yet held centrally on the budgets which fire authorities in England are in the process of setting for 1996–97.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made as to whether all fire brigades in the United Kingdom will be able to meet, alongside their other statutory responsibilities, the emergency needs of their communities in the year 1996–97. [15401]

  Mr. Sackville
  Under section 1 of the Fire Services Act 1947 a fire authority has a duty to make provision for firefighting purposes and, in particular, to secure the services of a fire brigade and equipment in order to meet efficiently all normal requirements. Section 3(1)(e) of the Act gives the fire authority discretionary powers to employ its brigade and use its equipment for purposes other than fire fighting. Fire authorities have been able to provide such services from within the resources available to them for firefighting purposes. Fire authorities do have arrangements in place for mobilising assistance from neighbouring authorities in the more serious incidents, for example Windsor castle.
  704
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made as to whether all fire brigades in the United Kingdom will be able to meet the minimum statutory standards for their rescue and fire fighting roles in the year 1996–97. [15400]

  Mr. Sackville
  Such an assessment can be made only by individual fire authorities in the light of their own local circumstances. It is for each fire authority to set a budget which will allow it to comply with its statutory duties under the Fire Services Act 1947.

  Prison Service Director General
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the name of the new Director General of the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [14977]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 5 December, column 204.

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if women who have been assessed for open conditions, and then placed in the HMP Holloway, are subject to mechanical restraints whilst on escort. [15002]

  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 15 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about women who are subjected to mechanical restraints while one escort.
  Women who have been approved for open conditions are not normally subject to mechanical restraints. Women who are sent back to Holloway prison as being unsuitable for open conditions will be subject to mechanical restraints while on escort.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many written parliamentary questions were passed for answer to executive agencies and non-governmental departments in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [14984]

  Mr. Howard
  This is a matter of public record. Although the information readily available in the Department does not give figures for each of the last five years, it suggests that the total number of written parliamentary questions which have been passed for answer to executive agencies since they were established is:

  Number

  United Kingdom Passport Agency (established on 2 April 1991)

  86

  The Prison Service (established on 1 April 1993)

  2,309

  705

  Number

  The Forensic Science Service (established on 1 April 1991)

  33

  The Fire Service College(established on 1 April 1992)

  5

  No parliamentary questions have been passed for answer to non-governmental departments.

  Cemeteries
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will legislate to amend the Local Authority Cemetery Act 1977, and the Local Government Act 1972, to allow exhumation in defined circumstances to allow the re-use of graves; and what response he has sent to the representations on this topic from Reverend Peter Jupp, director of the National Funerals College. [14048]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are no plans to amend the Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977 or the Local Government Act 1972 to permit the exhumation of human remains for the re-use of existing graves. We have no record of the receipt of any representations from Reverend Jupp on this matter.

  Fire Cover Review
  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the final proposals from the London fire and civil defence authority in respect of its fire cover review. [14923]

  Mr. Sackville
  Presently, these remain matters for the authority. I understand that it intends to consider the reaction to its recent consultation process at its meeting on 22 February.

  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has sent to the London borough of Bromley in response to its representations on the proposed reductions in fire cover affecting the borough; and if he will make a statement. [14924]

  Mr. Sackville
  The reply explained the criteria which my right hon. and learned Friend would apply to an application from a fire authority to reduce fire cover. It confirmed that, should such an application be received from the London fire and civil defence authority, the representations would be taken into account.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to respond to the consultation exercise on the Government's Green Paper on identity cards. [14925]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Batiste) on 26 January,Official Report, column 470.

  Docklands Bombing (Fire Appliances)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire appliances attended the site of the docklands bombing on 9 February; at what 706
  times the first appliance arrived and the last appliance left; how many appliances arrived within (a) five and (b) 10 minutes of being summoned; from which fire stations appliances were sent; and how many fire fighters attended. [15202]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have been informed by the London fire and civil defence authority that a total of 113 appliances attended this incident over three days. The first appliance arrived on 9 February at 19:07 and the last appliance left on 12 February at 13:46. One appliance arrived within five minutes of being summoned and two within 10 minutes. In total, 427 fire service personnel attended the incident.

  Appliances were sent from the following stations: Addington, Barking, Battersea, Beckenham, Bethnal Green, Bromley, Bow, Chelsea, Croydon, Dagenham, Deptford, Dockhead, East Greenwich, East Ham, Erith, Forest Hill, Greenwich, Hainault, Hornchurch, Ilford, Lambeth fire boat, Lewisham, Leytonstone, Manchester Square, Millwall, New Cross, Norbury, Old Kent Road, Plaistow, Plumstead, Poplar, Romford, Shadwell, Sidcup, Silvertown, Stratford, Sutton, Tooting, Tottenham, Wandsworth, Westminster, Whitechapel, Woodford. Woodside and Woolwich.

