Written Answers of 31 January 1996

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Inquest (North Wales)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what operation and when it was carried out on patient C, the subject of an inquest in north Wales; who was the coroner at the inquest; what factors underlay the decisions(a) not to name the patient and (b) not to publish the date of the inquest; and what evidence was given by public officials during the proceedings on the case. [11927]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to the above Question about the recent legal proceedings concerning Patient C. In doing so I have consulted with the Home Office and Welsh Office on the issues that are within their jurisdiction.
  Patient C entered hospital on 26 February 1991 for elective extraction of wisdom teeth. I understand that the death was reported to the coroner for East Clwyd, Mr. Jones, and that a date for the inquest has yet to be fixed. Patient C was the subject of an application to the Family Division of the High Court for a declaration that life-sustaining treatment and medical support be discontinued. In that application, Mr. Justice Johnson made an order under section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 that Patient C and other connected individuals should not be named. Two further applications came before Sir Stephen Brown, the President of the Family Division. So far as the evidence given by public officials is concerned, I have arranged for copies of the three judgments in this matter to be made available in the library of the House.

  Maxwell Fraud Trial
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the estimated cost to the legal aid fund of the Maxwell fraud trial. [11717]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  It would not be appropriate for me to speculate at this stage about the final cost of this case.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  CCTA
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are his plans for the CCTA, the Government centre for information systems. [13228]
  750
  Mr. Freeman
  The CCTA, currently an operational division of the Office of Public Service will, from 1 April 1996, operate as a next steps executive agency within OPS, and will remain based in Norwich. This will ensure that Government Departments continue to have available to them a range of expert specialist services in information technology and telecommunications which are independent and are valued by Departments.

  As an agency, CCTA will operate on a full cost recovery basis. It will therefore need to develop a stronger customer focus and undergo major restructuring and efficiency measures. It will work in close co-operation with the new central information technology unit which is being established in the OPS to provide a strategic approach to the use of information technology in government.

  F16 Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has had from the United Kingdom defence industry concerning the proposed leasing of American F16 aircraft. [12127]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representations from the UK defence industry concerning the Ministry of Defence's evaluation of a proposal to upgrade the Tornado F3's weapons systems.

  Those representations have been passed on to the Ministry of Defence in the normal way.

  Photocopiers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many new photocopiers his Department has(a) purchased and (b) leased since July 1995; and at what cost. [4291]

  Mr. Willets
  [pursuant to his reply, 6 December 1995, Official Report, c 256]: I regret that the figure given as the rental cost per annum of the 14 leased photocopiers to replace existing machines is incorrect. The correct information is as follows.

  Since 1 July 1995, the Cabinet Office and its agencies have purchased one additional photocopier at a cost of £895 and leased 18 photocopiers, 11 of which replaced existing machines, at a rental cost of £50,799 per annum.

  In the same period, HMSO and the Central Office of Information purchased four photocopiers, two Of which replaced existing machines, at a cost of £17,817 and leased 14 to replace existing machines at a rental cost of £23,366 per annum.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 9 January 1996,Official Report, column 121, what factors led his Department to accept photocopiers on variable contracts of three, four and five years over and above the leasing costs; and what is the minimum contractual cost of using and maintaining (a) the 18 photocopiers on three-year contracts, (b) the three photocopiers on four-year contracts and (c) the four photocopiers on five-year contracts. [8920]
  751
  Mr. Willetts
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1996, Official Report, c 335]: I regret that the figure given as the minimum total cost of leasing the 18 photocopiers on three-year contracts is incorrect. The correct information is as follows.

  The minimum total cost of leasing (a) the 18 photocopiers on three-year contracts is £36,905 per annum, (b) the three photocopiers on four-year contracts is £15,969 per annum and (c) the four photocopiers on five-year contracts is £3,315 per annum.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 1996,Official Report, column 335, on costs of photocopiers, what was the estimated number of copies projected in respect of each contract and at what cost per copy. [10277]

  Mr. Willetts
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 January 1996, Official Report, c.42]: I regret that the figure of 0.3p given as the cost per copy for the machine with the projected usage of 5 million copies is incorrect. The correct figure is 0.4p. The entire table with the corrected figure is as follows:

  Estimated number of copies projected in respect of each contract and cost per copy for the 25 photocopiers

  Copies projected for contract period

  Cost per copy (p)

  24,000,000

  0.32

  24,000,000

  0.32

  1,800,000

  0.71

  1,800,000

  0.79

  1,800,000

  0.79

  900,000

  0.65

  360,000

  0.85

  324,000

  0.90

  270,000

  0.91

  252,000

  0.91

  252,000

  0.84

  240,000

  0.91

  240,000

  0.91

  240,000

  0.91

  240,000

  0.91

  180,000

  0.97

  180,000

  0.97

  144,000

  0.91

  108,000

  0.91

  108,000

  0.95

  72,000

  0.95

  60,000

  0.97

  48,000

  0.97

  1,620,000

  0.81 per first 90,000 per annum

  0.63 thereafter

  5,000,000

  First 1.2 million per annum included in contract price,

  next 200,000 at 0.5 per copy

  thereafter 0.4 per copy

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what estimate he has made of absenteeism rates in days per annum for staff in his Department for 1995–96. [11373]
  752
  Mr. Willetts
  The table below gives the available absenteeism figures for the central Cabinet Office including No. 10 and the executive agencies for which I am responsible. Figures for previous years and 1995–96 are not available.

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Central Department

  8.48

  8.45

  COI

  7.76

  9.67

  CS College

  7.00

  6.40

  HMSO

  9.86

  7.03

  OHSA

  8.82

  14.52

  RAS

  8.58

  12.99

  Chessington

  9.00

  10.37

  SAFE

  4.34

  11.05

  TBA

  9.97

  8.70

  Total

  8.35

  8.61

  Absence rates represent total days absent divided by total number of staff.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is his estimate of departmental expenditure on administration for(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [11505]

  Mr. Willetts
  Details of running costs and administrative spending by the Cabinet Office, including the Prime Minister's Office, and the Office of Public Service for the years 1989–90 through to 1997–98 are contained in tables 7.5 and 7.6 of my Department's annual report, Cm 2820, copies of which are available in the Members' Library. This year's report, due to be published at the end of March, will reflect the Cabinet Office's new responsibilities, following the machinery of government and other changes.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is his estimate of his Department's expenditure on newspapers and magazines for 1995–96 to date; and if he will list the publications purchased. [11508]

  Mr. Willetts
  This information, and similar information for earlier years, can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

  Unemployment
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of person days lost through unemployment since May 1979. [12316]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  There is no means of assessing such a figure because no central records are kept of the numbers of hours unemployed people worked prior to becoming unemployed, nor of the number of hours they now wish to work.

  North Sea Oil and Gas
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income the Government have received from North sea(a) oil and (b) gas exploitation for each year since 1979. [12480]
  753
  Mr. Jack
  Tax revenues from oil and gas production were given in answer to the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar) on 12 December 1995,Official Report, columns 1053–54. Separate figures for revenues from oil and gas are not available because the main taxes concerned, corporation tax and petroleum revenue tax, are charged on aggregate company and field profits respectively. Royalties are also levied on each field's aggregate production. Many companies have interests in both oil and gas extraction and, in many fields, both products are extracted.

  Positive about Disabled People Symbol
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for his Department and each of the agencies for which he is responsible, if it uses the Employment Service's positive about disabled people symbol for(a) external recruitment and (b) internal recruitment and promotion. [11992]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Employment Service's positive about disabled people symbol is one of the action points in the Department's action plan on disability introduced last year.

  Of the Treasury's four agencies, one—the Royal Mint—currently uses the symbol for external recruitment. The Central Statistical Office, Paymaster and the Valuation Office agency are considering whether to become symbol users.

  Bills (Late Payment)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with other Government Departments following the publication of the figures showing percentages of bills paid late in 1994–95. [12223]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 29 January 1996]: The Treasury has an ongoing dialogue with other Government Departments and commercial organisations on a range of procurement-related topics, including bill payment. Lessons learnt during these discussions can result in the adoption of more efficient methods of working for all concerned.

  The Treasury is a signatory to the Confederation of British Industry code of payment.

  Retail Prices Index
  Sir Timothy Sainsbury
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will instruct the retail prices index advisory committee to assess whether the retail prices index takes sufficient account of(a) quality change new versions of products, (b) totally new products and
  (c) a formula bias arising from overweighting of items entering the index at temporarily low prices; [12692]

  (2) if he will instruct the retail prices index advisory committee to assess whether (a) the retail prices index takes proper account of the number of discount stores and (b) there is an outlet bias; [12693]

  (3) if he will instruct the retail prices index advisory committee to assess whether the index takes sufficient account of the incidence of special offers. [12698]
  754
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have no plans at present to convene the retail prices index advisory committee. However, a recent report by Nicholas Oulton of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, commissioned by the Treasury, looked at many of these issues in detail. This report, "Treasury Working Paper 68: Reliability and Accuracy in UK Price Indices", which was published in March 1995, is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Disabled People (VAT)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what factors have led to the imposition of VAT on disabled individuals purchasing computer equipment; [12691]

  (2) if he will (a) place in the Library and (b) publish the Customs and Excise directive concerning the levying of VAT on purchases of computer equipment for disabled people; [12689]

  (3) which bodies representing the rights of the disabled were consulted in relation to the re-interpretation of the VAT legislation on the purchasing of computer equipment. [12690]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There have been no changes in the application of VAT to computer equipment for disabled people. Such equipment, when designed solely for disabled people's use, is zero rated. General purpose equipment is, and always has been, liable at the standard rate. There has been no need to consult because there has been no re-interpretation of the law.

  No directives on the liability of computer equipment have been issued by Customs and Excise. A copy of customs notice 701/7/94, "VAT reliefs for people with disabilities", has already been placed in the Library of the House.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average annual rate of growth of Britain's gross domestic product(a) since the first quarter of 1990 and (b) since the first quarter of 1979. [12596]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The average annual rate of growth of Britain's real GDP—gross domestic product at constant factor cost—between the first quarter of 1990 and the fourth quarter of 1995 was 1.1 per cent. Between the first quarter of 1979 and the fourth quarter of 1995, the average annual rate of growth was 2 per cent.

  Employment Statistics (Lancashire)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of(a) manual and (b) non-manual (i) male and (ii) female part-time workers work less than (1) eight hours, (2) 16 hours and (3) 24 hours in each borough in Lancashire. [12839]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  It is not possible to provide data for county boroughs.

  Information showing hours worked by part-time men and women in Lancashire is given in the table.
  755

  New Earnings survey 1995

  Part-time employees in Lancashire—weekly hours

  Percentage working less than:

  Excluding overtime

  Including overtime

  8 hours

  16 hours

  24 hours

  8 hours

  16 hours

  24 hours

  Manual

  Male

  18.9

  41.5

  71.7

  17.0

  37.7

  66.0

  Female

  7.5

  35.0

  70.6

  7.5

  32.5

  65.6

  Total

  10.3

  36.6

  70.9

  9.9

  33.8

  65.7

  Non-Manual

  Male

  33.3

  51.3

  69.2

  30.8

  51.3

  69.2

  Female

  10.8

  29.7

  70.3

  10.3

  27.7

  66.9

  Total

  12.8

  31.7

  70.2

  12.1

  29.8

  67.1

  All

  Male

  25.0

  45.7

  70.7

  22.8

  43.5

  67.4

  Female

  9.8

  31.3

  70.4

  9.5

  29.1

  66.5

  Total

  12.0

  33.3

  70.4

  11.4

  31.2

  66.7

  Debt
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of debt per household for every £100 of disposable income at the last date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [12024]

  Mr. Angela Knight
  There are no official estimates of the financial assets and liabilities of the household sector. Estimates for the personal sector—which includes households, individuals, private trusts, unincorporated businesses and non profit-making bodies serving persons—are published by the Central Statistical Office in table 12.2 of the "UK National Accounts", known as the "Blue Book", which is available in the Library of the House. At the end of 1994, the personal sector had financial liabilities worth £524 billion, financial assets worth £1,656 billion, and non-financial assets worth £1,419 billion, implying total net wealth of £2,551 billion. Personal disposable income in 1994 was £473 billion. So, for every £100 of disposable income, the personal sector held £111 of financial liabilities and had total net wealth of £539 at the end of 1994.

DEFENCE

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanisms exist to ensure public notification occurs in respect of changes in the moratorium on the export of land mines. [12761]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Any change to the UK's moratorium on the export of anti-personnel mines would be notified to Parliament, as was the change announced on 15 March 1995 by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,Official Report, columns 860–63.

  Annualised Average Temperatures
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annualised average temperature for mainland Britain for each of the years 1990 to 1995;756
  and what recent estimates he has made of the historic average mean temperature since records began. [11238]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Alan W. Williams, dated 31 January 1996:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about temperatures in mainland Britain as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office.
  The annualised average temperatures for mainland Britain (i.e. United Kingdom excluding Northern Ireland) 1990–1995 are:

  1990: 10.0°C

  1991: 9.2°C

  1992: 9.3°C

  1993: 8.9°C

  1994: 9.5°C

  1995: 9.8°C

  The last 4 decades 1956–1965, 1966–1975, 1976–1985, 1986–1995 show values of 8.9, 9.0, 8.9. 9.3 respectively.
  The natural climate variability of the UK area is such that this apparent warming has little statistical significance. As a perspective a diagram illustrating annual values over the period back to 1659 is attached. The diagram does not refer to the whole UK as reliable data for Scotland is not available before 1851.
  The attached reports give a full background should you wish to be more aware of the position and issues.
  I hope you find the information helpful.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on military deployment to the former Yugoslavia. [13420]

  Mr. Portillo
  The deployment of British armed forces to the NATO-led peace implementation force, IFOR, in Bosnia is now complete.

  By carefully matching the manpower required to the tasks which have emerged, we have been able to deploy a smaller number of troops than the estimate of over 13,000 reported in my statement to the House of 12 December

  757
  1995, Official Report, column 835. The actual figure is some 11,500. The United Kingdom's contribution remains, by a substantial margin, second only to that of the United States.

  I shall keep the force level under review as planning develops for the reduction of IFOR numbers and the completion of its task. NATO is also reviewing the maritime and air forces required to support operations in the Adriatic theatre. Force levels can in any case be expected to fluctuate.

  Type 23 Frigates
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the order for the next batch of type 23 frigates. [12858]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  An announcement will be made as soon as the decision has been taken.

  Chemical Weapons Stocks
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the total amounts of chemical weapons and precursor stocks, by location, held by his Department. [12861]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No. The UK has not had an offensive chemical weapons capability since the 1950s. Items dating from the 1950s and before are discovered from time to time and taken to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment for safe destruction. Small quantities of scheduled chemicals are held for purposes permitted by the chemical weapons convention; on security grounds, information about their quantity and location is safeguarded.

  Mr. David Hart
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Mr. David Hart has a role in his Department's postings and personnel selections. [12862]

  Mr. Portillo
  No.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners (Hospital Visits)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who attended hospital for confinement in each of the past 10 years (1) have(a) succeeded in escaping and (b) attempted to escape, (i) one hour before, (ii) two hours before, (iii) three hours before, (iv) four hours before and (v) five hours before their delivery and (2) have (a) succeeded in escaping and (b) attempted to escape (i) one hour after, (ii) two hours after, (iii) three hours after, (iv) four hours after and (v) five hours after their delivery. [8547]

  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.
  758
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prisoners who have escaped or attempted to escape having attended hospital for confinement in the past 10 years.
  Since 1988, when a data-base of escapes was first set up, the Prison Service has recorded no incidents of any woman escaping during the last stages of labour or during childbirth. One woman prisoner is recorded as having escaped more than five hours after the birth of her child. The child was abandoned at the hospital. There are no recorded incidents of attempted escape during or after confinement.

  Women Prisoners (Hospital Treatment)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions his Department has had with the Whittington Hospital NHS trust in respect of its concerns over the practice of handcuffing and chaining women prisoners; [9493]

  (2) when his Department learnt that the Whittington Hospital NHS trust had expressed concern at the practice of handcuffing and chaining pregnant women prisoners. [9494]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 15 January 1996]: This matter was first raised with the Prison Service on 31 August 1995, when the chief executive of the Whittington hospital wrote to the governor of Holloway prison. There has been further correspondence since then.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish all correspondence between the Whittington hospital and HMP Holloway concerning the handcuffing of women prisoners during visits to the hospital; and if he will make a statement. [11642]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 24 January 1996]: The temporary Director General of the Prison Service has reviewed the policy on the application of physical restraints to prisoners attending hospital, particularly pregnant prisoners and my right hon. and learned Friend announced this policy to the House on 18 January, Official Report, columns 893–94.

  Copies of correspondence between the Whittington hospital and Holloway prison about this subject will be placed in the Library.

  Alton Manning (Death)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the death of Alton Manning on 8 December in Blakenhurst prison. [12094]

  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. Chris Mullin, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the death of Mr. Alton Manning on 8 December 1995 in Blakenhurst prison.

  759
  All deaths in custody are investigated by the Coroner whose inquest is a full and public inquiry. The Coroner is currently conducting the investigation into Mr. Manning's death and a date for the inquest is yet to be fixed. I am unable at this stage to comment on the detailed circumstances of the case.

  Voluntary School Helpers
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been issued to police forces by the Home Office recommending that the carrying out of police checks on voluntary school helpers be discontinued; and if he will make a statement. [12302]

  Mr. Maclean
  No such advice has been issued. The relevant guidance on the criteria which justify carrying out a criminal record check on people working in schools, whether as paid employees or as volunteers, is currently set out in Home Office circular 47/93. This states that, in order for a person to be subject to a police check, the post for which he or she is applying"should entail a substantial level of access to children which may also be unsupervised, and will be regular or sustained."

  These criteria were first agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers in 1986 and have not changed.

