Written Answers of 26 February 1996

DEFENCE

  British Military Forces (Control)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests he has received for British military forces to come under local, non-British control; what has been his response; and if he will make a statement. [13266]

  Mr. Soames
  British military forces regularly come under non-British operational control when they take part in operations under UN, NATO or ad hoc coalition auspices. In all cases, British forces remain under UK national command.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report, "Iraq's Growing Arsenal: Programs and Facilities," prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency in July 1990. [16004]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have no responsibility for reports prepared by a foreign intelligence agency. Matters relating to Iraq's procurement programme are dealt with in the Scott report.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16030]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  None of my Department's executive non-departmental bodies has a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to board or committee meetings, or to hold open meetings.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16017]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  While none of my Department's executive non-departmental bodies is subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner or (b) the Audit Commission, they are all subject to (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) the code of practice on access to Government information, (e) performance indicators and (f) citizens charter provisions.

  Al Yamamah Project Office
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff formerly involved in the Al Yamamah project office have made applications under the business appointment rules. [16190]

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

  Royal Yacht
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts have been made to raise private sector finance to construct a new royal yacht. [16259]

  Mr. Soames
  No decision has been made on whether to replace Britannia and the Government have not invited contributions from the private sector to the costs of any replacement. A number of suggestions for a possible replacement have, however, been received from outside the Government, and some of these include private sector funding. The Government are continuing to consider the question of a replacement. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts have been made to raise funds from the private sector towards the financing of HMY Britannia; and if he will make a statement. [16258]

  Mr. Soames
  Private sector funding has not been sought for the operation of HMY Britannia. However, organisers of trade promotion events held on board the yacht meet all additional costs incurred, over and above normal running costs.

  Air Vice-Marshal Howard
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations led him to approve Air Vice-Marshal Howard's appointment as a consultant to Tripod Engineering Ltd. in November 1988 following his retirement in October 1988; and to what extent these considerations were based on(a) written policy guidelines and (b) assessment of the particular case. [16304]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  As Sir Richard Scott's report makes clear, Air Vice-Marshal Howard did not seek permission before taking up his appointment with Tripod Engineering Ltd.

  International Military Services Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the present whereabouts and ownership of International Military Services Ltd. files relating to defence consultancies and contracts in Jordan, Iran and Iraq after 1981. [16313]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  These are matters for the company.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance was provided by(a) serving and (b) recently discharged British officers to International Military Services Ltd. to provide advice to the Government of Iraq between July 1981 and August 1990. [16305]
  299
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Advice given by any IMS representatives is a matter for the company. I am not aware of any serving officers being involved in any such matters.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date a final settlement of outstanding contractual issues with Iran in respect of contracts involving International Military Services Ltd. was concluded. [16309]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for International Military Services Ltd., but I understand that not all of the company's outstanding contractual issues have been concluded.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department(a) was informed of and (b) approved the instruction of the chief executive of International Military Services Ltd. to remove material relating to Iraq from the company's files. [16394]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No. The maintenance of records is a matter for the company.

  Integrated Weapon Complex (Basra)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the integrated weapon complex constructed in Basra, Iraq, in 1985, was subjected to allied attack in Operation Desert Storm; and what assessment his Department made of the damage caused to it. [16399]

  Mr. Soames
  Full details of coalition operational combat sorties are not held by the MOD, but we have no record of any RAF attacks on such a facility. Battle damage assessment reports from recent conflicts remain classified.

  Canira Technical Company Ltd.
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the ownership and trading activities of the Canira Technical Company Ltd. of Northern Ireland with particular reference to its involvement with the Iraqi arms procurement programme. [16325]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  There is nothing that I can usefully add to the information contained in paragraph D5.25 (xvi) of the Scott report.

  Iranian Naval Base (Bander-Abbus)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving British officers(a) on secondment and (b) temporarily discharged were made available for the repair of an Iranian naval base at Bander-Abbas in the period between July 1981 and August 1988 as a contribution to a contract held by IMS. [16401]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I am aware of none.

  Departmental Officials (Interests)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the officials in his Department who have declared a current interest; what requirements are placed on officials to declare relevant interests; in what form records of such declarations are kept; and if he will establish a central register of officials' interests. [16877]
  300
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Regulations require staff to declare to their line manager all investments in any company with which they have official dealings. These declarations should include details of such investments held by an individual's immediate family, as far as he or she is aware of those interests. Staff who are themselves directors, or partners or who hold any other appointment in a private sector commercial organisation must, if the private interest is associated in any way with their official duties, declare the interest to their line manager. Any information declared is confidential to the declarant and his or her line manager. No central records are kept, nor is it considered necessary to collect such information centrally.

  EDS Ltd.
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those contracts his Department currently holds with EDS, indicating for each the(a) date of inception, (b) value and (c) duration. [17451]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The central data maintained by the Ministry of Defence procurement executive shows that there are more than 150 contracts currently open with the company with a total value of in excess of £50 million. To obtain the level of detailed information requested for each contract would require considerable further research which could not be undertaken without disproportionate cost.

  Married Quarters Estate
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making with his proposals to transfer the married quarters estate in England and Wales to the private sector. [17719]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The preliminary information memorandum, published on 30 November 1995, has attracted strong interest from a substantial number of companies and consortia. A full information memorandum has now been issued to prequalified bidders, on a commercially confidential basis, to enable them to submit bids for the estate.

  Nigeria (Arms Sales)
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy on arms sales to Nigeria. [16967]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 12 February,Official Report, column 447.

  Services Sound and Vision Corporation (Cyprus)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 358, from what sources it is proposed to raise the estimated cost of encrypting and providing decoding equipment for the SSVC television service in Cyprus; and what are the estimated numbers of expatriates in Cyprus who will not be entitled to a decoding device. [15905]

  Mr. Soames
  If it is decided to provide an encrypted SSVC television service in Cyprus and to supply the necessary decoders to the entitled audience, the costs will be met from the Defence budget.
  301
  I am unable to give an estimate of the number of expatriates in Cyprus who view SSVC television and would not be entitled to receive a decoding device if the television service were encrypted.

  Abbey Wood Building
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 722, regarding the position of sub-contractors working on the new MOD building at Abbey Wood, Bristol, if he will make a statement on the disputes between the main construction contractor and his sub-contractors. [16961]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Commercial relationships between the main construction contractor and his sub-contractors are matters for the main contractor to deal with. However, the Department understands the normal process of settling final accounts for the sub-contractors who have completed their works continues.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 722, regarding the costs of the new MOD building at Abbey Wood, Bristol, what are the estimated and budgeted costs for (a) site acquisition, (b) construction, (c) fitting out, (d) professional works management fees and (e) VAT; and if the estimated cost of construction takes account of disputed payments to the contractor. [16974]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The estimated and budgeted costs for the Abbey Wood construction project, at 1992 prices and inclusive of VAT where appropriate, are as follows:

  £ million

  Site acquisition and planning obligations

  124.9

  Construction, including fitting out

  2212.6

  Works project management fees

  39.7

  Total

  247.2

  1 £27.3 million at 1995 prices.

  2 £235.5 million at 1995 prices.

  3 £10.5 million at 1995 prices.

  Elements of the fit-out works are currently subject to procurement competitions and therefore the associated costs are commercially confidential. These figures reflect the Department's estimate of the likely outturn costs for the project.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to paragraph C 2.62 of the Scott report, if he will list the equipment that was sent to Iraq under temporary licences and subsequently incorporated into the Iraqi weapon producing system between 1980 and 1991. [17342]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I am not in a position to state with certainty what equipment was incorporated into Iraqi weapons manufacture. Sir Richard Scott addresses these issues in detail in sections D2.46 to D2.51, D6.55 to D6.72 and D6.194 to D6.220 of his report and I have nothing to add to his description of what equipment was sent to Iraq under temporary licences.

  United Nations Arms Register
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to reply to parliamentary questions concerning sales of defence equipment and arms covered by the 1991 United Nations arms register. [17124]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We intend to review the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of the export of defence related equipment in reply to parliamentary questions.

  A paper is today being placed in the Library of the House which sets out current policy and practice in informing Parliament about arms sales matters. We hope that this will be a useful document to take the discussion forward. Copies of the UK returns to the UN arms register covering the export of seven categories of conventional arms have been placed in the House Libraries, on an annual basis, since the system began in 1992.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his policy to permit the disclosure of information contained in section C6 of the export licence application form where the prospective export is deemed to be a dual-use militarily sensitive technology. [15969]

  Mr. Lang
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the statement that I made on Thursday 15 February, Official Report, columns 1139–44, in relation to Sir Richard Scott's recommendations on this matter.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Pensions and Stipends
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, representing the Church Commissioners, what powers the Synod has to instruct the commissioners to(a) reduce the level of pensions already in payment and (b) reduce the level of stipends in payment. [15546]

  Mr. Alison
  The General Synod has no power to instruct the commissioners to reduce the level of pensions in payment. The levels are determined in accordance with the pensions regulations. Under the current arrangements, the legislation gives to the commissioners the power to increase the figures, which they customarily exercise in line with the Church's pensions policy. There is no provision for any reduction to be made in the monetary amounts payable.

  Stipend levels are determined on a diocesan basis by the bishop with the concurrence of the Diocesan Board of Finance in accordance with section 5 of the Diocesan Stipends Funds Measure 1953, having regard to the advice of the commissioners as central stipends authority. The commissioners were appointed as central stipends authority by a General Synod Regulation in 1972, which was revised in 1982. The Synod has the power to amend this regulation if it so wishes by appointing another authority, but cannot directly reduce the level of stipends.
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  The Synod also has the power to amend the above legislation, subject to the agreement of Parliament.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid (Maxwell Case)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been paid by the legal aid fund on account in respect of defendants of the Maxwell case. [15959]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To date, £8.3 million has been paid on account from the legal aid fund to lawyers representing Kevin and Ian Maxwell—Trachtenberg, Bunn, Fuller, and Stoney. That sum includes £829,000 paid in respect of the magistrates court proceedings.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number and length of statutory instruments. [15764]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In respect of the areas of law for which he is responsible, the Lord Chancellor endeavours to combine and streamline regulations wherever possible and to ensure that they are as concise as is consistent with clarity and legal certainty.

  Children Act
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what efforts are being made to monitor the operation of section 8 orders under the Children Act 1989. [15948]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have been asked to reply. The Lord Chancellor's Department is undertaking a review of the operation of the Children Act, with a particular emphasis on minimising delay. The Children Act advisory committee is also monitoring the implementation of the Act and a number of research projects are being undertaken.

  The Department collects statistics on the number of applications for section 8 orders received, orders made, orders refused, orders of no order made and applications withdrawn.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open Government, (e) performed indicators and (f) provisions under the citizen's charter. [16010]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Lord Chancellor's Department sponsors two such bodies—the Legal Aid Board and the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board. However, the latter has been inactive since March 304
  1992, when the Lord Chancellor announced his decision to postpone the implementation of the authorised practitioners scheme.

  The Legal Aid Board is not subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission but (a) and (c) to (f) all apply to the board.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base and which(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) hold open meetings for the public; and whether in each case is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16028]

  Mr. Evans
  The Lord Chancellor's Department sponsors two such bodies—the Legal Aid Board and the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board. Both have a statutory basis. However, the latter has been inactive since March 1992, when the Lord Chancellor announced his decision to postpone implementation of the authorised practitioners scheme.

  The Legal Aid Board does not, nor is it required to, admit members of the public to board or committee meetings or hold open meetings for members of the public.

  Mental Incapacity
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to publish the Government's consultation paper on mental incapacity, following the Law Commission's report on the subject; how long the consultation period will be; and when he expects the results will be published. [16151]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No date has yet been set for publication of the Government's consultation paper on mental incapacity. The length of the consultation period has yet to be decided.

PRIME MINISTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the consistency between his statement in The Sun on 17 February as to United Kingdom arms exports to Iraq with the details of export licences provided on pages 21. 33, 34 and 77 of the appendix A of volume V of the Scott report. [16907]

  The Prime Minister
  Appendix A of volume V of the Scott report confirms that the UK did not on any occasion approve the export of lethal defence equipment to Iraq. This is the point that I was making in my article in The Sun on 17 February.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines he has issued to Departments in respect of the retention of papers dealing with export licences since the Scott inquiry commenced. [15979]

  The Prime Minister
  No specific guidance has been issued on the retention of papers dealing with export licences. Central guidance on the retention of Government
  305
  papers generally is issued by the Public Records Office. More detailed criteria are applied by each Government Department to meet its own needs.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the briefing note prepared for him in support of his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) of 12 November 1992,Official Report, column 990. [15629]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 February 1996]: This document was submitted as evidence to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document which he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible. Documents which Sir Richard does not consider relevant to his report and which contain internal discussion and advice will not be made available.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now place in the Library a copy of the chronology of United Kingdom trade with Iraq, prepared for his Office by the Cabinet Office in November 1992. [16050]

  The Prime Minister
  This document was submitted as evidence to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document which he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

  Ministers' (Resignations)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Prime Minister how many Ministers have resigned in each year since 1979. [16985]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter of public record.

  Ministers (Broadcasting)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make arrangements for the transcripts of all television and radio broadcasts made by Ministers of the Crown to be deposited in the Library. [16729]

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for departmental Ministers. The cost of making it a universal practice would be very substantial.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Deregulation
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to measure the impact of the deregulation process. [15247]

  Mr. Willetts
  Savings to business arising from recent deregulatory measures include £41 million a year from simplification of food temperature controls and £18 million a year by removing unnecessary gold plating from the collective redundancies directive. New guidelines on compliance cost assessment require departments to assess the impact of all regulatory proposals likely to impact on business and to place copies in the House Libraries.
  306
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he has had with the United Kingdom representative office in Brussels with regard to deregulation in the United Kingdom and the EC. [15623]

  Mr. Freeman
  I last discussed deregulation with the UK permanent representation to the European Union on 23 November last year. The United Kingdom representation in Brussels is fully aware of the Government's deregulatory objectives and takes every opportunity to advance the case for deregulation in its work with the Commission and other member states.

  Departmental Priorities
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to re-assess the priorities of his Department. [15248]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have no such plans.

  Regulations (Cost-benefit Analyses)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in preparing the cost benefit analyses of regulations. [15249]

  Mr. Freeman
  New guidance on measuring the costs to business of regulatory proposals was issued to departments on 25 January. Guidance on measuring the benefits of regulatory proposals is currently being prepared and we hope to publish this by April. Copies of our compliance cost assessment guidance has been circulated to Ministers in other European Union nations.

  Scott Inquiry
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received concerning the presentation of Government policy relating to the Scott inquiry. [15250]

  Mr. Willetts
  We have received a small number of representations concerning the Scott inquiry.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the presentation of Government policy relating to the Scott inquiry. [15252]

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Scott inquiry. [15254]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Scott report will be debated later today.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning open government and the export of defence-related equipment to Iraq. [15261]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  None.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister about the implications of the Scott report for the civil service. [15260]

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend has discussed a number of the conclusions and recommendations of the Scott report with the Prime Minister. Many of these have implications for the civil service.
  307
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Scott report and the workings of his Department. [15264]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The Scott report will be debated later today.

  Government Policies (Presentation)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the Government's key policy priorities for presentation to the public throughout 1996. [15251]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The Government will continue to stress that their policies are designed to: pursue economic prosperity and security for all, based on an enterprise economy; create a nation of opportunity, reflecting the Government's values of choice, ownership and reward; uphold decent common-sense values in the pursuit of law, order and justice; provide the people of Britain with first-class public services; and reflect pride in the nation and its place in the world.

  Ministerial Responsibility
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responsibility he takes for circulating information on the exercise of ministerial responsibility. [15253]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  This information is contained in the "List of Ministerial Responsibilities", which is published and circulated by my Department.

  Civil Service (Morale)
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his proposals to improve the morale of the civil service. [15255]

  Mr. Willetts
  Morale in the civil service is best maintained by allowing staff to perform to the best of their abilities in the career they have chosen. As the Deputy Prime Minister made clear in his recent speech on the civil service, the Government's civil service reforms enable staff to focus their attention on delivering high-quality public services. This is the best way of satisfying both them and the users of their services.

  Forms and Surveys
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to reduce the number of forms and survey which businesses are required to complete and return to Government Departments and agencies. [15259]

  Mr. Freeman
  Departments have been asked to report annually on the burden that they impose on business through forms and surveys by setting targets and reporting achievements in meeting them. I have also established a study group to investigate ways of reducing the compliance cost of Government surveys of business. I announced the appointment of the chairman of the study group and its terms of reference in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 9 February 1996 at column 372.

  Pay (Ministers and Special Advisers)
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account is taken of special advisers' pay in determining the pay of Ministers. [15262]

  Mr. Willetts
  None. Ministerial salaries are determined by the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.

  Iraq (Exports)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the presentation of Government policy regarding the export of machine tools to Iraq. [15265]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  None.

  Cabinet Policies
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Cabinet policies he has spent most time promoting in 1996. [15266]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  My colleagues and I have promoted policies that pursue economic prosperity and security for all, based on an enterprise economy; create a nation of opportunity, reflecting the Government's values of choice, ownership and reward; uphold decent common-sense values in the pursuit of law, order and justice; provide the people of Britain with first-class public services; and reflect pride in the nation and its place in the world.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many copies of the booklets(a) "Getting a good deal in Europe" and (b) "Guidance on preparations of Compliance Cost Assessments" have been printed; and how many of each have been distributed to civil servants. [15882]

  Mr. Freeman
  The numbers printed and distributed were:

  Number printed

  Total distributed to date

  Getting a good deal in Europe …

  Deregulatory Principles in Practice

  20,000

  7,600

  Checking the Cost of Regulation:

  A Guide to Compliance Cost Assessment

  15,000

  3,200

  Information on the numbers distributed to civil servants is not separately available.

  EU Legislation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, column 484, what improvements in the regulatory systems he has pressed for at the EU level; and if he will list the directives he has assessed as burdensome on which hopes to take action. [15906]

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the paper "UK Priorities for European Regulatory Reform", which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Government Car Service
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he plans to study the scope for privatisation of the Government car service. [17521]

  Mr. Freeman
  No. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment made clear on 8 November when he announced the transfer to my department of the Security Facilities Executive, the agency of which the Government car service forms part, the only study proposed into the scope for more private sector involvement in the work of the agency was in respect of the custody service. I have nothing to add to that statement.

  Next Steps Programme
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress of the next steps programme. [17520]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government today published the sixth Next Steps Review—Cm 3164—which was laid in both Houses. It brings together information on the 109 next steps agencies and the executive organisations of HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue established in Government at the end of 1995. Two out of three civil servants work under next steps arrangements.

  The review has been developed from being a report on the next steps project to one that focuses on agency performance. It shows that in different areas and in different ways, many next steps agencies are delivering services to improved standards with increased efficiency and effectiveness.

  For the first time, as announced in the second competitiveness White Paper "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead", the review includes results for each agency against its key targets over the last three financial years as well as the performance targets set for 1995–96. This indicates trends and facilitates comparison.

  The individual commentaries on each agency include new features, such as whether the agency is involved in a private finance initiative project; its progress in securing investors in people accreditation; comment on external responses to completed prior options reviews; and more consistent coverage of market testing initiatives. The competing for quality returns reveal for the first time results for individual agencies. Between April 1992 and March 1995, agencies reviewed £1.3 billion of activities under the competing for quality programme, half of all the activity reviewed in the civil service. Agencies produced annual savings of £313 million, nearly 60 per cent. of the civil service total savings. This represents an average saving of 24 per cent.

  Taken together, the individual entries in the review report on more than 1,400 key performance targets. Of these, the overall proportion met by agencies rose to 83 per cent. in 1994–95. This shows a continuing trend of improvement over the three preceding years when the results were 80 per cent. in 1993–94, 77 per cent. in 1992–93 and 76 per cent. in 1991–92.

  Within government, agencies continue to be at the forefront of implementing the principles of the citizens charter. Sixty two charter marks are now held by agencies,
  310
  HM Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue, reflecting the commitment of agency chief executives and their staff to high standards of customer service.

  While improvements in performance and standards of service are being achieved, the data contained in the review also show that there is scope to do more. The Government's policy is to seek continuous improvement; and building on the present level of experience of target setting and monitoring, agencies will be required to demonstrate that they are delivering genuinely challenging levels of performance. Ministers will take an even closer interest in ensuring this is so.

  The year ahead will see most remaining candidates established as agencies. By 1997, assuming that currently identified functions are all launched as agencies, I expect around three quarters of civil servants will be working under next steps arrangements. That is a significant achievement and a tribute to the way in which staff at all levels have committed themselves to change and to improved performance. The benefits for taxpayers, customers and staff are set out in the review and are clear to see.

  Freedom of Information
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government policy in respect of freedom of information. [15257]

  Mr. Willetts
  Our policy is based on the code of practice on access to Government information, which has been operating since 1994, together with legislation covering specific areas of information that the Government have introduced or supported. We believe that this meets the aims of freedom of information in a way that is less legalistic, less rigid and less costly than a general statutory access regime.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  British Council
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the chairman of the British Council to discuss the level of Overseas Development Administration grant in aid to the council. [15274]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited the British Council on 7 February. Among other subjects, he and the chairman discussed planned funding from both wings of the FCO.

  Emergency Disaster Relief
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government have given recently to emergency disaster relief. [15276]

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1 January, the ODA has responded to six new emergencies—in China, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Nicaragua and South Africa—with grants totalling £515,000. It has also continued funding actions is more than 20 other long-term situations.

  Fundamental Expenditure Review
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect of the recommendation in the Overseas Development Administration's fundamental expenditure review that the technical assistance functions of the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations Population Fund be consolidated. [16397]

  Mr. Hanley
  The ODA fundamental expenditure review did not make a specific recommendation for the consolidation of the technical assistance functions of UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA. We nevertheless keep under continuous review measures for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of all UN development agencies.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial help has been and is now being given to the people of Montserrat in relation to problems associated with increased volcanic activity in the dependency; what assessment he has made of its adequacy; what further help is being considered; and if he will make a statement. [16975]

  Mr. Hanley
  Through the official aid programme, the Government have committed £4.6 million since July 1995 to problems raised by the volcanic emergency. A list of the main elements of this continuing programme has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Monitoring and assessment of the existing funding is continuous through the governor's office, which is assisted by a full-time ODA consultant on Montserrat and visits from the regional office in Barbados. Further funds are available if necessary.

  Mr. Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have given up their homes in Montserrat and left for Antigua and elsewhere due to increased volcanic activity on the island; what contingency plans have been made for dealing with the worsening of the situation; and if he will make a statement. [16976]

  Mr. Hanley
  It is estimated that up to 1,000 Montserratians are now off the island. Most are working elsewhere in the Caribbean. There are no figures on the number of households involved. A range of plans for differing situations have been formulated. The lessons learnt from two recent evacuations into the northern safe zone are influencing continuing preparations for any third such event. Thanks to the co-operation of the Government of Antigua, facilities exist on Antigua should evacuation of Montserrat be necessary.

  Nigeria (Arms Flights)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many flights of arms and ammunition were made from Manaston airport to Nigeria in the course of the Biafra problems; and what assessment he has made of the delivery of the manifests. [17246]
  312
  Mr. Hanley
  I regret that to provide the information which relates to the period 1966 to 1970 would incur disproportionate costs.

  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received, and what discussions he has held, about the present funding situation of the UNHCR humanitarian operation in the great lakes region. [17025]

  Mr. Hanley
  Representations were made by the United High Commissioner for Refugees to the ODA and UK mission officials in Geneva on 4 February and the matter was subsequently discussed by European Union ambassadors in Geneva on 5 February. The release since then of US$ 26 million by the European Commission has now alleviated UNHCR's funding problems.

  On 31 January, my noble Friend Baroness Chalker announced a further UK bilateral commitment of £3 million towards the water and sanitation needs of refugees and local population in Tanzania. A large proportion of this will be channelled through UNHCR.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Scott Report
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost to public funds of the printing and publishing of the Scott report. [16218]

  Mr. Lang
  HMSO normally bears the costs of printing, publishing and distributing all Parliamentary publications, with the overall aim of recovering these from sales revenue.

  However, in this case, and at the request of Sir Richard Scott, my Department has agreed to pay a subsidy in the region of £85,000 so that the cover price can be contained at a level which ensures that the report is as accessible as possible to the general public.

  Price and Market Agreements (Foods)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received alleging an agreement on price and markets between manufacturers of pickles and other canned food products in the United Kingdom. [16229]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None. Any evidence suggesting that manufacturers of pickles and other canned food products may be acting anti-competitively should be brought to the attention of the Director General of Fair Trading, who has the responsibility to consider and, if appropriate, investigate such allegations.

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the comparative efficiency of energy production of wind turbines and conventional forms of energy production. [16418]

  Mr. Page
  Reviews spanning the technical, economic and environmental status of the range of technologies available or potentially available, including wind energy,
  313
  to meet the UK's energy requirement over a 40-year time horizon were published in two reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. They are "ETSU R83: An Appraisal of UK Energy Research, Development, Demonstration and Dissemination" and "ETSU R82: An Assessment of Renewable Energy for the UK."

  Dogs (Exports)
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many dogs were exported for sale from the United Kingdom in each of the past five years; and to what destinations. [17043]

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is not available as the United Kingdom trade classification does not separately identify dogs.

  Industrial Tribunals (Utilities)
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the number of industrial tribunal cases heard involving (i) British Gas (ii) British Telecom, (iii) National Power, Powergen, National Grid and Nuclear Electric, (iv) the East Midlands Electricity, (v) Eastern Electricity, (vi) London Electricity, (vii) MANWEB, (viii) Midlands Electricity, (ix) Northern Electricity, (x) Norweb (xi) Seeboard, (xii) Southern Electricity, (xiii) South Wales Electricity, (xiv) South Western Electricity and (xv) Yorkshire Electricity in 1995, (b) in how many cases, and in what percentage of occasions, the tribunal found against the company and (c) the monetary value of any award set by the tribunal in each case. [16619]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the number of industrial tribunal cases heard involving (i) British Gas in 1985. (ii) British Telecom in 1983, (iii) the Central Electricity Generating Board in 1988, (iv) the East Midlands Electricity Board in 1989, (v) Eastern Electricity Board in 1989, (vi) the London Electricity Board, (vii) MANWEB in 1989, (viii) the Midlands Electricity Board in 1989, (ix) the Northern Electricity Board in 1989, (x) Norweb in 1989, (xi) Seeboard in 1989, (xii) the Southern Electricity Board in 1989, (xiii) the South Wales Electricity Board in 1989, (xiv) the South Western Electricity Board in 1989 and (xv) the Yorkshire Electricity Board in 1989, (b) in how many cases, and in what percentage of occasions, the tribunal found against the company and (c) the monetary value of any award set by the tribunal in each case. [16618]

  Mr. Taylor
  I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Textile Manufacturing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of household textiles retailing in the United Kingdom were manufactured in the United Kingdom. [16831]
  314
  Mr. Eggar
  The information is not available for the retail market. However, in 1994, UK manufacturers' ex-factory domestic sales of household textiles represented 61 per cent. of the UK market, calculated from these and overseas trade statistics.