  Programme Development Unit
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will announce his decision on the outcome of the second round of funding for local projects considered by the programme development unit of his Department. [15224]

  Mr. Howard
  The matter of second stage bids to the programme development unit for funding local projects is being given careful consideration. I hope to be able to announce a final decision shortly.

  Home Country Reports
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his answer of 12 February,Official Report, column 411, if he will place in the Library a copy of the home country report on Pakistan used by a Home Office presenting officer at an immigration appeal hearing in Leeds in 1995; [15342]

  (2) if he will place in the Library home country reports and other related information which he considered in respect of the designation of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ghana, Poland, Romania, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Tanzania for the purposes of determining countries from which asylum cases are likely to prove unfounded. [15350]

  Miss Widdecombe
  As I explained in answer to the question from the hon. Gentleman on 12 February,Official Report, column 411, when the country assessments to be made available to adjudicators have been finalised, I will place them in the Library.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to remove Nigerian nationals from the short procedure, introduced last May, for deciding asylum cases likely to prove unfounded; and if he will make a statement. [15351]
  707
  Miss Widdecombe
  The short procedure operates within existing legislation and has never been confined to countries which are candidates for designation under clause 1 of the Asylum and Immigration Bill. Individual applications which on examination are unsuitable for the short procedure are removed from it.

  Firearms-related Crime
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps he is taking to deal with the problem of firearms-related crime. [13872]

  Mr. Maclean
  Our aim is to cut the supply of guns used in crime and to ensure that the courts have adequate powers to deal with those who commit firearms offences. The controls on firearms are already stringent and kept under constant review. The penalties for misuse are substantial. The maximum penalty for carrying a firearm in the furtherance of crime is life imprisonment and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 increased the maximum penalties for a wide range of other firearms offences. If further legislative measures are considered necessary, the Government will not hesitate to take them.

  Local initiatives to detect or prevent armed crime are the responsibility of individual chief officers of police. I understand that the chief constable of Merseyside police has recently launched a high profile campaign to combat the particular threat posed by armed criminals in his force area.

  European Parliamentary Constituencies
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what supplementary review of European parliamentary constituencies in England the parliamentary boundary commission for England plans to conduct. [15824]

  Mr. Howard
  The commission has informed me that it intends to consider making a supplementary report on the European parliamentary constituencies in England, and to commence forthwith a general review of the European parliamentary constituencies in England.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for 1995 and each of the previous five years(a) the longest period and (b) the shortest period between the receipt by his Department of a report of a research project commissioned by his Department and its subsequent publication; and in each case if he will give (i) the title of the publication and (ii) the subject of the project. [14671]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 13 February 1996]: Details for reports published in 1994 and 1995 follow. There are no systematic records for previous years.

  In 1994, the shortest and longest periods between receipt and publication were for the following reports:
  Research and Planning Unit Paper (RPUP) "86 Drug Education Amongst Teenagers", (two months) and Home Office Research Studies (HORS) 134 "Contacts between Police and Public: findings from the 1992 British Crime Survey", (12 months) respectively.

  708
  In 1995 the reports concerned were:
  HORS 147"Anxiety about crime: findings from the 1994 British Crime Survey", (2.5 months) and RPUP 90 "Improving bail decisions: the bail process project phase 1" (14 months).

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he has set for his Department in respect of publishing the reports of research projects regarding crime, police and other issues. [14672]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 13 February 1996]: There are no formal targets for the publication of research reports. Once a report is accepted as meeting the terms of the research contract, it is published as soon as practicable.

  Legislation (Compliance Cost Assessments)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for primary and secondary legislation passed since 5 April 1995 which measures were subject to a compliance cost assessment; and what was the compliance cost in each instance. [13659]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 14 February 1996]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 14 February, Official Report, column 578.

  Discretionary Life Sentences
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 6 February,Official Report, column 107, on offences carrying a discretionary life sentence, for what offences were the five life sentences imposed; what offences were committed by the 29 offenders who did not receive an immediate custodial sentence for a second offence carrying a discretionary life sentence; and what sentence was imposed in these cases. [15191]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 14 February 1996]: I regret that the information given in the answer of 6 February, on offences carrying a discretionary life sentence, has been found to be incorrect due to an error in the way the sample was drawn. The first paragraph and table 1 of this answer show the revised figures.