  Contractor

  Contract started

  Length of contract

  Original contract price

  Wolds

  Group 4

  1 April 1992

  5 years

  £29.87 million: estimate over 5 years when contract awarded

  Blakenhurst

  UKDS

  26 May 1993

  5 years

  £57 million

  Doncaster

  PPS

  20 June 1994

  5 years

  £66 million

  Buckley Hall

  Group 4

  14 December 1994

  5 years

  £33 million

  Women's Prisons
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated outstanding repair and maintenance bill of each women's prison for each year since 1985; and what was the actual spending on maintenance and repair at each prison in each of those years. [11493]

  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 Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the estimated outstanding repair and maintenance bill for each women's prison for each year since 1985 and the actual spending at each prison in each of those years.

  Maintenance and repair expenditure at female establishments 1991–92 to 1995–96

  £000s

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  11995–96

  Total

  Askham Grange

  91

  157

  113

  821

  120

  1,302

  Bullwood Hall

  439

  204

  181

  211

  283

  1,318

  Cookham Wood

  37

  56

  55

  341

  51

  540

  Drake Hall

  255

  130

  115

  206

  110

  816

  Durham2

  46

  857

  1,198

  166

  66

  2,333

  East Sutton Park

  29

  39

  70

  68

  77

  283

  Holloway

  350

  534

  784

  665

  715

  3,048

  Low Newton2

  62

  28

  45

  155

  40

  330

  Private Prisons
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give in respect of each private prison(a) the contractor, (b) the date the contract commenced, (c) the length of the contract, (d) the original contract price and (e) the projected cost of the contract including start-up costs and all other costs incurred by the Prison Service. [12768]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the contracts at each of the contractually managed prisons.
  The information about the projected cost of the contracts is not readily available in the form requested and I will write to you separately on this.
  The other information you requested is set out in the attached table.
  Records are not kept centrally of outstanding repair and maintenance bills for individual establishments.
  The attached table shows the actual annual spending on repairs and maintenance in the twelve establishments holding female prisoners in each of the financial years since 1991–92, including the predicted spend for this year. The figures include both work which has been funded centrally and that funded locally with delegated authority. Figures for actual expenditure on maintenance for the years 1985–86 to 1990–91 are not readily available.
  For the three establishments which currently house both male and female prisoners, it has not been possible to separate the costs for repair and maintenance of the female wings from the male wings.
  Much maintenance work is covered during modernisation and redevelopment. In 1994–95 such schemes helped take the investment 'in improvements alone to the prison estate to £178 million. Of this around £14 million was devoted to the female estate.
  We are in the process of re-surveying every establishment to produce a forward maintenance register which will be kept up to date and will help us predict future finance needed for maintenance.
  761

  Maintenance and repair expenditure at female establishments 1991–92 to 1995–96

  £000s

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  11995–96

  Total

  New Hall

  106

  90

  111

  153

  182

  642

  Pucklechurch3

  26

  17

  58

  31

  20

  152

  Risley2

  218

  262

  312

  947

  465

  2,204

  Styal

  297

  560

  849

  326

  139

  2,171

  Total

  1,956

  2,934

  3,891

  4,090

  2,268

  15,139

  1Estimated outturn.

  2Establishments holding prisoners of both sexes. The costs relating to these establishments include an element for locally let maintenance and repair work for the entire prison, a figure which, unfortunately, cannot be easily apportioned between the female and male estate.

  1. Eastwood Park is scheduled to re-open during 1996 as a female establishment following a 2 year modernisation programme.

  2. Brockhill and Winchester have newly opened wings for female prisoners. These were modernised and will not yet have attracted significant spending on repair and maintenance.

  3. Pucklechurch is scheduled for closure during 1996 following the re-opening of Eastwood Park.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were admitted to prison in each year since 1979; and what was(a) the total budget for women's prisons in each of those years and (b) the actual amount spent per prisoner.[11496]

  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 Alan Walker to Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 31 January 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 number of women admitted to prison in each year since 1979, the total budget for women's prisons in each of those years and the actual amount spent per prisoner.
  Information on female receptions into Prison Service establishments in 1979–1993 is published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (tables 1.14 of the 1989 edition (Cm 1221) for years 1979–1989 and table 1.11 of the 1993 edition (Cm 2893) for the remaining years). Information for 1994 and 1995 is given in table 1.
  The only information readily available on the cost of women's prisons over the period requested is for total net operating costs and average annual net operating cost per inmate. The figures are set out in table 2. These figures cover only establishments exclusively for female inmates; costs for female are not available separately for establishments holding both males and females.

  Table 1: Female receptions1 into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales by type of custody, 1994 and 1995

  Year

  Typle of custody

  1994

  21995

  Remand

  Untried

  2,922

  2,940

  Convicted unsentenced

  1,812

  1,689

  Sentenced

  Immediate custody

  2,952

  3,467

  Fine defaulters

  1,454

  1,352

  Non-criminals

  290

  195

  1Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category because there is double counting. A person received in more than one type of custody is counted each time.

  2Provisional figures.

  762

  Table 2: Costs of female establishments

  Financial year

  Net operating cost

  Average cost per inmate per year

  1979–80

  110,266

  18,569

  1980–81

  113,796

  111,207

  1981–82

  115,871

  113,753

  1982–83

  117,659

  116,054

  1983–84

  20,742

  17,228

  1984–85

  22,664

  18,902

  1985–86

  23,056

  17,942

  1986–87

  23,706

  17,891

  1987–88

  29,684

  20,003

  1988–89

  31,310

  20,763

  1989–90

  33,963

  22,567

  1990–91

  41,272

  29,250

  1991–92

  47,460

  32,708

  1992–93

  47,000

  34,207

  1993–94

  241,100

  228,151

  1994–95

  44,200

  226,675

  1The figures for 1979–80 to 1982–83 are not strictly comparable with subsequent years due to changes in accounting policies.

  2The figures for 1993–94 and 1994–95 are on a different basis to the preceding years which include some notional costs.

  Domestic Violence
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount spent by police force area on awareness campaigns on domestic violence for each year since 1990. [11495]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not collated centrally. Spending on domestic violence issues is an operational matter for chief officers of police.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of reported incidents of domestic violence by police force area for each year since 1990; and how many resulted in(a) prosecution and (b) conviction. [11497]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information is not available on the number of domestic violence incidents resulting in prosecution or conviction. Available statistics on the number of domestic violence incidents by police force area relate to the calendar year 1993 and the financial year 1994–95 and were provided in a reply I gave to the hon. Member for York (Mr. Bayley) on 7 November 1995, columns 823–24. Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary is in the process of collecting more reliable data.

  Prisons (Running Costs)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the recent report by LEK consultants, comparing the costs of running private prisons with public sector prisons. [12765]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the report by the LEK Partnership comparing the costs of running private prisons with public sector prisons.
  The study was carried out in 1994 and results presented to the Prison Service at the end of 1994. I cannot publish the study itself because it contains commercially confidential information. However, the attached table summarises the main findings.

  The LEK Partnership's study used data from 1993–94 and is summarised in the table below

  Private prison

  Public comparator group

  Cost1 per CNA lower by (per cent.)

  Blakenhurst

  Bullingdon

  14

  Holme House

  Elmley

  Doncaster2

  Bullingdon

  14

  Holme House

  Elmley

  Buckley Hall2

  Everthorpe

  26

  Haverigg

  Ranby

  1Cost is after adjustments to exclude non comparable costs from both the private sector bid prices and public sector costs.

  2Results for Doncaster and Buckley Hall should be treated with caution because neither prison was open during the period the comparisons covered.

  3The analysis excluded Wolds because in 1993–94 there was no comparable public sector remand prison.

  Police Custody (Deaths)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many deaths in police custody in each year an inquest verdict has been brought in of(a) natural causes, (b) misadventure or accident, (c) drug addiction or alcoholism, (d) suicide, (e) unlawful killing and (f) open verdict; and in how many cases no inquest was held. [11931]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is published in the annual Home Office statistical bulletin entitled "Police Complaints and Discipline, England and Wales" and, for the Metropolitan police district, in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police. Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have died in police custody(a) in total and (b) by police force area in each year since 1990. [11487]
  764
  Mr. Maclean
  This information is published in the annual Home Office statistical bulletin entitled "Police Complaints and Discipline, England and Wales" and, for the Metropolitan police district, in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police. Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the ethnic origin of each prisoner who has died in police custody since 1990. [11488]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not at present collected centrally but the present procedures are being amended as from April 1996. It will thereafter be published annually in the Home Office statistical bulletin entitled "Police Complaints and Discipline, England and Wales" and, for the Metropolitan police district, in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police.

  Control and Restraint Procedures
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to police forces in the use of control and restraint procedures. [11489]

  Mr. Maclean
  Home Office circular—number 62/1992—deals with the use of handcuffs by police officers. The Association of Chief Police Officers issues, guidance on self-defence and restraint.

  Holloway Prison
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department will take to improve conditions at Holloway prison; and what extra resources will be made available for this. [11514]

  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 Ms Tessa Jowell, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Holloway prison.
  A new governor has recently been appointed at Holloway prison and tasked with improving conditions there. As part of the improvement process, a new health care manager has been appointed, who is carrying out a full review of health care services at Holloway. Sixteen additional prison officers have also been drafted into Holloway from other prisons on a temporary basis.
  An additional £300,000 was provided to Holloway last October to recruit and train 25 additional new staff who will take up post in January and February this year, which will enable a fuller regime to operate in the prison.
  An external contractor, with expertise in pest control, is now working in Holloway and has made progress in eradicating rats and other vermin.

  Holloway Prison
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the maximum number of inmates permitted at Her Majesty's prison Holloway and (b) the highest prison population for each year since 1990. [12266]
  765
  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. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Holloway prison.
  The maximum numbers of prisoners (the operational capacity) and the highest prison population for each year since 1990 is given in the attached table.

  Year

  Operational capacity

  Highest population

  1990

  517

  493

  1991

  517

  494

  1992

  517

  495

  1993

  532

  476

  1994

  532

  507

  1995

  532

  527

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what allocation of funds for education at Her Majesty's prison Holloway he expects to make in 1996–97. [12268]

  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. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the allocation of funds for education at Holloway prison in 1996–97.
  No decision has yet been made by the governor about how much of the 1996–97 budget should be allocation to education.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received covering the provision of education in Her Majesty's prison Holloway; and if he will make a statement. [12271]

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I have received representations from the board of visitors at Holloway on this matter. Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons also raised his concerns with me and with the temporary Director General of the Prison Service following his unannounced visit to Holloway in December 1995.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all programmes which his Department funds that are aimed at deterring under 16-year-olds from committing crimes; and if he will make a statement. [12723]

  Mr. Maclean
  The bulk of the Home Office funding in this area was transferred to the single regeneration budget at the Department of the Environment in April 1994. This budget supports many crime prevention activities with a youth focus. The Home Office programme development unit funded a small group of experimental projects on reducing criminality in 1992; final reports are expected shortly.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on licensing arms exports to the states of the former Yugoslavia. [11993]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  [holding answer 26 January 1996]: UN Security Council resolution 1021 established a timetable for phased lifting of the arms embargo on former Yugoslavia. Light weapons can be imported 90 days after signature of the peace agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina—that is, from 13 March—and the embargo will be lifted completely 180 days after signature and after submission of a report from the UN Secretary General on the arms control negotiations called for in the peace agreement—that is from 11 June. The Government have decided that, taking into account the overall situation in the states of the former Yugoslavia and the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of British and other troops deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, applications for arms export licences will be dealt with on the following basis:

  (a) for Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, applications for licences to export military equipment listed in group 1 of part III of schedule I to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 and dual-use goods will be considered on a case by case basis;

  (b) for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia our policy is not to allow the export of military equipment listed in group 1 of part III of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order of 1994 during the period of the NATO-led implementation force's deployment. Against the background, applications for export licences will continue to be considered on a case by case basis, as will applications for export of dual-use goods.

  The Government will encourage our EU and other partners to take a similar approach, and keep this policy under review, particularly in the light of progress in implementing the peace agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  Laser Weapons Protocol
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the advantage of extending the scope of the laser weapons protocol to include civil war conflicts; what measures he proposes to improve the transparency and verification arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [12757]

  Mr. David Davis
  In common with other western countries, we support the extension of the scope of the 1981 UN weaponry convention protocols on both laser blinding weapons and land mines so that they apply also during non-international armed conflict. We also support the inclusion of effective transparency, compliance and verification arrangements. We shall pursue these questions at the concluding session of the weaponry convention review conference in Geneva from 22 April to 3 May.
  767
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his Indian counterparts their policy towards the laser weapon protocol, with particular reference to its extension to cover civil war conflict; and if he will make a statement. [12758]

  Mr. Davis
  We intend to hold discussions with a number of countries before the final session of the 1981 UN weaponry convention review conference in Geneva from 22 April to 3 May with a view to securing the extension of the scope of the convention's protocols on land mines and laser building weapons to non-international armed conflict.

  Police Officers (Training)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will name the Guatemalan police officers who have been trained in Britain since 1985, specifying each officer's rank and the date of commencement and of completion of the training; [12517]

  (2) if he will name the Guatemalan police officers who have undergone study tours to the United Kingdom since 1985, in each case specifying the officer's rank and the date of commencement and of completion of the training. [12518]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 27 November 1995,Official Report, column 429. We have no record of any Guatemalan police officers being trained or attending study tours in the United Kingdom since 1985. However, we have offered a place for one police officer to attend the overseas command course at Bramshill in 1996.

  Individual insolvencies in the United Kingdom

  Year

  England and Wales

  Scotland

  Northern Ireland

  Bankruptcy orders1

  Total2 individual insolvencies

  Sequestrations3

  Bankruptcies4

  Total personal insolvency orders5

  1985

  6,730

  6,778

  298

  150

  150

  1986

  7,093

  7,155

  437

  193

  193

  1987

  6,994

  7,427

  808

  134

  134

  1988

  7,717

  8,507

  1,401

  164

  164

  1989

  8,138

  9,365

  2,301

  238

  238

  1990

  12,058

  13,987

  4,350

  286

  286

  1991

  22,632

  25,640

  7,665

  367

  369

  1992

  32,106

  36,794

  10,845

  406

  448

  1993

  31,016

  36,703

  6,828

  474

  541

  1994

  25,634

  30,739

  2,182

  428

  512

  19956: Q1–Q37

  16,726

  20,044

  1,749

  306

  358

  Notes:

  1Figures for bankruptcy orders include administration orders, which are bankruptcy orders relating to the estate of a deceased debtor.

  2Total Individual Insolvencies in England and Wales comprise Bankruptcy orders, Individual voluntary arrangements and Deeds of arrangement.

  3Insolvent individuals in Scotland are subject to sequestration under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985. The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1993 amending the 1985 Act came into force on 1 April 1993 and will have affected the number of sequestrations in the Scottish Courts.

  4NI Bankruptcies comprise Bankruptcy adjudication orders, Arrangement protection orders and Orders for the administration of estates of deceased insolvents.

  5NI Total comprises Bankruptcies and Individual voluntary arrangements.

  6Data for 1995 will be published (for England and Wales, and Scotland) on 2 February 1996.

  7Provisional.

  Sources:

  DTI and Northern Ireland Insolvency Service.

  Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals have been put by the United Kingdom to the negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. [12860]

  Mr. David Davis
  We continue to negotiate actively for the earliest possible conclusion of an effective comprehensive test ban treaty. We have made it clear that in our view such a treaty should prohibit all nuclear weapon test explosions involving any release of nuclear energy.

  Burundi
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Burundi; and what steps he has taken with the international community to prevent a further escalation of ethnic violence in Burundi and to support the legitimate Government. [12233]

  Mr. Hanley
  We are seriously concerned about the deterioration of the political and security situation in Burundi. We continue to support efforts by the United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity and leaders in the region to promote political dialogue, reduce violence and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Bankruptcy Orders
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many bankruptcy orders were made in each region in the last 10 years. [9267]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information is given in the table.
  769
  The Insolvency Act 1986 introduced a number of changes which streamlined overall procedures. For individuals, the terms under which one can seek bankruptcy were made more lenient and many discharges were made automatic after three years. The total number of insolvencies must be considered in the context of about 3.6 million UK businesses in total and a start-up rate of about 400,000 new businesses per year. Since 1986, the number of UK enterprises has increased by over 12 per cent. and the number of self-employed by 21 per cent., concentrated mainly in the earlier years.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to publish the Scott inquiry report; and if he will make a statement. [11643]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 January 1996]: I expect the report to be published within the next few weeks.

  Jordan (Export Credits)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total principal value of payments made by the Export Credits Guarantee Department to the Midland bank since 1980 in respect of trade with Jordan by(a) Astra Holdings and its subsidiaries, (b) British Aerospace and its subsidiaries, (c) Royal Ordnance and its subsidiaries, (d) Vickers and its subsidiaries, (e) Racal and its subsidiaries, (f) Plessey and its subsidiaries and (g) Thorn EMI and it subsidiaries. [11307]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 24 January 1996]: The ECGD has no record of payments to Midland bank since 1980 in respect of capital goods and project business with Jordan by any of the named companies. The ECGD has, however, paid £11.2 million claims to Midland bank in respect of business by Airbus Industrie, to which British Aerospace is a supplier. In the case of its now-privatised short-term business the ECGD maintains no record of the supplier in cases where it has paid claims to banks.

  Trade Missions (Burma and Nigeria)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the trade missions to(a) Burma and (b) Nigeria over the last five years which have been sponsored by his Department and organised in conjunction with his Department; how many are planned; and if he will list the companies involved. [12238]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  (a) There have been no Department of Trade and Industry-supported trade missions to Burma in the last five years. The Department is supporting two missions in 1996:

  (1) an Asia Pacific Advisory Group trade mission, 26 February-1 March 1996,
  and

  (2) a British Electrochemical and Allied Manufacturers' Association (BEAMA) trade mission to Thailand and Burma, 24 June-3 July 1996.

  (b) Since 1991, there have been 15 Department of Trade and Industry-supported trade missions to Nigeria:

  (1) April 1991—Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (2) August 1991—Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  770

  (3) October 1991—London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (4) March 1992—Energy Industries Council

  (5) May 1992—Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (6) September 1992—Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (7) October 1992—British Electrochemical and Allied Manufacturers' Association (BEAMA)

  (8) April 1993—Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (9) June 1993—Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (10) January 1994—London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (11) September 1994—Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (12) January 1995—British Electrochemical and Allied Manufacturers' Association (BEAMA)

  (13) May 1995—Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  (14) May 1995—DTI Nigeria desk-organised water trade mission

  (15) September 1995—Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  Several of these missions also visited Ghana.