  Marks and Spencer
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with Marks and Spencer since 1992 concerning its policy on United Kingdom sourcing of goods sold by it. [16832]

  Mr. Page
  Ministers and officials from my Department have regular contact with Marks and Spencer, as with other major UK companies. These discussions have covered the company's strong relationship with its UK suppliers and how it can be maintained.

  Exports
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of exports of(a) military goods and services, (b) dual-use goods and services and (c) other goods and services between 1974 and 1979. [16902]

  Mr. Nelson
  Information on UK exports of identified defence equipment and total goods and services is given in the table. Information on defence services and on dual-use goods and services is not available.

  Value of UK exports

  £ million, current prices

  Year

  Military goods

  Total goods

  Total services

  Total goods and services

  1974

  179

  16,191

  6,597

  22,788

  1975

  198

  19,429

  7,678

  27,107

  1976

  218

  25,139

  10,010

  35,149

  1977

  356

  31,921

  11,615

  43,536

  1978

  392

  35,280

  12,495

  47,775

  1979

  393

  40,400

  14,427

  54,827

  Sources: UK Defence Statistics, Ministry of Defence.

  The Pink Book, United Kingdom Balance of Payments.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes have been made since the opening of the Scott inquiry into the criteria adopted by his Department in deciding whether to give substantive replies to parliamentary questions seeking details of arms or military equipment exports from the United Kingdom. [15971]

  Mr. Lang
  No such changes have been made. It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to disclose details about export licences that have been issued. However, the Government have from time to time released such information in exceptional circumstances where it was clearly in the public interest. I refer the hon. Member to the statement that I made on Thursday 15 February,Official Report, columns 1139–44, in relation to Sir Richard Scott's recommendations on this matter.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to paragraph C 2.62 of the Scott report, if he will list the exports of(a) machine tools and

  315
  (b) other equipment sent to Iraq under temporary licences and subsequently incorporated into the Iraqi weapon producing system between 1980 and 1991. [17343]

  Mr. Lang
  I am not in a position to state with certainty what equipment was incorporated into the Iraqi weapon producing system. Sir Richard Scott addressed these issues in detail in sections D2.46 to D2.51, D6.55 to D6.72 and D6.194 to D6.220 of his report and I have nothing to add to his description of what equipment was sent to Iraq under temporary licences.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16539]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: A small number of civil servants in each of the main Departments concerned had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16578]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: On Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott inquiry. [16598]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main Departments concerned in accordance with the procedure agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give the cost of the work.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16562]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: Access to the report itself prior to publication was restricted to a very small number of officials in the main departments concerned in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Scott inquiry. However, the Scott report covered a wide range of policy issues and a number of other officials will have contributed to preparation of the Government's response without sight of the report. It is not therefore possible to give their number or grades.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16494]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: During the afternoon of Wednesday 7 February 1996.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 316
  if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16023]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information is as follows:

  Those non-departmental public bodies that are:

  (a) Subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner:

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Coal Authority

  Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members and the DTI's seven Research Councils

  (b) Subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission:

  None.

  (c) Subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office

  The NAO's access to DTI's NDPBs is detailed in "Public Bodies 1995" which is available in the Library of the House

  (d) Subject to statutory provisions for open government:

  NDPBs subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commission for Administration are covered by the code of practice on access to government information. Other NDPBs will be asked to draw up their own codes of openness.

  (e) Subject to performance indicators:

  Performance measures have been or are being introduced to all DTI's NDPBs when they are appropriate.

  (f) Subject to provisions under the citizens charter:

  All DTI's NDPBs are encouraged to follow citizens charter principles where they are appropriate.

  Export Controls
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to review the Government's powers under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939. [17232]

  Mr. Lang
  The Government are considering Sir Richard Scott's recommendations and will be publishing a consultation paper.

  Business Links
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what considerations led him to provide a freephone business link telephone service for businesses in England; and if he will make a statement. [15880]

  Mr. Page
  Business link inquiries have been handled by the original enterprise initiative freephone number, 0800 500 200, since May 1995. This will be discontinued at the end of the current financial year because the enterprise initiative is no longer operational.

  A dedicated business link helpline was set up in October 1995 at the time of the business link national launch. The 0345 567765 lo-call number provides callers

  317
  with a central inquiry point with direct switching to their nearest business link. A single national number is essential for any reference to business link in the national media.

  Christopher Muttukumaru
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16554]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: My officials and I have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru. Sir Richard is free to publish any document he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures. I understand that he proposes to do this as soon as possible.

  Iraq (Export Credit Guarantees)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each year since 1985–86 the proportions attributable to awards to Iraq of(a) the amount in default and (b) the amount written off relating to export credit guarantees. [16005]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 19 February 1996]: The information is as follows:

  Claims paid and amounts written off by ECGD on Iraq by financial year from 1985–86:

  £ million

  Year

  Claims paid

  Amounts written off

  1985–86

  3

  0

  1986–87

  4

  0

  1987–88

  6

  0

  1988–89

  28

  4

  1989–90

  56

  0

  1990–91

  193

  0

  1991–92

  181

  0

  1992–93

  104

  0

  1993–94

  61

  0

  1994–95

  46

  3

  1995–961

  14

  2

  Total

  696

  9

  1 To 31 January.

  The above table reports all claims paid by the ECGD on Iraq. For this reason, the total of £696 million is higher than the claims figure of £683 million which I cited in my written reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 15 January 1996, Official Report, columns 353–54. The latter figure excluded claims cases under the ECGD's now privatised credit insurance operations where the debt has been recovered in its entirety. All such cases predate the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what has been the cost of each 318
  meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee in the current session to date; and what is the estimated cost of each of those planned for the remainder of the Session. [12960]

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: The information is not readily available in the form requested, because not all costs are analysed to individual meetings. The extra costs which relate to travel, accommodation, communication and additional staff time for those meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee held in Scotland have been forecast at £102,000 for the financial year to 31 March 1996 and £162,000 for the financial year to 31 March 1997. Sums expended in the current Session, to 31 January 1996, amount to £28,501.

TRANSPORT

  East Coast Main Line
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the amount of debt outstanding at the time of train operations being wound up by Stagecoach on the east coast main line; how much has been repaid to date; and at what times. [17131]

  Mr. Watts
  This is a commercial matter between British Rail and Stagecoach. I understand that BR allowed Stagecoach Holdings plc to withdraw without penalty from its contract or provide overnight seated train services from Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh to London and return.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16535]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: No member of my Department saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to this office. [16496]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: During the afternoon of Friday 16 February.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for transport when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16582]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: At 3.30 pm on Thursday 15 February, when I collected a copy from the Vote Office at the House of Commons.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16472]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: None.

  Rail Franchising
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, column 273, what instructions he has issued since 1 January to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising regarding the rate at which services are to be franchised. [17036]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

  Rail Timetables
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising and the chairman of the British Railways Board regarding the inclusion of additional recovery time in timetables. [16986]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

  Railway Privatisation
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sanctions exist for refusal by private sector railway operating companies to affiliate to the Association of Train Operating Companies. [16981]

  Mr. Watts
  Membership of ATOC is not mandatory. However, all passenger operators are required under the terms of their licences and/or franchise agreements to participate in a number of mandatory schemes which are administered by ATOC. These are the ticketing and settlement scheme, the London Regional Transport scheme, discount card schemes for the elderly, disabled and young, the telephone inquiry bureaux scheme and the staff travel scheme.

  Railways (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the rail regulator to discuss disabled persons' access to the rail network. [16781]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the rail regulator on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of rail transport issues. His next meeting is planned for Tuesday 5 March.

  Railtrack
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are currently employed at the head office of Railtrack; and how many he expects to be employed in the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98. [16984]

  Mr. Watts
  At 3 February, the headquarters directorates of Railtrack employed a total of 1,300 people; staffing levels for the company after it is privatised will be a matter for Railtrack.

  Regulatory Bodies
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each regulatory body for which he is responsible indicating for each the percentage of business people on the board. [15736]

  Mr. Watts
  The table lists the agencies and authorities for which the Secretary of State is responsible and which could be defined as regulatory bodies.
  320

  Agency or authority

  Percentage of business representatives

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  17

  Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency

  33

  Marine Safety Agency

  20

  Driving Standards Agency

  33

  Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency

  43

  Civil Aviation Authority

  36

  Although not part of this Department, the Secretary of State, under the Railways Act 1993, also appointed an independent rail regulator, John Swift QC, to head the Office of Rail Regulation, which has no advisory board and is directly answerable to Parliament.

  Gospel Oak to Barking Line
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many valentine cards he has received from users of the Gospel Oak to Barking line. [16230]

  Mr. Norris
  About 700.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish maps showing projections, at national and regional level, of future traffic congestion on the trunk road system as a basis for assessing likely requirements for improvement to the United Kingdom's infrastructure; and if he will undertake also to publish revised projections in future taking account of changes to economic and traffic forecasts. [13987]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 8 February 1996]: I am placing maps of current congestion, and projections of future congestion, in the Library of the House together with an explanatory note. The maps will be kept up to date as appropriate.

  Sea Empress Incident
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of costs arising from efforts to control oil pollution originating from the Sea Empress. [17074]

  Mr. Norris
  As at midday Friday 23 February, the known costs to the marine pollution control unit exceeded £2 million, excluding some significant costs where information is not yet available. We would seek to recover these costs from the ship's insurers or from the international oil pollution compensation fund. Estimates of costs incurred by others is not currently available.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what quantity of oil-dispersant chemicals have so far been used on oil slicks originating from the Sea Empress. [17077]

  Mr. Norris
  By midday Friday 23 February, 444 tonnes of dispersants had been used.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crew were on the Sea Empress at the time it ran aground; and what was their nationality. [17076]

  Mr. Norris
  Twenty-seven Russian crew members and a local pilot were on board.
  321
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil-retaining sea booms have been used to control oil coming from the Sea Empress. [17078]

  Mr. Norris
  As at 10:00 on Monday 26 February, some 2,250 metres of boom were in place.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what tests were carried out on the captain of the Sea Empress following the ship running aground. [17125]

  Mr. Norris
  Drug and alcohol tests were carried out on all 27 crew of the Sea Empress. None were found to be positive.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration is being given to bringing criminal charges against(a) the owner and (b) the captain of the Sea Empress. [17126]

  Mr. Norris
  Whether it is appropriate to consider criminal proceedings against any party in respect of the Sea Empress will depend on the findings of the investigations that are being undertaken into the incident.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of sea birds affected by oil originating from the Sea Empress. [17075]

  Mr. Norris
  As at 10:00 on Monday 26 February, it was reported that 1,640 birds had been affected.

  Land Compensation Act 1973
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to amend the Land Compensation Act 1973 to allow tenants to claim compensation for disturbance to carpets and curtains, without being relocated to another property. [16042]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the 1973 Act, tenants are entitled to certain categories of compensation, such as a fixed amount of £1,500 as a home loss payment. Tenants may claim some disturbance compensation for incidental losses such as removal expenses, the cost of altering soft furnishings and moveable fixtures and fittings. Tenants who need professional help in preparing and negotiating a claim may also claim for the fee of a surveyor or solicitor, but there is no power, and there are no plans to introduce a power, to pay compensation to tenants where they do not have to move.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Know-how Funds (Tourism)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the tourism projects which have been supported by the know-how funds. [16336]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The know-how fund has supported 19 tourism projects since 1989 at a total cost of approximately £1.63 million. The projects are listed in the table.
  322

  Country

  Project title

  Financial year

  Approved costs £

  Tourism Management

  Bulgaria

  Development Pirin and Rila Eco and Sustainable

  1994–98

  500,000

  Tourism Project Tourism Training

  1993–97

  378,400

  Estonia

  Course Sustainable Tourism National

  1993–94

  12,289

  Hungary

  Park Project Seminar on Sustainable Tourism in

  1995–97

  234,000

  Latvia

  Protected Areas Transport/Tourism

  1993–94

  1,095

  Minister Visit

  1992–93

  5,095

  Tourism Training

  1994–95

  12,768

  Lithuania

  Tourism Training Baltic Tourism—

  1993–94

  13,032

  Pan Baltic

  UK Visit Project Identification

  1992–93

  2,379

  Visits Tourist

  1993–94

  6,157

  Information Centre Cracow Tourism

  1994–95

  23,557

  Poland

  Study Wiekiczka Salt

  1989–90

  37,000

  Mine Strategic Cultural

  1995–96

  110,000

  Plan Gdansk Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas

  1992–94

  35,000

  Russia

  Seminar SME Tourism Development

  1995–96

  2,500

  Slovakia

  Poprad Rural Tourism Development—

  1994–95

  34,000

  Gemer Region Sustainable

  1995–96

  198,800

  Slovenia

  Tourism Timeshare

  1993–94

  1,500

  Legislation

  1994–95

  20,700

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what small business projects have been supported by the know-how funds; of these which related to tourism; and if she will list them. [16326]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The know-how fund has supported more than 650 small business projects. Of these, the following four related directly to tourism:

  Poland

  Cracow Tourism Study, 1989–90: Approved costs £37,000

  Slovakia

  SME Tourism Development Poprad, 1994–95: Approved costs £34,000

  Slovenia

  Timeshare Legislation, 1994–95: Approved costs £20,700 Sustainable Tourism. 1993–94: Approved costs £1,500

  Indonesia
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans(a) he has and (b) other Ministers in his Department have to visit Indonesia. [16395]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have no immediate plans to do so.

  Italian Constitution
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions HM ambassador to Rome has had with Italian political parties about proposals to reform the Italian constitution; and if he will make a statement. [16308]

  Mr. David Davis
  In the course of normal contacts, HM ambassador to Rome and colleagues have discussed proposals to reform the Italian constitution with representatives of parties across the Italian political spectrum.

  Ministerial Visit (Cyprus)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he(a) has had and (b) will have with the leader of the British delegation to the Council of Europe following his visit to the Karpass area of occupied northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [16310]

  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has not been in contact with Lord Finsberg following his recent visit to Cyprus. The British high commissioner in Nicosia spoke with Lord Finsberg during his visit.

  We support efforts to uphold the human rights of Cypriots in whatever part of the island they live. We welcome the recent announcement by the Turkish Cypriots of measures to improve the living conditions for Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in northern Cyprus. There is no reason why the remaining restrictions on basic freedoms for minorities should not be lifted.

  United Nations Special Commission on Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current United Kingdom financial commitment to the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq. [16303]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have made a significant contribution to the work of the United Nations Special Commission since its inception in 1991 through the provision of specialist personnel and equipment. In the current financial year this has had a value of some £1 million, which is broadly in line with the support provided in previous years. We do not make a direct financial contribution.

  Social Welfare Provision (Germany)
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's ambassador to Bonn has made of Germany's ability to maintain its current level of social welfare provision over the next 20 years: and if he will make a statement. [16307]
  324
  Mr. David Davis
  Due to the many factors which have to he taken into consideration, such an assessment is impossible to make. It is up to individual states to establish their economic priorities.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Sri Lanka; and what plans he has to visit the country. [16511]

  Mr. Hanley
  Relations with Sri Lanka are good. We support the Sri Lankan Government's efforts to secure a lasting and peaceful settlement and urge all who are concerned to make every effort to persuade the Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam to respond positively to the constitutional opportunities on offer. I visited Sri Lanka last October and have no immediate plans to visit again.

  Visa Applications (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the current waiting times for interviews for visa application in respect of(a) spouses. (b) fiances, (c) visitors, (d) dependants, (e) business visitors and (f) quota vouchers, at (i) Bombay, (ii) New Delhi, (iii) Dacca, (iv) Karachi, (v) Islamabad, (vi) Nairobi, (vii) Dar-es-Salaam and (viii) Kampala. [17055]

  Mr. Hanley
  In December 1995, the waiting times for interview for visa applicants at the posts listed were:

  (i) Bombay

  (a) spouses: 3 months

  (b) fiance(e)s: 6 months

  (c) visitors: same day

  (d) dependants: 3 months

  (e) business visitors: same day

  (ii) New Delhi

  (a) spouses: 3 months

  (b) fiance(e)s: 7 months

  (c) visitors: same day

  (d) dependants: 3 months

  (e) business visitors: same day

  (iii) Dhaka

  (a) spouses: 6 months

  (b) fiance(e)s: 5 months

  (c) visitors: same day

  (d) dependants: 6 months

  (e) business visitors: same day

  (iv) Karachi

  (a) spouses: 3 to 7 weeks

  (b) fiance(e)s: 3 to 7 weeks

  (c) visitors: same day

  (d) dependants: 3 to 7 weeks

  (e) business visitors: same day

  (v) Islamabad

  (a) spouses: 4 months

  (b) fiance(e)s: 6 months

  (c) visitors: same day

  (d) dependants: 4 months

  (e) business visitors: same day

  325
  The waiting times for interview for visa applicants in Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam and Kampala are not yet available.

  For waiting times for persons applying for a special voucher, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office, my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Leeds, North (Mr. Kirkhope) to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) on 9 January, Official Report, column 198.

  Police Training
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Indonesian police officers have received training in the United Kingdom in each year since 1990; and if he will list for each officer the(a) name, (b) rank, (c) cost of training, (d) duration of training, (e) United Kingdom police force which provided the training and (f) Government department which provided the funding. [16941]

  Mr. David Davis
  The details of training given under the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme are confidential between Governments. Details of training funded by other Government Departments are not available.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions he(a) has taken and (b) plans to take as a result of the recommendations of the Scott report. [16959]

  Mr. Hanley
  The recommendations of the Scott report are being carefully considered by the FCO and other interested Departments. Some recommendations, for example on intelligence handling, have already been adopted.

  Kashmir
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential role of the Commonwealth in facilitating peace negotiations between the Governments of India and Pakistan and representatives of the Kashmiri people. [16940]

  Mr. Hanley
  We believe that the Commonwealth could play a mediatory role only at the request of both India and Pakistan. We continue to urge the two countries to resolve their differences over Kashmir through dialogue.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to give a substantive reply to the letter dated 13 December 1995 from the hon. Member for Bradford, North concerning visa facilities in former Yugoslavia. [16915]

  Mr. Hanley
  I replied on 8 January. I have arranged for a copy to be sent to the hon. Member.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has 326
  received in relation to possible worsening of volcanic activity on the island of Montserrat; and if he will make a statement. [16977]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Since 18 July 1995, we have received regular reports from scientists from the UK and the Trinidad-based seismic research unit, which is monitoring the volcano 24 hours a day.

  Montserrat remains on a state of alert and we have put in place contingency plans to evacuate Montserratians to the north of the island in the event of a partial eruption. Contingency plans also exist for a full evacuation of the island if it became necessary.

  Ecuador (Father Colin MacInnes)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report he has received on progress by the central bank of Ecuador in recovering funds gathered by Father Colin MacInnes in Scotland and other moneys intended for community development purposes. [17166]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The recovery of these funds is a matter for the Ecuadorian authorities. However, our embassy is closely monitoring the situation.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Ecuadorian authorities concerning the safety of Father Colin MacInnes. [17165]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Our embassy in Quito is in direct contact with Father MacInnes about his situation. It has also registered its interest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  Imia
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international agreements govern the sovereignty of the island of Imia. [15671]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 16 February 1996]: The two sides do not agree on the question precisely because they take different views of the relevance of international documents concerned. The 1923 treaty of Lausanne, two agreements of 1932, and the 1947 Paris treaty of peace with Italy are among these.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 February, if the 1947 agreement is the basis of the international law in respect of sovereignty over Imia. [15723]

  Mr. Davis
  [holding answer 19 February 1996]: The two sides do not agree on the question precisely because they take different views of the relevance of international documents concerned. The 1923 treaty of Lausanne, two agreements of 1932, and the 1947 Paris treaty of peace with Italy are among these.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessments were made by(a) his departmental officials and (b) departmental Ministers of the reliability of information provided by Mr. Paul Henderson, while managing director of Matrix Churchill, on the status of the Iraqi military procurement network. [15692]
  327
  Mr. Hanky
  [holding answer 16 February 1996]: Details of the information supplied by Mr. Paul Henderson on the Iraqi military procurement network are covered in sections D and G of the report of Sir Richard Scott's inquiry. We do not propose to comment further on the sources of intelligence material.

HEALTH

  Drug Purchases
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the monitoring mechanism to ensure that hospital trusts that purchase drugs from abroad meet British standards. [15889]

  Mr. Malone
  Licensed medicinal products imported from outside the European Union are required to undergo a full qualitative and quantitative analysis of at least all the active constituents and all other tests or checks necessary to ensure that the product is in full compliance with its marketing authorisation. Unlicensed medicines may be imported to fulfil a bona fide unsolicited order from a doctor or dentist on his or her personal responsibility. A condition of this exemption is that the importer should hold the appropriate wholesale dealer's licence and comply with its conditions.

  Thalidomide
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued to hospital trusts about purchasing thalidomide, and if he will make a statement. [15896]

  Mr. Malone
  No guidance specifically relating to purchasing has been issued for the drug thalidomide. "Guidance on thalidomide" was published by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Medicines Control Agency in the May 1994 issue of "Current Problems in Pharmocovigilance", a drug safety bulletin circulated to all doctors, dentists, pharmacists and coroners. This guidance note strongly advised all doctors considering the use of thalidomide to follow detailed external guidelines on the clinical use and distribution of thalidomide, which were published in a widely available medical journal. A reminder was published in the July 1995 issue.

  Management Consultancy
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total expenditure incurred by(a) his Department and (b) the NHS executive on management consultancy in each year since 1992–93. [16245]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman) on 20 February at column 109.

  Professions Supplementary to Medicines Act
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the review of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960 will be completed; [16246]

  (2) what findings the review of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960 has made in relation to physiotherapy; [16247]
  328
  (3) if he can now release the findings of the review of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. [16248]

  Mr. Horam
  We expect to receive a report on this shortly. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Registered Homes Tribunal
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how appeals to the registered homes tribunal are processed and investigated; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the rules or guidelines which govern the work of the tribunal. [16410]

  Mr. Bowis
  The registered homes tribunal hears all appeals made under part III of the Registered Homes Act 1984. The registered homes tribunal secretariat receives notices of appeals and makes the administrative arrangements for appeals to be heard. The registered homes tribunal is an independent judicial body and is wholly responsible for reaching and making its decisions taking account of all the evidence laid before it. It operates within the Registered Homes Tribunal Rules 1984, SI 1984 No. 1346. A copy of the public booklet about appeals process is available in the Library.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appeals have been considered by the registered homes tribunal in each year since 1984; and how many have been upheld. [16408]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is shown in the table.

  Year

  Total

  Allowed

  1985

  9

  2

  1986

  37

  7

  1987

  17

  5

  1988

  14

  7

  1989

  24

  8

  1990

  24

  12

  1991

  34

  16

  1992

  37

  16

  1993

  25

  4

  1994

  24

  11

  1995

  25

  5

  1. In six of the cases above, part of the appeal was also dismissed.

  2. The tribunal considered a further three cases but ruled that they had no jurisdiction to hear the appeals.

  3. The figures do not include the appeals withdrawn before hearing.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how members of the registered homes tribunal are appointed; and if he will list the names and occupations of tribunal members in each year since 1984. [16409]

  Mr. Bowis
  All chairmen are banisters or solicitors and are appointed by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor. Expert members are appointed by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council from nominations made by various professional and other organisations involved in the nursing and residential care sector.

  The registered homes tribunal began hearing appeals in 1985. Tribunal chairmen and expert members are normally appointed to serve for five years. Supplementary appointments are made when necessary. The names and occupations of those appointed from and including 1985 to 1994 are shown. I refer the hon. Member to the reply

  329
  I gave the Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 16 February at columns 741–43, for the list of members appointed in 1995.

  Appointments to Registered Homes Tribunal

  Occupation

  1985

  CHAIRMEN

  R. H. Christie QC

  J. C. R. Fieldsend

  His Honour B. H. Gerrard

  G. F. Harwood

  W. M. Jones

  Mrs. M. Rutherford

  PANEL MEMBERS

  Mr. G. Banner

  Consultant on social services to voluntary organisation

  Mr. R. Bessell

  Managing Director, the Retirement Society Ltd.

  Dr. G. Brackenridge

  District Medical Officer for Health Authority

  Mary Brown

  Administrator

  Dr. S. Brown

  Medical consultant

  Mr. M. Burrell

  Retired home owner

  Dr. J. Chawner

  Medical consultant

  Mr. K. Coleman

  Deputy Director of Commissioning, health authority

  Betty Cowell OBE, JP

  Retired Principal, Midwife Teachers Training College

  Miss R Dawson-Shepherd

  Resident of residential home

  Mr. G. Dunn

  P/t consultant to voluntary sector Housing Association

  Dr. B. Gray

  Retired university lecturer

  Mr. J. Hanson

  Retired Director of Social Services

  Mrs. M. Joynson

  Retired Director of Child care for national voluntary organisation

  Dr. D. L. Kerr

  Chief Executive, private hospital

  Col. R. MacKeith

  Chief Executive, private hospital group

  Mr. G. Neal

  Director of Residential Services, national voluntary organisation

  Miss M. Nurse

  State Registered Nurse

  Dr. J. R. Oxley

  Physician-in-Charge, private hospital caring for people with epilepsy

  Miss M. Phillips

  Retired local government officer

  Mr. Mervyn Phillips

  Chief Executive of County Council

  Mr. D. Prettyman

  Social Worker

  Dr. R. Rao

  General practitioner

  Brig J. Regan

  Head of voluntary sector residential home

  Mrs. I. Shepherd

  Assistant Director of Nursing Services

  Mr. J. Stephens

  Retired assistant Director of Social Services

  Prof O. Stevenson

  University lecturer in child care

  Ms E. Tait

  Ex-home manager

  Miss K. Wells

  Social worker, member of governing body of national voluntary organisation

  Dr. J. Williams

  Medical Director, hospice

  Margaret Woodier

  Consultant in child care issues

  1986: additional appointments

  Carole Alford

  Nursing home owner

  Susan Blanchard

  Nursing homes matron/owner

  Mary Blincoe

  Ex-Director of Nursing Services

  Mr. P. Carr

  Nurse

  330

  Appointments to Registered Homes Tribunal

  Occupation

  Rosalind Davies

  Director, British Nursing Association

  Mr. R. Guest

  District Nursing Officer, Health Authority

  Dorothy Harris

  Retired Director of Nursing Services

  Mr. M. McGeorge

  Nurse

  Mr. Tooley

  Consultant Surgeon

  Mary Parker

  Nursing home matron/owner

  Margaret Pilbeam

  Chief Nursing Officer, district health authority

  Maureen White

  Senior officer, Royal College of Nursing

  1987: additional appointments

  Mr. B. Maurice

  Consultant surgeon

  1990

  CHAIRMEN

  Mr. S. Pacey

  Mr. J.C.R. Fieldsend

  Mr. G.F. Harwood

  M. W.M. Jones

  Mrs. M. Rutherford

  Mr. J.W. Tinnion

  PANEL MEMBERS

  Dr. A. Admani

  Retired consultant physician

  Ms C. Alford

  Nursing home owner

  Ms S. Adams

  Health authority inspection officer

  Dr. A. Bannerjee

  Consultant physician

  Mr. R. Bessell

  Managing Director, the Retirement Society Ltd.