  The information requested is not collected routinely. A sample of those convicted of indictable offences in five weeks of 1993–94 included 1,086 offenders, not 600 as previously stated, convicted of sexual or violent offences carrying a discretionary life sentence, 224, or 21 per cent., not 198, or 33 per cent., of whom had previous convictions for such offences. One hundred and eighty-two not 169—of the offenders with previous convictions for such offences were given a custodial sentence, five, as previously given, of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment. The table shows the average sentence imposed, excluding life sentences, by offence group. Information is not available on sentences actually served by the offenders included in the sample.
  709

  Table 1: Sentencing of offenders reconvicted of sex and violent offences carrying discretionary life sentences

  Offence

  Number sentenced to immediate custody on second or greater occasion

  Average custodial sentence imposed (months)

  Manslaughter

  5

  45

  Rape

  8

  81

  Robbery

  103

  40

  Buggery

  4

  75

  Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm

  34

  48

  Aggravated burglary

  3

  74

  Firearms offences

  1

  48

  Other offences

  19

  36

  Total

  177

  44

  Table 2: Offenders reconvicted of sex and violent offences carrying discretionary life sentences and not given a custodial sentence1

  Disposal

  Manslaughter

  Robbery

  Wounding with intent to do GBH

  Other offences

  Absolute discharge

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Conditional discharge

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Supervision order

  —

  6

  —

  3

  Probation order

  —

  4

  —

  9

  Community service order

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Combination order

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Fully suspended sentence

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Otherwise dealt with

  1

  4

  1

  4

  Total

  1

  18

  1

  22

  1 All offenders convicted of rape, buggery, aggravated burglary or firearms offences were sentenced to immediate custody.

  Of the five offenders sentenced to life imprisonment, four were convicted of rape and one of robbery. Forty-two offenders with previous convictions for sexual or violent offences were not given a custodial sentence. The offence and disposal for these offenders are shown in the table.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Benefit
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what checks operate to prevent those living abroad receiving child benefit paid into a United Kingdom bank account; and what estimate his Department has made of the amount of money thus claimed. [14751]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Child benefit is normally payable only to those who are resident in the UK. Exceptions are made for temporary absences abroad for up to eight weeks, and for longer periods in certain circumstances where a child is absent abroad for education or medical purposes. When people leave the country, payment of child benefit terminates after the eighth week. A number of different mechanisms are used to prompt notification by those leaving the country for longer than eight weeks.

  The most commonly identified situation where payment could continue into a United Kingdom bank account despite a lack of entitlement is where a person from
  710
  abroad returns home without notifying the child benefit centre. Special inquiries are made in cases where this is thought to be a possibility.

  Operation Rattle was launched in November 1995 to deter this type of abuse. To date, cases have been found which, if action had not been taken, could have led to expenditure of up to £8 million.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review his policy concerning cold weather payments; and if he will make a statement. [14911]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  There are no plans for major changes to the scheme. However, after the end of March each year, the operation of the scheme is reviewed with the Meteorological Office. In particular, links between weather stations and postcode areas are reviewed and, where appropriate, changes are made.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the temperature level at which cold weather payments are triggered; and if he will make a statement. [15007]

  Mr. Evans: Cold weather payments give extra help to vulnerable groups towards additional heating costs resulting from sustained periods of very cold weather. An average temperature of 0°c (freezing point) or below, over seven consecutive days, is considered a clear and reasonable indication of a sustained period of very cold weather, not normally expected to occur in the majority of British winters. During the winter, the scheme is monitored, and at the end of each March, a review of the scheme takes place with the Meteorological Office. Changes are considered, if appropriate. No further research has been considered necessary.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations he has received since 1 January 1995 about delays in payment of attendance allowance for blind people; and how many representations there were in the last five years. [14915]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  I receive many representations concerning almost every area of the Department's business both from individuals and organisations. Detailed information on the nature of those representations is not routinely collected.

  Child Support
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many and what percentage of cases the parent with care has indicated on the Child Support Agency maintenance application forms that the absent parent is unaware of the child. [14959]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  As the agency has no business need for the information requested, it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  711

  Departmental Running Costs
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were in each year from 1979 to 1994, in real terms,(a) the Tunning costs of Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff and (b) the running costs of the Department. [15357]

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

  The running costs of Ministers' private offices is only available for 1994–95 and is in table 1:

  £

  Salaries

  1,474,194

  Running costs

  449,049

  Total

  1,923,243

  Ministers are currently housed in Richmond house and all facilities are provided by the Department of Health. This Department has been responsible for paying its own share of the rent and rates since 1992. All expenditure on accommodation is included in the running cost expenditure of the two Departments, which is published in their annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.

  The available information on departmental running costs in table 2.