  The Department of Trade and Industry has undertaken to support two missions in 1996:

  (1) a London Chamber of Commerce mission to Nigeria and Ghana, 25 February-15 March, and

  (2) a Kent Chamber of Commerce mission to Nigeria and Ghana, 17–30 November.

  Nuclear Powers
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value to the British nuclear generation industry in 1995 prices of the price support mechanism for the sale of electricity generated from nuclear power in each year from 1980 to 1990. [12475]

  Mr. Eggar
  Before 1990, the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board were responsible for most nuclear generation in the UK. The accounts of those companies did not separately identify detailed financial information on nuclear generation.

  Nuclear Levy
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money in 1995 prices it is expected will be raised from the nuclear levy from the present day until the removal of the levy.[12478]

  Mr. Eggar
  The element of the fossil fuel levy that is attributable to Nuclear Electric will end at the time of privatisation, subject to the recovery of outstanding moneys due. It is not possible at this time to estimate the amount of money that will be raised in respect of this element from the present day, as this will depend on a number of factors that are still uncertain.

  British Coal Pensions
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes have occurred in the respect of British Coal pensions funding arrangements between the
  771
  publication of his Department's paper on proposals for British Coal pensions after privatisation and his answer of 24 October, Official Report, column 553. [12736]

  Mr. Page
  Following the publication in September 1993 of the Government's proposals for British Coal pensions after privatisation, a number of changes took place to the arrangements governing the mineworkers pension scheme and the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. The modified arrangements took effect from 31 October 1994 and were described in some detail by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Industry and Energy, in his answer of 27 April 1994,Official Report, column 168. My answer of 24 October 1995 concerned the unrelated issue of British Coal's industrial death and retirement scheme.

  Characterr Ceramics, Falmouth
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries his Department undertook into the background of the directors of Character Ceramics, Falmouth, before making them a grant. [10111]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 18 January 1996]: No inquiries were made. The Department considers making checks where the circumstances suggest that it would be appropriate to do so.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Positive about Disabled People Symbol
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list for his Department and each of the agencies for which he is responsible if it uses the Employment Service's positive about disabled people symbol for(a) external recruitment and (b) internal recruitment and promotion. [11925]

  The Attorney-General
  All the Law Officers' Departments seek to ensure that there is no unfair discrimination on the basis of disability. Although those Departments do not at present use the positive about disabled people symbol, the Crown Prosecution Service proposes to apply shortly for use of the symbol in relation to both(a) external recruitment and (b) internal recruitment and promotion. The Government property lawyers have undertaken preparatory work with a view to applying for use of the symbol in the near future, and the Treasury Solicitor's Department is also considering its use.

  "Despatches" Programme
  Mrs., Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General if the inquiries by the Ministry of Defence police and Strathclyde police into allegations made in the "Despatches" programme are complete. [12729]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service has received a report from the Ministry of Defence police and is awaiting the outcome of further investigations being carried out by Strathclyde police. The conduct and progress of those investigations are matters for my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate.

PRIME MINISTER

  Absenteeism
  Mr Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of absenteeism rates in days per annum for staff in his Department for each of the years(a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95 and (f) 1995–96. [11365]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 January 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, on Tuesday 30 January.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his estimate of his Department's expenditure on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96, to date; and if he will list the publications purchased for the latest year for which information is available. [11457]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: For this purpose, my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 30 January by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service. Figures for 1979–80 are not available on a comparable basis.

  Nuclear Testing (India)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he is taking in respect of the Indian Government's plans to resume nuclear testing; and if he will make a statement. [12873]

  The Prime Minister
  The Indian Minister for External Affairs confirmed in Delhi on 19 December that India was not planning to conduct a nuclear test. We have welcomed this assurance.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Joint Funding Scheme
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes are proposed for the criteria for joint funding scheme project selection; and if he will make a statement. [12256]

  Mr. Hanley
  Any changes to the criteria for the selection of projects under the joint funding scheme will be considered in the context of a forthcoming general
  773
  review by the ODA of our relationships with non-governmental organisations. At this point, we do not envisage any substantial change, particularly to the primary objective of the scheme, which is to bring lasting benefits to the poorest people in developing countries. NGOs will be fully consulted in our review of these arrangements.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agricultural Incomes
  Sir John Cope
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on agricultural and farm incomes. [13226]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Total income from farming is estimated to have risen by 22 per cent. in real terms in 1995 compared with 1994. This increase is partly due to agrimonetary developments and to unusual weather conditions which, on balance, had a favourable effect on agricultural incomes. However, the Government's success in creating the right conditions for growth also played an important part. Detailed estimates of the income, output and productivity of United Kingdom agriculture in 1995 were published this morning and have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fish farms throughout Northern Ireland have been granted exemption permits; what are the conditions of exemptions; and on what dates they were signed. [10669]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have been asked to reply.

  A total of six fish farms in Northern Ireland have been granted permits exempting them from the obligations imposed by section 59 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, as amended. Conditions vary on each exemption issued and are site specific, but the underlying principle is that exemptions are issued subject to conditions which result in no diminution of the level of protection afforded to fish stocks. The dates of issue of the permits were 12 September 1994,3 April 1995,2 May 1995,16 May 1995—two—and 1 August 1995.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fish farms in Northern Ireland were identified by the Fisheries Conservatory Board as not complying with the provisions contained in the Fisheries Act in each of the past two years. [10670]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is as follows:

  1994: 8

  1995: 2

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many abattoirs continue to operate either as(a) fully EC approved and (b) under temporary derogation; and by how much the overall total differs from December 1995. [10420]
  774
  Mrs. Browning
  The information for red meat abattoirs in England is set out in the table:

  Licence status

  Number of premises 1 December 1995

  Number of premises 19 January 1996

  EC approved

  101

  113

  National market only

  Permanently derogated low

  throughput (no more than 20

  livestock units per week)

  119

  140

  Temporary derogated full

  throughput (more than 20

  livestock units per week)

  122

  107

  Temporary derogated low

  throughput (no more than 20

  livestock units per week)

  60

  41

  Total

  402

  401

  Departmental Chauffeur-driven Cars
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the cost of chauffeur-driven cars used by his Department was in each of the past five years. [5854]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Expenditure by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of chauffeur-driven cars for the financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95 is set out in the list.

  1990–91: £234,430.21

  1991–92: £289,972.83

  1992–93: £294,921.47

  1993–94: £264,662.21

  1994–95: £223,697.49

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the annual cost to his Ministry and his Ministry's agencies and non-ministerial public bodies of their empty and under-utilised properties for(a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95, (f) 1995–96 and (g) 1996–97. [11415]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: Before 1 April 1990, the civil estate was managed by the Property Services Agency.

  The annual costs incurred by the Ministry and its agencies in respect of empty properties are as follows:

  1991–92: £320,000

  1992–93: £944,000

  1993–94: £1,803,000

  1994–95: £4,471,000

  1995–96: £4,258,000

  1996–97: £2,744,000

  Information on the costs of the Ministry's under-utilised properties and on the costs of empty and under-utilised properties held by non-departmental public bodies could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  775
  A significant proportion of each of the above figures relates to opportunity cost rents which are not a charge on the Exchequer.

  The Ministry follows Treasury policy and makes every effort to dispose of vacant properties within three years of their becoming redundant.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of his Ministry's expenditure on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96, to date; and if he will list the publications purchased for the latest year for which information is available. [11417]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's estimated expenditure over the past three years on newspapers and magazines, defined as scientific, technical and other highly specialised and general periodicals, is as follows:

  1993–94: £624,000

  1994–95: £623,000

  1995–96: £481,000

  The Ministry subscribes centrally to over 3,500 titles, and other records are maintained at a number of different locations. To provide a central list of publications purchased for the latest year for which information is available could be done only at disproportionate cost.

  EU Funding
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much in(a) ecu and (b) pounds by standard region and in total is allocated to the United Kingdom from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund under the present structural funds agreement.

  [11655]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 29 January 1996]: The UK's allocation by objective and region in (a) ecu and (b) pounds sterling from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund under the present structural funds agreement—1994 to 1999—is shown in the table:

  Region

  Ecus

  Pounds sterling

  Objective 1

  Merseyside

  3

  3

  Highlands and Islands

  56

  47

  Northern Ireland

  187

  158

  Total UK

  246

  205

  Objective 5a

  UK

  361

  301

  Objective 5b

  South-West

  41

  34

  The Marches

  7

  6

  Midlands Uplands

  2

  2

  Northern Uplands

  23

  19

  Lincolnshire

  9

  8

  East Anglia

  11

  9

  Rural Wales

  36

  30

  Borders of Scotland

  4

  3

  Dumfries and Galloway

  6

  5

  Central Scotland/Tayside

  3

  3

  776

  Region

  Ecus

  Pounds sterling

  Grampian

  5

  4

  Total UK

  147

  123

  1. All figures are at 1994 prices, are given in millions and have been rounded to the nearest million.

  2. The exchange rate used is £1 = 1.20 ecu.

  Cattle
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the size of the herd of each breed of cattle in the United Kingdom, for each year since 1985. [12178]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Ministry does not hold the information requested.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what requirements are made of vehicles seeking exemption licences to carry animals in more than one tier on roll-on, roll-off ferries; [11980]

  (2) how many vehicles have been approved for the, transport of animals on the open decks of ferries in the last 12 months. [11982]

  Mrs. Browning
  The issue of exemption licences for vehicles carried on roll-on, roll-off ferries ceased as from 1 January 1993. There are no provisions requiring approval of vehicles carried on the open deck of ferries.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the orders and regulations governing the suitability of(a) vessels and (b) vehicles for the transport of livestock. [11981]

  Mrs. Browning
  The following orders, made or deemed to have been made, under the Animal Health Act 1981, contain provisions governing the suitability of(a) vessels and (b) vehicles:

  Statutory Instrument

  Reference

  The Transit of Animals Order

  S.R. and O. 1927/289(S.R.

  1927 (as amended by the

  and O. 1927/399,

  Transit of Animals

  1939/501,S.I.

  (Amendment) Orders 1927 and

  1975/1025S.I. 1992/3304)

  1939, the Transit of Animals

  (Road and Rail) Order 1975)

  and the Welfare of Animals

  during Transport Order 1992)

  The Animals (Sea Transport)

  S.R. and O. 1930/923(S.R.

  Order 1930 (as amended by the

  and O. 1932/248S.I.

  Animals (Sea Transport)

  1992/3304)

  (Amendment) Order 1932 and

  the Welfare of Animals during

  Transport Order 1992)

  The Horses (Sea Transport) Order

  S.I. 1952/1291(S.I.

  1952 (as amended by the

  1958/1272S.I. 1992/3304)

  Horses (Sea Transport)

  Amendment Order 1958 and

  the Welfare of Animals during

  Transport Order 1992)

  777

  Statutory Instrument

  Reference

  The Transit of Animals(General)

  S.I. 1973/1377(S.I.

  Order 1973 as amended by the

  1988/815S.I. 1992/3304)

  Transit of Animals

  (Amendment) Order 1988 and

  The Welfare of Animals during

  Transport Order 1992)

  The Transit of Animals (Road and

  S.I. 1975/1024(S.I.

  Rail) Order 1975 (as amended

  1979)1013)(S.I.

  by the Transit of Animals

  1988/815S.I. 1992/3304)

  (Road and Rail) (Amendment)

  Order 1979, the Transit of

  Animals (Amendment) Order

  1988) and the Welfare of

  Animals during Transport

  Order 1992)

  The Welfare of Poultry Order

  S.I. 1988/851(S.I. 1989/52S.I.

  1988 (as amended by the

  1992/3304)

  Welfare of Poultry (Transport)

  (Amendment) Order 1989 and

  the Welfare of Animals during

  Transport Order 1992)

  The Welfare of Animals during

  Transport Order 1994 (as

  amended by the Welfare of

  Animals during Transport

  (Amendment) Order 1995)S.I.

  1994/3249(1995/131)

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of-his Department's budgetary provision for the financial year 1996–97 to allow for his officials to be able to monitor at Dover docks each vehicle exporting livestock which intends to embark on specialist livestock ferries sailing from Dover; and if he will make a statement. [12165]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 29 January 1996]: Monitoring the conditions under which livestock are exported will continue to be a priority task for the Department.

  European Directives
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on internal procedures which have been put in place to ensure that European directives are not gold plated in domestic regulations in his Department; and how, when and by whom these procedures will be activated; [12260]

  (2) if he will place in the Library copies of the guidance notes, office notes and other relevant documents which relate to the new internal procedures for (a) removing gold plating from existing domestic regulation and (b) ensuring new European directives are not gold plated. [12263]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The Ministry's firm policy is not to gold plate EC directives when implementing them in the UK by the addition of unnecessary burdens. Detailed and comprehensive procedures have been devised to help our close scrutiny of proposals to implement new EU directives to ensure these ends. We do not feel it appropriate to publish this internal departmental guidance. There is also close
  778
  consultation with other Departments on the further development of means to satisfy ourselves that no gold plating is taking place.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1995,Official Report, column 1134, in what circumstances overwhelming policy reasons have amplified minimum regulatory standards when translating European directives into United Kingdom law; and if he will make a statement. [12261]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: The cost of analysing all past statutory instruments, in order to identify those which may have amplified minimum regulatory standards, would be disproportionate.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the benefits of granting compensation for purchasers of milk quotas in the event of the discontinuance of the scheme. [12488]

  Mr. Baldry
  Current EC legislation provides for milk quotas until 31 March 2000. The future of the milk quota system will be reviewed in Brussels before then and the Government will be assessing the options for reforming the present arrangements in the context of that review.

  Equidae (Registration)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many equidae within the meaning of directive 90/426/EEC have been registered in Britain by organisations which have been formally recognised under the terms of that directive to register equidae. [12638]

  Mrs. Browning
  I regret that registration records are not held by this Department. Information may be available from the 37 societies that have so far been recognised, as referred to in my reply,Official Report, columns 627–28, on 17 January 1996.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Selective Education
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what data her Department has assessed in respect of the percentage of adults who favour a return to fully selective education. [12737]

  Mrs. Gillan
  A recent survey commissioned by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers found that 54 per cent. of parents were in favour of a return to a fully selective education system.

  Further Education Funding Council
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what amount of funding allocated by the Further Education Council is spent on subsidising employer training broken down by further education institution. [12756]

  Mr. Paice
  The information is not collected centrally.
  779
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications have been received by the Further Education Funding Council from private training institutions applying to register as further education colleges; and if she will list them. [12754]

  Mr. Paice
  There is no provision for the registration of private training institutions as further education colleges. The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 makes provision for my right hon. Friend to establish further education corporations to conduct existing educational institutions. She would normally expect to do so only in response to a proposal made by the Further Education Funding Council for England. To date, the council has not received any requests to make such proposals to my right hon. Friend.

  The Act also includes provision for institutions which are inside the further education sector to sponsor for funding from the council applications from institutions which are outside the sector. In 1994–95 the FEFC received 41 applications for such funding from external institutions. Of these 18 were private providers and 11 of these received funding. In 1995–96, nine applications were received, five from private providers, and one of these received funding. At this stage, the indications for 1996–97 are: seven received, five from private providers; funding has yet to be allocated. I will ask the chief executive of the council to write with a list of the institutions concerned.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the schools in England which have balloted parents on the question of grant-maintained status since 1 July 1995 voted in favour of staying with their local education authority. [12595]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Twenty-four primary and secondary schools in England have voted not to seek grant-maintained status between 1 July 1995 and 26 January 1996.

  Ofsted Inspections (Costs)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate she has made of the cost of a full Ofsted inspection in a London borough; [12866]

  (2) what is the estimated total cost of the Ofsted inspection and report in respect of Waltham Forest. [12857]

  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. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  School Inspections (Bradford)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list(a) the names of schools in the Manningharn area of Bradford which are to be inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, (b) the dates during which inspections are to be made, (c) the dates on which inspection contracts were approved and (d) the date by when Ofsted will report the outcome of the inspections; and if she will make a statement. [12881]
  780
  Mr. Robin Squire
  This is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  Teachers
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each local education authority the number of full-time equivalent teachers employed in(a) January 1991 and (b) January 1995 excluding sixth form colleges. [12882]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows the full-time equivalent number of teachers employed in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector in England for January for 1991 and 1995.