  Mr. D. Browne

  Consultant in social care

  Mr. M. Burrell

  Retired home owner

  Mr. W. Churchill

  Executive Secretary of an organisation representing independent sector care providers

  Mr. K. Coleman

  Deputy Director of Commissioning, health authority

  Dr. J. Cox

  Consultant physician

  Mr. K. Dainty

  Head of health authority inspection unit

  Ms R. Doidge

  Director of Nursing Services

  Mr. G. Dunn

  Consultant to voluntary sector Housing Association

  Mr. F. Edwards

  Home Owner

  Mr. J. Fisher

  Residential home owner

  Ms T. Galletly

  Nursing home owner

  Mr. B. Garner

  Director of organisation representing independent sector care providers

  Dr. B. Gray

  Retired university lecturer/serving magistrate

  Dr. Griffiths

  Medical practitioner

  Dr. G Hall

  Consultant physician

  Mr. G. Harper

  Director of Social Services

  Mr. J. Hanson OBE

  Retired Director of Social Services

  Dr. M. Hildick-Smith

  Consultant physician

  Mr. R. Humphries

  Consultant, social care issues

  Mr. D. James

  Retired Director of Social Services

  Ms P. Jenkins

  Health authority Inspector Officer

  Mr. M. Jobbin

  Local authority inspection officer

  Dr. Jones-Davies

  Medical practitioner

  Mrs. M. Joynson

  Retired Director of Child Care for national voluntary organisation

  331

  Appointments to Registered Homes Tribunal

  Occupation

  Ms N. Kelly

  Matron in charge of nursing home

  Dr. D. Kerr

  Retired Director of private hospital

  Dr. S. McDougall

  Employee of Health Authority

  Ms M. McGregor

  Nursing home owner

  Dr. B. Marcus

  Consultant Surgeon

  Ms J. Mathieson

  Former Assistant Director of Social Services

  Mr. Maurice

  Consultant surgeon

  Dr. N. Merali

  General Practitioner

  Miss A. Packer

  Information not available

  Miss S. Poupard

  Retired Deputy Director of Social Services

  Brig J. Regan

  Trustee of voluntary sector organisation

  Mr. J. Sharp

  Operations Manager, private nursing home group

  Mr. J. Stephens

  Information not available

  Dr. P. Tiplady

  District Medical Officer

  Mr. V. Tyndall

  Coordinator of Social Services, University

  Mr. D. Wakefield

  Retired Director of Social Services

  Mrs. J. Waldron

  Head of health authority Inspection Unit

  Mr. F. Watts

  Consultant to homeowners

  Miss K. Wells

  Retired social worker

  Mr. K. White

  Director of voluntary organisation

  M. Wilson

  Retired Director of Nursing Services

  Miss M. Woodier

  Consultant, residential care issues

  1993: additional appointments

  Mr. G. Thomas

  Retired Director of Social Services

  Mrs. J. Tunstill

  Professor of Social Work Studies

  Coronary Angiography
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the guidelines provided under the terms of the patients charter on acceptable waiting times for coronary angiography. [16459]

  Mr. Horam
  The patients charter does not contain guidelines specifically on waiting times for coronary angiography. This procedure is normally carried out on an in-patient or day-care basis and where a patient is placed on a waiting list they must be admitted within 18 months of joining the list.

  Mental Health
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1995,Official Report, column 939, if he will make a statement on the arrangements for making payments out of the mental health challenge fund. [16789]

  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health published, on 20 February, the detailed criteria for applications to the mental health challenge fund, copies of which are available in the Library.
  332
  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1995,Official Report, column 939, what assessment he has made of the reports from regional directors of the NHS executive relating to health authorities' purchasing plans for mental health services. [16788]

  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health published, on 20 February, a review of the purchasing of mental health services by health authorities in England, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private finance initiative schemes for mental health services have now been agreed. [16796]

  Mr. Horam
  Four private finance initiative schemes specifically for mental health services in the national health service have been approved, each valued at £1 million or more. Details of schemes with a capital cost of less than £1 million are not available centrally.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric beds have closed in each year since 1980–81. [16795]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the numbers of beds closed is not available centrally.

  Wheelchairs
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people have been provided with electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs by health authorities in England in each of the last three years; [17031]

  (2) what expenditure has been incurred by health authorities in England for the purchase of electrically powered indoor wheelchairs in each of the last three years; [17072]

  (3) what expenditure has been incurred by health authorities in England for the purchase of electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs in each of the last three years; [17186]

  (4) how many people have been provided with electrically powered indoor wheelchairs by health authorities in each of the last three years. [17196]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the most recent figure available for the cost of providing an individual with an electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchair; [16995]

  (2) what is the most recent figure available for the cost of providing an individual with an electrically powered indoor wheelchair. [17188]

  Mr. Bowis
  The cost will depend on individual circumstances and the type of chair supplied.

  Mr. Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions have been reached by the departmental working group set up by his Department to look at the feasibility of introducing a voucher scheme for the
  333
  provision of indoor-outdoor and indoor electrically powered wheelchairs; and what is the proposed value of the voucher. [17016]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Mrs. Lait) on 22 February at column 291.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the additional resources he proposes to make available to social services authorities in England will fully reimburse the costs those authorities will incur as a result of the proposals relating to the treatment of capital for those in long-term residential care and nursing homes announced in November 1995; [16800]

  (2) if he will monitor actual expenditure incurred by social services authorities in order to meet the requirements of the proposals relating to the treatment of capital for all people in long-term residential care and nursing homes announced in November 1995; and if he will make available additional funding to meet any shortfall between the resources provided for authorities and the expenditure they actually incur. [16802]

  Mr. Bowis
  We are currently discussing with local authority representatives the resources to be made available in respect of the changes in the treatment of capital. Decisions will be announced shortly.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to raise the thresholds for treatment of capital for people in long-term residential care and nursing homes in future years. [16801]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have already announced such an increase to come into effect on 8 April. Thereafter, the levels will be kept under review.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data his Department collects on the costs to the NHS of the process of applying for private finance initiative schemes. [16790]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 15 January at column 337. Further information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish details of the consortiums that have been successful in private finance initiative bids. [11211]

  Mr. Horam
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 January 1996, c. 159–61]: I regret that there was an error in the information provided.

  The private sector partner for the United Leeds teaching hospital power station scheme is AHS Emstar Plc, not ULTH Charitable Trust/Medley as stated previously.

  Renal Services
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 February,Official Report, column 348, what have been the factors that have
  334
  led to the delay in the publication of the report by the national review of renal services. [17093]

  Mr. Horam
  Although the review was completed some time ago, it has taken a considerable time to consider all its implications. It was also necessary to commission additional work to develop a model to predict the changing pattern of need in this area. This is nearly complete and will be published with the purchasing guidance.

  NHS Administration
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total remuneration of each NHS district health authority general manager. [17402]

  Mr. Malone
  The information will be placed in the Library. The figures need to be treated with caution. The payments listed represent renumeration in respect of the total gross salary, bonus payments, monetary value of benefits in kind, taxable expenses allowances and compensation payments in relation to the offices described—rather than to an individual. Thus payments listed for a particular district health authority could refer to more than one individual.

  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total remuneration of NHS district health authorities' general managers in each year since 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995. [17163]

  Mr. Malone
  The salaries and wages costs of national health service district health authority general managers for the years 1990–91 to 1994–95 are shown in the table:

  £

  1990–91

  11,363,000

  1991–92

  11,219,218

  1992–93

  11,685,299

  1993–94

  8,800,247

  1994–95

  6,881,200

  Source: The annual financial returns of district health authorities.

  Notes:

  1. The figures include employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions.

  2. The 1994–95 figures are provisional.

  Children Act 1989 (Contact Orders)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most frequent pattern of contact arranged under orders made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. [15950]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Mike Gapes, dated 23 February 1996:

  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about section 8 orders. He was originally asked to reply to this Question by the Secretary of State for Health.
  335
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many court orders relating to contact or access broke down and involved the need for further court action(a) prior to and (b) since the coming into operation of the Children Act 1989. [15962]

  Mr. Evans
  I have been asked to reply.
  336
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the most frequent pattern of access or contact arranged by court orders prior to the Children Act 1989. [15949]

  Mr. Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the expenditure of his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on all external consultants including management consultants for each of the years(a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95 and (f) 1995–96 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole year; what estimate he has made of such expenditure for 1996–97; and if he will estimate the savings accruing to his Department from the use of consultants in each of these years. [11367]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 25 January 1996]: Information prior to 1991 and details of savings accruing, which are not held centrally, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The cost of employing consultants in the other years requested is shown in the table. The figures include expenditure incurred on professional fees in connection with the privatisation programme.

  Expenditure on consultancy

  £ million (excluding VAT)

  1991–92

  9.1

  1993–94

  6.4

  1994–95

  5.5

  1995–96 (to date)

  1.9

  1995–96 (whole year estimate)

  2.0

  Detailed figures as to expenditure on consultants in future years are not yet available.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to ensure that pensioners will benefit from any increased prosperity of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [15060]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  As a result of the Government's successful economic policies, average pensioner incomes have risen by more than 50 per cent. in real terms since 1979.

  Tax-exempt Investments
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the investment in(a) personal equity plans and (b) tax-exempt special savings accounts is new investment; if he will estimate the proportion and sources diverted from other forms of savings; and if he will list the research his Department has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated in respect of this data. [15195]

  Mr. Jack
  Both PEPs and TESSAs have been very successful in achieving the objectives, respectively, of widening share ownership and encouraging longer-term saving. The most directly relevant research on savings is based on 1991 market research data from RSGB Ltd.,338
  from which Inland Revenue purchased additional analyses, and on work that is now part of the Institute for Fiscal Studies savings project, for which HM Treasury and Inland Revenue are among the sponsors, using data from the financial research survey. Both sources suggest that most of the funds going to TESSAs do not represent new savings, which a considerable amount coming from other deposit accounts, but for PEPs the IFS work so far suggests that there may be a somewhat greater element of new equity investment.

  Construction Industry (Cash Payments)
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines govern the Inland Revenue's powers to make assumptions as to the annual amount of work undertaken by firms in the construction and building industries for cash payments; and if he will make a statement. [15386]

  Mr. Jack
  Where business accounts have not been submitted to the Inland Revenue or, if submitted, the tax inspector is not satisfied that the full extent of the profits have been declared, the inspector may make an assessment to tax to the best of his or her judgment. The Revenue has not issued guidance specific to the construction industry, but its general guidance to inspectors is to estimate as reasonably and accurately as possible the likely income, cash or otherwise. In making estimated assessments, inspectors will take into account the facts and circumstances of each case—for example, profits agreed in previous years, trends in the particular trade of profession, specific evidence of the extent of the taxpayer's income and so on. Any assessment is open to appeal by the taxpayer to the independent appeal commissioners.

  Pension Funds
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 January,Official Report, column 582, if he will estimate the value of pension entitlement which has accrued in each of the unfunded public sector pension schemes. [15397]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Precise and up-to-date figures are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The latest information available, for the main unfunded public service schemes referred to in the answer of 16 January, relates to 31 March 1993 data and salary levels. The estimate of total liabilities in respect of the then active and former members, accrued to that date—including allowance for anticipated future salary and pension increases—is about £230 billion, made up approximately as follows:

  £ billion

  NHS

  55

  Teachers

  70

  Civil Service

  40

  Armed Forces

  35

  Police

  25

  Fire

  5

  Total

  230

  Taxation
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update to include information from 1993–94 to 1997–98 the figures for the burden of direct and indirect taxation in the format used in his answer of 19 December 1994,Official Report, columns 944–50, taking account of changes made in the November 1995 Budget, listing separately the effects of the council tax and value added tax. [15106]

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1993–94

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Single £ per week

  Gross income

  179.55

  269.33

  359.10

  538.65

  718.20

  1,077.30

  1,436.40

  1,795.50

  2,513.70

  3,591.00

  7,182.00

  Income tax and NICs

  38.16

  68.68

  99.21

  152.07

  223.89

  367.53

  511.17

  654.81

  942.09

  1,373.01

  2,809.41

  VAT

  14.81

  19.77

  30.37

  Other indirect taxes

  19.56

  24.10

  33.80

  Total excluding council tax

  103.05

  143.07

  216.24

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  21.3

  25.5

  27.6

  28.2

  31.2

  34.1

  35.6

  36.5

  37.5

  38.2

  39.1

  VAT

  5.5

  5.5

  5.6

  Other indirect taxes

  7.3

  6.7

  6.3

  Total excluding council tax

  38.3

  39.8

  40.1

  Married, no children £ per week

  Gross income

  179.55

  269.33

  359.10

  538.65

  718.20

  1,077.30

  1,436.40

  1,795.50

  2,513.70

  3,591.00

  7,182.00

  Income tax and NICs

  29.89

  60.41

  90.94

  141.31

  210.66

  354.30

  497.94

  641.58

  928.86

  1,359.78

  2,796.18

  VAT

  13.57

  18.98

  30.75

  Other indirect taxes

  21.93

  26.55

  36.62

  Total excluding council tax

  95.92

  136.46

  208.68

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  16.6

  22.4

  25.3

  26.2

  29.3

  32.9

  34.7

  35.7

  37.0

  37.9

  38.9

  VAT

  5.0

  5.3

  5.7

  Other indirect taxes

  8.1

  7.4

  6.8

  Total excluding council taxes

  35.6

  38.0

  38.7

  Married, two children £ per week

  Gross income

  179.55

  269.33

  359.10

  538.65

  718.20

  1,077.30

  1,436.40

  1,795.50

  2,513.70

  3,591.00

  7,182.00

  Income tax and NICs

  11.79

  42.31

  72.84

  123.21

  192.56

  336.20

  479.84

  623.48

  910.76

  1,341.68

  2,778.08

  VAT

  13.44

  19.56

  32.89

  Other indirect taxes

  21.71

  25.38

  33.39

  Total excluding council tax

  77.47

  117.78

  189.49

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  6.6

  15.7

  20.3

  22.9

  26.8

  31.2

  33.4

  34.7

  36.2

  37.4

  38.7

  VAT

  5.0

  5.4

  6.1

  Other indirect taxes

  8.1

  7.1

  6.2

  Total excluding council tax

  28.8

  32.8

  35.2

  340
  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 14 February 1996]: A family on average earnings should be around £450 a year better off next year than this after tax and inflation, taking the total rise since 1978–79 to £4,500 a year. The tables show estimates of tax payments for various specimen households for the years 1993–94 to 1996–97. Changes in tax payments between years mainly reflect assumed growth in average earnings and should not be taken as the impact of Budget measures.
  341

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1993–94

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Married, two earners, no children: Earnings split 60:40 £ per week

  Gross income

  179.55

  269.33

  359.10

  538.65

  718.20

  1,077.30

  1,436.40

  1,795.50

  2,513.70

  3,591.00

  7,182.00

  Income tax and NICs

  11.11

  37.86

  68.05

  129.10

  189.16

  304.58

  434.55

  578.19

  865.47

  1,296.39

  2,732.79

  VAT

  15.64

  21.53

  33.25

  Other indirect taxes

  25.46

  29.47

  37.43

  Total excluding council tax

  78.96

  119.05

  199.78

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  6.2

  14.1

  19.0

  24.0

  26.3

  28.3

  30.3

  32.2

  34.4

  36.1

  38.1

  VAT

  5.8

  6.0

  6.2

  Other indirect taxes

  9.5

  8.2

  6.9

  Total excluding council tax

  29.3

  33.2

  37.1

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay class 1 NI contributions at the contracted-in rate. Child benefit is treated as a negative income tax in order to provide comparability with support given through child tax allowances.

  2. Earnings are taken to be the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time males on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. Estimates of earnings in 1995–96 and 1996–97 are based on earnings growth assumptions of 3½ per cent. in 1995–96 and 4 per cent. in 1996–97.

  3. Figures for indirect taxes include estimates of the intermediate taxes on households as well as the impact of taxes on final goods and services. Estimates of the impact of taxes on final goods and services assume that these taxes are fully incident on households. Estimates of the impact of intermediate taxes are based on the relation between intermediate production costs and final consumption derived using input-output techniques.

  4. Estimates for most indirect taxes are based on equations derived from the 1985 Family Expenditure Survey uprated to later years using forecasts of aggregate tax receipts. Estimates of VAT on domestic fuel and power, airline passenger duty and insurance premium tax are based on equations using results from the 1991 and 1992 Family Expenditure Survey uprated using a similar methodology. All estimates are based on the illustrative assumption that 10 per cent. of disposable income is saved.

  5. Estimates of net council tax payments are based on analysis of the Family Expenditure Survey for the relevant year. Payment data for these years is affected by uncertainty about transitional relief, appeals and late payment. The estimates are therefore particularly uncertain and subject to a wide margin of error. No reliable estimates are available for 1993–94.

  6. Estimates of indirect taxes are very approximate, even within the range for which figures are shown, because spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income. The margin of error is even higher outside the range shown, and even illustrative estimates cannot be made. Because of sampling variation, there can be substantial differences between estimates obtained from Family Expenditure Surveys for different years.

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1994–95

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Single £ per week

  Gross income

  184.55

  276.83

  369.10

  553.65

  738.20

  1,107.30

  1,476.40

  1,845.50

  2,583.70

  3,691.00

  7,382.00

  Income tax and NICs

  40.59

  72.88

  105.18

  162.15

  235.97

  383.61

  531.25

  678.89

  974.17

  1,417.09

  2,893.49

  VAT

  15.94

  21.09

  32.06

  Other indirect taxes

  20.86

  25.62

  35.73

  Total excluding council tax

  109.68

  151.89

  229.95

  Council tax

  6.21

  6.78

  7.99

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  22.0

  26.3

  28.5

  29.3

  32.0

  34.6

  36.0

  36.8

  37.7

  38.4

  39.2

  VAT

  5.8

  5.7

  5.8

  Other indirect taxes

  7.5

  6.9

  6.5

  Total excluding council tax

  39.6

  41.2

  41.5

  Council tax

  2.2

  1.8

  1.4

  342 343

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1994–95

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Married, no children £ per week

  Gross income

  184.55

  276.83

  369.10

  553.65

  738.20

  1,107.30

  1,476.40

  1,845.50

  2,583.70

  3,691.00

  7,382.00

  Income tax and NICs

  33.97

  66.27

  98.56

  155.53

  229.35

  376.99

  524.63

  672.27

  967.55

  1,410.47

  2,886.87

  VAT

  14.67

  20.28

  32.21

  Other indirect taxes

  23.24

  28.16

  38.62

  Total excluding council tax

  104.18

  119.13

  188.29

  Council tax

  9.37

  10.17

  11.88

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  18.4

  23.9

  26.7

  28.1

  31.1

  34.0

  35.5

  36.4

  37.4

  38.2

  39.1

  VAT

  5.3

  5.5

  5.8

  Other indirect taxes

  8.4

  7.6

  7.0

  Total excluding council taxes

  37.6

  32.3

  34.0

  Council tax

  3.4

  2.8

  2.1

  Married, two children £ per week

  Gross income

  184.55

  276.83

  369.10

  553.65

  738.20

  1,107.30

  1,476.40

  1,845.50

  2,583.70

  3,691.00

  7,382.00

  Income tax and NICs

  15.52

  47.82

  80.11

  137.08

  210.90

  358.54

  506.18

  653.82

  949.10

  1,392.02

  2,868.42

  VAT

  14.37

  20.71

  34.21

  Other indirect taxes

  23.15

  26.95

  35.04

  Total excluding council tax

  85.33

  127.78

  206.33

  Council tax

  7.29

  8.12

  9.89

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  8.4

  17.3

  21.7

  24.8

  28.6

  32.4

  34.3

  35.4

  36.7

  37.7

  38.9

  VAT

  5.2

  5.6

  6.2

  Other indirect taxes

  8.4

  7.3

  6.3

  Total excluding council tax

  30.8

  34.6

  37.3

  Council tax

  2.6

  2.2

  1.8

  Married, two earners, no children: Earnings split 60:40 £ per week

  Gross income

  184.55

  276.83

  369.10

  553.65

  738.20

  1,107.30

  1,476.40

  1,845.50

  2,583.70

  3,691.00

  7,382.00

  Income tax and NICs

  13.13

  42.92

  74.56

  139.15

  202.45

  329.55

  465.32

  612.96

  908.24

  1,351.16

  2,827.56

  VAT

  16.75

  22.89

  35.06

  Other indirect taxes

  27.25

  31.51

  39.90

  Total excluding council tax

  86.92

  128.96

  214.11

  Council tax

  9.63

  9.83

  10.23

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  7.1

  15.5

  20.2

  25.1

  27.4

  29.8

  31.5

  33.2

  35.2

  36.6

  38.3

  VAT

  6.0

  6.2

  6.3

  344

  345

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1994–95

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Other indirect taxes

  9.8

  8.5

  7.2

  Total excluding council tax

  31.4

  34.9

  38.7

  Council tax

  3.5

  2.7

  1.8

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay class 1 NI contributions at the contracted-in rate. Child benefit is treated as a negative income tax in order to provide comparability with support given through child tax allowances.

  2. Earnings are taken to be the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time males on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. Estimates of earnings in 1995–96 and 1996–97 are based on earnings growth assumptions of 3½ per cent. in 1995–96 and 4 per cent. in 1996–97.

  3. Figures for indirect taxes include estimates of the intermediate taxes on households as well as the impact of taxes on final goods and services. Estimates of the impact of taxes on final goods and services assume that these taxes are fully incident on households. Estimates of the impact of intermediate taxes are based on the relation between intermediate production costs and final consumption derived using input-output techniques.

  4. Estimates for most indirect taxes are based on equations derived from the 1985 Family Expenditure Survey uprated to later years using forecasts of aggregate tax receipts. Estimates of VAT on domestic fuel and power, airline passenger duty and insurance premium tax are based on equations using results from the 1991 and 1992 Family Expenditure Survey uprated using a similar methodology. All estimates are based on the illustrative assumption that 10 per cent. of disposable income is saved.

  5. Estimates of net council tax payments are based on analysis of the Family Expenditure Survey for the relevant year. Payment data for these years is affected by uncertainty about transitional relief, appeals and late payment. The estimates are therefore particularly uncertain and subject to a wide margin of error. No reliable estimates are available for 1993–94.

  6. Estimates of indirect taxes are very approximate, even within the range for which figures are shown, because spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income. The margin of error is even higher outside the range shown, and even illustrative estimates cannot be made. Because of sampling variation, there can be substantial differences between estimates obtained from Family Expenditure Surveys for different years.

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1995–96

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Single £ per week Gross income

  191.00

  286.50

  382.00

  573.00

  764.00

  1,146.00

  1,528.00

  1,910.00

  2,674.00

  3,820.00

  7,640.00

  Income tax and NICs

  42.19

  75.61

  109.04

  168.27

  244.67

  397.47

  550.27

  703.07

  1,008.67

  1,467.07

  2,995.07

  VAT

  15.86

  21.01

  31.94

  Other indirect taxes

  21.70

  26.70

  37.30

  Total excluding council tax

  113.17

  156.75

  237.51

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  22.1

  26.4

  28.5

  29.4

  32.0

  34.7

  36.0

  36.8

  37.7

  38.4

  39.2

  VAT

  5.5

  5.5

  5.6

  Other indirect taxes

  7.6

  7.0

  6.5

  Total excluding council tax

  39.5

  41.0

  41.5

  Married, no children £ per week

  Gross income

  191.00

  286.50

  382.00

  573.00

  764.00

  1,146.00

  1,528.00

  1,910.00

  2,674.00

  3,820.00

  7,640.00

  Income tax and NICs

  37.22

  70.65

  104.07

  163.31

  239.71

  392.51

  545.31

  698.11

  1,003.71

  1,462.11

  2,990.11

  VAT

  14.34

  19.94

  31.84

  Other indirect taxes

  24.01

  29.17

  40.11

  Total excluding council tax

  109.00

  153.18

  235.26

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  19.5

  24.7

  27.2

  28.5

  31.4

  34.3

  35.7

  36.6

  37.5

  38.3

  39.1

  VAT

  5.0

  5.2

  5.6

  Other indirect taxes

  8.4

  7.6

  7.0

  Total excluding council taxes

  38.0

  40.1

  41.1

  346 347

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1995–96

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Married, two children £ per week

  Gross income

  191.00

  286.50

  382.00

  573.00

  764.00

  1,146.00

  1,528.00

  1,910.00

  2,674.00

  3,820.00

  7,640.00

  Income tax and NICs

  18.37

  51.80

  85.22

  144.46

  220.86

  373.66

  526.46

  679.26

  984.86

  1,443.26

  2,971.26

  VAT

  13.90

  20.23

  33.69

  Other indirect taxes

  23.80

  27.86

  36.44

  Total excluding council tax

  89.50

  133.31

  214.59

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  9.6

  18.1

  22.3

  25.2

  28.9

  32.6

  34.5

  35.6

  36.8

  37.8

  38.9

  VAT

  4.9

  5.3

  5.9

  Other indirect taxes

  8.3

  7.3

  6.4

  Total excluding council tax

  31.2

  34.9

  37.5

  Married, two earners, no children: Earnings split 60:40 £ per week

  Gross income

  191.00

  286.50

  382.00

  573.00

  764.00

  1,146.00

  1,528.00

  1,910.00

  2,674.00

  3,820.00

  7,640.00

  Income tax and NICs

  15.94

  46.72

  79.41

  146.26

  211.27

  343.09

  484.38

  637.18

  942.78

  1,401.18

  2,929.18

  VAT

  16.34

  22.49

  34.64

  Other indirect taxes

  28.17

  32.60

  41.34

  Total excluding council tax

  91.23

  134.50

  222.24

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  8.3

  16.3

  20.8

  25.5

  27.7

  29.9

  31.7

  33.4

  35.3

  36.7

  38.3

  VAT

  5.7

  5.9

  6.0

  Other indirect taxes

  9.8

  8.5

  7.2

  Total excluding council tax

  31.8

  35.2

  38.8

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay Class 1 NI contributions at the contracted-in rate. Child benefit is treated as a negative income tax in order to provide comparability with support given through child tax allowances.