  £ million1

  1982–83

  2,008

  1983–84

  1,933

  1984–85

  1,850

  1985–86

  1,901

  1986–87

  2,026

  1987–88

  2,400

  1988–89

  2,364

  1989–90

  2,334

  1990–91

  2,483

  1991–92

  2,542

  1992–93

  2,798

  1993–94

  2,888

  1994–95

  3,010

  Notes:

  1. Real term—calculated on the basis of the December 1995 figures.

  2. From 1987–88 running costs include costs of Accruing Superannuation Liability Charge (£165m cash in 1987–88).

  3. ITSA moved to net running costs control from 1994–95.

  Source:

  Running Cost tables. The Government's expenditure plans 1986–87 to 1988–89 and Social Security Departmental Report (The Government's expenditure plans 1995–96 to 1997–98).

  State Earnings-related Pension Scheme
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of people(a) paying contributions to SERPS each year since its inception and (b) drawing pensions in each year since the scheme's inception and if he will detail his estimates for both (a) and (b) 10, 20 and 30 years hence. [15235]
  712
  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Table 1 shows, for 1978–79 and later years, the number of people in the UK who paid class 1 national insurance contributions at the not contracted-out rate on earnings equal to or above the annual lower earnings limit for that year. These people have accrued entitlement to additional pension as have a small but unquantifiable number of people whose earnings in one or more of the years were marginally below the annual LEL and who reach state pension age before April 2000.

  Table 1

  Million

  1978–79

  9.7

  1979–80

  10.1

  1980–81

  9.5

  1981–82

  8.7

  1982–83

  8.6

  1983–84

  8.8

  1984–85

  9.1

  1985–86

  10.2

  1986–87

  10.4

  1987–88

  7.8

  1988–89

  7.8

  1989–90

  7.5

  1990–91

  7.5

  1991–92

  6.7

  1992–93

  6.5

  Notes:

  1. Figures exclude Appropriate Personal Pension holders and women paying Reduced Rate National Insurance contributions.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 0.1 million.

  Source:

  NIRS 1 per cent. sample.

  Table 2 shows the number of people receiving additional pension at the date specified. Figures for periods before 30.9.85 are not available.

  Million

  30th September 1985

  1.4

  30th September 1986

  1.8

  30th September 1987

  2.1

  30th September 1988

  2.4

  31st March 19891

  2.6

  30th September 1990

  3.1

  30th September 1991

  3.4

  30th September 1992

  3.7

  30th September 1993

  4.0

  30th September 1994

  4.3

  Notes:

  1 September figures are not available.

  1. Figures are for all Countries and include widows.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 0.1 million.

  Source:

  10 per cent. sample of Retirement Pension Bi-annual enquiry.

  Burnley Benefit Agency
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many telephone calls were made to the Burnley Benefits Agency office under Operation Speakeasy; and if he will make a statement. [14930]

  Mr. Heald
  A freephone telephone line was piloted for three months up to 31 January 1996, to help the public refer cases of suspected fraud to the Benefits Agency for
  713
  investigation. A total of 570 calls were made for the Blackburn and Burnley areas. It is not possible to identify separately the number of calls for the Burnley office.

  Women Workers
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumption was made for financial year 1995–96 on the flowback to the Exchequer from encouraging women back to work; and what revisions 714
  have been made to those assumptions during the course of the year. [15223]

  Mr. Burt
  No specific estimate has been made on the overall flowback to the Exchequer from social security and employment measures focused on helping women into work. On average, encouraging a lone parent to move from income support to family credit saves £50 per week from a combination of public expenditure savings and increased revenue. For those women, or their partners, who are not in receipt of income-related benefits, the payback will be lower.

  Overseas Military Training Assistance
  Overseas Military Training Assistance
  Prison Standing Order 7A
  Prison Standing Order 7A
  Environmental Pollution: Royal Commission Reports
  Environmental Pollution: Royal Commission Reports
  Chemicals: Risk Ranking
  Chemicals: Risk Ranking
  Impaired Function: Prevalence
  Impaired Function: Prevalence
  Electroconvulsive Therapy: Related Deaths
  Electroconvulsive Therapy: Related Deaths
  Simulated Nuclear Testing
  Simulated Nuclear Testing
  Flying Training
  Flying Training
  Varroa: Statutory Infected Area
  Varroa: Statutory Infected Area
  Organophosphorus Sheep Dip: Adverse Reactions
  Organophosphorus Sheep Dip: Adverse Reactions
  Warble Fly Treatment: Adverse Reactions
  Warble Fly Treatment: Adverse Reactions
  Warble Fly: Compulsory Treatment
  Warble Fly: Compulsory Treatment