  Full-time equivalent teachers employed by local education authorities and grant-maintained schools in the nursery, primary and secondary sector1

  January each year

  1991

  1995

  Local education authority area

  All schools

  All schools

  Corporation of London

  14

  16

  Camden

  1,196

  1,346

  Greenwich

  2,196

  1,939

  Hackney

  1,715

  1,429

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,045

  941

  Islington

  1,310

  1,360

  Kensington and Chelsea

  663

  674

  Lambeth

  1,453

  1,680

  Lewisham

  1,818

  1,863

  Southwark

  1,714

  1,687

  Tower Hamlets

  2,115

  2,250

  Wandsworth

  1,667

  1,561

  Westminster

  1,154

  1,121

  Barking and Dagenham

  1,267

  1,446

  Barnet

  2,366

  2,638

  Bexley

  1,745

  1,836

  Brent

  2,023

  1,971

  Bromley

  1,958

  2,181

  Croydon

  2,424

  2,409

  Ealing

  2,202

  2,097

  Enfield

  2,264

  2,358

  Haringey

  1,553

  1,730

  Harrow

  1,414

  1,576

  Havering

  2,011

  1,891

  Hillingdon

  1,754

  1,870

  Hounslow ,

  1,928

  1,890

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,035

  1,057

  Merton

  1,275

  1,269

  Newham

  2,070

  1,968

  Redbridge

  1,698

  1,937

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,016

  1,052

  Sutton

  1,345

  1,354

  Waltham Forest

  1,809

  1,706

  Birmingham

  8,885

  9,366

  Coventry

  2,745

  2,657

  Dudley

  2,656

  2,576

  Sandwell

  2,865

  2,689

  Solihull

  1,757

  1,845

  Walsall

  2,744

  2,560

  Wolverhampton

  2,582

  2,377

  Knowsley

  1,481

  1,446

  Liverpool

  4,470

  4,194

  St. Helens

  1,658

  1,635

  Sefton

  2,391

  2,546

  Wirral

  3,038

  2,927

  Bolton

  2,463

  2,467

  781

  Full-time equivalent teachers employed by local education authorities and grant-maintained schools in the nursery, primary and secondary sector1

  January each year

  1991

  1995

  Local education authority area

  All schools

  All schools

  Bury

  1,441

  1,420

  Manchester

  4,004

  3,587

  Oldham

  2,196

  2,202

  Rochdale

  1,934

  1,819

  Salford

  2,002

  1,821

  Stockport

  2,159

  2,185

  Tameside

  1,929

  1,842

  Trafford

  1,763

  1,694

  Wigan

  2,835

  2,754

  Barnsley

  1,760

  1,704

  Doncaster

  2,753

  2,703

  Rotherham

  2,469

  2,440

  Sheffield

  4,043

  3,719

  Bradford

  5,012

  4,779

  Calderdale

  1,791

  1,769

  Kirklees

  3,580

  3,373

  Leeds

  6,275

  5,759

  Wakefield

  2,865

  2,704

  Gateshead

  1,750

  1,715

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,346

  2,104

  North Tyneside

  1,776

  1,639

  South Tyneside

  1,410

  1,340

  Sunderland

  2,681

  2,728

  Isles of Scilly

  29

  26

  Avon

  7,334

  7,677

  Bedfordshire

  4,799

  5,008

  Berkshire

  5,892

  6,171

  Buckinghamshire

  5,136

  5,310

  Cambridge

  5,244

  5,573

  Cheshire

  7,800

  8,013

  Cleveland

  5,180

  5,189

  Cornwall

  3,711

  3,675

  Cumbria

  4,147

  4,016

  Derbyshire

  8,490

  7,555

  Devon

  7,133

  7,437

  Dorset

  4,476

  4,393

  Durham

  4,783

  5,117

  East Sussex

  4,321

  4,899

  Essex

  11,985

  11,771

  Gloucestershire

  4,349

  4,258

  Hampshire

  10,680

  11,871

  Hereford and Worcester

  5,311

  5,329

  Hertfordshire

  8,248

  8,725

  Humberside

  7,470

  7,394

  Isle of Wight

  1,008

  999

  Kent

  11,674

  12,552

  Lancashire

  11,590

  12,088

  Leicestershire

  7,536

  7,810

  Lincolnshire

  4,869

  4,877

  Norfolk

  5,497

  5,898

  North Yorkshire

  5,537

  5,774

  Northamptonshire

  5,337

  5,624

  Northumberland

  2,736

  2,672

  Nottinghamshire

  8,246

  8,354

  Oxfordshire

  4,042

  4,426

  Shropshire

  3,477

  3,384

  Somerset

  3,533

  3,665

  Staffordshire

  8,758

  8,245

  Suffolk

  4,949

  5,466

  Surrey

  6,265

  6,529

  Warwickshire

  3,943

  4,027

  West Sussex

  4,663

  5,230

  Wiltshire

  4,513

  4,698

  England

  388,414

  392,910

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing Stock (London)
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the current housing stock in each London borough in the(a) private rented, (b) council owned and (c) housing association categories. [10888]

  Mr. Clappison
  The number of local authority and housing association dwellings in each London borough on 1 April 1995 reported by local authorities on their 1995 housing investment programme—HIP1—returns, were as follows.

  Local authority(1)

  Housing association

  Barking and Dagenham

  26,648

  596

  Barnet

  13,242

  4,100

  Bexley

  8,673

  2,890

  Brent

  16,673

  9,076

  Bromley

  80

  17,849

  Camden

  29,789

  6,520

  City of London

  2,256

  195

  Croydon

  16,393

  6,655

  Ealing

  16,204

  6,517

  Enfield

  15,558

  2,857

  Greenwich

  32,297

  5,443

  Hackney

  39,560

  10,552

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  16,417

  8,977

  Harringey

  20,842

  7,687

  Harrow

  6,551

  1,533

  Havering

  13,302

  1,332

  Hillingdon

  12,881

  4,151

  Hounslow

  16,476

  4,044

  Islington

  37,045

  8,363

  Kensington and Chelsea

  7,958

  11,007

  Kingston upon Thames

  5,548

  1,254

  Lambeth

  43,068

  11,275

  Lewisham

  35,095

  7,500

  Merton

  9,458

  2,500

  Newham

  25,818

  7,730

  Redbridge

  6,761

  2,131

  Richmond upon Thames

  7,703

  2,786

  Southwark

  54,266

  9,801

  Sutton

  10,038

  2,538

  Tower Hamlets

  37,578

  7,200

  Waltham Forest

  16,179

  4,166

  Wandsworth

  21,522

  9,139

  Westminster

  15,701

  12,143

  London total

  637,580

  200,507

  (1) Includes any dwelling owned by the authority outside its own area.

  Corresponding figures for private rented stock are not available; data are collected from local authorities on total private sector stock, but this is not split between owner-occupied and rented dwellings.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority in England for each year from 1991 to 1996–97 in cash and real terms the amount of (i) revenue support grant and (ii) capital expenditure. [11597]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  A list of revenue support grant and capital expenditure for each local authority in England has been placed in the Library of the House.
  783
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the outcome of consultation on the local government finance settlement, and if he will make a statement. [12731]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1996, c. 576]: I regret that certain sub-totals were incorrect on the first page of the table, "1996–97 Standard Spending Assessments, Business Rates, Revenue Support Grant and Special Grant Entitlements", copies of which were placed in the Library and the Vote Office on 29 January. The line "Total England" in the table, and the figures for individual local authorities, are unchanged.

  A revised table has now been placed in the Library. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the proposed or actual total external support in 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 for each of the districts in Somerset and Devon, with an explanation of any significant changes of function affecting grant. [11828]

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

  Under the system in operation in 1992–93, total external support for principal authorities in both tiers of local government was paid to district councils: counties precepted on districts for their share. From 1993–94, each principal authority has been paid its share of TES direct.

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

  £ million

  Local authority

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  East Devon

  57.665

  6.227

  6.826

  6.718

  6.648

  Exeter

  50.506

  8.253

  8.601

  8.425

  8.353

  North Devon

  43.102

  6.307

  6.531

  6.627

  6.668

  Plymouth

  130.640

  24.443

  24.514

  24.012

  22.604

  South Hams

  38.536

  4.613

  4.864

  4.764

  4.471

  Teignbridge

  53.749

  6.595

  7.250

  7.254

  7.169

  Mid Devon

  31.387

  4.340

  4.388

  4.363

  4.230

  Torbay

  60.739

  8.740

  9.165

  9.117

  10.386

  Torridge

  26.114

  3.763

  3.945

  4.008

  4.161

  West Devon

  22.149

  2.936

  3.149

  3.133

  3.072

  Mendip

  46.734

  5.739

  6.163

  6.108

  6.028

  Sedgemoor

  50.003

  6.269

  6.931

  6.789

  6.721

  Tauton Deane

  47.125

  5.714

  7.045

  6.978

  6.770

  West Somerset

  17.425

  2.425

  2.600

  2.563

  2.591

  South Somerset

  71.162

  8.278

  8.939

  9.193

  9.140

  Great Crested Newt
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences have been applied for in respect of the great crested newt since 1981; how many of these have been approved; how many of these have been refused; what conditions have been attached to them; and what monitoring has been undertaken to assess their level of success or failure. [11866]

  Mr. Clappison
  English Nature is the licensing authority for a wide range of activities relating to great crested newts and my Department is the appropriate authority for safe licensing of this species.
  784
  The information to answer the question is not readily available. However, in addition to licences issued for other purposes, a recent review of the five-year period 1990–1995 has shown that 141 licences were issued to permit the translocation of great crested newts. Subsequent monitoring of projects has shown that in 92 per cent. of cases adults were found in subsequent years and in 61 per cent. of cases breeding was confirmed.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria will be used to judge whether the receptor sites, within the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest, are mature enough to support translocated newts; and if he will ensure that newts will not be translocated to the receptor sites before these criteria are fulfilled. [11865]

  Mr. Clappison
  A view of the suitability of the habitat for receiving translocated newts will be made by appropriate specialists. English Nature will not grant licences to translocate great crested newts until they are satisfied that the receptor sites appear suitable to receive the likely number of animals that will be captured during the translocation from any area of the Orton brick pit site.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation procedures will take place before a licence is issued for the translocation of great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest. [11863]

  Mr. Clappison
  The normal procedure for evaluating licence applications is that they are considered by English Nature, and a decision is made following consultation with their specialist and local team staff. This procedure will be followed before licences are issued for the translocation of great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits area.

  To allow open discussion of methods, English Nature has convened a liaison group with non-governmental organisations. That group will meet for the first time on 16 February.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conditions are attached to any applications for a licence to translocate great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest. [11864]

  Mr. Clappison
  The conditions that would apply to any applications for a licence to translocate newts from any part of this site are as follows: that the existing site must have been given planning consent and the notification of the site as an SSSI was taken into account; that the receptor site is suitable for the number of animals that is intended to move; that the translocation is of conservation benefit to the animals concerned; and that anyone carrying out the translocation is sufficiently qualified and able to do the work. Subsequent to any translocation of animals, the receptor site must be monitored to determine the level of occupation of the newts at the site.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications for licences English Nature has received, and what licences they have issued for the translocation of great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest, Peterborough, since the statement of intent was signed
  785
  between English Nature and Peterborough Southern Township Ltd. [11862]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government's statutory scientific advisers, English Nature, advise that no applications have been received and no licences issued since the statement of intent was signed on 15 July 1995.

  Cemfuel Burning (Health Effects)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what communication he has had with Lancashire county council concerning the health effects experienced by staff of the National Physical Laboratory when monitoring air quality at Moorland school and Waddington and West Bradford primary school in connection with the burning of cemfuel by Castle Cement. [12211]

  Mr. Clappison
  Lancashire county council has been sent a copy of the full report from the National Physical Laboratory. I have received no comments.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many National Physical Laboratory staff experienced(a) unpleasant odours, (b) respiratory effects and (c) eye or throat irritation during the air monitoring exercise at Castle Cement's Ribblesdale works between 7 August and 1 September 1995. [12213]

  Mr. Clappison
  Odour was detected by NPL staff on 10 occasions even though the measured sulphur dioxide levels were far below the generally accepted odour threshold. Respiratory effects and eye or throat irritation were each recorded on three occasions. On two of the occasions, respiratory effects were reported by one individual who is an asthma sufferer.

  The threshold guide value for sulphur dioxide, published by the expert panel on air quality standards, at which the health of some people could be affected, was never breached during the four weeks of monitoring.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when authorisation was given for the burning of cemfuel by Castle Cement at Clitheroe; what account was taken of potential problems arising from plume grounding in granting authorisation, and what technical solutions have been identified. [12013]

  Mr. Clappison
  Castle Cement, Clitheroe had started burning cemfuel in 1992 under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In 1993, cement manufacture came under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clitheroe authorisation was continued. Plume grounding had not been identified as a problem at that time.

  A variation to Castle Cement's authorisation, issued on 23 January 1996 requires Castle Cement to have agreed, with Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution proposals for resolution of the plume grounding problem by 30 April 1996.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what caused the odour detected by staff of the National Physical Laboratory during the air quality monitoring at Castle Cement's Ribblesdale works at Clitheroe during the period 7 August to 1 September 1995. [12214]
  786
  Mr. Clappison
  The detection of odour by the staff from the National Physical Laboratory was correlated with concentrations of sulphur dioxide above 50ppb. However, this is significantly below the generally recognised odour detection threshold. It was not possible to identify any one compound responsible for the odour.

  Housing Bill
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what additional resources he will make available to local authorities in order to implement the proposals on(a) homelessness, (b) housing allocations and (c) advice contained in the Housing Bill; [12141]

  (2) what additional resources he will make available to enable local authorities to provide housing advice services where they are not currently available to fulfil the duties set out in the Housing Bill. [12142]

  Mr. Clappison
  The provisions redefining the duty owed by local authorities to persons accepted as homeless and the accompanying reform of the allocation of social housing should not have a significant effect on central or local government expenditure. The effect will depend in part on the nature of the allocation schemes which local authorities establish in the light of principles to be prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations. Expenditure on advisory services, where these do not already exist in a satisfactory form, should be fully offset.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of additional demands for assistance under the provisions of the Children Act 1989 which may arise from homeless families refused assistance under the proposed homelessness legislation contained in the Housing Bill. [12146]

  Mr. Clappison
  There is no reason why there should be any such demand; the relevant provisions in the Housing Bill make no changes to the groups which have a priority need for accommodation.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made of the change in the rate of use of properties in the private rented sector by local authorities under the provisions of the Housing Bill; [12147]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the future availability to homeless households of properties in the private rented sector. [12148]

  Mr. Clappison
  We expect the private rented sector to continue to develop and to make an important contribution to meeting the housing needs of a wide range of households.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned into the likely housing benefit costs (i) to central Government funds and (ii) to local authorities of the provisions of the Housing Bill. [12143]

  Mr. Clappison
  We have given careful consideration to the financial effects, including those relating to the cost of housing benefit, of the provisions in parts VI and VII of the Housing Bill. The Government consider that the provisions should not have a significant effect on central
  787
  or local government expenditure. This will depend in part on the nature of the allocation schemes which local authorities establish in the light of principles to be prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations. We will monitor local authorities' implementation of the provisions.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether alternative accommodation in the private sector will be deemed suitable if rent exceeds the local reference rent under the provisions contained in the Housing Bill. [12149]

  Mr. Clappison
  Suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of part VII of the Housing Bill would need to be affordable within the resources available to the applicant, including housing benefit where applicable.

  Environmentally Hazardous Projects
  Mr. Hew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the implications for the rights of United Kingdom citizens to challenge potentially environmentally hazardous projects, endorsed by the European Commission, of the two decisions of the European court of first instance, case T-585/93 on 9 August 1995 and case T-219/95 on 22 December 1995. [11985]

  Mr. Clappison
  Citizens of the European Union, including UK citizens, who seek to institute proceedings against a Commission decision must show that the decision is of direct and individual concern to them, as required by article 173 of the treaty establishing the European Community and article 146 of the Euratom treaty.

  In both of the cases referred to, T-219/95 and T-585/93, the European court of first instance found that the applicants did not meet the above requirements. In the case of T-585/93, that ruling is now the subject of an appeal in the European Court of Justice.

  Water Authorities
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many people served on the boards of the(a) Anglian water authority, (b) Welsh water authority, (c) Northumbrian water authority, (d) North West water authority, (e) Severn Trent water authority, W Southern water authority, (g) South West water authority, (h) Thames water authority, (i) Wessex water authority, and (j) Yorkshire water authority, in the final year before each was privatised; [12186]

  (2) how much was paid to people serving on boards of (a) Anglian water authority, (b) Welsh water authority, (c) Northumbrian water authority, (d) North West water authority, (e) Severn Trent water authority, (f) Southern water authority, (g) South West water authority, (h) Thames water authority, (i) Wessex water authority, and (j) Yorkshire water authority, in the final year before each was privatised. [12188]

  Mr. Clappison
  Information about the number and remuneration of water authority board members in the year prior to privatisation is given in "Public Bodies 1989", issued by the Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service and Science). A copy of this publication is available in the Library.
  788
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were employed by(a) Anglian water authority, (b) Welsh water authority, (c) Northumbrian water authority, (d) North West water authority, (e) Severn Trent water authority, (f) Southern water authority, (g) South West water authority, (h) Thames water authority, (i) Wessex water authority, and (j) Yorkshire water authority, in the final year before each was privatised. [12190]

  Mr. Clappison
  Manpower information for the water industry in the final year before privatisation is given in "Waterfacts 1989", published by the Water Services Association. A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

  Burnley and Pendle Transport
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 9 January,Official Report, column 8, what are the implications of the refusal to grant a dispensation to vote for councillor Jill Gilhespy for her chairing the council meeting which will consider a report on the sale of Pendle's stake in Burnley and Pendle Transport. [12229]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The decision to decline Councillor Gill Gilhespy's application for a dispensation to vote need have no implications for her chairing the meeting which will consider a report on the sale of Pendle's stake in Burnley and Pendle Transport, except that the chairman's casting vote will not be available to her.

  Wildlife Habitats
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what protection for ponds as wildlife habitats is offered by existing planning legislation. [12311]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Section 38 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires local planning authorities to include in their development plans policies in respect of the natural beauty and amenity of the land. Regulation 37 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats and etc.) Regulations 1994 provides for such policies to include policies encouraging the management of landscape features which are of major importance for wild flora and fauna, such as ponds.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what(a) grants and (b) other financial assistance his Department makes available for the construction, conservation and management of ponds as wildlife habitats. [12288]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department supports grant assistance for the creation or management of ponds under the countryside stewardship scheme, and SSI management agreements. In the light of stewardship's successful pilot phase, and in advance of its transfer to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 1 April 1996, my right hon. Friend the Minister announced in November that an extra £5 million will be available for new management agreements under countryside stewardship for each of the years 1996–97 and 1997–98. This is in addition to the existing £11.625 million already available under the scheme.
  789
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also provides support for work on ponds under the environmentally sensitive areas scheme, and the Government fund conservation advice provided by ADAS and the farming and wildlife advisory group, including advice on ponds.

  Domestic Gas Appliances
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the number of households that are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from gas appliances. [12439]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None. Every household containing a gas appliance may be potentially at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning. The best means of prevention is to ensure that gas appliances are correctly installed and regularly maintained by gas installers who are registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers.

  Repossessions
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many repossessions there have been in each region since 1992. [12569]

  Mr. Clappison
  Data are not held centrally on the number of repossessions in each region.