  2. Earnings are taken to be the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time males on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. Estimates of earnings in 1995–96 and 1996–97 are based on earnings growth assumptions of 3½ per cent. in 1995–96 and 4 per cent. in 1996–97.

  3. Figures for indirect taxes include estimates of the intermediate taxes on households as well as the impact of taxes on final goods and services. Estimates of the impact of taxes on final goods and services assume that these taxes are fully incident on households. Estimates of the impact of intermediate taxes are based on the relation between intermediate production costs and final consumption derived using input-output techniques.

  4. Estimates for most indirect taxes are based on equations derived from the 1985 Family Expenditure Survey uprated to later years using forecasts of aggregate tax receipts. Estimates of VAT on domestic fuel and power, airline passenger duty and insurance premium tax are based on equations using results from the 1991 and 1992 Family Expenditure Survey uprated using a similar methodology. All estimates are based on the illustrative assumption that 10 per cent. of disposable income is saved.

  5. Estimates of net council tax payments are based on analysis of the Family Expenditure Survey for the relevant year. Payment data for these years is affected by uncertainty about transitional relief, appeals and late payment. The estimates are therefore particularly uncertain and subject to a wide margin of error. No reliable estimates are available for 1993–94.

  6. Estimates of indirect taxes are very approximate, even within the range for which figures are shown, because spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income. The margin of error is even higher outside the range shown, and even illustrative estimates cannot be made. Because of sampling variation, there can be substantial differences between estimates obtained from Family Expenditure Surveys for different years.
  348 349

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1996–97

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Single £ per week

  Gross income

  198.65

  297.98

  397.30

  595.95

  794.60

  1,191.90

  1,589.20

  1,986.50

  2,781.10

  3,973.00

  7,946.00

  Income tax and NICs

  42.28

  76.05

  109.83

  168.58

  248.04

  406.96

  565.88

  724.80

  1,042.64

  1,519.40

  3,108.60

  VAT

  16.84

  22.35

  34.11

  Other indirect taxes

  23.11

  28.51

  40.00

  Total excluding council tax

  116.01

  160.68

  242.68

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  21.3

  25.5

  27.6

  28.3

  31.2

  34.1

  35.6

  36.5

  37.5

  38.2

  39.1

  VAT

  5.7

  5.6

  5.7

  Other indirect taxes

  7.8

  7.2

  6.7

  Total excluding council tax

  38.9

  40.4

  40.7

  Married, no children £ per week

  Gross income

  198.65

  297.98

  397.30

  595.95

  794.60

  1,191.90

  1,589.20

  1,986.50

  2,781.10

  3,973.00

  7,946.00

  Income tax and NICs

  37.12

  70.89

  104.66

  163.41

  242.87

  401.79

  560.71

  719.63

  1,037.47

  1,514.23

  3,103.43

  VAT

  15.17

  21.16

  33.95

  Other indirect taxes

  25.51

  31.07

  42.91

  Total excluding council tax

  111.57

  156.89

  240.27

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  18.7

  23.8

  26.3

  27.4

  30.6

  33.7

  35.3

  36.2

  37.3

  38.1

  39.1

  VAT

  5.1

  5.3

  5.7

  Other indirect taxes

  8.6

  7.8

  7.2

  Total excluding council tax

  37.4

  39.5

  40.3

  Married, two children £ per week

  Gross income

  198.65

  297.98

  397.30

  595.95

  794.60

  1,191.90

  1,589.20

  1,986.50

  2,781.10

  3,973.00

  7,946.00

  Income tax and NICs

  17.52

  51.29

  85.06

  143.81

  223.27

  382.19

  541.11

  700.03

  1,017.87

  1,494.63

  3,083.83

  VAT

  14.62

  21.40

  35.87

  Other indirect taxes

  25.35

  29.76

  39.19

  Total excluding council tax

  91.25

  136.22

  218.87

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  8.8

  17.2

  21.4

  24.1

  28.1

  32.1

  34.0

  35.2

  36.6

  37.6

  38.8

  VAT

  4.9

  5.4

  6.0

  Other indirect taxes

  8.5

  7.5

  6.6

  Total excluding council tax

  30.6

  34.3

  36.7

  Married, two earners, no children: Earnings split 60:40 £ per week

  Gross income

  198.65

  297.98

  397.30

  595.95

  794.60

  1,191.90

  1,589.20

  1,986.50

  2,781.10

  3,973.00

  7,946.00

  Income tax and NICs

  15.71

  46.76

  79.40

  146.95

  212.31

  345.75

  490.91

  649.83

  967.67

  1,444.43

  3,033.63

  VAT

  17.18

  23.79

  36.78

  Other indirect taxes

  30.00

  34.79

  44.23

  Total excluding council tax

  93.94

  137.99

  227.96

  350 351

  Income tax, national insurance and indirect taxes at multiples of average earnings 1996–97

  Percentage of male average earnings

  50

  75

  100

  150

  200

  300

  400

  500

  700

  1,000

  2,000

  Percentage of earnings

  Income tax and NICs

  7.9

  15.7

  20.0

  24.7

  26.7

  29.0

  30.9

  32.7

  34.8

  36.4

  38.2

  VAT

  5.8

  6.0

  6.2

  Other indirect taxes

  10.1

  8.8

  7.4

  Total excluding council tax

  31.5

  34.7

  38.3

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the assumption that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. All earners, including wives, are assumed to pay Class 1 NI contributions at the contracted-in rate. Child benefit is treated as a negative income tax in order to provide comparability with support given through child tax allowances.

  2. Earnings are taken to be the average gross weekly earnings of all full-time males on adult rates with pay unaffected by absence. Estimates of earnings in 1995–96 and 1996–97 are based on earnings growth assumptions of 3½ per cent. in 1995–96 and 4 per cent. in 1996–97.

  3. Figures for indirect taxes include estimates of the intermediate taxes on households as well as the impact of taxes on final goods and services. Estimates of the impact of taxes on final goods and services assume that these taxes are fully incident on households. Estimates of the impact of intermediate taxes are based on the relation between intermediate production costs and final consumption derived using input-output techniques.

  4. Estimates for most indirect taxes are based on equations derived from the 1985 Family Expenditure Survey uprated to later years using forecasts of aggregate tax receipts. Estimates of VAT on domestic fuel and power, airline passenger duty and insurance premium tax are based on equations using results from the 1991 and 1992 Family Expenditure Survey uprated using a similar methodology. All estimates are based on the illustrative assumption that 10 per cent. of disposable income is saved.

  5. Estimates of net council tax payments are based on analysis of the Family Expenditure Survey for the relevant year. Payment data for these years is affected by uncertainty about transitional relief, appeals and late payment. The estimates are therefore particularly uncertain and subject to a wide margin of error. No reliable estimates are available for 1993–94.

  6. Estimates of indirect taxes are very approximate, even within the range for which figures are shown, because spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income. The margin of error is even higher outside the range shown, and even illustrative estimates cannot be made. Because of sampling variation, there can be substantial differences between estimates obtained from Family Expenditure Surveys for different years.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will add osteopathic and chiropractor treatments to the list of those paid for from private medical insurance policies that are eligible for tax relief. [15467]

  Mr. Jack
  Private medical insurance relief is aimed at policies that offer types of treatment normally provided free of charge by the NHS. When the relief was introduced in 1989, the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury said in Committee: "We shall not include treatments not normally available under the National Health Service". [Official Report, Standing Committee G, 25 May 1989, c.229].

  Osteopathy and chiropracty are usually provided privately, so insurance policies that indemnify the cost of these treatments are not eligible for private medical insurance relief.

  I have no plans to alter the current rules regarding eligibility of polices.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would the single positive rate of income tax need to be in 1996–97, assuming a personal allowance of £5,000 and the abolition of all other tax expenditures, exemptions and reliefs now allowable against income tax, in order to introduce it on a revenue rental basis. [16078]

  Mr. Jack
  It is estimated that a single rate of about 23 per cent. would be needed in 1996–97 to achieve revenue neutrality. This assumes a personal allowance of £5,000 and the abolition of all other income tax 352
  allowances, and mortgage interest relief, tax relief on employees contributions to occupational and personal pension schemes, reliefs for TESSAs, PEPs, profit-related pay, national savings certificates, employee share schemes and charitable giving.

  This estimate does not take into account the substantial behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of such a change nor do they allow for any subsequent changes to the tax system, such as changes to tax relief on employer's contributions to pension schemes or relief for investment income in pension funds.

  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the estimated full year cost in 1996–97 of making the 20 per cent. rate the only positive rate of tax for all income tax payers. [16079]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated full year cost of introducing a single 20 per cent. rate of income tax at 1996–97 income levels would be about £16 billion. These estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects that might result from the introduction of the new regime.

  Departmental Bills
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants, and at what civil service grades are involved in paying the Treasury's bills. [16201]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: Staff in many grades throughout the Treasury are involved in checking invoices for purchases made by their directorates.
  353
  In addition, there is a central team for purchasing and bill paying of eight personal at administrative and executive officer grades.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent payment of bills by his Department is computerised. [16196]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: Bill paying is computerised, as is the registration of invoices; checking and other steps are not.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on external legal advice for Ministers and civil servants in relation to the Scott inquiry and report since the period covered by his answer of 16 January,Official Report, column 527. [15929]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: The value of accounts settled from public funds by my departments in the period since the making of the payments comprising the sum given in my answer of 16 January, Official Report, column 527, for the provision of external legal services on behalf of civil servants in connection with the Scott inquiry and report, is £3,037. There has been no comparable expenditure on behalf of ministers.

  Self-assessment
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money his Department expects to be collected under self-assessment in 1996–97 from overpayment of income tax. [16202]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: No estimate has been made. The payments collected under self-assessments in 1996–97 will be the first payments on account for 1996–97, due on 31 January 1997. The amounts due will be based on taxpayers' 1995–96 liabilities. Taxpayers will have the right to claim to reduce the amounts due if they think their tax liability for 1996–97 will be less than for 1995–96.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the proportion of taxpayers due to pay under the self-assessment system who are likely to make errors leading to financial penalties. [16198]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: The Department does not expect straightforward errors by taxpayers under self-assessment to lead to financial penalties. The Revenue intends to put right such errors when the return is processed, and taxpayers will not face financial penalties when such "repairs" are made.

  Unqualified Tax Advisers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to regulate unqualified tax advisers. [16199]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: We currently have no plans to do so.

  Low Pay
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effective cost to public funds or low pay; and what plans he has to reduce it. [16389]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There is no such cost: having more people in work increases output and reduces public expenditure.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what response he has made to the section on environmental accounting in the second report of the British Government panel on sustainable development; [16612]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the British Government panel on sustainable development in paragraph 22 of its second report about the effect of the current emphasis on gross domestic product and gross national product on the decision-making process. [16627]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government expect to publish their response to the second report of the Government panel on sustainable development towards the end of March.

  Earnings
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (i) men and (ii) women, between the ages of(a) 16 to 24 years, (b) 25 to 49 years and (c) 50 to 64 years are employed but earn less than the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions; and what proportion such people make of the total working population of each sex in each age group. [16616]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information from the labour force survey of spring 1995 is shown in the table:

  LFS—Spring 1995 (GB)

  Age

  Employees1 earning less than £58 per week (thousands)

  Percentage of total age group

  Males

  16-24

  312.5

  17.8

  25-9

  73.9

  1.0

  50-64

  47.6

  2.3

  Females

  16-24

  423.0

  25.1

  25-49

  1,017.4

  15.4

  50-64

  390.3

  20.3

  1 Earnings information is not available for the self employed.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 13 February,Official Report, column 537, regarding wages council rates, what were the average wages per hour and per week in each of these industries; what is the national average wage referred to per week; what date the figures relate to; and how many employees were receiving these minimum hourly rates in each industry and in total. [16346]
  355
  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: The average wages referred to by my hon. Friend in his reply of 13 February were calculated from information taken from the new earnings survey of April 1993. The national wage referred to the average gross hourly earnings, excluding overtime, of all full-time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. This was equal to £7.82 in April 1993. The equivalent average weekly wage was £316.90. Further information from the new earnings survey is provided in the attached table.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many national insurance numbers have been issued in each of the past five years for which figures are available to individuals who are not citizens of the United Kingdom but are(a) European Economic Area nationals or (b) nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area. [13734]

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

  National Insurance numbers issued to persons arriving from:

  An EEA member state

  Outside the EEA

  1990–91

  64,800

  119,900

  1991–92

  44,000

  100,500

  1992–93

  43,100

  86,000

  1993–94

  52,700

  85,400

  1994–95

  50,600

  72,500

  Notes:

  EEA—European Economic Area.

  The differentiation between EEA member states and countries outside the EEA is not based on nationality, it is based on the person's country of residence before arrival in the UK.Source:

  1 per cent. sample of the national insurance recording system (NIRS).

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom the number of cold weather payments made in each year since 1992. [15158]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is contained in the social fund statistical series, "Cold Weather Payments by District Offices" held in the statistical section of the Library.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claimants appealed against the rejection of their claim to disability living allowance in the year 1994–95; and how many of those claimants were successful in their appeal; [15199]
  356
  (2) if he will estimate the average cost to the Benefits Agency of each appeal against the rejection of a new claim to disability living allowance in 1994–95. [15200]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is below.

  In 1994–95, 33,799 appeals against adjudication officers' decisions on claims to disability living allowance, disability working allowance or attendance allowance were heard by disability appeal tribunals at an estimated average cost to the independent tribunal service of £315 per appeal.

  Benefits (Pensioners)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list in real terms the amount paid out in benefits in the past 30 years; and if he will divide the data according to the amount paid to pensioners and non-pensioner claimants. [15234]

  Mr. Heald
  [holding answer 15 February 1996]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

  The clients group analysis is available only for 1978–79 onwards.

  Client group expenditure real terms (1994–95 prices) 1965–66 to 1994–95

  £ million

  Total benefit expenditure

  1965–66

  23,581

  1966–67

  23,947

  1967–68

  26,430

  1968–69

  28,597

  1969–70

  29,061

  1970–71

  28,774

  1971–72

  30,630

  1972–73

  32,211

  1973–74

  33,191

  1974–75

  35,204

  1975–76

  37,898

  1976–77

  40,088

  1977–78

  42,270

  Client group anlysis

  £ million

  Pensioners

  Non-pensioners

  Total benefit expenditure

  1978–79

  25,526

  20,769

  46,295

  1979–80

  25,335

  21,589

  46,924

  1980–81

  25,627

  22,227

  47,854

  1981–82

  27,648

  25,691

  53,339

  1982–83

  28,952

  27,906

  56,858

  1983–84

  29,990

  30,712

  60,702

  1984–85

  30,255

  32,275

  62,530

  1985–86

  31,283

  33,385

  64,668

  1986–87

  32,664

  34,948

  67,613

  1987–88

  32,687

  34,058

  66,744

  357

  £ million

  Elderly

  Non elderly

  Total benefit expenditure

  1988–89

  31,684

  31,726

  63,410

  1989–90

  32,201

  30,628

  62,828

  1990–91

  33,199

  32,245

  65,444

  1991–92

  34,495

  37,659

  72,154

  1992–93

  36,219

  42,609

  78,828

  1993–94

  37,672

  46,272

  83,944

  1994–95

  37,926

  47,295

  85,221

  Note:

  Information on pensioners is only available between 1978–79 and 1987–88; with the introduction of income support in April 1988, the definition was changed to elderly, ie to include expenditure for men aged 60–64.

  Source:

  The information has been calculated using data from the Annual Abstract of Statistics 1995.

  Local Exchange and Trading Schemes
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how participation in a local exchange and trading scheme affects an individual's benefit entitlement. [15431]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Credits obtained from participation in local exchange and trading schemes can be exchanged for goods and services in the same way as money. For benefit purposes, therefore, the value of credits is treated in exactly the same way as other earnings. In income support, family credit and disability working allowance, work undertaken within such schemes will also be taken into consideration when applying the 16 hours remunerative work rule.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the figure of housing benefit paid to private landlords in the most recent year. [15910]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information on the amount of housing benefit paid by local authorities directly to private landlords on behalf of their tenants is not routinely collected. However, during the 1994–95 financial year, a total of £4,878 million was paid in housing benefit to tenants of private landlords and housing associations.

  Industrial Injury Benefit
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to reply to the letter of 23 January from the hon. Member for Nottingham, North regarding Mr. D. Mitchell in respect of repayment of industrial injury benefit. [15714]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The reply was sent on 16 February.

  Housing and Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the information contained in housing benefit and council tax benefit subsidy claim form MPF 720A submitted by each local authority in Gloucestershire in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95. [16141]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information has been placed in the Library.
  358
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local authority in Gloucestershire in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95 (i) statistic 124 of local authority housing benefit and council tax benefit administration data, (ii) statistic 122, quarterly stock costs, giving caseload—claimants with housing benefit and/or council tax benefit not in receipt of income support—and (iii) statistic 122, quarterly stock costs, giving caseload—claimants with housing benefit and/or council tax benefit also in receipt of income support. [16140]

  Mr. Evans
  Form STATS 124 is used to collect data concerning the administration of the housing benefit and council tax benefit schemes, and is used essentially for the purposes of producing national estimates. The Department does not publish information from this form on an individual local authority basis due to concerns about its robustness at that level.

  Information from the quarterly caseload stock counts, taken on forms STATS 121 and 122, is set out in the tables.

  Table 1: Average housing benefit/council tax benefit caseload for each local authority in Gloucestershire—1994–95

  Local authority

  Housing benefit with income support

  Council tax benefit with income support

  Housing benefit without income support

  Council tax benefit without income support

  Cheltenham

  4,860

  5,610

  2,670

  3,370

  Cotswold

  2,130

  2,690

  2,120

  2,450

  Forest of Dean

  2,500

  3,680

  1,580

  2,690

  Gloucester

  5,460

  6,360

  2,400

  3,240

  Stroud

  3,300

  4,380

  2,410

  3,640

  Tewkesbury

  1,880

  2,460

  1,500

  2,330

  Notes:

  1. Figures given are an average of the four quarters in each year.

  2. Figures refer to benefit rules which may be a single person or couple.

  3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest ten.

  4. Council tax benefit was introduced from April 1993.

  Source:

  Housing benefit management information system, quarterly 100 per cent. caseload enquiries taken at the end of May, August, November and February in each year given.

  Table 2: Average housing benefit caseload for each local authority in Gloucestershire—1992–93

  Local authority

  Housing benefit with income support

  Housing benefit without income support

  Cheltenham

  4,210

  2,640

  Cotswold

  1,900

  2,120

  Forest of Dean

  2,020

  1,560

  Gloucester

  4,580

  2,380

  Stroud

  2,940

  2,500

  Tewkesbury

  1,690

  1,550

  359

  Table 3: Average housing benefit council tax benefit caseload for each local authority in Gloucestershire—1993–94

  Local authority

  Housing benefit with income support

  Council tax benefit with income support

  Housing benefit without income support

  Council tax benefit without income support

  Cheltenham

  4,610

  5,330

  2,690

  3,550

  Cotswold

  2,090

  2,730

  2,140

  2,700

  Forest of Dean

  2,350

  3,530

  1,620

  2,780

  Gloucester

  4,970

  5,800

  2,420

  3,410

  Stroud

  3,210

  4,320

  2,410

  3,910

  Tewkesbury

  1,840

  2,460

  1,520

  2,520

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local authority in Gloucestershire in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95 the housing benefit expenditure incurred in meeting rents above the rent officer determined level for applicants not belonging to the groups described in regulations 11(3) and 6(b) of the Housing Benefit General Regulations 1987. [16142]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is as set out in the table:

  1992–93 (£)

  1993–94 (£)

  1994–95 (£)

  Cheltenham

  1,840

  3,206

  1,304

  Cotswold

  4,143

  3,042

  3,688

  Forest of Dean

  1,272

  2,157

  1,928

  Gloucester City

  0

  9,962

  17,223

  Stroud

  5,331

  13,154

  13,581

  Tewkesbury

  1,674

  2,254

  2,836

  Source:

  Audited final housing benefit and community charge benefit/council tax benefit claim forms for each year.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local authority in Gloucestershire the budget for the current year for discretionary payments of housing benefit in cases of exceptional hardship. [16144]

  Mr. Evans
  To meet cases of exceptional hardship, local authorities are able to spend up to 0.15 per cent. of their expenditure on deregulated tenancies referred to the rent officer. To help authorities with this cost, central Government provide a contribution by way of a subsidy addition. For 1995–96 the amount of subsidy addition available to authorities in Gloucestershire is as follows:

  Authority

  Amount £

  Cheltenham

  5,532

  Cotswold

  2,309

  Forest of Dean

  1,968

  Gloucester City

  7,951

  Stroud

  3,272

  Tewkesbury

  1,578

  The maximum amount authorities will be able to spend is approximately double these sums.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what record his Department holds of the number of people in the United Kingdom who are diagnosed as having myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome and who are in receipt of disability living allowance. [16139]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available in the format requested. The number of people in receipt of disability living allowance at 30 November 1995, where the main disabling condition is shown as chronic fatigue syndrome, including myalgic encephalomyelitis, is estimated to be 7,400.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division—based on a 5 per cent. sample of cases resident in Great Britain and a 100 per cent. sample of cases in Northern Ireland.

  Fraud (Northumberland)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent special investigations have been undertaken by multi-agency investigation teams into housing benefit and fraud in the west end of Newcastle; and how many charges have been brought. [16148]

  Mr. Heald
  Joint operations to tackle housing benefit fraud are undertaken from time to time by the local authority with the help of the police, the Benefits Agency and other bodies. A recent operation in the west end of Newcastle involving those organisations has resulted in 18 charges being brought. It would not be appropriate to comment in greater detail on operational matters in order to avoid compromising any future operations.

  Weekly benefit savings of £½ million have been achieved.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the recorded staffing levels and average daily attendance at the Benefits Agency offices at Highgate and Finsbury park for(a) January 1992, (b) June 1992, (c) January 1993, (d) June 1993, (e) January 1994, (f) June 1994, (g) January 1995, (h) June 1995 and (i) January 1996; and what estimated level of public expenditure was planned for in each month. [15942]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 22 February 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what are the recorded staffing levels and average daily attendance at the Benefit Agency offices at Highgate and Finsbury Park for (a) January 1992, (b) June 1992, (c) January 1993, (d) June 1993, (e) January 1994, (f) June 1994, (g) January 1995, (h) June 1995 and (i) January 1996; and what estimated level of public expenditure was planned for in each month.
  The information available is shown in the table at Annex A.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  361

  Annex A: Staffing and Caller Levels at Finsbury Park and Highgate Branch Offices

  Finsbury Park

  Highgate

  Period (calendar months)

  Staffing

  Average daily attendance

  Planned monthly staffing expenditure

  Staffing

  Average daily attendance

  Planned monthly staffing expenditure

  January 92

  31

  n/a

  n/a

  29

  n/a

  n/a

  June 92

  26

  204

  n/a

  27

  205

  n/a

  January 93

  32

  247

  n/a

  35

  218

  n/a

  June 93

  34

  298

  £38,044

  36

  237

  £44,438

  January 94

  36

  295

  £46,939

  40

  240

  £45,486

  June 94

  35

  244

  £41,211

  38

  154

  £44,783

  January 95

  33

  292

  £40,866

  38

  230

  £44,141

  June 95

  31

  255

  £43,625

  32

  245

  £46,468

  January 96

  30

  275

  £43,268

  32

  276

  £45,085

  These figures are provisional and subject to change. The statistics for average daily attendance prior to June 1995 are for Income Support callers only.

  Contributory Benefit callers prior to June 1995 are only available at a district level.

  n/a = not available.

  Motability
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 735, on the Schroeders merchant bank report, if officials of his Department have seen the report. [16797]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  With the permission of Motability, officials have had sight of this confidential report.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Milk Marque
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the change in(a) investment, (b) prices and (c) employment in the diary industry since the introduction of Milk Marque. [16460]

  Mr. Baldry
  On employment and the price of milk for processing, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer he was given by my predecessor on 26 June 1995,Official Report, column 525. We do not monitor retail prices, but in general the price of cheese and butter has gone up since 1 November 1995 while the price of liquid milk has remained fairly static. As regards investment in the diary industry since the abolition of the milk marketing boards, several companies have demonstrated their confidence in the new arrangements by undertaking or announcing major investment programmes.

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the veterinary officers and technical assistants were involved on(a) 15 February and (b) 16 February at lairages near Dover in inspecting animals to ensure that they were fit to travel under the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1994 and to deal with other related matters; on each such day how many consignments were inspected by his veterinary officers and technical assistants; how many (i) sheep and (ii) calves were inspected; how many hours were spent in carrying out the inspections; and if he will make a statement. [16339]
  362
  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: On 15 February, there were 13 consignments of calves totalling 1,651 calves and one consignment of 231 sheep. Six Ministry veterinary officers, one temporary veterinary inspector and 10 technical staff were present at Dover lairages at various times between 0700 and 1630.

  On 16 February, there were two consignments of calves totalling 205 calves and one consignment of 250 sheep. There were two veterinary officers and two technical staff carrying out the inspections. In addition, the opportunity was taken to train three technical staff. Ministry staff were present at lairages between 0730 and 1230.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Morley
  To asks the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what trials of bovine somatotropin are(a) being conducted in the United Kingdom and (b) planned; how many animals are involved; how is the BST being administered; in what quantities is it being administered; what effects are being measured; and if he will make a statement. [16344]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: Although the European Commission has accepted that there is no risk to humans from the consumption of milk from cows treated with bovine somatotropin, a moratorium on its marketing and use was introduced throughout the EC in 1990, and after twice being extended is now scheduled to last until 31 December 1999. The terms of the current extension to the moratorium were agreed by the Council Agriculture Ministers at its meeting in December 1994, and allow limited practical tests in order to obtain any other scientific data that might be taken into account by the Council when taking a final decision on the authorisation of BST. No such trials of BST are currently taking place in the UK or any other member state.

  Any plans for other scientific research outside the terms of the moratorium are a matter for the pharmaceutical companies concerned. Such research could be conducted only under the terms of an animal test certificate issued by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, or a Home Office licence.

  Abattoir Industry
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking both domestically and in Europe to assist the British abattoir industry; and what steps he is taking to increase business for that industry. [16656]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: MAFF Ministers support and encourage the work of British abattoirs through frequent trade visits to promote British meat both here and abroad. For example, I recently visited trade fairs in Cologne and Milan, and plan to visit the Paris fair next week.

  On the export front, we continue to work to open up world markets closed to British meat because of unjustified public or animal health concerns. MAFF also encourages good applications for export initiatives to come forward under our marketing development scheme.