  British Gas (Contaminated Land)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of land officially designated as contaminated land which is owned by British Gas plc; and if he will list all such land. [12616]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: At present, there is no statutory system in force for designating contaminated land. When section 57 of the Environment Act 1995 is implemented, it will provide a statutory definition of contaminated land and procedures for its identification.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what amount of money has been notified to his Department as having been spent by British Gas plc in the decontamination of land within its ownership in each financial year since privatisation. [12614]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: British Gas plc has not notified the Department how much it has spent in the decontamination of land within its ownership since privatisation.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total spending contribution towards the decontamination of land within British Gas plc's ownership by(a) local authorities, (b) the Department of the Environment, (c) English Partnerships (d) the European Union and (e) other public bodies in each financial year since privatisation. [12615]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding. answer 30 January 1995]: When the Department of the Environment contributes to the costs of decontamination of land, this is normally only one element of a wider package of support for individual reclamation or redevelopment projects. Central records do not exist of the amounts of the various different cost elements.
  790
  English Partnerships has not spent any money on decontamination of land within British Gas plc's ownership since its privatisation.

  The Department does not systematically collect information on spending on decontamination of land by local authorities, the European Union or other public bodies.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he will take to ensure that the current number and value of grants paid to householders receiving funding for the home energy efficiency scheme will be maintained. [10800]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We expect the number and value of home energy efficiency scheme grants paid to low-income households to be at least maintained. We intend that better-off elderly householders will have to contribute to the cost after 1 April 1996, and we expect many will take advantage of the substantial discount that the scheme will offer them on the cost of installing basic insulation. Their contributions will supplement the £73 million allocated to the scheme for 1996–97, and we anticipate that considerably more than 400,000 grants will be paid next year. Local authorities will, following implementation of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, have a key responsibility to identify appropriate ways of improving the energy efficiency of homes in their areas.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the average number of homeless people in England and Wales for each of the years(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1992, (e) 1993, (f) 1994 and (g) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [12458]

  Mr. Clappison
  The numbers of households for which local authorities in England accepted responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1985 in the years, requested were as follows:

  Number

  19801

  60,400

  1985

  91,010

  1990

  140,350

  1992

  142,890

  1993

  132,380

  1994

  122,660

  1995 (January-September only)

  92,650

  Note:

  1This figure is not strictly comparable with those for the later years because of changes to reporting arrangements made in 1980 (for non-metropolitan districts) and 1982 (for London boroughs and metropolitan districts).

  Source:

  Quarterly P1(E) returns.

  For information in relation to Wales, I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to implement paragraph 46 of the report of the Government's panel on sustainable development, published on 25 January. [12684]

  Mr. Clappison
  We intend to publish a considered response to the recommendations made in the panel's second report, including that in paragraph 46, at the end of March 1996.

  Building Research Establishment
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have been made to the membership of the advisory group overseeing the study into options for privatisation of the Building Research Establishment. [13224]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Mr. Roger Courtney, chief executive of the Building Research Establishment invited the Department in mid-January to consider his position as a member of the advisory group which would shortly be asked for their guidance once consultants had completed their study of privatisation options. He indicated that he would wish to be able to participate in future management arrangements for BRE; this could include being involved in any proposal for a management and employee buy-out if Ministers, in the light of the consultants' report, decided that this was an option to be pursued. In those circumstances, he and the Department judged that he should not be privy to those parts of the consultants' report which contained commercial assessments as this could place him in an advantageous position compared with any other potential purchasers. Mr. Neil Milbank, deputy chief executive of BRE, who will retire during 1996 and will therefore not be involved in the future management of the establishment, has taken Mr. Courtney's place on the advisory group.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Positive about Disabled People Symbol
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for his Department and each of the

  Male

  Female

  Both Sexes

  Protestant and others

  Roman catholic

  Protestant and other

  Roman Catholic

  Protestant and others

  Roman Catholic

  Economically Active

  212,574

  143,234

  148,998

  95,490

  361,572

  238,724

  Unemployed

  26,895

  40,647

  11,943

  13,863

  38,838

  54,410

  Unemployment Rate

  12.7

  28.4

  8

  14.5

  10.7

  22.8

  A very sqiall proportion of The "Protestant and others" category—approximately 0.5 per cent.—were members of non-Christian religions.
  792
  agencies for which he is responsible if it uses the Employment Service's positive about disabled people symbol for (a) external recruitment and (b) internal recruitment and promotion. [11916]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland civil service and Norther Ireland Office do not use the Employment Service's positive about disabled people symbol. The NICS's arrangements in respect of the recruitment and management of disabled staff are set out in the code of practice on the employment of people with disabilities in the Northern Ireland civil service. The principles and guidance applying to the recruitment and management of the home civil service staff group in the Northern Ireland Office are set out in the programme for action to achieve equality of opportunity in "The Civil Service and Disabled People" published by the Office of Public Service and Science, now the Office of Public Service.

  Honours Recommendations
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy in respect of consultation with the Eire Government in respect of recommendations for honours; and if he will make a statement. [11684]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There is no consultation with the Irish Government regarding the recommendation of individuals for honours.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the overall percentage and proportionate rates of unemployment of Catholics, Protestants and others, the numbers involved and those figures broken down by gender with sources; [11685]

  (2) what is the overall percentage and proportionate rates of unemployment of Catholics, Protestants and others, the numbers involved and those figures broken by male and female, with sources; and if he will give his Department's views as to the reasons for the differentials. [11689]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information in the table is based on those for whom a religion was recorded in the 1991 census of population.

  The difference in unemployment rates between Catholics and Protestants is due to the interaction over time of a complex range of factors which has been the subject of academic debate since the 1970s. This is one of the issues to be addressed in the employment equality review currently being undertaken by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights.

  Coinage
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 9 January 1995,Official Report, column 107, if he subjected his decision to agree to the Royal Mint's proposal for a Celtic torc and a Celtic cross to be the symbols representing

  793
  Northern Ireland on the new £1 coin to his Department's policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines. [11686]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  No.

  Donna Maguire
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will arrange for the costs of Donna Maguire's criminal activities to be deducted from her award for ankle injuries. [11687]

  Mr. Moss
  An appeal against the award is under consideration. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the case in these circumstances.

  Housing (Residency Requirements)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many years residency are required before a United Kingdom citizen not born in Northern Ireland becomes eligible under the standard rules to be housed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and if he will detail some comparable rules in England and Scotland. [11688]

  Mr. Moss
  As I confirmed to the hon. Gentleman in my letter of 14 November 1995, the housing selection scheme operated by the Housing Executive and approved by the Department of the Environment provides that, before they can be considered for public housing, applicants—other than those with an entitlement to be housed on a priority basis—must:

  (a) have been born in Northern Ireland; or

  (b) have been resident in Northern Ireland for the past seven years; or

  (c) have accepted an offer of employment or be currently employed in Northern Ireland; or

  (d) would have been resident in Northern Ireland for the past seven years but for employment in the Crown elsewhere.

  In England and Wales, local authorities are responsible for allocating housing within the framework laid down in sections 22 and 23 of the Housing Act 1985. A survey carried out by the Department of the Environment in London shows that around 90 per cent. of local authorities in England operate a residency condition. Details of the length of time that each authority requires an applicant to reside in their area is not held centrally.

  Sections 9 to 21 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 set out the framework for allocating and managing housing in Scotland. Scottish authorities are required not to take account of an applicant's length of residence. Details of the individual schemes and the authorities' observance of this requirement are not held centrally.

  Development Grants
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what economic development grants Northern Ireland has received in each of the last five years from(a) the EU and (b) other sources; and what is the total value of these. [9625]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 25 January 1996]: The following table shows what has been drawn down in each of the last five years in respect of economic development grants from the European Union.
  794

  Year

  £000

  1991

  58,135

  1992

  96,035

  1993

  120,116

  1994

  30,213

  1995

  14,003

  Total

  318,502

  With regard to funding from other sources, the international fund for Ireland provides financial contributions which support economic development in Northern Ireland. Information about the financial support provided by this independent international organisation is contained in its published annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications he has received from Millennium Communications, Stockport, for the erection of telecommunications relay station masts in Northern Ireland; what are the exact locations of each of these masts; and what steps he intends to take to apply planning controls to such structures. [12150]

  Mr. Moss
  No planning applications have been received. The erection of telecommunications relay station masts by licenced public telecommunications code system operators is, subject to certain criteria, permitted development by virtue of article 3 of the Planning (General Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993.

  Fisheries
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what studies have been undertaken by the Department of Agriculture to establish catch figures for fisheries on the Rivers Maine and Kells water system. [12083]

  Mr. Ancram
  None. There is no statutory requirement for anglers to make catch returns.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the need for counters to be employed on the River Maine system to enable the fishery division to compile accurate figures on the health of the migratory stocks. [12084]

  Mr. Ancram
  None. The provision of fish counters on watercourses is a matter for fishery owners. Funds are currently available to assist such projects.

  Balmoral-Malone Traffic Scheme
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the cost benefit analysis check sensitivity test for induced traffic effects on the Balmoral-Malone roads traffic scheme; what estimate he has made of the time savings in pounds sterling for each of the 30 years' assumed life of the scheme from the COBA output; if he will indicate the total(a) vehicle kilometres and (b) number of predicated accidents by category for (i) the do nothing and (ii) do

  795
  something options for (1) the opening year and (2) the design year (year 15); and if he will list the value accident savings in pounds sterling for each of the 30 year life discounted as for time savings. [11932]

  Mr. Moss
  The cost benefit analysis check sensitive test for induced traffic effects on the Malone road/Balmoral avenue traffic scheme shows that no induced traffic is expected as a result of this scheme.

  The time savings, in sterling, for each of the 30 years' assumed life of the scheme based on low traffic growth and high traffic growth are as follows:

  Savings £'000

  Year

  Low Traffic Growth

  High Traffic Growth

  1.

  326

  366

  2.

  315

  348

  3.

  304

  330

  4.

  286

  316

  5.

  269

  302

  6.

  254

  283

  7.

  238

  273

  8.

  224

  272

  9.

  211

  268

  10.

  200

  265

  11.

  188

  264

  12.

  176

  255

  13.

  163

  245

  14.

  156

  252

  15.

  151

  272

  16.

  146

  313

  17.

  141

  375

  18.

  135

  535

  19.

  130

  707

  20.

  126

  684

  21.

  122

  661

  22.

  117

  637

  23.

  110

  612

  24.

  102

  587

  25.

  99

  562

  26.

  98

  537

  27.

  98

  512

  28.

  100

  487

  29.

  104

  460

  30.

  111

  429

  Total

  5,202

  12,408

  The total vehicle kilometers and number of pedicted accidents based on low high traffic growth are as follows:

  Low Traffic Growth

  High Traffic Growth

  Year

  Do nothing

  Do something

  Do nothing

  Do something

  Vehicle kilometres in millions

  1

  15

  15

  15

  15

  15

  19

  19

  22

  22

  Number of accidents

  1

  7.4

  4.4

  8.1

  4.5

  15

  8.2

  4.8

  9.3

  5.2

  The value accident savings, in sterling, for each of the 30 year life of the scheme, based on the low and high traffic growth, are as in the table.
  796

  Value of savings £000

  Year

  Low traffic growth

  High traffic growth

  1.

  40

  49

  2.

  38

  48

  3.

  36

  46

  4.

  34

  44

  5.

  32

  43

  6.

  30

  41

  7.

  29

  39

  8.

  27

  38

  9.

  26

  37

  10.

  24

  35

  11.

  23

  34

  12.

  22

  33

  13.

  21

  32

  14.

  20

  30

  15.

  19

  29

  16.

  18

  28

  17.

  17

  27

  18.

  16

  26

  19.

  15

  25

  20.

  14

  24

  21.

  14

  23

  22.

  13

  22

  23.

  12

  21

  24.

  12

  21

  25.

  11

  20

  26.

  10

  19

  27.

  10

  18

  28.

  9

  18

  29.

  9

  17

  30.

  8

  16

  Total

  608

  902

  Council Grants
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the rates of general grant, showing the breakdown between the derating and resources elements, for each district council in Northern Ireland for each year since 1994–95. [12535]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is set out in the table. The figures for 1994–95 include final adjustments for the two previous years and the 1995–96 figures include final adjustments which will be paid before the end of this financial year, subject to certification of district council accounts by the local government auditor.

  1994–95

  District

  Derating £

  Resources £

  Total £

  Antrim

  309,908

  -112,747

  197,161

  Ards

  711,920

  1,062,141

  1,774,061

  Armagh

  275,135

  1,593,741

  1,868,876

  Ballymoney

  718,403

  —

  718,403

  Ballymoney

  220,629

  525,118

  745,747

  Banbridge

  229,073

  892,883

  1,121,956

  Belfast

  5,846,365

  —

  5,846,365

  Carrickfergus

  307,680

  437,875

  745,555

  Castlereagh

  512,526

  298,125

  810,651

  Coleraine

  409,317

  —

  409,317

  Cookstown

  238,106

  692,119

  930,225

  Craigavon

  1,637,293

  89,477

  1,726,770

  Derry

  1,145,041

  1,792,497

  2,937,538

  Down

  299,345

  1,812,686

  2,112,031

  Dungannon

  367,827

  1,058,923

  1,426,750

  797

  1994–95

  District

  Derating £

  Resources £

  Total £

  Fermanagh

  553,940

  1,167,882

  1,721,822

  Lame

  217,165

  664,012

  881,177

  Limavady

  170,154

  898,466

  1,068,620

  Lisburn

  1,033,272

  589,820

  1,623,092

  Magherafelt

  377,623

  1,039,557

  1,417,180

  Moyle

  108,330

  410,627

  518,957

  Newry/Mourne

  577,501

  2,556,116

  3,133,617

  Newtonabbey

  1,276,963

  1,276,963

  North Down

  414,552

  699,579

  1,114,131

  Omagh

  190,938

  1,435,142

  1,626,080

  Strabane

  322,605

  1,339,038

  1,661,643

  Totals

  18,471,611

  20,943,077

  39,414,688

  1995–96

  District

  Derating £

  Resources £

  Total £

  Antrim

  360,755

  —

  360,755

  Ards

  811,407

  984,791

  1,796,198

  Armagh

  376,981

  1,681,329

  2,058,310

  Ballymena

  798,564

  —

  798,564

  Ballymoney

  318,699

  478,469

  797,168

  Banbridge

  254,772

  988,424

  1,243,196

  Belfast

  6,373,997

  —

  6,373,997

  Carrickfergus

  295,355

  590,166

  885,521

  Castlereagh

  862,060

  393,044

  1,255,104

  Coleraine

  437,738

  32,901

  470,639

  Cookstown

  350,159

  674,808

  1,024,967

  Craigavon

  2,029,539

  459,519

  2,489,058

  Derry

  1,228,371

  1,675,867

  2,904,238

  Down

  394,345

  2,184,455

  2,578,800

  Dungannon

  572,831

  1,085,219

  1,658,050

  Fermanagh

  454,810

  1,100,110

  1,554,920

  Lame

  492,766

  216,179

  708,945

  Limavady

  148,651

  800,255

  948,906

  Lisburn

  1,243,600

  215,243

  1,458,843

  Magherafelt

  381,273

  995,842

  1,377,115

  Moyle

  97,957

  415,396

  513,353

  Newry/Mourne

  722,768

  2,495,036

  3,217,804

  Newtonabbey

  1,421,220

  —

  1,421,220

  North Down

  512,785

  141,488

  654,273

  Omagh

  372,428

  1,610,166

  1,982,594

  Strabane

  324,914

  1,368,550

  1,693,462

  Totals

  21,638,743

  20,587,257

  42,226,000

SCOTLAND

  Crime
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is pursuing to reduce crime. [10802]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend and I are determined to fight crime and have provided for the deployment of 500 additional operational police officers, backed up by improved technology, and a £4 million challenge competition to help fund more closed-circuit television schemes.
  798
  28. Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to combat crime. [10815]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office is pursuing a number of measures to reduce crime, including the provision of funds for the deployment of 500 additional operational police officers, backed up by improved technology and a £4 million challenge competition to help fund more CCTV schemes.

  Beef Industry
  16. Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what priority he attaches to the beef industry in Scotland. [10803]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility and I attach great priority to a sector which represents approximately 30 per cent. of Scottish agricultural output, and has an international reputation for the highest quality.

  Scottish Enterprise
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of Scottish Enterprise to discuss his budget. [10804]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend last met the chairman of Scottish Enterprise on 15 November 1995 to discuss a wide range of issues, including the Scottish Enterprise budget.

  Central European Time
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about central European time in respect of the construction and agriculture industries in Scotland. [10805]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Of the letters received in the Scottish Office recently about the proposed change to central European time, two expressed opposition to the measure solely on account of its impact on the agricultural and construction industries; many of the rest alluded, among other things, to the adverse effects on these industries.

  Local Government Finance
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about his financial allocations to the new councils for 1996–97. [10806]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Capital allocations to all authorities will be announced in February or March.

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government finance. [10824]

  Mr. Kynoch
  On 26 January.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet representatives of the new unitary councils to discuss the financial settlement for 1996–97. [10792]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I did so last Friday 26 January 1996.

  Councils (Housing Expenditure)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department approved the balance of spending by councils on capital housing projects and the repayment of debt in previous years. [10807]

  Mr. Kynoch
  No; within the resources made available to them, local authorities decided the balance between spending and level of debt repayment.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the consequences of the lapse of time since the Lockerbie crime for the prosecution of, and case against, two Libyans accused of the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie. [10808]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend remains concerned that, more than seven years after the commission of the crime and four years after the Libyan Government were called on to surrender the two accused, they have yet to comply with our demands, which have been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

  Residential Care Homes
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the Scottish Office working group on residential care home registration procedures; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [10809]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The range of issues considered by the working group was more complex than originally anticipated, and I now expect to receive the report before the end of March. I will make arrangements for a copy to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Scottish Economic Council
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Scottish Economic Council to discuss public funding. [10810]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend hopes to arrange the first meeting of the new Scottish Economic Council very soon and looks forward to receiving the council's views on a wide range of matters affecting the Scottish economy, including priorities for public expenditure.

  Independence (Public Finances)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the effect on public finances of Scottish independence. [10811]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I am fully aware of the concerns most Scots have over the prospect of Scottish independence and how it would endanger the funding advantage that Scotland derives from the Union.