  Domestically, for small abattoirs, the UK was instrumental in obtaining less onerous structural requirements and increase in the throughput limits from 12 to 20 livestock units per week under the single market fresh meat directive. More recently, the Government set up the Meat Hygiene Service, which has since April 1995 provided a more consistent, cost-effective inspection service to abattoirs than was possible under the previous local authority arrangements.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Teachers' Superannuation Scheme
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what safeguards will exist to ensure that a successful bidder for the administration of the teachers' superannuation scheme does not use the names of contributors for direct marketing purposes. [15071]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The statement of service requirements which will form part of any contract that we decide to let for the administration of the teachers' superannuation scheme contains the following condition: that the contractor must not use, or allow anyone else to use, any of the information to which he has access through the contract for the purpose of selling other services or products such as personal financial planning, or for any purpose other than administering the TSS.

  Skills Centres
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of the sites formerly used as skills centres have so far been sold by the Skills Training Agency; and how much has been received in total for the sites sold. [15082]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 13 February 1996]: The Skills Training Agency was established as a self-contained agency of the former Department of Employment in 1985. It was transferred into the private sector in 1990. In May 1990 the Government completed the sale of 36 skills centre businesses with associated freehold property interests. Professional advisers were appointed to assist the Department with the disposal of the residual property interests.
  364
  Since May 1990, 15 of the residual sites have been either sold or surrendered to landlords. These were in:
  Leicester, Chesterfield, East Lancs, Chelmsford, Leeds, Wakefield, Edinburgh, Southampton, Slough, Reading, Twickenham, Portsmouth, St. Helens, Cardiff, Deptford.

  Where an outright sale could not be affected, despite prolonged marketing, properties were offered for subletting. Five properties are currently sublet, wholly or in part.

  The total amount received for sales and leases is £14,731,372.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the bodies from which she has received representations in respect of the reduction in the budget of the access to work scheme. [15333]

  Mr. Paice
  A number of letters have been received about the access to work budget. Additional funds have been allocated to this year's budget and planned provision for 1996–97 has been maintained at £12.9 million.

  Travellers and Displaced Persons
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the total amount under section 210 grant for travellers and displaced persons in each year since 1990–91,(a) allocated and (b) paid out to local education authorities under the Education Reform Act 1988. [16462]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Total amounts of grant allocated and spent in each of the years in question are as follows:

  Year

  Supply estimate £

  Amount spent £

  1990–91

  6,068,000

  5,387,405

  1991–92

  7,199,000

  6,542,623

  1992–93

  7,419,000

  7,530,497

  1993–94

  7,644,000

  7,584,642

  1994–95

  7,867,000

  7,802,941

  1995–96

  7,197,000

  1—

  1 Not yet available.

  The figures are for England only. Any underspending in particular years is due to local education authorities failing to take up their available grant allocations in full.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the projected total amount payable to local education authorities in 1996–97 as section 210 grant for travellers and displaced persons, under the Education Reform Act 1988; and what percentage this represents of the grant paid in(a) 1990–91 and (b) 1995–96. [16463]

  Mr. Squire
  The projected total amount of grant payable under this programme to local authorities in 1996–97 is £6,762,000, subject to parliamentary approval of the estimates. This represents a 25 per cent. increase on the grant paid in 1990–91 and 94 per cent. of the total grant allocated in 1995–96.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to supplement the section 210 grant under the Education
  365
  Reform Act 1988 for travellers and displaced persons; and what changes in weighting of the selection 210 grant for travellers and displaced persons have been affected since 1990–91. [16461]

  Mr. Squire
  The financial support provided under this programme, over and above basic educational funding, is pitched at a level which the Government regard as realistic and appropriate. Grant recipients are free to provide supplementary funding of their own, if they deem this a particular local priority. The grant rate in England was set at 75 per cent. in 1990–91. It was reduced to 65 per cent. from 1 April 1995, bringing it more into line with other specific grant programmes.

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to allow private companies to bid for FEFC funding. [16406]

  Mr. Paice
  The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 already allows private companies to obtain funding from the Further Education Funding Council, provided that they are sponsored by an institution within the further education sector. The Government plan to legislate to remove the sponsorship requirements.

  Schools (Staffordshire)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment she has made of the full cost of bringing all schools in Staffordshire up to acceptable standards of repair and maintenance; [16298]

  (2) what assessment has been made, and by whom, of the current state and condition of existing schools and equipment in Staffordshire; [16279]

  (3) which bodies currently have responsibility for ensuring that school buildings and equipment in Staffordshire are kept and maintained in a proper state of repair; [16278]

  (4) what information she has collated in respect of each school in Staffordshire as to the outstanding repairs to buildings and equipment necessary to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. [16280]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Local authorities and school governors are responsible for the upkeep of their schools.

  Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list all deregulation measures relating to schools in Staffordshire; and if she will make a statement on their impact. [16297]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department is currently taking the following deregulatory measures, which relate to all maintained schools:

  the Education (Length of School Day) Deregulation Order 1996, now before Parliament; and

  the proposed new school premises regulations.

  The deregulation order will help speed up the process by which schools may alter the length of their school day. The proposed new school premises regulations will abolish statutory minimum area standards for teaching space and playgrounds giving local authorities and school governors greater flexibility in building management.
  366
  In addition, the Department is working to relieve the administrative burdens on schools caused by the volume and frequency of communications from central Government and their agencies.

  Employment Schemes
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list by region(a) the number of people taking part in the (i) jobplan, (ii) restart and (iii) workwise schemes, (b) the budgets for (i) to (iii), (c) the number and percentage of people who found jobs immediately on completion of (i) to (iii), (d) the number and percentage of people who become unemployed and in receipt of benefit after taking part in (i) to (iii) and (e) the number and percentage of people who become unemployed and are unable to claim benefit after taking part in (i) to (iii) for the last year for which figures are available. [16713]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 26 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about Jobplan, Restart and Workwise schemes.

  These programmes aim to help people who have been unemployed for some time to compete successfully for jobs and opportunities. About 80% of people who become unemployed leave the unemployment register within a year. Those who remain can lose confidence and believe there are few options open to them. These programmes provide a stepping stone towards employment for people at greatest disadvantage in the labour market. It is important that after a long period of unemployment people take time to have a fresh look at their situation and assess their strengths and skills. After 12 months of unemployment people are asked to attend Jobplan, or Workwise if they are aged 18 to 24, unless they take up a place on another Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) programme. Workwise is a new programme which was piloted in 1994/95 and introduced nationally in April 1995/96. The course lasts for four weeks and helps young people to relaunch and refocus their job search.

  Restart Courses are for people who have been unemployed for two years or more. Many of the clients who attend will face very severe difficulties in finding work and so there is a strong emphasis on looking at employers' needs and how clients can 'sell' their strengths and abilities. As a result, clients are then better able to apply for job vacancies, or to select another suitable option which will help them progress towards getting back into work.

  The number of people who started on Jobplan and Restart Courses during 1994/95 and the expenditure on these programmes, by region, is shown in the tables attached. Information on Workwise is currently being collected but as yet a full year's figures are not available.

  Separate details of the numbers going into work were not routinely collected until 1995/96. However, I have instead supplied information on all positive outcomes achieved by Jobplan and Restart Courses during 1994/95. This includes entry into DfEE programmes such as Jobclub and Training for Work as well as job outcomes. Positive outcomes are counted within 13 weeks of participants completing the programme.

  Clients remain on the unemployment register and in receipt of benefit during the time they spend on these programmes. Therefore there is no break in their claim as a result of attending and those who do not take up a job or leave the register for another option continue to be unemployed.

  I hope this is helpful.
  367

  Jobplan performance—operational year April 1994 to March 1995

  Expenditure £

  Starters

  Positive outcomes

  Northern

  1,610,970

  15,821

  3,414 (23 per cent.)

  Y&H

  2,230,355

  21,442

  5,774 (29 per cent.)

  EM&E

  2,445,836

  21,845

  3,036 (15 per cent.)

  London and South East

  10,164,408

  79,919

  21,605 (29 per cent.)

  South West

  2,194,802

  18,864

  4,108 (24 per cent.)

  Wales

  1,273,122

  11,375

  2,635 (25 per cent.)

  West Midlands

  2,456,016

  22,820

  6,765 (33 per cent.)

  North West

  3,450,905

  31,590

  6,083 (21 per cent.)

  Scotland

  2,563,496

  24,712

  6,943 (31 per cent.)

  Total

  28,389,91

  248,388

  60,363 (26 per cent.)

  1. Expenditure includes VAT, fees, fares, marketing and publicity, leader training.

  2. Total positive outcomes are starts into—

  (i) Jobcentre jobs, non-jobcentre jobs and self-employment

  (ii) ES TEC/LEC programmes: jobclub, community action, JIG, JRW, worktrials, JSS, career development loan, PDF

  (iii) Further eduction, Prince's Trust, voluntary work or where activity is being undertaken.

  3. Outcomes are gained within 13 weeks of the end of the course.

  4. Outcomes into jobs were not routinely collected as a separate figure in 1994–95.

  Restart course performance—operational year April 1994 to March 1995

  Expenditure £

  Starters

  Positive outcomes

  Northern

  625,031

  8,335

  1,028 (14 per cent.)

  Y&H

  1,056,168

  13,728

  2,526 (22 per cent.)

  EM&E

  1,206,653

  13,339

  1,506 (13 per cent.)

  London and South East

  4,912,566

  47,191

  9,564 (23 per cent.)

  South West

  1,035,007

  10,959

  1,940 (21 per cent.)

  Wales

  720,008

  6,945

  1,281 (22 per cent.)

  West Midlands

  1,293,884

  14,358

  3,265 (27 per cent.)

  368

  Restart course performance—operational year April 1994 to March 1995

  Expenditure £

  Starters

  Positive outcomes

  North West

  1,664,055

  19,673

  2,963 (18 per cent.)

  Scotland

  1,061,082

  12,592

  2,456 (23 per cent.)

  Total

  13,574,454

  147,120

  226,529 (21 per cent.)

  1. Expenditure includes VAT, fees, fares, marketing and publicity, leader training.

  2. Total positive outcomes are starts into—

  (i) Jobcentre jobs, non-jobcentre jobs and self-employment

  (ii) ES TEC/LEC programmes: jobclub, community action, JIG, JRW, worktrials, JSS, career development loan, PDF

  (iii) Further education, Prince's Trust, voluntary work or where activity is being undertaken.

  3. Outcomes are gained within 13 weeks of the end of the course.

  4. Outcomes into jobs were not routinely collected as a separate figure in 1994–95.

  Awarding Bodies
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the cost to her Department of each of the different awarding bodies. [16413]

  Mr. Paice
  The main examining and awarding bodies are independent commercial organisations that do not rely on grant in aid from the Department for their normal course of business.

  School Premises Regulations 1981
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those local education authorities which responded(a) favourably and (b) unfavourably to proposals in her Department's consultation document issued in August 1995 to abolish the School Premises Regulations 1981. [16834]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The consultation document issued in July 1995 proposed replacing the Education (School Premises) Regulations with new, revised regulations.

  Of the 49 local education authorities that responded during the consultation exercise, the following responded favourably to the proposal that the current school premises regulations should be revised: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Doncaster, East Sussex, Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hounslow, Knowsley, Solihull, Somerset, Stockport, Suffolk, Trafford, Wandsworth and Warwickshire.

  The following authorities responded unfavourably to the proposal that the current regulations should be revised: Kent, Harrow and Sutton.

  School Inspectors
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate she has made of the number of lay inspectors of schools who have not yet participated in a school inspection; [16910]
  369
  (2) how much is being spent in 1995–96 on further training of lay inspectors; and if she will make a statement; [16912]

  (3) how many lay inspectors have been used in inspections in private schools in the last year. [16911]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  These are matters for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  Literacy Levels
  Mr. Cohen:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to collect information on literacy levels on the basis of the definitions in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report, "Literacy, Economy and Society"; and if she will make a statement. [16904]

  Mr. Paice
  Yes.

  The OECD report covers literacy levels for countries which took part in the first stage of the international adult literacy survey. The UK is taking part in the second stage. The Department is helping to fund the survey of UK literacy levels by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. This uses the same definitions as the first stage.

  School Sports Fields (Manchester)
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the value of the land sold by local authorities in the Greater Manchester area formerly used as school sports fields. [17037]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Schools (Administrative Burden)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Government set up an official inquiry into the administrative burden on schools; when she expects it to report; who was on the official inquiry; what were its terms of reference; what was the cost of setting up the inquiry; and when she expects to act on the areas for action which the inquiry team highlights. [15617]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend commissioned the efficiency scrutiny into the administrative burden on schools in December 1994. The report was published on 31 July 1995.

  There were four full-time members of the scrutiny team, who were departmental officials, and three part-time members; two head teachers and one Her Majesty's inspector.

  The terms of reference were:
  To report on, and make recommendations about, the scope to reduce and minimise the burden of bureaucracy on schools. In particular to consider:
  the cumulative administrative burden of all communication with schools by Government and related bodies;
  likely future trends in this burden given current policies;
  the potential benefits for reducing administrative burdens of action to improve internal control mechanisms;
  370
  the scope for improving the nature, format and timing of communications with schools by DFE and other centrally sponsored bodies so as to minimise the administrative burden.

  The cost of the scrutiny was £100,000. Copies of the report are in the Library.

  Action in response to most of the recommendations is already in progress. The Department has established a "Gatekeeper" team to control and reduce the overall flow of communications from the DFEE and related bodies to schools. The team has issued—to DFEE staff and others—guidance on communicating with schools, and has set up an advisory group of heads, teachers and governors to give "customer feedback" on DFEE communications.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many different types of Government audits each TEC has undergone in the Greater London area. [16439]

  Mr. Paice
  During the 12 months ending 20 February 1996, London TECs have participated in the following audits:

  AZTEC:

  Two financial controls audits; one PRF audit; one quality and health and safety audit.

  CENTEC:

  Two financial controls audits; one PRF audit; one quality and health and safety audit; one European Social Fund Audit.

  C1LNTEC:

  One financial controls audit; one PRF audit; one quality and health and safety audit.

  LETEC:

  Two financial control audits; one PRF audit; one quality and health and safety audit.

  NLTEC:

  One financial controls audit; one PRF audit; one quality and health and safety audit.

  NWLTEC:

  Two financial controls audits; one PRF audit; one quality and health and safety audit.

  SOLOTEC:

  One financial controls audit; one PRF audit; one quality and health and safety audit.

  "Jobs: How the UK Compares"
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many copies of "Jobs: How the UK Compares" were printed; how many were distributed and to whom; and what was(a) the cost of printing, (b) the cost of distribution and (c) the total cost. [16440]

  Mr. Forth
  Seven thousand five hundred copies of "Jobs: How the UK Compares" were printed.

  So far, 3,000 copies have been distributed to the United Kingdom embassies of European Union countries, the European Commission, all Members of Parliament, all British Members of the European Parliament, training and enterprise councils; major British companies, and other Government Departments.

  Production costs were £5,050 and distribution added around £500, giving a total of £5,550.

  Head Teachers (Salaries)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many grant-maintained schools fall into each of the school teachers' pay and conditions document groups 1 to 6; and, in each case, how many of the head teachers' salaries fall into each pay spine point in the scale in the last year for which figures are available. [17027]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows the head teachers of grant-maintained schools in England and Wales identified in the Teachers Pensions Agency database of teachers' records on a spine point of at least the minimum for the appropriate school group.

  Head teachers of grant-maintained schools by school group number and spine point—England and Wales—provisional March 1994 data

  School group number

  Spine Point

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  3

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  10

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  3

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  0

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13

  3

  22

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  1

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15

  2

  14

  0

  —

  —

  —

  16

  2

  9

  1

  —

  —

  —

  17

  0

  12

  1

  —

  —

  —

  18

  0

  7

  10

  —

  —

  —

  19

  0

  7

  4

  —

  —

  —

  20

  1

  11

  3

  —

  —

  —

  21

  1

  5

  2

  —

  —

  —

  22

  0

  13

  7

  —

  —

  —

  23

  0

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  24

  0

  0

  8

  1

  —

  —

  25

  0

  4

  9

  1

  —

  —

  26

  0

  1

  4

  6

  —

  —

  27

  0

  0

  5

  1

  —

  —

  28

  0

  0

  6

  1

  —

  —

  29

  0

  0

  10

  4

  —

  —

  30

  0

  1

  1

  22

  —

  —

  31

  0

  0

  1

  8

  3

  —

  32

  0

  0

  2

  9

  1

  —

  33

  0

  0

  1

  7

  4

  —

  34

  0

  0

  2

  14

  26

  —

  35

  0

  0

  0

  8

  7

  —

  36

  0

  1

  1

  4

  13

  —

  37

  0

  0

  1

  11

  20

  —

  38

  1

  0

  0

  3

  49

  7

  39

  0

  1

  0

  4

  16

  0

  40

  0

  0

  0

  0

  38

  6

  41

  0

  0

  1

  1

  24

  7

  42

  0

  0

  0

  0

  28

  5

  43

  0

  0

  0

  0

  13

  10

  44

  0

  0

  0

  0

  41

  15

  45

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  11

  46

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  9

  47

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  6

  48

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  9

  49

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  50

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  51

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  25

  Total

  34

  133

  82

  107

  296

  116

  Nursery Inspectors
  Mr Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 12 February,Official Report, column 441, (1) what are the chief inspector's general criteria relating to suitability for nursery inspectors; [17422]

  (2) if vetting by the police will be included in the general criteria relating to the suitability of funded nursery education inspectors. [17421]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Subject to parliamentary approval, schedule 1 to the Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Bill sets out general criteria for the registration of nursery education inspectors, including that they be fit and proper persons for this task. I expect the chief inspector will use procedures along the lines of those for registration of inspectors under the Education (Schools) Act 1992.

  Training (Expenditure)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total Government expenditure on(a) direct training services, (b) local initiative funds, (c) the old job training scheme, (d) youth training including youth credits and (e) the youth training scheme in each year of their existence since 1971–72. [17460]

  Mr. Paice
  The information requested is contained in the following tables

  Direct Training Services1

  Year2

  Expenditure £ Million

  1971–72

  22.7

  1972–73

  35.5

  1973–74

  49.7

  1974–75

  58.2

  1975–76

  118.6

  1976–77

  183.5

  1977–78

  197.1

  1978–79

  208.9

  1979–80

  229.4

  1980–81

  246.3

  1981–82

  235.1

  1 The figures for direct training services include expenditure for the TOPS programme which cannot now be disaggregated.

  2 Expenditure on training, education and enterprise programmes and administrative cost up to and including 1990–91 is for Great Britain. Expenditure in 1991–92 is for England and Wales and expenditure from 1992–93 is for England only.

  Local Initiatives Fund

  Year1

  Expenditure £ million

  1990–91

  9.9

  1991–92

  48.2

  1992–93

  49.7

  1993–94

  47.7

  1 Expenditure on training, education and enterprise programmes and administrative costs up to and including 1990–91 is for Great Britain. Expenditure in 1991–92 is for England and Wales and expenditure from 1992–93 is for England only.

  373

  Job Training Programme1

  Year2

  Expenditure £ million

  1982–83

  311.1

  1983–84

  240.7

  1984–85

  232.9

  1985–86

  219.4

  1986–87

  286.2

  1987–88

  272.3

  1 The figures given are for the job training programme and include expenditure on the old job training scheme which cannot now be disaggregated. The job training programme was the generic name which covered a range of separate programmes include the old job training scheme.

  2 Expenditure on training, education and enterprise programmes and administrative costs up to and including 1990–91 is for Great Britain. Expenditure in 1991–92 is for England and Wales and expenditure from 1992–93 is for England only.

  Youth Training (including Youth Credits)

  Year1

  Expenditure £ million

  1990–91

  823.4

  1991–92

  746.3

  1992–93

  617.0

  1993–94

  640.1

  1994–95

  647.0

  1 Expenditure on training, education and enterprise programmes and administrative costs up to and including 1990–91 is for Great Britain. Expenditure in 1991–92 is for England and Wales and expenditure from 1992–93 is for England only.

  Youth Training Scheme

  Year1

  Expenditure £ million

  1983–84

  426.8

  1984–85

  836.2

  1985–86

  869.9

  1986–87

  939.1

  1987–88

  1,064.9

  1988–89

  993.2

  1989–90

  976.0

  1 Expenditure on training, education and enterprise programmes and administrative costs up to and including 1990–91 is for Great Britain. Expenditure in 1991–92 is for England and Wales and expenditure from 1992–93 is for England only.

  Schoolchildren (Permanent Exclusions)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schoolchildren were excluded permanently from schools in(a) Coventry and (b) the west midlands in 1995. [17122]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not available centrally.

  The Department is collecting figures on permanent exclusions in the school year 1994–95, through the annual census returns sent to all schools in January. Data should be available by the early autumn.

  Young People (Full-time Education)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged between 16 and 18 years in(a) Coventry and (b) the west
  374
  midlands are in full-time education; and if she will give the figure (i) in real terms and (ii) a percentage of the total number of 16 to 18-year-olds in (a) and (b). [17123]

  Mr. Paice
  Information is available for young people aged 16 and 17 only, and is shown in the following table. The figures relate to the 1993–94 academic year.

  16-year-olds

  17 year-olds

  Number in full-time education

  Percentage of population1

  Number in full-time education

  Percentage of population1

  Coventry

  2,400

  70

  1,900

  49

  West Midlands

  42,000

  70

  34,400

  55

  1 Figures are based on the total population for each relevant age group.

  Nene College
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects Nene college to achieve university status. [17132]

  Mr. Forth
  Nene college does not at present meet the criteria for university status. It is not possible to predict when it will do so.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Stormont (Office Facilities)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which political parties have office facilities in the Stormont estate; what is the budgeted cost for these facilities; to what extent officers of those parties may work for the Government of the Republic of Ireland; and if he will list those bodies contributing to the cost. [15194]

  Mr. Ancram
  Conferencing facilities at Castle buildings have been made available to all of the relevant Northern Ireland parties and the Irish Government, solely for the purposes of the preparatory talks process. To date only four parties—the Alliance party, the Workers party, the Progressive Unionist party and the Ulster Democratic party—have availed themselves of the facilities, although other parties have attended meetings in the building.

  The accommodation is part of the existing Government estate. The additional costs incurred in providing conferencing facilities average approximately £1,900 per month. The staff costs incurred in January were approximately £1,500. From 1 February 1996 staff costs are expected to amount to a total of approximately £4,000 per month.

  These costs are being met entirely by my Department as appropriate expenditure in the search for a comprehensive political settlement.

  Linen Industry
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have been held with the Directorate of the Killyleagh, Rathfriland and Rostrevor spinning mills concerning the future of the linen industry; and what action he plans to take to assist these spinning mills. [15712]
  375
  Mr. Ancram
  There has been a sharp downturn in world demand for linen yarn over the last eight months. Killyleagh Yarns, other linen yarn spinners in Northern Ireland and producers in other European countries have found it necessary to curtail production. The Industrial Development Board is in regular contact with spinners in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland spinning businesses have available to them and are using a range of marketing and trade development schemes administered by the Industrial Development Board.

  Fair Employment Legislation
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps will be taken to incorporate the policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines for the public service into the fair employment legislation. [15713]

  Mr. Ancram
  The policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines have been issued as administrative guidance for Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office. There are no proposals to incorporate these guidelines in legislation.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employers with more than 25 workers have not complied with requirements in respect of the submission of reviews for the Fair Employment Act 1976 in each year from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1995. [15709]

  Mr. Ancram
  There is no requirement on employers with 25 or more employees to submit to the commission reviews under either the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 or the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989.

  Targeting Social Need Initiative
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources will be allocated to Government departments in order to implement the strategic plan for the targeting social need initiative. [15707]

  Mr. Ancram
  Many departmental spending programmes already contribute to the targeting social need initiative and departments are encouraged to direct existing resources in relevant programmes, as far as possible, to areas and people in greatest need. Planned spending over the survey period 1996–99 on making Belfast work and Londonderry initiatives remains substantial and additional funds are being made available for a major hospital redevelopment project in west Belfast. The Government's contribution to the new European Union special programme for peace and reconciliation will also have a positive TSN impact.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will take to ensure that the Departments of(a) Agriculture, (b) Environment, (c) Economic Development and (d) Finance and Personnel publish a targeting social need strategic plan. [15708]

  Mr. Ancram
  All Departments take TSN principles into account in drawing up policies and determined expenditure priorities, but it is for each to decide, in the light of its particular responsibilities, whether it is necessary to develop a strategic plan and, if so, whether to publish it.
  376

  Social Deprivation
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the council areas in Northern Ireland by degree of social deprivation. [15770]

  Sir John Wheeler
  A list of council areas in Northern Ireland by degree of deprivation has been published by the Department of Finance and Personnel in a policy planning and research unit occasional paper, No. 28 of September 1994, entitled "Relative Deprivation in Northern Ireland". Copies of this report have been deposited in the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries.

  Water Supply Pipes
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) percentage and (b) mileage of water main supplies pipes in Northern Ireland are made from asbestos cement. [16033]

  Mr. Moss
  It is estimated that approximately 11 per cent., or 1,400 miles, of water mains in Northern Ireland are made from asbestos cement.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provision under the citizens charter. [16020]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The remit of the Parliamentary Commissioner does not extend to executive non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration investigates complaints of alleged injustice as a consequence of maladministration by Northern Ireland Departments, including their agencies, while the function of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints investigates similar complaints against local and public bodies.

  The current list of executive non-departmental public bodies which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints is as follows:

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  Construction Industry Board

  Council of Catholic Maintained Schools

  Education and Library Boards

  Enterprise Ulster

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Fisheries Conservancy Board

  Labour Relations Agency

  Langanside Corporation

  Livestock and Meat Commission

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  377

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

  Northern Ireland Museums Council

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Trustees of the Ulster Folk and transport Museum

  Trustees of the Ulster Museum

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland.

  There are no executive non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland that are subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  The following executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Independent Commissioner for Police Complaints

  Training School Management Board Rathgael and Whiteabbey.

  The responsibility for the National Audit Office does not extend to the six Northern Ireland Departments, which have their own similarly appointed body—the Northern Ireland Audit Office. The following executive non-departmental public bodies are subject to scrutiny by the NIAO:

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Education and Library Boards

  Enterprise Ulster

  Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  Labour Relations Agency

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment

  Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards

  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Ulster Museum

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland.

  The executive non-departmental public bodies that are subject to the statutory provisions for open government
  378
  are those bodies listed as under the jurisdiction of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints.

  All executive non-departmental public bodies listed in the publication "Public Bodies 1995" are subject to performance indicators and the provisions under the citizens charter. A copy of "Public Bodies 1995" is available in the Library.