  Local Authorities (Severe Weather)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much additional financial help he has given to local authorities to deal with the problems caused by the recent severe weather. [10812]
  800
  Mr. Kynoch
  We have made it clear that we are prepared to consider sympathetically claims both for Bellwin scheme assistance and for additional capital consents. My officials are already working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to gather detailed information on revenue costs. We have received, very recently, a number of initial requests for capital consent, but further information will be required before we can consider these. As soon as detailed claims are received, they will be considered as a matter of urgency.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the standard of school buildings; and if he will make a statement. [10813]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  It is the responsibility of individual education authorities to maintain relevant information about their buildings.

  Industrial Development
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the prospects for(a) industrial investment and (b) employment levels in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [10814]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The prospects for industrial investment and employment in Scotland remain excellent. Recent business survey evidence in Scotland confirms this. The Government's economic policies are providing the necessary conditions for investment and job creation—low interest rates, low taxation and low inflation within a climate of sound public finances.

  Tree Diseases
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what Government grants are available for research into tree diseases; and what was the total expenditure on such grants in 1994–95. [10816]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Several Government Departments undertake or commission research into tree diseases, notably the Forestry Commission, and we also fund some projects by universities and other bodies. However, we do not offer grants specifically for forestry research. Our expenditure on research into tree diseases in 1994–95 amounted 'to £1.3 million.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the costs of a Scottish Parliament. [10817]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have been made aware on numerous occasions of the deep-rooted apprehension felt by Scots about the costs that a Scottish Parliament would place upon them.

  Angling
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet representatives of the hotel and tourist industry to discuss projects to improve angling in Scotland. [10818]
  801
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I recognise fully the importance of angling to the Scottish hotel and tourist industry but have no plans at present to meet the industry to discuss angling.

  Housing (Edinburgh)
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet the Edinburgh Tenants Federation to discuss housing needs in Edinburgh. [10819]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend and I have no plans for such a meeting. Meeting housing needs in Edinburgh is a matter for Edinburgh district council in the first instance. However, the federation has been offered a meeting with officials of my Department, if it wishes.

  Fire Services (Strathclyde)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chief firemaster of Strathclyde regional council to discuss operational matters; and if he will make a statement. [10820]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend last met the firemaster of Strathclyde fire brigade, in his capacity as chairman of the Scottish district of the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association, on 25 September 1995. A number of operational and other matters were discussed.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what policies he is pursuing to expand PFI activities in Scotland. [10822]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Private sector alternatives must be fully considered for all capital spending for which the Scottish Office is responsible before public finance is made available. I have recently strengthened the private finance unit in the Scottish Office in order to help local authorities, in particular, take full advantage of the PFI.

  Rutherglen Maternity Hospital
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendation he has had from Greater Glasgow health board about the future of Rutherglen maternity hospital. [10823]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Greater Glasgow health board has recommended that Rutherglen maternity hospital should close once replacement maternity services are available from a purpose-built maternity unit at Glasgow royal infirmary.

  The recommendation is being considered along with others in the acute and maternity services strategy, submitted by Greater Glasgow health board to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, on 20 December 1995.

  Lothian Electric Machines, Haddington
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many redundancies have been notified by Lothian Electric Machines of Haddington for the eight months to the end of March 1996; what discussions he has had with IBM about the decision to transfer the 802
  manufacture of computer keyboards from Scotland to the far east; and if he will make a statement. [10838]

  Mr. Kynoch
  During the period in question, Lothian Electric Machines of Haddington notified the Department of Employment of 273 redundancies. Decisions by IBM about the sourcing of its purchases are of course a matter for the company, but the hon. Gentleman should be aware that Scottish Enterprise works closely with indigenous companies and major original equipment manufacturers—OEMs—across a range of industrial sectors to improve the competitiveness of local suppliers and, as a result, increase overall the proportion of purchases made by these OEMs from Scottish companies. These sourcing and business development activities have proved highly successful. Scottish Enterprise's manufacturing services group is available to discuss with Lemac what assistance can be made available.

  Unemployment (East Lothian)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current level of unemployment in east Lothian; what will be the impact of redundancies notified by Lemac of Haddington; and if he will consult the East Lothian council and Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd. about action to create jobs in east Lothian. [10837]

  Mr. Kynoch
  In December 1995, there were 844 people—5.8 per cent. of the work force—in the Haddington travel-to-work area who were registered as unemployed or claiming benefit. If the redundancies notified by Lemac take place, there will be a further 73 indirect and induced job losses in the Haddington travel-to-work area. Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd. has arranged an early meeting with the company to discuss the retraining of staff who are made redundant, and to discuss the scope for assisting towards product development by the company. I understand that those affected by these redundancies will be eligible for immediate entry for training for work support.

  Public Authority Dwellings (Sales)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each district and island council, for each of the years between 1979–80 and 1994–95 the number of sales of public authority dwellings which were not owned by new towns, Scottish Homes or fell within district and islands councils' housing revenue account; and if he will indicate for each year and each district or island area to which public organisation the dwellings belonged. [10854]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 29 January 1996]: Since the available information—which covers dwellings owned by district, islands and regional authorities, but not Government Departments—is rather lengthy, I have arranged for it to be sent to the hon. Member. A copy is also being placed in the Library.

  Interdicts
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many interdicts are currently in force to prevent a parent in Scotland from approaching his or her children. [12395]
  803
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not collected centrally.

  North Lanarkshire Council
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the inquiry into the appointment procedures of North Lanarkshire council. [13419]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I received Mr. MacLeod's report on 25 January. I am grateful to him for a comprehensive report which has been completed within a very short period. I am placing copies in the House Library today.

  Mr. MacLeod's report concludes that the North Lanarkshire council has not failed to comply with the requirements of section 7 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to appoint staff solely on merit and no further action is required by me.

TRANSPORT

  Marchioness Inquest
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement of his Department's conclusions in respect of the recommendations of the Marchioness inquest jury. [13418]

  Mr. Norris
  My noble Friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping has arranged for a paper setting out the Department's views on the recommendations of the Marchioness inquest jury to be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Department agrees with the majority of the jury's 12 recommendations. In many cases, existing rules and guidelines already meet the jury's proposals. In those cases where recommendations are aimed at other agencies, the Department is pursuing the recommendations with the agencies in question.

  The jury endorsed the earlier recommendations of the marine accident investigation branch report into the Marchioness sinking, together with the recommendations of the report of the inquiry into river safety by Mr. John Hayes. All of the recommendations in the MAIB's report have since been implemented. Action has also been taken on the recommendations of the Hayes report and an updated statement of the position is included in the paper published today.

  Central Railways plc
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 36, if he will provide a schedule of the applications by Central Railways plc for partial, conditional or absolute waiver from compliance with certain application requirements under the Transport and Works Act 1992 that he is considering. [12537]

  Mr. Watts
  Central Railway plc has withdrawn the waiver applications previously before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I understand that it intends to re-apply for waivers in a modified form. It would not be appropriate in the circumstances to reveal details of the 804
  withdrawn waiver applications but copies of any subsequent such applications will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 36, when he reached the conclusion that the applications by Central Railways plc were of national importance under the Transport and Works Act 1992. [12536]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has reached no such conclusion. My answer, like the hon. Member's question, dealt with what would happen in the event of such a conclusion being reached. From what we know of the proposal, this conclusion seems very likely, but it cannot be reached unless and until a formal application is made under the Transport and Works Act 1992.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 36, if he will make a statement on the consultations with local planning authorities and other bodies which Central Railways plc is required to make under the Transport and Works Act 1992 rules; and what monitoring he has carried out as to whether the consultations have been carried out to the satisfaction of the local authorities concerned. [12538]

  Mr. Watts
  Rule 3 of the Transport and Works (Applications and Objections Procedure) Rules 1992 (SI 1992 No. 2902) sets out the pre-application consultation and notification requirements. The applicant must provide with the TWA application copies of all statements of views obtained from local planning authorities under rule 3(1) and evidence by affidavit of compliance with the notification requirements under rule 3(2) and 3(3).

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the policy of the Driving Standards Agency concerning driving instructors with criminal convictions. [12414]

  Mr. Norris
  Under part V of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the registrar of approved driving instructors, who is responsible for the administration of the ADI register, has to be satisfied that an instructor is a "fit and proper person". Any instructor who is aggrieved by the registrar's decision to remove his name from the register can appeal to the Secretary of State, which appeal is heard by an independent appeal board. That strikes a reasonable balance between the rights of the individual and the protection of the learning public.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed deregulation of the Driving Standards Agency and its future monitoring of driving instructors. [12415]

  Mr. Norris
  There are no plans to deregulate the Driving Standards Agency and it will continue to be responsible for the statutory register of approved driving instructors and for the conduct of driving tests.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to ensure that persons convicted of offences of indecency are not permitted to work as driving instructors; and if he will make a statement. [12413]
  805
  Mr. Norris
  Under part V of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the registrar of approved driving instructors, who is responsible for the administration of the ADI register, has to be satisfied that an instructor is a "fit and proper person". If, for example, following the criminal conviction of an instructor, the registrar is no longer satisfied on this score, he can remove that person's name from the register.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to restrict persons convicted of indecency from setting up driving schools to teach driving practice or theory; and if he will make a statement. [12416]

  Mr. Norris
  In the environment in which ordinary driving instruction takes place, it is sensible that the instructor should be subject to vetting as to previous convictions, and so on. However, there is no obvious need for a special conduct regime for classroom tuition services since the isolated and relatively vulnerable circumstances of one-to-one in a car do not arise.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the total cost to public funds of the high speed rail link between London and the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [12170]

  Mr. Watts
  The amount of public sector support which the Government will make available for this project will depend on the outcome of the competition currently under way to select a private sector promoter. We anticipate that the contribution will be substantial. We hope to announce the winner of the competition shortly.

  Driving Licence Fraud
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to combat driving licence fraud; and if he will make a statement. [12169]

  Mr. Norris
  Photographs are to be added to driving licences. This will help eliminate misuse of licences and impersonation at driving tests.

  Railway Line Repairs (Dawlish)
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the cost of repairs required to the railway line at Dawlish. [12524]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 30 January 1996]: None. However, Railtrack informs me that £500,000 per year is spent on maintenance of the Dawlish sea wall, with a further £200,000 this year for repairs necessitated by the poor weather conditions in January.

  Public Service Vehicle Licences
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public service vehicle operators' licences have been(a) applied for, (b) issued, (c) objected to by (i) the police, (ii) the public and (iii) others, (d) issued and (e) withdrawn by the authorities in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the trends in each category in the last five years. [12869]
  806
  Mr. Norris
  The information on applications, issues of licences, and withdrawals for 1994–95, the latest figures which are available, is contained in annexes 1 and 2 of the annual reports of the traffic commissioners 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995, copies of which are available in the Library. In that year, there were five objections to licence applications, of which two came from the police, none from the public, and three from others.

  Over the last five years, the number of applications and the number of licences issued have shown a slow but steady growth, punctuated, in both categories, by a sharp reduction in 1994–95. The number of objections received has remained roughly constant.

  As for the number of withdrawals, 1990–91 showed a high, and the subsequent four years have produced lower, broadly similar figures.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for transport what computer links exist between his Department, the police, the traffic commissioners and others to cross check public service vehicle operators' applications in order to detect unsuitable applicants, with particular reference to those with a criminal record of offences against children; and if he will make a statement. [12874]

  Mr. Norris
  There are no computer links between the traffic area offices and the police. All applications for public service vehicle operators' licences are published in advance of the grant of a licence and circulated to the police, who have a statutory right of objection to a licence being granted on the grounds that the requirement of good repute has not been satisfied.

  The applicant must declare on his application form any relevant convictions that he or any of his employees has had in the last five years. Any person who knowingly makes a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a licence is liable to a fine and the revocation or suspension of the licence.

  Rail Tickets (Inter-availability)
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of state for Transport what instructions he has given to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising regarding the inter-availability of tickets between destinations where more than one route is available and services on these routes are provided by different train operating companies. [12844]

  Mr. Watts
  Paragraphs 29 of the objectives, instructions and guidance to the franchising director instruct the franchising director that:"Where a railway passenger journey could be made using services operated by different franchisees you are to require the franchisees to offer tickets which are inter-available between their services where you believe the benefits of doing so will outweigh the likely benefits of price competition and service diversity".

  The franchising director will require inter-available tickets between the different operators on most routes, thereby essentially safeguarding the existing inter-availability of tickets for British Rail services on permitted routes. He will lift the requirement only if this would be in the interests of price competition and service diversity. While inter-availability is required, operators will be permitted to offer additional, non-inter-available tickets which trade flexibility for a cheaper price.

  Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the regulation of HGV drivers employed by HGV driver agencies; if he will consult on proposals to regulate HGV driver agencies; and if he will make a statement. [12437]

  Mr. Norris
  I have received one letter on this issue. Employment agencies for HGV drivers are already regulated. They are subject to the standards of conduct in the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 1976, which are enforced by the employment agency standards office of the Department of Trade and Industry.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the transmission-based signalling system proposed for the west coast main line will be compatible with the proposed European train control system. [12282]

  Mr. Watts
  The final form of the European train control system will depend on the outcome of the current development work. However, the transmission-based signalling system proposed for the west coast main line is expected to be compatible with ETCS principles.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when it is expected that a proven European train control system will be ready for production; and when the transmission-based signalling system proposed for the west coast main line will be ready for installation. [12281]

  Mr. Watts
  The availability of a proven European train control system will depend on the outcome of research trials currently being undertaken within the EC's fourth framework programme for research and development. The trials are not due to be completed until around the year 2000. Railtrack will let the development contract for the transmission-based signalling system for the west coast main line during the first quarter of this year. Railtrack expects that a reliable signalling system can be developed within the time necessary for the modernisation works.

  Marine Pollution (Penalties)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance is given to magistrates on the appropriate level of fines under the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution) Regulations 1983. [12154]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many convictions there have been made under the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution) Regulations 1983 in each of the years for which figures are available; and what was the average fine each year. [12153]

  Mr. Norris
  Precise information on individual fines imposed is not held centrally. Estimates are, however, available from the advisory committee on pollution of the sea.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to bring into force proposals authorised in the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution) (Law of the Sea Convention) Order 1995. [12191]
  808
  Mr. Norris
  Subject to approval of the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution) (Law of the Sea Convention) Order 1995 by the Privy Council, we would hope to bring into force regulations extending jurisdiction over oil pollution before the end of March. Regulations on pollution by garbage and noxious liquid substances should follow shortly afterwards.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum fine for illegal dumping at sea; and how many times it has been levied since 1983. [12152]

  Mr. Norris
  There is no maximum fine for convictions secured in the crown court. For convictions in magistrates courts, the maxima are £50,000 for illegal discharges of oil, and £5,000 for other discharge offences. Precise information on individual fines imposed is not available. My noble Friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping announced on 24 January the Government's intention to seek a five-fold increase in these maxima to £250,000 and £25,000 respectively.

  Marine Safety Agency
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safeguards exist to ensure staff on short-term contracts with the Marine Safety Agency do not have a conflict of interests with their other employment. [12195]

  Mr. Norris
  I have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R.M. Bradley to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to respond to your Question about staff on short term contracts.
  The people employed by the Marine Safety Agency on casual or short fixed term contracts do not have other employment so there is no conflict of interests.

  Road Taxes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on different road taxes for road use in different conditions. [12012]

  Mr. Norris
  Road tax decisions are primarily matters for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  British Bus
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports he has received concerning payments by the chief executive of British Bus to Ray McEnhill, National Express; and if he will make a statement. [12138]

  Mr. Norris
  I have seen press reports, and have no comment to make.

  Trunk Roads, London
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what allocation has been made for maintenance of the trunk road network within the Greater London area for the financial years(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98; [11244]

  (2) what is the current maintenance backlog on the trunk road network in Greater London. [11225]
  809
  Mr. Norris
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent questions about the allocation of maintenance funds for trunk roads within the Greater London area and the current backlog of maintenance on the network.
  This financial year (95/96) my Agency is forecasting to spend £51.4m (approx) on the maintenance of London's trunk road network. We are currently working on the allocation of next year's funds, in the light of last November's PES settlement. I will advise you on next year's funding when those allocations have been made. It is too early to forecast how much will be spent in the year 97/98.
  There is an on-going programme of maintenance for London's trunk road network. Work is brought forward in order of priority against an on-going programme of condition assessment and as such there is no significant backlog of highway maintenance.

  A102M
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the original estimated cost of the current works at Cotton street/Brunswick road/A102M improvements; what is the current estimated cost of the works; what factors underlie the current overrun by the contractors; if the contractors will be subject to penalty clauses; and if these will be implemented; [12231]

  (2) what advantages in traffic flows the Highways Agency estimates will occur on completion of the contract for the works at Cotton street/Brunswick road/A102M improvements; what assessment has been made of the advantages for local residents from the scheme; if the contract for works at Cotton street/Brunswick road/A102M improvement is being completed to its original specification; what is its estimated finish date; and what on site works have been carried out that relate to a third river crossing at Blackwall. [12232]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Mildred Gordon, dated 31 January 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent questions about the Cotton Street/Brunswick Road/A102M improvement scheme.
  The tender sum for the contract was £5.1m, the current estimated cost of the works exceeds that but for commercial reasons I cannot yet say what that figure will be.
  The original completion date was 12 November 1995, with the likely completion date now being June 1996. There are a number of reasons for this delay including uncharted underground services, works carried out by the statutory undertakers running late, unforeseen ground conditions and piling obstructions.
  We have carefully considered and agreed to a 12 week extension of time on the contract. The decision on whether to implement penalty clauses on the contractor will depend on the actual completion date and on whether or not any further extensions of time are agreed.
  On completion of the contract, traffic will re-route from Abbott Road because there will be the provision of a right hand turn into St. Leonard's Road. There will be increased capacity on the road north of the junction and Docklands via Cotton Street.
  Local people will benefit from a reduction in levels of congestion. Al3 westbound traffic wishing to travel north on the A102 will now be able to do so thus relieving Abbott Road, a residential road with a poor record of traffic accidents. There will be a new traffic signals system at the junction between the A13, A102 and Cotton Street
  810
  with integrated pedestrian crossing facilities and widened central refuge islands. At various locations there will be a segregation of the footway from traffic with environmental screens, pedestrian barriers and landscaping and at crossings, we will provide specialised pavings to assist visually impaired people. Environmental screens will be provided between the A102 and adjacent residential properties and between the A102 and Culloden Primary School. The A13 subway will be reopened and existing subways will be refurbished. Safety is of course a prime concern and the scheme will reduce road traffic accidents over the next 30 years by nearly 200.
  The improvement scheme is being completed to its original specification.
  This scheme is a stand alone improvement and no works have been carried out that relate to a third river crossing.

HEALTH

  GP Budgets
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the accumulated gross savings of general practitioner fundholders in each region as at 31 March 1995. [10935]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not yet available.

  Pain Research Institute, Liverpool
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received about the proposed closure of the Pain Research Institute associated with Walton hospital, Liverpool; [12314]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the value of the work carried out by the Pain Research Institute in Liverpool, with particular reference to the links between the institute and the pain clinic at Walton hospital; [12313]

  (3) what action he (a) has taken and (b) proposes to take in order to assist in re-siting the Pain Research Institute to the Fazakerley hospital site in conjunction with the re-siting of Walton hospital there. [12315]

  Mr. Horam
  Ministers have received five letters on this subject. The Department recognises the importance of the Pain Research Institute and its close ties with the Walton Neurosciences trust. Representatives of the National Health Service executive, Walton Neurosciences trust and Aintree Hospitals NHS trust met on 26 January to discuss the institute's accommodation requirements and options for financing the relocation.

  MRSA Bacteria
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department has issued to general practitioners and NHS hospitals regarding the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus bacterium [12399]

  Mr. Horam
  Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus is a problem largely confined to hospitals. Guidance on the control of MRSA in hospitals was circulated to the national health service in September 1994 under cover of EL(94)74, entitled "Improving the Effectiveness of the NHS". New advice on the surveillance of MRSA was included in guidance on
  811
  "Hospital Infection Control", published in March 1995 under cover of HSG(95)10. Copies of both documents are available in the Library.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to undertake further research into MRSA bacteria. [12336]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on 22 January 1996,Official Report, columns 15–16.

  Powered Wheelchairs
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the criteria for qualifying for a publicly funded indoor/outdoor powered wheelchair in the United Kingdom; [12079]

  (2) what funding arrangements exist for indoor/outdoor powered wheelchair provision in the United Kingdom. [12078]

  Mr. Bowis
  It is for the national health service locally to decide which type of wheelchair is appropriate depending on local and personal circumstances. Responsibility for wheelchair provision in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, respectively.

  Noise Levels (Hearing Damage)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into permanent hearing impairment caused by excessive noise levels faced by young people in places of public entertainment; and what plans his Department has to fund research into the level of hearing impairment amongst young people and the causes of such impairment. [12069]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has not commissioned any specific research into the effects of excessive noise levels in places of public entertainment, and has at present no plans to fund research into the level and causes of hearing impairment in young people.

  The health and safety of people attending places of public entertainment are subject to the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974. This includes the risk of damage to people's hearing.

  Patients (Consent to Treatment)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines medical professionals work to in securing the informed consent of patients to undergo surgery or similar treatment, with Particular reference to information provided on success rates for the relevant treatment; and if the guidelines indicate whether the success rate figures they give should be(a) national, (b) local to the hospital or unit or (c) individual to the surgeon or professional and (d) any combination of these. [12499]

  Mr. Horam
  Medical professionals use guidance issued by the medical royal colleges as the basis for obtaining a patient's consent to treatment. The General Medical Council has also issued guidance to all doctors 812
  on the basis for obtaining a patient's consent to treatment in its publication, "Duties of a doctor". This emphasises the need to respect the right of patients to be fully involved in decisions about their care.

  Such guidance contains no information about success rates for treatment.

  General Osteopathic Council
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he is yet in a position to announce the membership of the first General Osteopathic Council. [13369]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I am pleased to announce the membership designate of the first General Osteopathic Council is as follows:Chairman (lay member): Mr. Simon Fielding OBE: Current Chairman of the General Council and Register of Osteopaths
  Osteopathic members (all practising osteopaths)

  Dr. John G. Armitstead, MA, MRCP (UK) DO

  Mr. John B. Barkworth, DO

  Miss Susan Farwell, DO

  Mr. Gerry Gajadharsingh DO

  Mr. Maurice Hills DO

  Mrs. Jane Langer DO

  Mr. John Lant DO

  Mr. Graham Mason DO

  Mrs. Susan Pawsey MSc DO

  Mr. John Roberts MSc DO

  Mr. Philip Tanswell DO

  Mr. Nicholas Woodhead DO

  Education members

  Mr. Jonathan Hobbs DO

  Mr. Gregory Sharp DO

  Miss Sarah Wallace DO

  Dr. Briaan Jolly BSc, MA(Ed), PhD

  Lay members

  Mr. T. Nigel Clarke BA(Hons): Director, GLW Government Relations, and Chairman Notiondouble Ltd.

  Mr. Alan Kershaw BA(Hons) MA: Assistant Registrar, General Medical Council

  Mrs.Rita Lewis MSc(Econs): Health Policy Consultant/Lecturer, Member of UKCC

  Mr. David Phillips OBE, BDS: Dental Director and Secretary, The Medical Protection Society Ltd.

  Mrs. Elizabeth Southey: National Chairman of the National Federation of Women's Institutes

  Mrs. Deborah Todman LLB(Hons) MRAD: Barrister

  Mr. Alan Lettin BSc., MS, FRCS: Vice President, Royal College of Surgeons (England)

  Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.

  The chairman and membership will meet shortly to begin the preliminary work of drawing up a business plan for the new GOsC and the outline of the necessary structures for the administration of the statutory registration scheme for osteopaths. As soon as this preliminary work is complete, the first of the commencement orders will be made to bring the essential elements of the Osteopaths Act into force—including the formal appointment of the GOsC by the Privy Council.

  Operations (Women)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of women by health authority waiting for(a) a hysterectomy osperation, (b) a mastectomy operation and (c) a hip replacement operation; and how many have been waiting longer than (i) three months, (ii) six months, (iii) nine months and (iv) 12 months. [11491]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Cystic Fibrosis
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) infants and (b) people in total were recorded as suffering from cystic fibrosis in each standard region in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [12777]

  Mr. Horam
  Information about the prevalence of cystic fibrosis is not available centrally. Available information about national health service treatment, differentiating between those aged under one year and others, is shown in the table.

  Finished consultant episodes (ordinary admissions and day cases combined) in NHS hospitals in England—main diagnosis cystic fibrosis

  1991–92

  0–1 year

  Over 1 year

  All ages

  Northern

  35

  410

  445

  Yorkshire

  67

  435

  502

  Trent

  41

  478

  519

  East Anglian

  24

  218

  242

  North west Thames

  28

  137

  165

  North east Thames

  26

  82

  108

  South east Thames

  23

  154

  177

  South west Thames

  17

  238

  255

  Wessex

  17

  225

  242

  Oxford

  21

  171

  191

  South Western

  44

  196

  240

  West Midlands

  66

  585

  651

  Mersey

  30

  402

  432

  North Western

  32

  727

  760

  SHAs

  283

  876

  1,158

  England

  753

  5,333

  6,087

  1992–93

  Northern

  21

  344

  365

  Yorkshire

  85

  448

  533

  Trent

  42

  428

  470

  East Anglian

  20

  248

  268

  North west Thames

  5

  97

  102

  North east Thames

  13

  98

  111

  South east Thames

  45

  175

  220

  South west Thames

  13

  244

  256

  Wessex

  28

  335

  364

  Oxford

  32

  164

  196

  South Western

  28

  252

  280

  West Midlands

  90

  728

  817

  Mersey

  34

  305

  339

  814

  Finished consultant episodes (ordinary admissions and day cases combined) in NHS hospitals in England—main diagnosis cystic fibrosis

  1991–92

  0–1 year

  Over 1 year

  All ages

  North western

  66

  651

  717

  SHAs

  60

  2,169

  2,229

  England

  581

  6,687

  7,268

  1993–94

  Northern

  13

  204

  216

  Yorkshire

  62

  1,129

  1,191

  Trent

  71

  449

  520

  East Anglian

  16

  200

  216

  North west Thames

  0

  82

  82

  North east Thames

  26

  86

  112

  South east Thames

  28

  230

  259

  South west Thames

  13

  276

  288

  Wessex

  25

  358

  383

  Oxford

  8

  260

  268

  South Western

  8

  275

  283

  West Midlands

  71

  753

  824

  Mersey

  49

  367

  416

  North western

  20

  465

  486

  SHAs

  48

  1,428

  1,476

  England

  458

  6,562

  7,020

  Note

  Figures may not total due to rounding.

  Source

  Hospital Episode Statistics.

WALES

  Health Authorities (Resources)
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what decisions he has reached about the allocation of resources to the new health authorities in Wales for 1996–97. [13343]

  Mr. Hague
  I announced on 13 December that I had decided to provide an additional £84 million for the NHS in Wales for 1996–97. This brings total NHS spending to £2,274 million. Within this sum, I propose to allocate £1,587 million to hospital, community and the cash-limited element of the family health services. Subject to approval of the relevant supply estimate, this amount will be distributed as follows:

  The new health authorities will receive £1,491.6 million for revenue purposes. This is an increase of £55 million or 3.85 per cent. over 1995–96 plans, and 1.1 per cent. in real terms. In addition, authorities and trusts will be expected to generate efficiency savings of at least 3 per cent. This amounts to £40 million including a further £3.25 million savings in managements costs. These savings, together with the £55 million cash increase, will be available to meet inflationary and other pressures and enable further investment to be made in patient care.

  Health authorities and NHS trusts will also receive £95.8 million for capital investment. They are also expected to receive additional receipts from sales of surplus land. These additional resources will be available for reinvestment in capital development. In additional to

  815
  public sector capital spending, I expect the NHS in Wales to benefit significantly next year from private sector capital investment under the private finance initiative.

  I want the NHS in Wales to see PFI as the main source of funding for capital investment. It offers a unique opportunity to bring forward capital projects which are additional to existing public expenditure plans.

  Details of the planned allocations to the new health authorities, which come into being on 1 April 1996 and the provisional external financing limits for NHS trusts is contained in a statement which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Valuation Office, Bangor
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received against the possible transfer of work from the valuation office in Bangor to offices outside Gwynedd; and if he will make a statement. [12100]

  Mr. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  To date, representations have been received from members of staff of the valuation office in Bangor and a constituency Member of Parliament.

  Consultation has recently commenced with members of staff and their trades unions and will also be conducted with national representatives of the valuation profession and other bodies with an interest in the future of the valuation office review.

  Consultation is expected to be completed by summer 1996 and the outcome announced in due course.

  Hospitals
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general hospitals there were in Wales in 1980, 1990 and 1995; and if he will make a statement. [10744]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is contained in volumes 12 and 20 of "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics Wales" and in "Health Statistics Wales 1995", copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Dentists
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many dentistry practices there were undertaking NHS treatment in 1993 and 1994 in Gwynedd; [10758]

  (2) how many dentistry practices there were in Gwynedd in 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995; and how many there are currently. [10757]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on the number of dentistry practices is not available centrally. However, the number of principal dental practitioners treating some NHS patients is given in the following list, a principal dental practitioner would be the head of a practice, although two or more may practise together. The list includes only principals who carry out the majority of their work in Gwynedd. There may also be other principals who carry out some work in Gwynedd.
  816 Number of principal dental practitioners, treating some NHS patients, in Gwynedd

  30 September 1992: 63

  30 September 1993: 65

  30 September 1994: 65

  30 September 1995: 62 (latest available)

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many dentistry practices undertook NHS treatment in Clwyd in (i) 1991, (ii) 1992 and (iii) 1993; and if he will make a statement; [10674]

  (2) how many dentistry practices there are in Clwyd who undertake NHS treatment; and if he will make a statement. [10759]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on the number of dentistry practices is not available centrally. However the number of principal dental practitioners treating some NHS patients is given in the following list, a principal dental practitioner would be the head of a practice, although two or more may practise together. The list includes only principals who carry out the majority of their work in Clwyd. There may also be other principals who carry out some work in Clwyd.

  Number of principals dental practitioners, treating some NHS patients, in Clwyd:

  30 September 1991: 99

  30 September 1992: 95

  30 September 1993: 107

  30 September 1994: 108

  30 September 1995: 115

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dentists in Gwynedd are currently providing NHS dental service; and what was the figure before the introduction of his initiative. [11964]

  Mr. Hague
  At 30 September 1995, there were 65 dentists—62 of whom were principals—providing a NHS dental service in Gwynedd. Only those dentists who carry out the majority of their work in Gwynedd have been included in the figures. More recent figures are not yet available.

  Llanelli (Development)
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the Millennium Commission's grant towards the development of the Llanelli coastal park on the joint venture agreement between the Welsh Development Agency and Llanelli borough council. [11830]

  Mr. Hague
  I welcome the Millennium Commission's decision to support the development of Llanelli coastal park. It is for the Llanelli joint venture partners to take account of the decision in their future plans.

  Positive about Disabled People Symbol
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for his Department and each of the agencies for which he is responsible if it uses the Employment Service's positive about disabled people symbol for(a) external recruitment and (b) internal recruitment and promotion. [11917]
  817
  Mr. Richards
  The Welsh Office and Cadw use the Employment Service's positive about disabled people symbol for external recruitment and work to its principles for internal promotions and recruitment.

  Education Authority Budgets
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the budgets of education

  1995–96 Budgeted expenditure on education1

  Schools expenditure2

  Non-schools expenditure

  As a percentage of total eduction expenditure

  £per pupil3

  As a percentage of total education expenditure

  £per pupil3

  County council

  Clwyd

  95

  2,189

  4

  101

  Dyfed

  93

  2,386

  7

  177

  Gwent

  91

  2,161

  9

  211

  Gwynedd

  92

  2,351

  7

  172

  Mid Glamorgan

  92

  2,245

  8

  197

  Powys

  91

  2,480

  9

  233

  South Glamorgan

  89

  1,998

  11

  238

  West Glamorgan

  93

  2,271

  7

  172

  Wales

  92

  2,227

  8

  186

  Source:

  Local authority returns.

  Notes:

  1Excludes expenditure on grant maintained schools and mandatory student awards that are 100 per cent. funded by central government.

  2Includes expenditure on management and support services allocated by authorities to schools. Incudes home teaching and individual teaching at other establishments e.g. hospitals and special units. Excludes expenditure on school catering which is included under non-schools expenditure.

  3Based on provisional full-time equivalent pupil numbers as at January 1995.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average salary of a class teacher in Wales in the(a) nursery, (b) infant, (c) primary and (d) secondary sectors. [11708]

  Mr. Richards
  The average salaries for full-time classroom teachers in maintained—including grant-maintained—nursery, primary and secondary schools in Wales as at 31 March 1994 are as follows:

  Nursery £

  Infants £

  Other primary £

  Secondary (excluding sixth-form colleges) £

  19,100

  18,700

  18,700

  29,600

  Nurses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to increase the recruitment of nurses. [12007]

  Mr. Richards
  It is a matter for NHS trusts and other employers to recruit the number of nurses they require to provide services.

  Hospital Closures
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospitals were closed in (i) 1992,
  818
  authorities, in Wales is allocated to (a) schools and (b) non-school expenditure; and how much money this represents per school pupil in each case. [10922]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on county councils' budgeted expenditure for 1995–96 on education services is given in the following table.

  (ii) 1993, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995 giving in each case their location. [12005]

  Mr. Richards
  The information is given in the following table. However since 1992 one hospital has also opened, in Clwyd.

  Hospital

  Location

  Closed in 1992:

  Catherine Gladstone

  Clwyd

  Talgarn

  Mid Glamorgan

  Children's ENT

  South Glamorgan

  Closed in 1993:

  Druid

  Gwynedd

  Garth Anghirad

  Gwynedd

  Llwyn View

  Gwynedd

  Pontypool and District

  Gwent

  Energlyn

  Mid Glamorgan

  Coed Du

  Clwyd

  Closed in 1994:

  St. David's

  Powys

  Mount Pleasant

  West Glamorgan

  Parc

  Mid Glamorgan

  St. Lawrence

  Gwent

  Port Talbot

  West Glamorgan

  Alit yr yn

  Gwent

  St. David's

  Gwynedd

  Broughton

  Clwyd

  Closed in 1995:

  Stanley Sailors

  Gwynedd

  Pen y Fai

  Mid Glamorgan

  North Wales

  Clwyd

  819
  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many wards were closed in (i) 1992, (ii) 1993, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995. [12004]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) hospital beds and (b) acute hospital beds were closed in (i) 1992, (ii) 1993, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995. [12003]

  Mr. Richards
  Information relating to the actual number of beds closed is not collected centrally. However, the average daily number of available beds in each of the last four years is given in the following table.

  All hospital beds

  Acute hospital beds

  1991–92

  18,640

  8,799

  1992–93

  18,078

  8,651

  1993–94

  17,475

  8,441

  1994–95

  16,834

  8,479

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make an order under section 6(1)(o) to extend the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993 to those bodies identified by the Welsh Language Board as appropriate to the purposes of the Act but not currently within its ambit. [11974]

  Mr. Hague
  I intend to make an order under section 6 of the Act later this year. Which bodies are to be designated as public bodies under the terms of the Act is a matter still under consideration.

  Anaesthetics and Psychiatry Posts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of(a) anaesthetics and (b) psychiatry posts are currently unfilled; and if he will make a statement. [12008]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on medical staff in the NHS in Wales is collected by means of an annual census of staff in post at 30 September. The latest available information, which relates to whole-time equivalent numbers at 30 September 1994, is given in the following table.

  Percentage of posts not occupied by a permanent holder

  Filled by a locum

  Not filled by a locum

  Anaesthetics

  0.6

  1.4

  Psychiatry1

  0.7

  0.7

  1Includes the specialties of mental handicap, mental illness, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, psychotherapy and old age psychiatry.

  Private Hospitals and Clinics
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many private hospitals and clinics there are currently(a) in Wales, and (b) in each of the health districts. [12006]
  820
  Mr. Richards
  The latest available information, which relates to 31 March 1995, is given in the following table.