  Transfer Examinations
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what analysis has been made of the questions used in the transfer examinations to determine whether either gender has been advantaged by the type of questions on the examination papers. [16254]

  Mr. Ancram
  The questions used in the tests are trialled to seek to ensure that they are free of bias in relation to any factor, including gender. My Department is, however, commissioning an analysis of the responses of pupils to the 1995–96 transfer test.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96 the total number of children involved in transfer procedure; how many were (i) boys and (ii) girls; which grades were obtained; what was the percentage of total entrants awarded each grade; and what was the percentage variation between boys and girls. [16253]

  Mr. Ancram
  The numbers of pupils transferring from primary to secondary education in the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96, analysed by gender, are shown in Table 1:

  Table 1

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Boys

  13,258

  12,976

  13,570

  Girls

  12,164

  12,723

  12,736

  Total

  25,422

  25,699

  26,306

  Tables 2 and 3 show the numbers of pupils who obtained each grade, and the percentage of the entrants for the tests in each year which those numbers represent, analysed by gender.

  Table 2

  Grade

  Boys

  Percentage of test entrants

  Girls

  Percentage of test entrants

  Percentage variation

  1993–94

  A

  3,354

  37.1

  3,378

  36.8

  0.3

  B

  1,170

  12.9

  1,261

  13.7

  0.8

  C

  1,339

  14.8

  1,384

  15.1

  0.3

  D

  3,173

  35.1

  3,168

  34.5

  0.6

  1994–95

  A

  3,049

  34.7

  3,566

  38.0

  3.3

  B

  1,268

  14.4

  1,314

  14.0

  0.4

  C

  1,235

  14.1

  1,332

  14.2

  0.1

  D

  3,235

  36.8

  3,176

  33.8

  3.0

  379

  Table 3

  Grade

  Boys

  Percentage of test entrants

  Girls

  Percentage of test entrants

  Percentage variation

  1995–96

  A

  3,436

  38.5

  3,278

  36.1

  2.4

  B1

  731

  8.2

  723

  8.0

  0.2

  B2

  654

  7.3

  652

  7.2

  0.1

  C1

  662

  7.4

  720

  7.9

  0.5

  C2

  627

  7.0

  673

  7.4

  0.4

  D

  2,805

  31.5

  3,034

  33.4

  1.9

  Action for Community Employment
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present basic wage payable to ACE workers; what has been the basic wage in each year since the ACE scheme became operational; and if he will make a statement on the long-term future of the ACE programme. [16249]

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

  Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 23 February 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your questions about the Action for Community Employment Programme (ACE).
  The Training and Employment Agency does not pay ACE workers a basic wage. Sponsoring organisations receive a grant of £93 per week for each ACE worker employed. Up to £11 of this grant can be used by the sponsor to defray overhead expenses. The balance must be used as a contribution towards paying the local rate for the job being undertaken by the ACE employee. Any shortfall between the grant and the local rate must be met by the sponsor.
  I feel sure you will understand therefore that it is not possible to provide details of the basic wage paid to ACE workers since the scheme became operational.
  You asked also about the long term future of the ACE programme. During 1996 the Agency will undertake an in depth review of the needs of the long term unemployed which will inform the Agency about the programmes and services we currently offer. ACE will, of course, be included in the review and its future and shape will depend upon the outcome.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16532]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  [holding reply 22 February 1996]: No member of my Department saw the report before it was presented to the House.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16499]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: Between 3.30pm and 4.00pm on Thursday 15 February 1996.
  380
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry.[16585]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: On Thursday 15 February 1996, after 3.30pm.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16488]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: If any Ministers did so, that is a matter for them.

  Prisoners (Transfers)
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of the Prison Service in relation to applications for prison transfers to prisons in the country of origin of the applicant. [16233]

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

  Letter from A. D. Shannon to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question regarding Prison Service policy in respect of repatriation of prisoners.
  The repatriation of prisoners to and from the United Kingdom is governed by the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984. Repatriation may be considered where the country to which application is being made is a signatory to the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons or to the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders or has a bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom.
  To be eligible for repatriation a prisoner must have received his final sentence for an offence which must be a criminal offence under the law of the receiving country, by a national of that country or have close family ties there and as a general rule have at least 6 months of his sentence to serve at the time of application. Repatriation requires the consent of both jurisdictions and the prisoner concerned. In considering whether to consent to a repatriation request it has been the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to agree to a transfer where such a move would result in a substantial reduction in time left to serve.

WALES

  NHS Patients (Private Sector Care)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of NHS funding is now used to buy care in the private sector. [15759]

  Mr. Richards
  The annual accounts submitted by health authorities and GP fundholders for 1994–95 show that 1 per cent. of expenditure by health authorities and GP fundholders was used to purchase care in the private sector.

  Modern Apprenticeship Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cost in Wales of the advertising campaign to promote the modern apprenticeship scheme. [15761]

  Mr. Richards
  The modern apprenticeship scheme has been promoted as part of the Department for Education and Employment-funded "Free your Potential" advertising campaign. To date, the Welsh Office has contributed £53,000 for Welsh language press advertising and the provision of information and materials in Welsh.

  The Welsh Office is also contributing £68,383 towards a marketing campaign organised by the training and enterprise councils in Wales to promote modern and accelerated modern apprenticeships to young people and employers.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has issued about the provision of care to elderly people living in the community. [15758]

  Mr. Richards
  The White Paper "Caring for People", Cm 849, and the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 set the policy and legislative framework for community care.

  In addition, the Welsh Office has issued policy guidance to local authorities and the NHS in Wales in respect of their responsibilities for planning, commissioning and providing services in the community. The main areas covered include social care planning, assessment and care management and NHS responsibilities for meeting continuing health care needs, complaints procedures and inspection units.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will introduce provision to enable payments of council tax to be made in 12 monthly instalments. [16060]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No. Billing authorities can establish annual, biannual, weekly or up to 10 monthly instalment payment regimes for council tax.

  Empty Dwellings
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many empty dwellings owned by Government Departments there were in 1995 in Alyn and Deeside. [15762]

  Mr. Hague
  On 1 April 1995, the Welsh Office had 13 empty dwellings in Alyn and Deeside and the Ministry of Defence had 62 dwellings—40 of which were inside the perimeter of RAF Sealand and unable to be let.

  Disability
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 years who(a) are disabled and (b) have learning difficulties are currently in (i) full-time education, (ii) Government-funded training courses, (iii) employment, (iv) none of (i) to (iii), (1) in Wales and (2) in each country. [16187]
  382
  Mr. Richards
  Information is available on a county basis for those with special needs in full-time education and is as follows:

  Full-time education

  Pupils aged 16 and over with a statement of special needs (January 1995)

  Students aged 16 to 18 with Special Education needs at Further Education Institutions (November 1994)

  Clwyd

  149

  39

  Dyfed

  102

  7

  Gwent

  107

  99

  Gwynedd

  33

  19

  Mid Glamorgan

  91

  139

  Powys

  18

  12

  South Glamorgan

  71

  39

  West Glamorgan

  62

  70

  Wales

  633

  424

  Sources:

  LEA STATS2 return; FESR.

  In addition, in December 1994, 43 students aged 16 to 18 on full-time courses at higher education institutions in Wales were recorded as having a disability.

  For Government training schemes, information is not available on a county basis. In 1994–95, 3 per cent. of those starting on youth training or youth credits in Wales had a disability or a health problem.

  Information on the number of young people with disabilities or learning difficulties in employment or in the population as a whole, is not available.

  Breast Cancer Services
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he monitors the effectiveness of the breast cancer screening programme in Wales. [16626]

  Mr. Richards
  The NHS breast screening programme, carried out in Wales by Breast Test Wales, is part of a 10-year UK evaluation to determine the contribution of screening in reducing the mortality rate from breast cancer. It commenced in 1989 and is scheduled for completion in 1999. Evaluation of its success is a continuous process monitored by the UK co-ordinating office with contributions from Breast Test Wales. Additionally, breast Test Wales activities are the subject of annual review by the Department.

  Neath Hospital (Obstetrics Service)
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what remaining obstacles exist to agreeing the proposal by West Glamorgan health authority to retain a full on-site consultant-led obstetrics service at Neath hospital and its planned successor. [16333]

  Mr. Richards
  There are a number of issues relating mainly to clinical safety that are being addressed by the chairman designate of the Morgannwg health authority and his team.

  They have been asked to come forward in early March with firm proposals for the provision of maternity services.

  Business Contact Service
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what considerations led him to require a charge to be paid by business people using the business contact service; what plans he has for introducing a freephone service for business people in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [15881]

  Mr. Hague
  Quality of service, cost-effectiveness and ease of access to the local network of business information and advisory services were the main considerations behind the decision to adopt the 0345 local call rate system for business connect. This all-Wales service was launched in January and its operation will be kept under review.

  Water Levels
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Wales region of the National Rivers Authority and Welsh Water-Dwr Cymru as regards the authority's warning on reservoir levels in north Wales, and if he will make a statement. [17080]

  Mr. Hague
  None. Throughout the past 12 months, both Dwr Cymru and the National Rivers Authority—Welsh region have kept my officials fully informed of reservoir levels throughout Wales and the remedial measures required to safeguard water supplies.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposed departmental staff reductions on the auditing of expenditure of grant-maintained schools. [17082]

  Mr. Hague
  The Welsh Office does not undertake the external audit of grant-maintained schools. It is the responsibility of the governing body of each grant-maintained school to ensure that its accounts are audited annually by external auditors appointed under arrangements laid down by the Secretary of State.

  Departmental Staff Reductions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed staff reductions on the target times for processing (i) agricultural grant applications, (ii) industrial assistance grants made the Industry Act 1972, (iii) export advice and (iv) miscellaneous inquiries; [17081]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposed departmental staff reductions on the processing of complaints by (a) members of the public and (b) hon. Members of Parliament in terms of target times for responses. [17079]

  Mr. Hague
  The running cost reductions in the Welsh Office, which are broadly in line with most other Departments, reflect the Government's firm commitment to control public expenditure.

  My Department is currently working through the full implications of the planned staffing reductions, with a view to ensuring that it will continue to provide high quality services at minimum cost to the taxpayer.
  384

  Powered Wheelchairs
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what expenditure has been incurred by health authorities in Wales for the purchase of electrically powered indoor wheelchairs in each of the last three years; [17013]

  (2) how many people have been provided with electrically powered indoor wheelchairs by health authorities in each of the last three years; [17193]

  (3) what is the most recent figure available for the cost of providing an individual with an electrically powered indoor wheelchair. [17190]

  Mr. Richards
  Responsibility for the supply of electrically powered indoor wheelchairs in Wales rests with the artificial limb and appliance service, which is managed by the Welsh health common services authority under its chief executive Nigel Kirk. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Mr. Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the most recent figure available for the cost of providing an individual with an electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchair; [17000]

  (2) how many people have been provided with electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs by health authorities in each of the last three years; [17011]

  (3) what expenditure has been incurred by health authorities in Wales for the purchase of electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs in each of the last three years. [17187]

  Mr. Richards
  The provision of indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many grant-maintained(a) primary and (b) secondary schools fall into each of the school teachers' pay and conditions document school groups; and, in each case, how many head teachers' salaries fall into each pay spine point on the scale in the last year for which figures are available. [17345]

  Mr. Richards
  The table shows the head teachers of grant-maintained schools in England and Wales identified in the Teacher's Pensions Agency database of teachers' records on a spine point of at least the minimum for the appropriate school group. Separate figures for primary and secondary schools and for Wales are not shown because detailed information for such a small number of individuals within certain school groups could disclose individual head teachers's salary details.

  Head teachers of grant-maintained schools by school group number and spine point—England and Wales—provisional March 1994 data

  School group number

  Spine point

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  3

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  385

  Head teachers of grant-maintained schools by school group number and spine point—England and Wales—provisional March 1994 data

  School group number

  Spine point

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  8

  10

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  3

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1

  5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  0

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13

  3

  22

  —

  —

  —

  —

  14

  1

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15

  2

  14

  0

  —

  —

  —

  16

  2

  9

  1

  —

  —

  —

  17

  0

  12

  1

  —

  —

  —

  18

  0

  7

  10

  —

  —

  —

  19

  0

  7

  4

  —

  —

  —

  20

  1

  11

  3

  —

  —

  —

  21

  1

  5

  2

  —

  —

  —

  22

  0

  13

  7

  —

  —

  —

  23

  0

  2

  2

  2

  —

  —

  24

  0

  0

  8

  1

  —

  —

  25

  0

  4

  9

  1

  —

  —

  26

  0

  1

  4

  6

  —

  —

  27

  0

  0

  5

  1

  —

  —

  28

  0

  0

  6

  1

  —

  —

  29

  0

  0

  10

  4

  —

  —

  30

  0

  1

  1

  22

  —

  —

  31

  0

  0

  1

  8

  3

  —

  32

  0

  0

  2

  9

  1

  —

  33

  0

  0

  1

  7

  4

  —

  34

  0

  0

  2

  14

  26

  —

  35

  0

  0

  0

  8

  7

  —

  36

  0

  1

  1

  4

  13

  —

  37

  0

  0

  1

  11

  20

  —

  38

  1

  0

  0

  3

  49

  7

  39

  0

  1

  0

  4

  16

  0

  40

  0

  0

  0

  0

  38

  6

  41

  0

  0

  1

  1

  24

  7

  42

  0

  0

  0

  0

  28

  5

  43

  0

  0

  0

  0

  13

  10

  44

  0

  0

  0

  0

  41

  15

  45

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  11

  46

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  9

  47

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  6

  48

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  9

  49

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  50

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  51

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  25

  Total

  34

  133

  82

  107

  296

  116

SCOTLAND

  Court Service
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many trials there were in the district court during 1995; and if he will indicate the total number of adjournments of trials in the district court, the reason for these adjournments, and if they were at the instance of the prosecution or the defence. [15862]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Using information provided by procurator fiscal offices, in 1995 there were 5,451 trials in district courts of which 899 were before a stipendiary magistrate court. Information is not collected centrally on adjournments at district courts.

  Prisoners (Health)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many prisoners in prisons in Scotland are currently known to be terminally ill; and what information is available as to the cause of the terminal illnesses; [16697]

  (2) what provision is available to prisoners in Scotland for therapeutic and psychological follow up in the case of positive results in tests for transmissible diseases; [16688]

  (3) how many nurses and doctors are employed in the prison service in Scotland per 100 inmates; [16686]

  (4) what steps are taken to prevent discrimination against prisoners in Scotland with specific health problems; [16699]

  (5) what specific provisions are made for those prisoners in Scotland known to be terminally ill; [16698]

  (6) what regular medical checks prisoners in prison in Scotland receive; and what systematic checks are carried out for transmissible diseases; [16685]

  (7) what policies the prison service in Scotland has concerning the prevention of transmissible or contagious diseases (a) in general and (b) in respect of specific outbreaks; [16681]

  (8) what percentage of the total annual budget for prisons in Scotland is designated for health care: [16700]

  (9) what steps are taken to ensure the confidentiality of medical checks on prisoners in Scotland, including where a case of a transmissible disease is identified; [16687]

  (10) how many prisoners died in prison in Scotland in each year since 1992; and of these deaths how many were (a) self-inflicted, (b) accidental, (c) homicides, (d) due to disease, (e) due to AIDS, (f) due to tuberculosis, (g) due to cancer and (h) due to vascular and heart disease. [16683]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of the questions relate to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated 26 February 1996:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your questions about health matters in Scottish Prisons.
  The Scottish Prison Service has since the mid-1980s encouraged prisoners, where appropriate, to undergo testing for transmissible diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis. Where appropriate, prisoners are also encouraged to have tests for other transmissible conditions such as venereal disease. In all cases arrangements are made to ensure that the prisoner understands the purpose of the test prior to its being undertaken. Prisoners are offered psychological counselling and support when the result becomes available if they so desire. Those who do test positive for diseases which require treatment are then encouraged to undergo regular health checks in order that any deterioration in their physical and mental well-being is minimised. Where appropriate such monitoring is carried out within the prison setting but where necessary the prisoner may be sent to an appropriate facility within the NHS. The Scottish Prison Service has at no time pursued a policy of segregation for prisoners who have been found to be positive with HIV.
  The Scottish Prison Service offers medical checks as appropriate to prisoners for a variety of conditions including coronary vascular disease, asthma and diabetes. Appropriate measures are taken to minimise the risk of spread of HIV and Hepatitis by a variety of means including awareness counselling and the provision of bleach.

  387
  Health and hygiene measures are in place to prevent the spread of other diseases. In any instance where there is an outbreak of transmissible disease the Service's Medical Adviser initiates extra measures to provide support to staff and prisoners. All steps are taken to ensure medical confidentiality and no information is imparted to any third party without the prisoner's permission.
  Records are not kept centrally of the number of prisoners who are terminally ill. For those prisoners who are in the terminal stage of an illness Section 3(1) of the Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 makes provision for the Secretary of State to grant early release on compassionate grounds.
  SPS policy is to deliver a standard of primary care equal to that which an individual receives in the community. Just over 3% of the total Scottish Prison Service total annual budget is devoted to health care. Medical officers in Scottish prisons are usually general practitioners appointed part-time. There are at present 3 full-time medical officers and provision for 28 part-time medical officers. In addition, we have 142 nursing staff, including nursing managers, clinical supervisors, practitioner nurses and a small number of health care assistants. This is equivalent to approximately 2.5 nursing staff per 100 prisoners. Because the medical staff are part-time and offer variable numbers of hours in their contracts each month, it is not practical to calculate a ratio of doctors to prisoners.
  Finally, the information you asked for on prisoner deaths in Scotland in each year since 1992 and the causes is as follows:

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Self-inflicted

  9

  5

  16

  10

  Accidental (including overdoses)

  —

  2

  2

  —

  AIDS/HIV

  —

  —

  1

  1

  TB

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cancer

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Vascular/Heart Disease

  2

  1

  3

  1

  Other Disease

  2

  1

  3

  2

  Homicide

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Cairngorm Funicular Railway
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost to public funds per job for the proposed funicular railway development on the Cairngorm plateau. [16267]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The amount of public funds which might be made available for the proposed construction of a funicular railway in the Cairngorms area have yet to be determined.

  Census Data
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the 1991 census data will be available on the basis of the new parliamentary constituencies in Scotland. [16457]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  On current plans, 1991 census data for the new parliamentary constituencies will be available in September 1996.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16584]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: When it was presented to the House of Commons.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16498]
  388
  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: During the morning of Friday 16 February 1996.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16533]

  Mr. Forsyth
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: No one in my Department saw the report before it was presented to the House.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16489]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Thursday 22 February 1996,Official Report, column 239.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the total amount of national lottery awards by(a) English county, (b) Scottish region and (c) Welsh county to date. [15448]

  Mr. Sproat
  Figures for national lottery funds broken down by county areas are not currently available. The Department of National Heritage is currently developing a lottery database that will make these figures available.

  A report on the distribution of national lottery proceeds is placed in the Library of the House each month, which includes a breakdown of awards made by region. The February edition will be placed in the Library of the House in early March.

  British Library
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what date she agreed the report of the National Audit Office on the British Library. [16212]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department's officials have been co-operating with the National Audit Office examination of the construction project. It is for the Comptroller and Auditor General to determine the date of publication and we understand that he expects to publish his report in the spring.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16181]
  389
  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: The information is as follows:

  (a)

  British library

  British museum

  British Tourist Authority

  Broadcasting Complaints Commission

  Broadcasting Standards Council

  English Heritage

  Football Licensing Authority

  Imperial war museum

  Millennium Commission

  Museum of London

  National gallery

  National heritage memorial fund

  National maritime museum

  National museums and galleries on Merseyside

  National portrait gallery

  National museum of science and technology

  Natural history museum

  Public Lending Right Registrar

  Royal armouries

  Tate gallery

  Victoria and Albert museum

  Wallace collection

  (b) None.

  (c) None holds formal open board meetings for the public, although many engage in regular dialogue with, or arrange informal events for, members of the public to discuss matters of policy.

  Isle of Wight (Expenditure)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the total expenditure by her Department in 1994–95 on the Isle of Wight, broken down by category. [16773]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department recorded expenditure of £395,020.84 on the Isle of Wight in 1994–95. This related to Osborne house convalescent home; the following table provides the available expenditure breakdown.

  £

  i. Payments to the Civil Servants Benevolent Fund:

  Reimbursement of deficit

  359,490.39

  Furniture and equipment

  35,000.00

  ii. Payments to Medina Borough Council:

  Council Tax

  530.45

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to her office. [16492]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: During the afternoon of Friday 16 February 1996.
  390
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the members of her Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16521]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: None.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16597]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: On Thursday 15 February 1996.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which Ministers in her Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16485]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: None.

  Television Licences
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage in what circumstances the owner of two households is required to purchase a television licence for only one property when a television is being used at both properties; and what is the estimated extra revenue that would be generated by making a television licence compulsory for every household where a television is used. [16064]

  Mr. Sproat
  A person may not instal or use a television set except under authority of a television licence, which is generally valid at the single place specified in the licence. However, there has been a practice whereby the Licensing Authority has permitted people owning second homes not to notify temporary changes of address when moving between those homes, and thus not to hold a second television licence, provided that they confirm that no use of television ever occurs simultaneously in both homes. This practice is currently under review by the BBC, which has responsibility for administration of the television licensing system and determination of licensing requirements in individual cases. We understand that the BBC hopes to be able to make an announcement shortly. No accurate figures are available for the number of second homes in which television is installed. However, there are approximately 38,000 second homes with television for which, by agreement with the licensing authority, no second licence is currently held. If a full colour television licence were to be taken out for each such home, this would raise about £3 million in extra revenue.

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when regulations will be laid to bring into effect the television licence fee increases from 1 April. [17728]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  On 14 December 1995,Official Report, column 753, my hon. Friend the Minister of State announced that, from 1 April 1996, the fee for a colour television licence would increase to £89.50 and that for a black and white licence to £30. The regulations necessary to bring these fees into force were laid before Parliament on Friday 23 February.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Doctors and Nurses
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nurses and doctors are employed within the Prison Service per 100 inmates. [16702]

  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. Neil Gerrard, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of nurses and doctors employed within the Prison Service per 100 inmates.
  Information on the whole time equivalents of part time health care staff, which would alow an accurate comparison per 100 inmates, is not available centrally.
  The available information is set out in the table below.

  Numbers of full time and part time Health Care Staff (excluding Health Care Governors)

  Staff

  Number

  Doctors

  270

  Nursing grades

  600

  Health Care Officers

  1,037

  Total

  1,907

  The prison population as at 21 February was 53,040.

  Hertfordshire Probation and Bail Hostel
  Mr. Garel-Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received to the proposed closure of the Hertfordshire probation and bail hostel in Watford; how many letters have been received about the proposed closure and if he will list them; and how many and what proportion are(a) in favour of closure and (b) opposed. [16630]

  Mr. Sackville
  Representations have been received from five Members of Parliament, the chairman of Hertfordshire probation committee, the Bishop of Hertford, the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, the high sheriff of Hertfordshire, the chairmen of the North Hertfordshire, Watford and St. Albans benches; the secretary of the south-west Hertfordshire young homeless group, the right noble Lord Parkinson of Carnforth and his honour Judge Colston QC. All these representations were opposed to the closure of the hostel.

  However, in view of the sub-standard condition of the hostel and the fact that, over the last year, it has on average been two-thirds occupied, my right hon. and learned Friend decided last month that the hostel should close shortly.

  Prisoners (Deaths)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners died in prison in England and Wales in each year since 1992; and of these deaths how many were(a) self-inflicted, (b) accidental, (c) homicides, (d) due to disease, (e) due to AIDS, (D due to tuberculosis, (g) due to cancer and (h) due to vascular and heart disease. [16682]
  392
  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. Neil Gerrard, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about deaths in prison custody in England and Wales since 1992.
  The detailed information requested is not recorded centrally. The attached table gives the number of deaths for each year since 1992 broken down into self-inflicted, natural causes, accidental deaths and murders.

  Cause of death

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Self-inflicted

  41

  47

  62

  60

  Natural causes

  34

  42

  43

  56

  Accidental death

  4

  3

  0

  0

  Murder

  2

  2

  3

  1

  Total

  81

  94

  108

  117

  Note:

  These figures do not include deaths of prisoners which occurred outside of prison, for example on home leave or while unlawfully at large.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of suicides in prisons in England and Wales since 1 January. [16321]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the total number of suicides in prisons in England and Wales since 1 January.
  There have been 11 self inflicted deaths between 1 January and 21 February 1996. No inquests have yet been held into any of these deaths.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of suicides in prisons in England and Wales during 1995. [16319]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the total number of suicides in prisons in England and Wales during 1995.
  There were 60 self-inflicted deaths in 1995. Inquest verdicts were: suicide (27), open verdicts (6), accidental deaths (3) natural causes (1). Inquests are still awaited in 23 cases.

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the proposed prison budget for Wandsworth prison for 1996; and what it was for each year since 1990. [16244]
  393
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the budget allocations for Wandsworth prison between 1990 and 1996.
  Prison Service budgets are allocated to prisons in financial years rather than in calendar years. The table below therefore gives details of the budgets for the financial years 1991–92 to 1996–97.

  Financial year

  Budget allocation £

  1991–92

  14,201,000

  1992–93

  16,303,220

  1993–94

  21,027,624

  1994–95

  21,201,390

  1995–96

  21,516,600

  1996–97

  20,353,000

  1 Proposed. It is not possible to provide a budget figure for 1990–91 as reliable records are not available for that year.

  Prostitution
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in England and Wales as to the age of young girls soliciting for prostitution on the public highway; what has been the location of each such survey; and if he will make a statement. [16255]

  Mr. Maclean
  As part of an evaluation of a multi-agency initiative to reduce prostitution in Streatham, south London, an analysis was carried out of the details held on police files about prostitutes operating in the area in 1989–90. The ages of the women ranged from 16 to 48 years. Twenty-seven per cent. of the prostitutes were aged under 20, 50 per cent. were between 20 and 30 and 23 per cent. were over 30. A copy of this study, by Roger Matthews, is available in the Library.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many girls between the ages of 14 and 17 years have been charged with soliciting for prostitution in each of the last five years in England and Wales. [16256]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is given in the table:

  The number of females aged 14 to 17 prosecuted for offences of 'a common prostitute loitering or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution'1

  England and Wales

  Number of females

  Number of prosecutions

  1990

  396

  1991

  337

  1992

  283

  1993

  139

  1994

  186

  1 An offence under section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of(a) men and
  394
  (b) women charged with and convicted of living on immoral earnings in England and Wales in each of the last five years; how many were sent to prison; and how many were fined. [16257]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is given in the table:

  The number of males and females prosecuted, the number found guilty and of those sentenced, the number fined and the number sentenced to immediate custody for selected offences, England and Wales 1990–94

  England and Wales

  Number of persons

  Offence description

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  LIVING ON EARNINGS OF EXERCISING CONTROL, OVER PROSTITUTE1

  Prosecutions

  Males

  73

  87

  89

  63

  78

  Females

  20

  19

  21

  9

  20

  Total found guilty

  Males

  62

  68

  58

  42

  60

  Females

  14

  11

  12

  7

  10

  Fined

  Males

  15

  16

  10

  10

  13

  Females

  10

  6

  6

  1

  2

  Sentenced to immediate

  custody

  Males

  22

  31

  21

  22

  21

  Females

  —

  2

  —

  1

  3

  MAN OR WOMAN LIVING WHOLLY OR IN PART ON THE EARNINGS OF MALE PROSTITUTION2

  Prosecutions

  Males

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Total found guilty

  Males

  23

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Fined

  Males

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Sentenced to immediate

  custody

  Males

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Females

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 An offence under sections 30 and 31 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956.

  2 An offence under section 5(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1967.

  3 The proceedings at magistrates courts which lead to offender being found guilty in the Crown court are not necessarily recorded in the same calendar year.

  Wormwood Scrubs Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is to be the prison budget for Wormwood Scrubs prison for 1996; and what was it for each of the years 1990 to 1995. [16320]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me. in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Wormwood Scrubs prison.
  Prison Service budgets are allocated to prisons in financial years rather than in calendar years. The table below therefore gives details of budgets for the financial years 1991–92 to 1996–97.

  395

  Financial year

  Budget allocation £

  1991–92

  14,652,000

  1992–93

  15,596,000

  1993–94

  20,299,000

  1994–95

  20,359,000

  1995–96

  19,801,000

  1996–97

  120,132,000

  1 Proposed. It is not possible to provide a budget figure for 1990— 91 as reliable records are not available for that year.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16012]

  Mr. Howard
  The answer is:

  (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration:

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Data Protection Registrar

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission: none; the Audit Commission has responsibility only for local government;

  (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office:

  Community Development Foundation

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Data Protection Registrar

  Gaming Board for Great Britain

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Police Complaints Authority

  (d) statutory provisions for open government: the following executive non-departmental public bodies are required by statute to publish annual reports:

  Alcohol Education and Research Council

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Gaming Board for Great Britain

  Horserace Betting Levy Board

  Horserace Totalisator Board

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Data Protection Registrar

  Police Complaints Authority

  Those NDPBs that are subject to scrutiny by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are also subject to the code of practice on open government, and other NDPBs are being asked to develop codes of practice on similar lines.

  (e) performance indicators: NDPBs are encouraged, wherever appropriate, to develop performance indicators and associated targets and to publish these.
  396
  (f) provisions under the citizen's charter: those executive NDPBs which offer a service to the public are encouraged to adopt the principles set out in the citizens charter and to publicise how these are being reflected in their working arrangements—for instance, the Commission for Racial Equality has published a statement and the Gaming Board has published customer service targets in its annual report.

  Prison Service (Director General)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the position of the Director General of the Prison Service was advertised, when is the closing date for applications; and what is the number of applicants who have so far applied. [16043]

  Mr. Howard
  The position has not been advertised.

  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to appoint a new Director General of the Prison Service. [16189]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 5 December 1995 at column 204.

  Prison Transfers
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for prison transfers from prisons in(a) England and (b) Wales to (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) the Republic of Ireland and (iii) elsewhere are currently under consideration; and in each category how many applications have been (1) approved and (2) denied in each of the past 10 years; [16231]

  (2) if he will approve outstanding prison transfer applications for Irish prisoners wishing to return to prisons in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the Republic of Ireland. [16232]

  Miss Widdecombe
  England and Wales are treated as one jurisdiction and separate figures are not held. Repatriation to the Republic of Ireland was not possible until the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons came into force for the Republic on 1 November 1995. Information on applications received before this date is not recorded. Available information for the past 10 years is given in the table:

  Transfer of prisoners from England and Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Other United Kingdom and foreign jurisdictions

  Transferred

  Refusal

  Transferred

  Refusal

  1986

  3

  1

  0

  0

  1987

  3

  7

  0

  0

  1988

  9

  8

  41

  15

  1989

  15

  40

  47

  17

  1990

  13

  36

  42

  13

  1991

  28

  30

  45

  19

  1992

  20

  24

  56

  16

  1993

  8

  9

  35

  18

  1994

  21

  16

  27

  40

  1995

  16

  8

  47

  73

  On 22 February, 25 requests for transfer to Northern Ireland, 69 requests for repatriation to the Republic of Ireland and 91 requests for transfer to other United

  397
  Kingdom or foreign jurisdictions were under consideration. All outstanding requests will be determined on their individual merits. To date, no application for repatriation to the Republic of Ireland has been determined.

  Fire Services
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to carry out investigations in relation to(a) backdraft, (b) flashover and (c) positive pressure ventilation with a view to increasing the safety of firefighters; and if he will make a statement. [16615]

  (2) what investigations are currently being carried out in relation to (a) backdraft, (b) flashover and (c) positive pressure ventilation with a view to increasing the safety of firefighters. [16614]

  Mr. Sackville
  A Home Office fire research and development group study on flashover and backdraft was published in 1994. Following this research, a supplement to the manual of firemanship entitled "The Behaviour of Fire—Compartment Fires" was published in February 1995. The supplement provides advice and details on the potential for flashover and backdraft. Firefighting tactics most likely to avert or reduce any potential danger are also described.

  A further supplement, "Ventilation of Buildings and Structures", is being drafted. This will provide information on the use of ventilation, including operational experience in the United States of America, set in a United Kingdom firefighting context.

  A group of representatives of the professional bodies concerned with operational firefighting, including Her Majesty's fire service inspectorate, the Fire Brigades Union and the chief and assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association will be meeting soon to consider what further research, training or advice might be appropriate.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many fire appliances attended the blaze at Blue Anchor lane, Bermondsey, London SE16 on Tuesday 13 February; at what times the first appliance arrived and the last appliance left; how many appliances arrived within five minutes of being summoned, and how many arrived within 10 minutes of being summoned; from which stations appliances were sent; and how many firefighters attended; [15839]

  (2) when the first firefighter reliefs were called out to attend the site of the IRA bombing on Friday 9 February; when the first firefighter reliefs arrived and when the firefighter reliefs left; and from which fire stations they were called out. [15840]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 19 February 1996]: The deployment of appliances is an operational matter for the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority. I would be grateful, therefore, if the hon. Member would contact the chief officer for the details that she seeks.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of information systems in the fire service. [16671]
  398
  Mr. Sackville
  Fire brigades make much use of information systems, both operationally and for administrative purposes, but the extent of such use in particular brigade areas is a matter for each individual fire authority.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of incidents attended by the fire service in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [16673]

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of incidents attended by the fire service in England and Wales for 1989 to 1994 is given on page 23 of Cm 2998, "Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales", presented to Parliament by my right hon. and learned Friend in October 1995 and available in the Library.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current operational assessment of the number of calls per year to be expected in each fire service area; in what year the assessments were last made; what was the actual number of calls received in each fire service area for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [16677]

  Mr. Sackville
  No such assessment has been made. The numbers of fire calls and fire false alarm calls attended by local authority fire brigades in 1993 are given on pages 162 and 52 respectively of the Home Office publication, "Fire Statistics—United Kingdom 1993", which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning(a) fire service pensions, (b) fire service training, (c) fire service capital investment and (d) standards of fire service cover in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [16670]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of such representations during the past year. All these subjects have been considered.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change to fire service recommended attendance standards are planned; and if he will make a statement. [16672]

  Mr. Sackville
  The nationally agreed standards of fire cover, which are expressed in terms of required attendance times, are under review by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council. This is in line with a recommendation by the Audit Commission in its recent value for money study on the fire service.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all European Community directives which relate to fire services and fire safety measures, the dates they were implemented and the deadlines for implementation; and if he will outline the key requirements of any directive. [16657]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information regarding implementation of European Council directives relating to fire services and fire safety measures is shown in the table.

  The health and non-fire safety provisions of the framework and workplace directives were implemented on 1 January 1993. An announcement about

  399
  implementation of the outstanding fire safety provisions of these directives will be made shortly. The regulations implementing the safety signs directive include an extended transitional provision for the introduction of fire safety signs.

  The framework directive requires the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the health and safety of workers at work. In particular, it requires that employers shall make an assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees. The other directives listed set out more specific health and safety requirements.

  Working title

  EC reference

  Date of implementation1

  Deadline for implementation2

  Framework directive

  89/391/EEC

  1 January 1993

  1 January 1993

  Workplace directive

  89/654/EEC

  1 January 1993

  1 January 1993

  Construction sites directive

  92/57/EEC

  31 March 1995

  1 January 1994

  Safety signs directive

  92/58/EEC

  1 April 1996

  24 December 1994

  Boreholes Directive

  92/91/EEC

  1 October 1995

  3 November 1994

  Mines and quarries directive

  92/104/EEC

  26 October 1995

  3 December 1994

  1 The date of implementation identifies the earliest date on which regulations came into force implementing some or all of the requirements of the directive.

  1 The EC deadline for implementation indicates the date from when implementing regulations should he in force.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a funding allocation for fire safety campaigning conducted by fire brigades; and if he will make a statement. [16658]

  Mr. Sackville
  The fire standard spending assessment distributional formula for England has been adjusted for 1996–97 to include indicators to reflect the work that fire brigades do on fire safety enforcement and education.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has conducted on the relationship between fire prevention campaigning and levels of deaths and injuries caused by fire; and if he will make a statement. [16659]

  Mr. Sackville
  Research is carried out following each national campaign to determine whether its message has been understood. It is difficult to establish a direct casual link between fire safety publicity and reductions in fire casualties. A number of factors can affect trends in fire casualties. However, the fact that the latest available statistics show fire deaths at their lowest level for 30 years may be due to the effectiveness of fire safety campaigns, and fire prevention work carried out by fire brigades.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a statutory requirement for fire safety campaigning to be conducted by fire brigades; and if he will make a statement. [16663]

  Mr. Sackville
  Brigades are already aware of importance of education and publicity in preventing fires; and several have conducted some very successful local campaigns. Moreover, the Government have very recently recognised the importance of this work by including a fire safety education factor in the formula used for calculating standard spending assessments for the fire service. But the question of whether or not it would be appropriate to introduce a statutory duty is still under review. Following last year's recommendation by the Audit Commission in 400
  its report, "In the Line of Fire", the matter is being considered by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council, which includes representatives of both fire authorities and the fire service. We will look very carefully at whatever advice they may offer.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the percentage of fire service budgets allocated to pensions provisions for the last year for which figures are available; what is the projected percentage of the fire service total budget to be allocated to pension provision by the year 2000; and if he will make a statement. [16664]

  Mr. Sackville
  Returns from fire authorities in England show that for the year 1993–94, net expenditure on firefighters' pensions represented 12 per cent. of the total fire service revenue expenditure. Over recent years, there has been a generally upward trend in the proportion of pensions expenditure against total expenditure for fire brigades. This trend is expected to continue in the short term.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the percentage of fire service budgets allocated to pensions provisions for the last year for which figures are available; what is the projected percentage of the fire service total budget to be allocated to pension provision by the year 2000; and if he will make a statement. [16664]

  Mr. Sackville
  Returns from fire authorities in England show that for the year 1993–94, net expenditure on firefighters' pensions represented 12 per cent. of the total fire service revenue expenditure. Over recent years, there has been a generally upward trend in the proportion of pensions expenditure against total expenditure for fire brigades. This trend is expected to continue in the short term.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of the transition to new combined authorities for fire services; and if he will make a statement. [16666]

  Mr. Sackville
  To date, seven combined fire authorities have been established for England and Wales. At present, they are operating as shadow authorities in preparation for taking over their full functions from 1 April. More combined fire authorities will be established over the next two years as local government reorganisation takes effect in other areas of England. Supplementary credit approvals of up to £3.875 million have been provisionally set aside by the Home Office to meet the transitional costs which may arise in respect of combined fire authorities in England and Wales during 1996–97.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total budget allocation to training in the fire service for each of the last five years for which figures are available; what is the predicted total budget allocated to training in the fire service for the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [16667]

  Mr. Sackville
  These figures are not held centrally. It is for each fire authority to set a budget for training which ensures that it fulfils its statutory obligations under the Fire Services Act 1947.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on fire service pensions. [16668]

  Mr. Sackville
  A review of the firefighters' pension scheme was announced in March 1994. The review group's terms of reference require it to identify ways in which the scheme could be made more comparable to other public service schemes. I hope that it will be possible to circulate a consultation document to the fire service organisations shortly.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total capital investment in the fire service for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [16669]
  401
  Mr. Sackville
  Total capital expenditure (gross) in respect of the fire service in England and Wales was as follows:

  £ million

  Outturn

  1990–91

  52.865

  1991–92

  55.700

  1992–93

  64.195

  1993–94

  70.726

  1994–95 (provisional)

  72.377

  Prisons (Assaults)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average assault rate in each prison for the first six months of the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [16674]

  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. Alex Carlile, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the average assault rate in each prison for the first six months of the current financial year.
  The information requested is provided in the attached tables, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Rates of assault1 per 100 population, by Male establishments: April 1995-September2 1995

  MALES

  Assault rate per 100 population

  Staff/others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Local prisons and remand centres1

  5.1

  4.6

  9.7

  Remand centres

  7.7

  15.3

  22.9

  Brinsford

  7.2

  9.2

  16.3

  Dorchester

  11.6

  5.8

  17.4

  Exeter

  9.5

  9.5

  19.0

  Feltham

  16.0

  20.9

  36.9

  Glen Parva

  7.0

  17.9

  24.9

  Gloucester

  11.0

  23.5

  34.5

  Haslar

  0.9

  0.0

  0.9

  Hindley

  3.7

  21.3

  25.1

  Lancaster Farms

  1.7

  16.0

  17.7

  Low Newton

  2.5

  9.4

  11.9

  Northallerton

  7.1

  9.9

  16.9

  Norwich

  10.1

  27.7

  37.7

  Reading

  11.8

  11.0

  22.7

  Rochester

  8.8

  16.4

  25.2

  Stoke Heath

  13.1

  13.1

  26.1

  Swansea

  12.1

  121.2

  133.3

  Wood Hill

  8.9

  11.1

  20.0

  Local prisons

  4.7

  3.0

  7.7

  Bedford

  1.8

  0.9

  2.7

  Belmarsh

  9.2

  3.1

  12.3

  Birmingham

  3.4

  2.5

  5.9

  Blakenhurst

  9.8

  1.7

  11.5

  Bristol

  1.6

  5.9

  7.5

  Brixton

  6.0

  1.3

  7.3

  Bullingdon

  9.5

  2.9

  12.3

  Camp Hill

  0.0

  7.0

  7.0

  Canterbury

  5.1

  3.1

  8.2

  402

  Rates of assault1 per 100 population, by Male establishments: April 1995-September2 1995

  MALES

  Assault rate per 100 population

  Staff/others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Cardiff

  3.6

  5.2

  8.8

  Chelmsford

  3.3

  3.3

  6.5

  Doncaster

  5.1

  16.2

  21.4

  Dorchester

  2.2

  3.7

  5.9

  Durham

  3.3

  1.8

  5.0

  Elmley

  4.7

  2.1

  6.8

  Exeter

  2.1

  1.3

  3.4

  Gloucester

  2.6

  2.6

  5.3

  Highdown

  4.8

  3.5

  8.3

  Holme House

  4.2

  2.0

  6.2

  Hull

  12.0

  7.9

  19.9

  Leeds

  4.5

  2.1

  6.7

  Leicester

  4.0

  4.0

  8.1

  Lewes

  3.5

  2.6

  6.1

  Lincoln

  1.8

  2.5

  4.3

  Liverpool

  2.9

  1.3

  4.2

  Manchester

  4.5

  1.6

  6.1

  Norwich

  3.7

  0.9

  4.6

  Pentonville

  5.0

  1.6

  6.6

  Preston

  4.5

  2.4

  6.9

  Shrewsbury

  0.0

  3.8

  3.8

  Swansea

  0.6

  3.8

  4.4

  Wandsworth

  8.1

  3.2

  10.3

  Winchester

  4.7

  2.4

  7.1

  Wolds

  3.8

  1.3

  5.0

  Wood Hill

  6.9

  3.0

  10.0

  Wormwood Scrubs

  3.9

  1.1

  4.9

  Open prisons

  0.2

  0.1

  0.3

  Ford

  0.3

  0.0

  0.3

  Hewell Grange

  0.9

  0.0

  0.9

  Hollesley Bay

  0.9

  0.0

  0.9

  Kirkham

  0.3

  0.0

  0.3

  Lindholme

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Leyhill

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Morton Hall

  0.0

  0.8

  0.8

  North Sea Camp

  0.0

  0.7

  0.7

  Spring Hill (Grendon)

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Standford Hill

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Sudbury

  0.0

  0.3

  0.3

  Usk

  2.7

  0.0

  2.7

  Wealstun

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Closed training prisons

  2.4

  1.0

  3.4

  Dispersal prisons

  4.7

  1.6

  6.3

  Frankland

  4.0

  2.3

  6.3

  Full Sutton

  3.9

  1.2

  5.1

  Long Lartin

  6.7

  1.1

  7.9

  Parkhurst

  6.3

  2.5

  8.8

  Wakefield

  1.3

  1.1

  2.4

  Whitemoor

  8.5

  2.1

  10.5

  Category B trainers

  2.6

  0.9

  3.5

  Albany

  1.6

  1.0

  2.5

  Blundeston

  5.9

  1.4

  7.3

  Dartmoor

  3.8

  1.4

  5.2

  Garth

  2.4

  0.3

  2.6

  Gartree

  1.7

  0.4

  2.1

  Grendon

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Kingston (Portsmouth)

  1.3

  0.0

  1.3

  Maidstone

  0.3

  0.8

  1.1

  Nottingham

  1.3

  1.9

  3.2

  Swaleside

  4.3

  1.1

  5.4

  Category C trainers

  1.8

  0.9

  2.7

  Acklington

  2.1

  0.2

  2.3

  403

  Rates of assault1 per 100 population, by Male establishments: April 1995-September2 1995

  MALES

  Assault rate per 100 population

  Staff/others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Aldington

  0.0

  2.2

  2.2

  Ashwell

  1.7

  0.0

  1.7

  Blantyre House

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Brockhill

  0.0

  2.3

  2.3

  Buckley Hall

  6.1

  0.6

  6.6

  Bullingdon

  12.6

  1.3

  13.9

  Bullingdon Oxford

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Camp Hill

  2.1

  2.5

  4.6

  Channings Wood

  0.2

  0.2

  0.5

  Coldingley

  2.3

  0.9

  3.3

  Downview

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Elmley

  0.9

  0.0

  0.9

  Erlestoke

  0.5

  0.5

  1.0

  Everthorpe

  0.5

  0.5

  1.0

  Featherstone

  3.5

  1.9

  5.4

  Guys Marsh

  2.3

  1.6

  3.9

  Haverigg

  1.1

  0.7

  1.8

  Highpoint

  2.9

  0.8

  3.7

  Holme House

  1.9

  1.0

  2.9

  Kirklevington

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Lancaster

  0.6

  0.6

  1.1

  Latchmere House

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Lindholme

  0.9

  0.9

  1.9

  Littlehey

  1.7

  1.0

  2.6

  Moorland

  7.0

  3.5

  10.6

  Mount (The)

  1.1

  0.6

  1.7

  Ranby

  2.1

  0.0

  2.1

  Risley

  1.1

  1.8

  2.9

  Rochester

  1.3

  2.5

  3.8

  Send

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Shepton Mallet

  0.0

  2.7

  2.7

  Stafford

  3.3

  1.2

  4.5

  Stocken

  3.7

  0.7

  4.4

  Usk

  0.0

  0.8

  0.8

  Verne

  0.7

  0.5

  1.2

  Wayland

  1.0

  1.5

  2.5

  Wealstun

  0.0

  0.8

  0.8

  Wellingborough

  0.9

  0.0

  0.9

  Whatton

  0.6

  1.9

  2.5

  Whitemoor

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Wymott

  0.3

  0.6

  1.0

  Young offender institutions

  4.5

  10.0

  14.5

  Closed young offender institutions

  5.0

  7.6

  12.6

  Aylesbury

  20.3

  24.6

  44.9

  Brinsford

  3.0

  4.0

  6.9

  Castington

  4.6

  6.0

  10.6

  Deerbolt

  1.9

  6.6

  8.5

  Dover

  3.2

  6.0

  9.3

  Feltham

  8.1

  11.6

  19.7

  Glen Parva

  3.4

  9.4

  12.8

  Guys Marsh

  4.5

  6.8

  11.3

  Hollesley Bay

  7.7

  10.7

  18.4

  Huntercombe

  0.0

  4.6

  4.6

  Lancaster Farms

  0.0

  1.5

  1.5

  Moorland

  10.1

  4.8

  14.9

  Onley

  3.6

  7.9

  11.5

  Portland

  0.9

  2.3

  3.2

  Stoke Heath

  5.2

  6.6

  11.8

  Swinfen Hall

  1.5

  5.1

  6.6

  Wetherby

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Open young offender institutions

  0.4

  6.5

  6.9

  Finnamore Wood

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  404

  Rates of assault1 per 100 population, by Male establishments: April 1995-September2 1995

  MALES

  Assault rate per 100 population

  Staff/others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Hatfield

  0.8

  2.5

  3.4

  Thorn Cross

  0.0

  12.0

  12.0

  Usk

  0.0

  11.1

  11.1

  Juvenile young offender

  institutions

  4.1

  20.3

  24.4

  Brinsford

  5.7

  26.2

  31.9

  Deerbolt

  4.6

  10.4

  15.1

  Feltham

  11.3

  18.9

  30.3

  Huntercombe

  2.3

  25.7

  28.1

  Lancaster Farms

  5.1

  15.4

  20.5

  Onley

  2.3

  29.9

  32.2

  Portland

  1.1

  5.3

  6.3

  Stoke Heath

  8.5

  22.7

  31.2

  Thorn Cross

  0.0

  33.3

  33.3

  Werrington

  1.2

  35.4

  36.6

  Wetherby

  1.3

  10.3

  11.5

  1 Assaults proven at adjudication, including attempting, inciting and assisting in an assault.

  2 Provisional.

  Rates of assault1 per 100 population, by Female establishments: April 1995-September2 1995

  FEMALES

  Assault rate per 100 population

  Staff/others

  Prisoners

  Total

  Adult Female establishments

  8.2

  3.9

  12.1

  Local prisons

  14.3

  5.7

  19.9

  Holloway

  16.6

  5.4

  22.0

  Low Newton

  7.7

  0.0

  7.7

  New Hall

  5.8

  1.7

  7.5

  Pucklechurch

  2.1

  14.4

  16.4

  Risley

  22.7

  9.1

  31.7

  Open prisons

  0.0

  0.7

  0.7

  Askham Grange

  0.0

  2.7

  2.7

  Drake Hall

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  East Sutton Park

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Closed training prisons

  2.6

  2.6

  5.2

  Bullwood Hall

  1.6

  1.6

  3.3

  Cookham Wood

  2.1

  2.1

  4.1

  Durham

  3.1

  0.0

  3.1

  Styal

  3.4

  4.8

  8.2

  Winchester

  2.2

  0.0

  2.2

  All Female YOIs

  8.2

  6.4

  14.6

  Open young offender institutions

  5.3

  0.0

  5.3

  Drake Hall

  6.7

  0.0

  6.7

  East Sutton Park

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Closed YOIs

  8.8

  7.7

  16.5

  Bullwood Hall

  7.2

  7.2

  14.4

  New Hall

  15.5

  3.1

  18.6

  Styal

  3.3

  13.0

  16.3

  1 Assaults proven at adjudication, including attempting, inciting and assisting in an assault.

  2 Provisional.

  Prisons (Costs)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost of a place in each prison for the six months of the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [16676]

  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.

  Annex C: Performance against key targets: April to September 1995 Dispersals

  Establishment

  KPI8—net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Frankland

  7,300

  447

  163,331.1

  447

  16,331.1

  399

  18,295.7

  Full Sutton

  9,400

  603

  15,588.7

  572

  16,433.6

  552

  17,029.0

  Long Lartin

  6,900

  457

  15,098.5

  365

  18,904.1

  356

  19,382.0

  Parkhurst

  7,300

  433

  16,859.1

  225

  32,444.4

  213

  34,272.3

  Wakefield

  8,200

  727

  11,279.2

  727

  11,279.2

  712

  11,516.9

  Whitemoor

  8,900

  534

  16,666.7

  531

  16,760.8

  519

  17,148.4

  Average

  8,000

  533.5

  14,995.3

  477.8

  16,742.2

  458.5

  17,448.2

  Male (Open)

  Establishment

  KPI8—net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Ford

  2,600

  547

  4,753.2

  517

  5,029.0

  417

  6,235.0

  Hewell Grange

  1,200

  174

  6,896.6

  174

  6,896.6

  153

  7,843.1

  Hollesley Bay1

  4,700

  452

  10,398.2

  366

  12,841.5

  327

  14,373.1

  Kirkham

  3,300

  644

  5124.2

  644

  5,124.2

  482

  6,846.5

  Leyhill

  2,800

  410

  6,829.3

  410

  6,829.3

  364

  7,692.3

  Morton Hall

  1,100

  168

  6,547.6

  168

  6,547.6

  169

  6,508.9

  North Sea Camp

  1,400

  202

  6,930.7

  202

  6,930.7

  181

  7,734.8

  Standford Hill

  2,600

  384

  6,770.8

  384

  6,770.8

  344

  7,558.1

  Sudsbury/Foston

  3,000

  519

  4,859.8

  432

  6,944.4

  395

  7,594.9

  Average

  2,522.2

  388.9

  6,485.7

  366.3

  6,885.0

  314.7

  8,015.5

  1 Hollesley Bay includes Warren Hill.

  Category B

  Establishment

  KPI8—net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Albany

  4,100

  436

  9,403.7

  436

  9,403.7

  422

  9,715.6

  Blundeston

  3,700

  408

  9,068.6

  408

  9,068.6

  382

  9,685.9

  Dartmoor

  5,500

  708

  7,768.4

  569

  9,666.1

  563

  9,769.1

  Garth

  4,700

  513

  9,161.8

  513

  9,161.8

  505

  9,306.9

  Gartree

  3,900

  360

  10,833.3

  304

  12,828.9

  313

  12,460.1

  Grendon1

  4,300

  455

  9,450.5

  446

  9,641.3

  418

  10,287.1

  Kingston

  1,700

  155

  10,967.7

  114

  14,912.3

  103

  16.504.9

  Maidstone

  4,800

  552

  8,695.7

  489

  9,816.0

  482

  9,958.5

  Nottingham

  2,700

  220

  12,272.7

  220

  12,272.7

  208

  12,980.8

  Swaleside

  4,500

  512

  8,789.1

  512

  8,789.1

  497

  9,054.3

  Average

  3,990

  431.9

  9,238.2

  401.1

  9,947.6

  389.3

  10,249.2

  1 Grendon includes Spring Hill.

  406
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the average cost of a place in each prison for the first six months of the current financial year.
  Cost per place figures are calculated on a quarterly basis. The most recent figures are those for the second quarter of 1995–96, which are given in the attached tables, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House.
  407

  Remand Centres

  Establishment

  KPI8—net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Brinsford

  4,400

  476

  9,243.7

  476

  9,243.7

  456

  9,649.1

  Feltham

  7,200

  876

  8,219.2

  845

  8,520.7

  798

  9,022.6

  Hindley

  3,600

  334

  10,778.4

  276

  13,043.5

  250

  14,400.0

  Lancaster Farms

  3.900

  355

  10,985.9

  285

  13,684.2

  355

  10,985.9

  Low Newton

  2,500

  198

  12,626.3

  198

  12,626.3

  265

  9,434.0

  Moorland

  5,300

  620

  8,548.4

  620

  8,548.4

  608

  8,717.1

  Northallerton

  2,300

  151

  15,231.8

  151

  15,231.8

  189

  12,169.3

  Reading

  2,400

  182

  13,186.8

  182

  13,186.8

  170

  14,117.6

  Average

  3,950

  399.0

  9,899.7

  379

  10,418.7

  386.4

  10,223.2

  Young Offender Institutions

  Establishment

  KPI8—Net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Aylesbury

  3,500

  297

  11,784.5

  230

  15,217.4

  217

  16,129.0

  Castington

  2,700

  300

  9,000.0

  300

  9,000.0

  289

  9,342.6

  Deerbolt

  3,700

  450

  8,222.2

  419

  8,830.5

  399

  9,273.2

  Dover

  2,700

  316

  8,544.3

  316

  8,544.3

  288

  9,375.0

  Glen Parva

  6,500

  852

  7,629.1

  752

  8,643.6

  769

  8,452.5

  Guys Marsh

  2,400

  300

  8,000.0

  290

  8,275.9

  290

  8,275.9

  Huntercombe1

  2,500

  346

  7,225.4

  274

  9,124.1

  256

  9,765.6

  Onley

  3,600

  520

  6,923.1

  520

  6,923.1

  487

  7,392.2

  Portland

  4,000

  532

  7,518.8

  381

  10,498.7

  415

  9,638.6

  Stoke Heath

  3,000

  368

  8,152.2

  316

  9,493.7

  279

  10,752.7

  Swinfen Hall

  2,100

  183

  11,475.4

  183

  11,475.4

  183

  11,475.4

  Werrington

  1,100

  114

  9,649.1

  114

  9,649.1

  113

  9,734.5

  Wetherby

  1,800

  196

  9,183.7

  160

  11,250.0

  138

  13,043.5

  Average

  3,046.2

  367.2

  7,917.9

  327.3

  8,883.7

  317.2

  9,168.1

  1 Huntercombe includes Finnamore Wood.

  YOI Open

  Establishment

  KPI8—Net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Hatfield

  1,800.0

  180

  10,000.0

  180

  5,166.7

  169

  5,849.1

  Thorn Cross

  2,000.0

  303

  6,600.7

  253

  3,873.5

  158

  6,202.5

  Average

  1,900.0

  483.0

  3,954.5

  433.0

  4,411.1

  317.0

  6,025.2

  Female establishments

  Establishment

  KP1 8-net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average Population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Local—Female

  Holloway

  7,100

  517

  13,733.1

  517

  13,733.1

  539

  13.172.5

  Pucklechurch

  1,300

  56

  23,214.3

  56

  23,214.3

  66

  19,697.0

  Average

  4,200

  286.5

  14,659.7

  286.5

  14,659.7

  303

  13,884.3

  Closed—Female

  Bullwood Hall Cookham

  1,700

  126

  13,492.1

  125

  13,600.0

  119

  14,285.7

  Wood

  1,300

  120

  10,833.3

  120

  10,833.3

  129

  10,077.5

  New Hall

  2,600

  207

  12,560.4

  207

  12,560.4

  203

  12,807.9

  Styal

  3,000

  251

  11,952.2

  237

  12.658.2

  236

  12,711.9

  Average

  2,150.0

  176.0

  12,215.9

  172.3

  12,481.9

  171.8

  12,518.2

  408 409

  Female establishments

  Establishment

  KP18-net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average Population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Open—Female

  Askham

  Grange

  1,100

  136

  8,088.2

  136

  8,088.2

  99

  11,111.1

  Drake Hall

  1,800

  264

  6,818.2

  264

  6,818.2

  195

  9,230.8

  East Sutton Park

  700

  94

  7,446.8

  94

  3,617.0

  92

  7.608.7

  Average

  1,200

  165

  7,287.4

  164.7

  7,287.4

  128.7

  9,326.4

  Local/Adult Remands

  Establishment

  KP1 8—net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Cost per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Bedford

  3,600.0

  306

  11,764.7

  306

  11,764.7

  300

  12,000.0

  Belmarsh

  10,200.0

  841

  12,128.4

  683

  14,934.1

  597

  17,085.4

  Birmingham

  7,700.0

  737

  10,447.8

  631

  12,202.9

  852

  9,037.6

  Blakenhurst1

  4,188.0

  649

  6,453.0

  649

  6,453.0

  638

  6,564.3

  Bristol

  6,200.0

  490

  12,653.1

  474

  13,080.2

  502

  12,350.6

  Brixton

  8,700.0

  660

  13,181.8

  496

  17,540.3

  603

  14,427.9

  Bullingdon2

  7,000.0

  750

  9,333.3

  750

  9,333.3

  738

  9,485.1

  Canterbury

  3,000.0

  184

  16,304.3

  184

  16,304.3

  259

  11,583.0

  Cardiff

  4,600.0

  324

  14,197.5

  324

  14,197.5

  440

  10,454.5

  Chelmsford

  3,900.0

  250

  15,600.0

  250

  15,600.0

  369

  10,569.1

  Doncaster1

  5,407.0

  771

  7,013.0

  741

  7,296.9

  754

  7,171.1

  Dorchester

  2,000.0

  147

  13,605.4

  147

  13,605.4

  204

  9,803.9

  Durham

  7,200.0

  653

  11,026.0

  444

  16,216.2

  651

  11,059.9

  Elmley

  5,300.0

  637

  8,320.3

  637

  8,320.3

  604

  8,774.8

  Exeter

  4,400.0

  318

  13,836.5

  253

  17,391.3

  373

  11,796.2

  Gloucester

  3,000.0

  211

  14,218.0

  207

  14,492.8

  237

  12,658.2

  Haslar

  1,200.0

  164

  7,317.1

  164

  7,317.1

  144

  8,333.3

  Highdown

  6,100.0

  649

  9,399.1

  639

  9,546.2

  614

  9,934.9

  Holme House

  5,700.0

  649

  8,782.7

  649

  8,782.7

  610

  9,344.3

  Hull

  5,600.0

  328

  17,073.2

  322

  17,391.3

  355

  15,774.6

  Leeds

  9,300.0

  997

  9,328.0

  826

  11,259.1

  1,061.0

  8,765.3

  Leicester

  4,000.0

  202

  19,802.0

  202

  19,802.0

  330

  12,121.2

  Lewes

  4,200.0

  443

  9,480.8

  312

  13,461.5

  303

  13,861.4

  Lincoln

  5,200.0

  448

  11,607.1

  441

  11,791.4

  592

  8,783.8

  Liverpool

  10,200.0

  1,184.0

  8,614.9

  1,099.0

  9,281.2

  1,272.0

  8,018.9

  Manchester

  10,400.0

  971

  10,710.6

  899

  11,568.4

  985

  10,558.4

  Norwich

  5,000.0

  333

  15,015.0

  333

  15,015.0

  345

  14,492.8

  Pentonville

  6,700.0

  883

  7,587.8

  670

  10,000.0

  827

  8,101.6

  Preston

  5,500.0

  406

  13,546.8

  327

  16,819.6

  446

  12,331.8

  Rochester

  3,700.0

  424

  8,726.4

  410

  9,024.4

  318

  11,635.2

  Shrewsbury

  3,000.0

  176

  17,045.5

  176

  17,045.5

  281

  10,676.2

  Swansea

  2,900.0

  208

  13,942.3

  151

  19,205.3

  223

  13,004.5

  Wandsworth

  10,300.0

  1,216.0

  8,470.4

  1,038.0

  9,922.9

  1,084.0

  9,501.8

  Winchester

  5,600.0

  462

  12,121.2

  425

  13,176.5

  512

  10,937.5

  Wolds1

  3,366.0

  330

  10,200.0

  320

  10,518.8

  320

  10,518.8

  Woodhill

  6,300.0

  566

  11,130.7

  566

  11,130.7

  504

  12,500.0

  Wormwood Scrubs

  9,500.0

  932

  10,193.1

  713

  13,324.0

  797

  11,919.7

  Average

  5,680.0

  537.8

  10,561.4

  482.6

  11,768.5

  541.7

  10,485.0

  1 For contracted establishments costs include those which are charged to the Prison Service only.

  2 Bullingdon costs include Oxford.

  Category C

  Establishment

  KPI8—net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Costt per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Acklington

  4,600

  670

  6,865.7

  667

  6,896.6

  633

  7,267.0

  Aldington

  1,000

  133

  7,518.8

  132

  7,575.8

  121

  8,264.5

  Ashwell

  2,700

  404

  6,683.2

  404

  6,683.2

  385

  7,013.0

  410 411

  Category C

  Establishment

  KPI8—net current expenditure (£1000)

  Average baseline CNA

  Costt per place

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per (in use CNA) place (£)

  Average population

  Cost per prisoner (£)

  Blantyre House

  900

  105

  5,571.4

  108

  8,333.30

  96

  9,375.0

  Brockhill

  1,500

  165

  9,090.9

  141

  10,638.3

  116

  12,931.0

  Buckley Hall1

  4,730

  307

  15,407.2

  307

  15,407.2

  243

  19,465.0

  Camp Hill

  3,800

  469

  8,102.3

  388

  9,793.8

  395

  9,620.3

  Channings Wood

  3,900

  594

  6,565.7

  557

  7,001.8

  551

  7,078.0

  Coldingley

  3,000

  296

  10,135.1

  296

  10,135.1

  284

  10,563.4

  Downview

  2,400

  287

  8,362.4

  287

  8,362.4

  277

  8,664.3

  Erlestoke

  2,500

  270

  9,259.3

  270

  9,259.3

  262

  9,542.0

  Everthorpe

  3,000

  318

  9,434.0

  318

  9,434.0

  274

  10,948.9

  Featherstone

  4,300

  599

  7,178.6

  593

  7,251.3

  565

  7,610.6

  Haverigg

  3,500

  424

  8,254.7

  406

  8,620.7

  380

  9,210.5

  Highpoint

  4,800

  679

  7,069.2

  679

  7,069.2

  643

  7,465.0

  Kirklevington

  900

  100

  9,000.0

  100

  9,000.0

  89

  10,112.4

  Lancaster

  2,000

  261

  7,662.8

  324

  6,172.8

  233

  8,583.7

  Latchmere House

  1,100

  151

  7,284.8

  151

  7,284.8

  130

  8,461.5

  Lindholme

  5,100

  688

  7,412.8

  599

  8,514.2

  585

  8,717.9

  Littlehey

  4,000

  589

  6,791.2

  589

  6,791.2

  556

  7,194,2

  The Mount

  3,500

  501

  6,986.0

  461

  7,592.2

  472

  7,415.3

  Ranby

  3,100

  346

  8,959.5

  346

  8,959.5

  325

  9,538.5

  Risley2

  7,600

  826

  9,201.0

  788

  9,644.7

  744

  10,215.1

  Send

  1,200

  140

  8,571.4

  133

  9,022.6

  134

  8,955.2

  Shepton Mallet

  1,900

  158

  12,025.3

  158

  12,025.3

  201

  9,452.7

  Stafford

  4,900

  457

  10,722.1

  409

  11,980.4

  538

  9,107.8

  Stocken

  3,100

  396

  7,828.3

  396

  7,828.3

  396

  7,828.3

  Usk3

  2,500

  246

  10,162.6

  244

  10,245.9

  237

  10,548.5

  The Verne

  3,900

  541

  7,208.9

  541

  7,208.9

  539

  7,235.6

  Wayland

  3,800

  580

  6,551.7

  580

  6,551.7

  531

  7,156.3

  Wealston4

  3,700

  453

  8,167.8

  453

  8,167.8

  433

  8,545.0

  Wellingborough

  2,800

  344

  8,139.5

  329

  8,510.6

  298

  9,396.0

  Whatton

  1,900

  217

  8,755.8

  217

  8,755.8

  212

  8,962.3

  Wymott

  4,300

  816

  5,269.6

  432

  9,953.7

  421

  10,213.8

  Average

  3,270.6

  397.9

  8,278.5

  376.6

  8,748.6

  361.7

  9,107.1

  1 For contracted establishments costs include those which are charged to the Prison Service only.

  2 CNA includes Female Remand (154) and Category B Adult Male (185).

  3 Usk includes PRESCOED.

  4 Wealston represents Rudgate and Thorp Arch.

  Research Papers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Home Office research findings Nos. 23, 24 and 25 will be published; and if he will make a statement. [16660]

  Mr. Maclean
  Research findings 23 "Obscene, Threatening and Other Troublesome Phone Calls" and 24 "Young People and Crime" were published on 19 January. No. 25 "Anxiety about Crime: findings from the 1994 British Crime Survey" was published on 10 January. Copies are available in the Library.

  Fire Service College
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh. [16665]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 13 February, column 517.
  412
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the accounts for the national fire service college for the year 1994–95; and what was the overall financial result. [16731]

  Mr. Sackville
  The fire service college annual report and accounts will be laid before the House on 27 February.

  North Wales Fire Service Authority
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will visit the North Wales fire service authority at the Llandudno HQ. [17327]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to visit the North Wales fire service authority in the near future.

  Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is(a) the number of prisoners waiting removal or transfer to a psychiatric hospital under Mental Health Acts provisions, (b) the number of prisoners

  413
  considered by prison doctors to be sufficiently mentally ill to occupy an in-patient bed in a prison health care centre, (c) the number of prisoners considered by prison doctors to require some form of mental health care but not removal or transfer to a psychiatric hospital or in-patient treatment in a prison health care centre and (d) the number of prisoners transferred to hospital by direction of the Home Secretary under sections 72 and 73 of the Mental Health Act 1959, sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983, or other provision in each year since 1979. [17008]

  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. Jack Straw, dated 26 February 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question seeking certain statistical information about prisoners suffering from mental disorders.
  On 20 January 1996, the most recent date for which such information is available is:

  163 prisoners were recorded as awaiting removal or transfer to a psychiatric hospital under provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983;

  853 prisoners were recorded as being sufficiently mentally disordered to be occupying beds in prison health care centres; and

  1380 prisoners were recorded as requiring some form of mental health care but not transfer to hospital or in-patient treatment in a prison health care centre.

  The attached table gives the number of transfers to hospital from 1979 onwards under sections 72 and 73 of the Mental Health Act 1959 and sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983. The method of producing these statistics was changed in 1994. The figures for 1992 and subsequent years omit prisoners transferred without the imposition of restrictions under section 49 of the 1983 Act. Such restrictions require the Home Secretary's consent on all matters relating to absence, transfer or, except where directed by a Mental Health Review Tribunal, discharge.
  This explains the difference between the figures for 1992, 1993 and 1994 provided in the former Director General's letter to you of 10 February 1995.

  Transfers of prisoners to hospital by direction of the Home Secretary under Sections 72 and 73 of the Mental Health Act 1959 and Sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983

  After sentence S72/S47

  Before sentence S73/S48

  Total

  1979

  70

  16

  86

  1980

  87

  19

  106

  1981

  86

  22

  108

  1982

  85

  18

  103

  1983

  91

  24

  115

  1984

  108

  47

  155

  1985

  100

  41

  141

  1986

  107

  53

  160

  1987

  127

  77

  204

  1988

  121

  85

  206

  1989

  131

  100

  231

  1990

  156

  181

  337

  1991

  193

  264

  457

  1992

  227

  378

  605

  1993

  284

  483

  767

  1994

  249

  535

  784

  19951

  254

  484

  738

  1 Provisional figure.

  Immigration (Carrier's Liability) Act 1987
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many carriers operating between Malaysia and the United Kingdom have incurred penalties under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987; what is the total number of(a) claims made, (b) penalties paid and (c) unpaid penalties to date; and if he will make a statement. [17333]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Two airlines operate direct services between Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Both carriers have incurred charges on their routes from Kuala Lumpur. The amounts involved are:

  Incurred: £764,000

  Paid: £249,000

  Waived: £147,000

  Outstanding: £368,000.

  The amount incurred reflects 415 breaches of the Act.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a reply will be sent to the hon. Member for Walsall, North's letter of 23 January, ref. 1671/96. [17160]

  Mr. Sackville
  A reply was sent on 22 February.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each year since 1979(a) as at 31 March and (b) as at 31 December for the Metropolitan police what was (i) the number of police officers, (ii) the number of police constables, (iii) the man-hours available for beat duties and (iv) the number of civilians. [14719]

  Mr. Maclean
  In December 1995, there were nearly one quarter more officers on the strength of the Metropolitan police than in 1979. Police time on patrol is up by over one third compared with 1984, when such records began. Civilian strength has increased by almost one tenth since 1979 and over 2,600 posts previously filled by police officers have been civilianised. The more detailed information requested is given in tables I to III.

  Table 1: Strength, Metropolitan police1

  At 31 March

  At 31 December

  Year

  Officers

  Constables

  Officers

  Constables

  1979

  22,168

  16,247

  22,482

  16,542

  1980

  22,757

  16,811

  23,562

  17,618

  1981

  24,020

  18,076

  25,029

  19,055

  1982

  25,384

  19,406

  26,225

  20,022

  1983

  26,453

  20,279

  26,683

  20,321

  1984

  26,660

  20,250

  26,718

  20,125

  1985

  26,706

  20,102

  26,659

  19,886

  1986

  26,762

  19,971

  26,861

  20,048

  1987

  26,829

  20,058

  27,293

  20,621

  1988

  27,627

  21,004

  27,855

  21,282

  1989

  27,988

  21,439

  28,101

  21,411

  1990

  28,287

  21,575

  28,152

  21,274

  1991

  28,230

  21,271

  28,126

  21,026

  1992

  28,154

  20,990

  27,812

  20,738

  1993

  27,867

  20,815

  27,605

  20,803

  415

  Table 1: Strength, Metropolitan police1

  At 31 March

  At 31 December

  Year

  Officers

  Constables

  Officers

  Constables

  1994

  27,699

  20,975

  27,611

  21,139

  1995

  27,480

  21,179

  227,719

  221,378

  1 With the exception of the figures for December 1995 (see note 2) all the figures given are as published in the Home Office summary of police manpower, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House. They include officers seconded to the Met but not officers seconded out to regional crime squads and central service.

  2 Figures for 31 December 1995 are as notified by the Metropolitan police; Home Office figures are not yet available.

  Table 2: Deployment of officers on street duties

  Street duty mandays

  Percentage of overall1 mandays

  1984

  1,254,105

  27.42

  1985

  1,434,639

  29.69

  1986

  1,339,990

  28.81

  1987

  1,452,359

  30.66

  1988

  1,579,767

  31.12

  1989

  1,619,137

  31.77

  1990

  1,561,988

  31.95

  1991

  1,492,781

  31.75

  1992

  1,493,018

  32.29

  1993

  1,610,045

  34.64

  1994

  1,678,228

  34.86

  1995

  21,285,436

  35.03

  1 Source: Metropolitan Police. Percentages based on figures for the full 12 months period in each case except 1995 (see footnote 2).

  2 Figure given is for January to September 1995; final figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Table 3: Strength, Metropolitan police civilian staff

  Year

  At 31 March

  At 31 December

  1979

  —

  15,653

  1980

  —

  16,965

  1981

  —

  16,711

  1982

  —

  16,618

  1983

  —

  16,542

  1984

  —

  16,582

  1985

  *16,134

  16,443

  1986

  *16,067

  16,521

  1987

  *16,115

  16,360

  1988

  *15,639

  15,884

  1989

  *15,503

  15,900

  1990

  *15,659

  16,720

  1991

  *16,485

  *16,939

  1992

  17,562

  *17,438

  1993

  18,051

  *17,380

  1994

  17,769

  *16,855

  1995

  17,348

  *16,928

  1 Figures for Metropolitan police civilian staff are published in the annual reports of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. They include traffic wardens and school crossing patrols. From 1992 the figures have been published as at 31 March, not 31 December. Figures marked * are additional unpublished Metropolitan police data; no figures at 31 March are available for the years prior to 1985.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what communication he received from the Secretary of the Scott inquiry, concerning the time needed by the Opposition parties to scrutinise the Scott report; on what date he received such communications; what was the nature of the contents of letters; and if he will deposit copies of those letters in the Library. [16632]
  416
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 22 February at column 252.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry; [16558]

  (2) how much he estimates the cost of the allocation of persons in his Department to the consideration of the Government's response to the Scott report. [16646]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by the Prime Minister on 22 February at columns 239–40.

  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he responded to communications received from Mr. Christopher Muttukumaru; what were the dates of letters; and if he will deposit copies in the Library. [16549]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: My officials have responded to a number of letters from Mr. Muttukumaru about evidence which they have given to the inquiry. Sir Richard Scott is free to publish any document he considers relevant to his report.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what hour and minute of which day the report of the Scott inquiry was delivered to his office. [16502]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: A sealed copy of the report was delivered to my office at approximately 3.50 pm on Thursday 15 February.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16568]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: No. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the Prime Minister on 22 February at column 239.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he first saw the report of the Scott inquiry. [16588]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by the Prime Minister on 22 February at column 240.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16529]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: No members of my Department saw the report before it was presented to the House.

  Press Gallery Writing Rooms
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Ministers in his Department entered the writing rooms of the Press Gallery on 15 February. [16477]
  417
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February' 1996]I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her by the Prime Minister on 22 February,Official Report, column 242.

ENVIRONMENT

  Departmental Officials (Interests)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the officials in his department who have declared a current interest; what requirements are placed on officials to declare relevant interests; in what form records of such declarations are kept; and if he will establish a central register of officials' interests. [16889]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In accordance with the civil service management code, the Department's staff handbook requires that staff may not use or appear to use their public position to further their personal interests, or those of members of their immediate family or of any other person on the values of whose assets they advise. Should any potential conflict of interest arise, staff must disclose that fact to their line manager and ask that someone else should deal with the matter. Failure to comply with these rules is treated as a breach of discipline.

  Staff who disclose relevant interests do so on the understanding that this information, like all matters relating to their employment, is confidential between them and their employer.

  Housing Investment
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total sum allowed for local authority credit approvals for housing investment in 1996–97; what were the figures for each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [15483]

  Mr. Clappison
  The total sum allowed for local authority credit approvals in England for housing investment in 1996–97 is £789 million. The figures for the previous years are given in the table.

  Year

  Local authority credit approvals (£ million)

  1993–94 (outturn)

  1,120

  1994–95 (outturn)

  872

  1995–96 (estimated outturn)

  869

  The figures exclude credit approvals for the estate action scheme, which has been subsumed into the single regeneration budget. The scheme has been grant funded since 1995–96. The supplementary credit approvals issued to provide cover for specified capital grants are also excluded.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is for 1995–96 and 1996–97(a) the planned council tax yield for England, consistent with chapter 4 of HC30, (b) the level of those grants which,
  418
  together with council tax, fund local authority budget requirements in England as defined for 1996–97, individually and in aggregate, including within 1995–96, community care grant transferred into revenue support grant in 1996–97, and adjusting for changes in functions and (c) the sum of (a) and (b). [17033]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government do not set plans for the yield of council tax, which depends on decisions made by individual authorities.

  £ Million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  (a) Estimated effect of those decisions on council tax yield, consistent with HC30, gross of council tax benefit

  9,780

  10,574

  (b) External sources of finance to the budget requirement, consistent with HC30

  33,610

  34,120

  Of which, grants:

  Revenue support grant to local authorities

  118,952

  17,999

  Police grant (principal formula and additional rule 1)

  3,036

  3,158

  SSA reduction grant

  261

  220

  Other external sources of finance:

  Non-domestic rates

  11,354

  12,736

  City offset

  7

  7

  (c) The sum of (a) estimated council tax yield and (b) external support

  43,390

  44,694

  1Includes £648 million community care grant, and £34 million adjustment for metropolitan rail services, net of £26 million for waste regulation transfer.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what calculations underlay his Department's estimate that the planned proportion of local authority expenditure funded by council tax would increase to 26 per cent. by 1998–99. [17129]

  Mr. Gummer
  The public expenditure plans for local government for 1997–98 and 1998–99 were announced at the time of my right hon. and learned friend the Chancellor's November 1995 Budget Statement. Under these proposals, aggregate external finance—AEF—would increase from £34.69 billion in 1995–96 to £35.70 billion in 1998–99 to support total standard spending, TSS, which would increase from £43.46 billion to £46.30 billion. The Government have assumed that the difference between these two aggregates could be met through local authorities' own resources, primarily the council tax. Our best current estimate is that this would imply that the proportion of TSS funded by council tax would increase from 20 to 23 per cent. between 1995–96 and 1998–99. Decisions on levels of council tax and therefore on the proportion of services funded locally are, subject to capping, for local authorities themselves.

  Pollution Inspectorate
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what performance target he has set for the inspectorate of pollution as regards answering letters from hon. Members. [16916]
  419
  Mr. Clappison
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, as part of my Department, does not reply directly to the letters of hon. Members. Replies normally come from Ministers in my Department. However, if hon. Members' letters concern the work of HMIP, the inspectorate will advise Ministers on a reply. Usually a420
  reply should be received by an hon. Member within 10 to 15 working days. Under HMIP's citizens charter statement, any complaint from the public about a particular site is investigated promptly, and anyone making a complaint is informed of the outcome within 15 working days.

  Al Haram Ash Sharif: Access by Muslims
  Al Haram Ash Sharif: Access by Muslims
  Outer Space: Control of Weaponry
  Outer Space: Control of Weaponry
  Sierra Leone: Elections and Security
  Sierra Leone: Elections and Security
  THORP Reprocessing Plant: Safety
  THORP Reprocessing Plant: Safety
  House of Lords: Fire Safety Improvements
  House of Lords: Fire Safety Improvements
  Parliamentary Passes
  Parliamentary Passes
  ABM Treaty and UK Firms
  ABM Treaty and UK Firms
  Unemployment: Comparative Figures
  Unemployment: Comparative Figures
  Development Education: DFEE Spending
  Development Education: DFEE Spending