  Health district

  Private hospitals

  Private clinics

  Clwyd

  1

  1

  East Dyfed

  1

  1

  Gwent

  2

  1

  Gwynedd

  1

  1

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  —

  Pembrokeshire

  —

  —

  Powys

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  1

  2

  West Glamorgan

  1

  —

  Wales

  7

  7

  Training for Work Programmes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 780, how many trainees (a) in total and (b) in each training and enterprise council area for whom a first stage payment is made are still in employment eight weeks later. [12460]

  Mr. Hague
  Information on individual trainees is not collected in the format requested and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. However aggregated information is available on the claims made by TECs for first and second stage job outcome payments and this has been provided in the following table. To take account of the time lag in claiming second stage payments, information has been provided on the first stage payments to the end of the second quarter, 10 September 1995, and the second stage job outcome payments to the end of the third quarter, 31 December 1995. The earliest opportunity for claiming the latter payments is eight weeks after the payment of first stage job outcomes.

  Training for work job outcome payments made 27 March 1995 to 31 December 1995

  TEC

  First stage payment

  Second Stage payment

  Gwent

  484

  434

  Mid Glamorgan

  905

  615

  North East Wales

  310

  66

  Powys

  152

  92

  South Glamorgan

  467

  340

  Targed

  231

  165

  West Wales

  736

  493

  Total

  3,285

  2,205

  Source:

  TEC claims: first stage payments to 10 September 1995 second stage to 31 December 1995.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 780, if he will publish by individual TEC areas a breakdown of the NVQ levels attained by trainees undertaking training for work programmes. [12459]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is contained in the following table.
  821

  Training for work NVQ achievement by level 27 March 1995 to 3 December 1995

  NVQ's

  Gwent

  Mid Glamorgan

  North-east Wales

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  Targed

  West Wales

  Total

  Sub Level 1

  123

  101

  2

  4

  52

  22

  7

  311

  Level 1

  336

  248

  60

  23

  206

  121

  431

  1,425

  Level 2

  294

  415

  123

  52

  371

  229

  523

  2,007

  Level 3

  71

  48

  28

  50

  36

  109

  45

  387

  Level 4

  10

  30

  0

  3

  44

  43

  2

  132

  Level 4+

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  3

  Total

  834

  842

  213

  133

  709

  526

  1,008

  4,265

  TEC management information statistics.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 780, what percentage the long-term unemployed represent of (a) entrants to training for work, (b) those for whom a first stage payment is made and (c) those still in employment eight weeks later (i) in total and (ii) by individual TEC areas. [12461]

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

  Llay Park Infants School
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of state for Wales if he will make extra moneys available to Clwyd local education authority to enable Llay Park infants school to be rebuilt. [12426]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend is making available more than £508 million for local authority capital spending in 1996–97. It is for individual local authorities to determine how the resources that are made available are allocated between services, including education, in the light of their statutory responsibilities and their perception of local needs and priorities.

  Traditional Geographical Counties
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about maintaining the identity of the 13 traditional counties of Wales; and what response he has made. [12464]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I have received three representations, all from Mr. Peter Boyce of the Association of British Counties about promoting"the use of the 13 traditional counties as the main geographical areas in common parlance in Wales"

  I have written to Mr. Boyce, expressing our view that the new structure of 22 unitary authorities is that which best meets the needs of local government in Wales, but that it is for other institutions and organisations to consider what structure meets their needs.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what considerations he has given to reinstituting the 13 geographical counties as the standard geographical framework for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [12419]

  Mr. Hague
  None. I am not aware that there is such a thing as a standard geographical framework. The structure of 22 unitary authorities was decided upon by Parliament with regard to what is best for local government in Wales.
  822
  It is for other institutions and organisations to consider whether that structure meets their needs and those of their users, customers or associates.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future role of the 13 traditional geographical counties in Wales. [12417]

  Mr. Hague
  The Government acknowledge the continuing strength of the affection which many people in Wales have for the traditional 13 counties, which is expressed, for example, in the organisation of many sporting, social, voluntary and cultural societies on the basis of the traditional counties' boundaries. I see no reason why such arrangements should not continue.

  Cystic Fibrosis
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) infants and (b) adults were recorded as suffering from cystic fibrosis in each health authority, and for Wales as a whole for each of the last available three years; and if he will make a statement. [12776]

  Mr. Richards
  At present, information on the prevalence of cystic fibrosis in Wales is not held centrally. Information on the levels of cystic fibrosis reported by respondents to the Welsh health survey is being processed. Results from the survey are scheduled for publication in March 1996.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the written representations that he has received in favour of the proposed nursery voucher scheme. [12859]

  Mr. Hague
  Since my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State's reply to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis) on 15 January 1996,Official Report, columns 379–80, we have received correspondence in support of the scheme from a parent expressing concern that the views of working mothers are being represented. The voucher scheme aims to provide choice of provision to such parents.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Industrial Injuries Advisory
  823
  Council regarding hand arm vibration syndrome; and if he will make a statement. [12912]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has given careful consideration to the recommendations in the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's report "Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (Vascular and Neurological Components Involving the Fingers and Thumb)", Cm 2844. The Government are not persuaded that the additional benefits to individuals would be sufficient to warrant the high administrative costs of implementing the council's recommendations. I am especially concerned about the costs associated with developing a usable, repeatable and acceptable test for diagnosing the condition and assessing a person's disability. I am confident that the council will continue its thorough work in monitoring the scientific advances and literature on this condition, as well as developments in diagnostic and assessment techniques. I will give careful consideration to any further advice it may provide.

  Burdens on Business
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce burdens on business. [13225]

  Mr. Heald
  We plan to make two changes which, although in themselves small, will nevertheless contribute to our aim of reducing burdens on business.

  First, we have today published a consultation document, "Reducing Burdens on Business: Proposed Changes for Directors' National Insurance Contributions". Subject to the responses, we will consider the best way of making the necessary legislative change, including an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. Today's document therefore constitutes formal consultation under section 3(1) of the Act. Responses to the document must be received no later than Friday 29 March 1996 when the consultation period will end.

  The document has been sent to 38 organisations in Great Britain—and a further 12 in Northern Ireland—seeking their views about proposals to modify the present

  Income support preserved rights cases with weekly accommodation charge above income support limits: women aged 60 and over in residential care homes

  A. By standard region and type of care

  Great Britain

  Wales

  Scotland

  England

  All residential care

  34,000

  2,000

  2,000

  31,000

  Type of care

  Elderly People

  15,000

  1,000

  1,000

  14,000

  Very dependent elderly

  15,000

  1,000

  1,000

  14,000

  Mental illness

  1,000

  —

  —

  1,000

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  1,000

  —

  —

  1,000

  Physical disability above pension age

  1,000

  —

  —

  1,000

  Any other category

  —

  —

  —

  —

  824
  rules under which directors and their employers pay national insurance contributions. The annual amount they are liable to pay will not change.

  Secondly, we propose to bring the regulations governing national insurance contributions into greater alignment with the PAYE tax system. As one of a number of similar changes from April 1996 we propose to adopt the Inland Revenue definition of a company in the regulation dealing with the treatment of payments made to certain professional advisor and nominee directors.

  Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library.

  Social Security Committee Report
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish his reply to the Social Security Committee's fifth report of Session 1995–96 "The Work of the Department of Social Security and its Agencies", HC 382. [13227]

  Mr. Lilley
  A Government response to the Social Security Committee's report "The Work of the Department of Social Security and its Agencies" has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Income Support
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women aged 60 years and over receiving preserved rights to income support in(a) elderly people, (b) very dependent elderly, (c) mental illness, (d) mental handicap, (e) drug and alcohol dependence, (f) physical disability over pension age and (g) any other condition category had weekly charges above the income support limit by (i) 1 p to £13.10, (ii) £13.11 to £15, (iii) £15.01 to £25, (iv) £25.01 to £35, (v) £35.01 to £45, (vi) £45.01 to £55, (vii) £55.01 to £65, (viii) £65.01 to £75, (ix) £75.01 to £85, (x) £85.01 to £95, (xi) £95.01 to £105 and (xii) over £105.01 for (1) Greater London and (2) by English region, excluding Greater London, (3) England and (4) Great Britain. [7729]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.
  825

  A. By standard region and type of care

  England

  Greater London

  South-east

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  East Anglia

  South-west

  West Midlands

  North-west

  All residential care

  2,000

  8,000

  2,000

  4,000

  2,000

  2,000

  4,000

  3,000

  4,000

  Type of cure

  Elderly people

  1,000

  4,000

  1,000

  2,000

  1,000

  1,000

  2,000

  1,000

  2,000

  Very dependent elderly

  1,000

  3,000

  1,000

  1,000

  1,000

  1,000

  2,000

  2,000

  2,000

  Mental illness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  —

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physical disability above pension age

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Any other category

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or negligible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.

  B. By range of charge and type of care

  All residential care

  Elderly people

  Very dependent elderly

  Mental illness

  Mental handicap

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  Physical disability above pension age

  Any other category

  Cases with charges:

  Above weekly Income Support limit

  34,000

  15,000

  15,000

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  of which above weekly Income Support limit by:

  £0.01 to £13.10

  17,000

  6,000

  10,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £13.10 to £15.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £15.01 to £25.00

  4,000

  2,000

  2,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £25.01 to £35.00

  5,000

  3,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £35.01 to £45.00

  2,000

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £45.01 to £55.00

  2,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £55.01 to £65.00

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £65.01 to £75.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £85.01 to £95.01

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £95.01 to £105.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £105.01 and over

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or negligible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.

  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men in residential homes aged 65 years and over receiving preserved rights to income support in the(a) elderly people, (b) very dependent elderly, (c) mental illness, (d) mental handicap, (e) drug and alcohol dependent, (f) physical disability over pension age and (g) any other condition category had weekly charges above the income support limit by (i) £0.01 to £13.10, (ii) £13.11 to £15, (iii) £15.01 to £25, (iv) £25.01
  826
  to £35, (v) £35.01 to £45, (vi) £45.01 to £55, (vii) £55.01 to £65, (viii) £65.01 to £75, (ix) £75.01 to £85, (x) £85.01 to £95, (xi) £95.01 to £105 and (xii) £105.01 over; and if he will give this information for Greater London, by English region excluding Greater London, England as a whole and Great Britain. [7737]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
  827

  Income support preserved rights cases with weekly accommodation charge above income support limits: men aged 65 and over in residential care homes

  A. By standard region and type of care

  Great Britain

  Wales

  Scotland

  England

  All residential care

  9,000

  —

  1,000

  8,000

  Type of care

  Elderly People

  4,000

  —

  —

  4,000

  Very dependent elderly

  3,000

  —

  —

  2,000

  Mental illness

  1,000

  —

  —

  1,000

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  1,000

  —

  —

  1,000

  Physical disability above pension age

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  Any other category

  —

  —

  —

  —

  A. By standard region and type of care

  England

  Greater London

  South-east

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  East Anglia

  South-west

  West Midlands

  North-west

  All residential care

  1,000

  2,000

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  1,000

  Type of care

  Elderly people

  —

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  Very dependent elderly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental illness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Physical disability above pension age

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Any other category

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or negligible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.

  B. By range of charge and type of care

  All residential care

  Elderly people

  Very dependent elderly

  Mental illness

  Mental handicap

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  Physical disability above pension age

  Any other category

  Cases with charges:

  Above weekly Income Support limit

  9,000

  4,000

  3,000

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  —

  —

  of which above weekly Income Support limit by:

  £0.01 to £13.10

  4,000

  1,000

  2,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £13.10 to £15.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £15.01 to £25.00

  2,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £25.01 to £35.00

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £35.01 to £45.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £45.01 to £55.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £55.01 to £65.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £65.01 to £75.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £75.01 to £85.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £85.01 to £95.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  828 829

  B. By range of charge and type of care

  All residential care

  Elderly people

  Very dependent elderly

  Mental illness

  Mental handicap

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  Physical disability above pension age

  Any other category

  £95.01 to £105.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £105.01 and over

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or negligible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.

  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men in nursing homes aged 65 years and over receiving preserved rights to income support in(a) terminal illness, (b) physical disability over pension age, (c) drug and alcohol dependence, (d) mental handicap, (e) mental illness and (f) any other category had weekly charges above the income support limit by (i) £00.1 to £13.10, (ii) £13.11 to £15, (iii) £15.01 to £25,

  Income support preserved rights cases with weekly accommodation charge above income support limits: men aged 65 and over in nursing homes

  A. By standard region and type of care

  Great Britain

  Wales

  Scotland

  England

  All nursing homes

  9,000

  1,000

  1,000

  8,000

  Type of care

  Mental illness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Terminal illness

  3,000

  —

  —

  3,000

  Physical disability above pension age

  1,000

  —

  —

  1,000

  Any other category

  4,000

  —

  —

  4,000

  A. By standard region and type of care

  England

  Greater London

  South-east

  North

  Yorshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  East Anglia

  South-west

  West Midlands

  North-west

  All nursing homes

  —

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  2,000

  Type of care

  Mental illness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug or alcohol

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  dependence

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Terminal illness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  Physical disability above pertsion age

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Any other category

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or negligible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.
  830
  (iv) £25.01 to £35, (v) £35.01 to £45, (vi) £45.01 to £55, (vii) £55.01 to £65, (viii) £65.01 to £75, (ix) £75.01 to £85, (x) £85.01 to £95, (xi) £95.01 to £105 and (xii) over £105.01 for (1) Greater London and (2) by English region, excluding Greater London, (3) England and (4) Great Britain. [7728]

  Mr. Evans
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set at in the table.
  831

  B. By range of charge and type of care

  All nursing homes

  Mental illness

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  Mental handicap

  Terminal illness

  Physical disability above pension age

  Any other category

  Cases with charges:

  Above weekly L. S. Limit

  9,000

  —

  —

  —

  3,000

  1,000

  4,000

  Of which above weekly is limit by:

  £0.01 to £13.10

  4,000

  —

  —

  —

  2,000

  1,000

  2,000

  £13.10 to £15.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £15.01 to £25.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £25.01 to £35.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  —

  —

  £35.01 to £45.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £45.01 to £55.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £55.01 to £65.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £65.01 to £75.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £75.01 to £85.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £85.01 to £95.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £95.01 to £105.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £105.01 and over

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or negligible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.

  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women in nursing homes aged 60 years and over receiving preserved rights to income support in (a) terminal illness, (b) physical disability over pension age, (c) drug and alcohol dependence, (d) mental handicap, (e) mental illness and (f) any other category by (i) £00.1 to £13.10, (ii) £13.11 to £15, (iii) £15.01 to £25, (iv) £25.01 to £35, (v) £35.01 to £45, (vi) £45.01 to £55,

  Income support preserved rights cases with weekly accommodation charge above income support limits: women aged 60 and over in nursing homes

  A. By standard region and type of care

  Greaat Britain

  Wales

  Scotland

  England

  All nursing homes

  36,000

  2,000

  3,000

  30,000

  Type of care

  Mental illness

  1,000

  —

  —

  1,000

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  Terminal illness

  14,000

  1,000

  1,000

  11,000

  Physical disability above pension age

  3,000

  —

  —

  3,000

  Any other category

  18,000

  1,000

  2,000

  16,000

  A. By standard region and type of care

  England

  Greater London

  South-east

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  East Anglia

  South-west

  West Midlands

  North-west

  All nursing homes

  2,000

  5,000

  2,000

  5,000

  3,000

  1,000

  4,000

  3,000

  6,000

  Type of care

  Mental illness

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mental handicap

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Terminal illness

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  2,000

  1,000

  1,000

  2,000

  1,000

  3,000

  832
  (vii) £55.01 to £65, (viii) £65.01 to £75, (ix) £75.01 to £85, (x) £85.01 to £95, (xi) £95.01 to £105 and (xii) over £105.01 for (1) Greater London and (2) by English region, excluding Greater London, (3) England and (4) Great Britain. [7730]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
  833

  A. By standard region and type of care

  England

  Greater London

  South-east

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  East Anglia

  South-west

  West Midlands

  North-west

  Physical disability above pension age

  —

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Any other category

  1,000

  3,000

  1,000

  3,000

  2,000

  —

  2,000

  2,000

  2,000

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or negligible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.

  B. By range of charge and type of care

  All nursing homes

  Mental illness

  Drug or alcohol dependence

  Mental handicap

  Terminal illness

  Physical disability above pension age

  Any other category

  Cases with charges:

  Above weekly I. S. Limit

  36,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  14,000

  3,000

  18,000

  of which above weekly is limit by:

  £0.01 to £13.10

  19,000

  1,000

  —

  —

  7,000

  2,000

  9,000

  £13.10 to £15.00

  2,000

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  £15.01 to £25.00

  4,000

  —

  —

  —

  2,000

  —

  2,000

  £25.01 to £35.00

  4,000

  —

  —

  —

  2,000

  —

  2,000

  £35.01 to £45.00

  2,000

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  £45.01 to £55.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  —

  1,000

  £55.01 to £65.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,000

  £65.01 to £75.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £75.01 to £85.00

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £85.01 to £95.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £95.01 to £105.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  £105.01 and over

  1,000

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding some totals may not tally.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  3. "—" Denotes nil or neglible.

  4. Regions are Government Standard Statistical Regions.

  5. Regional figures quoted exclude cases with the Greater London Extension.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many parents with care ceased to claim income support within four weeks of liable relatives action for each year since 1989. [12072]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how the benefit savings due to parents with care ceasing to claim income support were calculated prior to 1993–94. [12073]

  Mr. Evans
  By multiplying the number of income support cases where the reason for cessation was attributable to liable relative action by the amount of benefit in payment and an average anticipated duration for benefit claims.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for income support there were in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale district in each year since 1992. [10873]
  834
  Mr. Evans
  The administration of income support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 30 January 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many claims for Income Support (IS) there were in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale District in each year since 1992.
  The number of IS claims for this District for the calendar years since 1992 are:

  1992: 23,698

  1993: 20,544

  1994: 21,084

  1995: 21,160

  These figures are provisional and may be subject to change.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of paying income support for mortgage interest payments in Scotland in each of the
  835
  years since 1988–89; and how many households received payments in each of these years. [11142]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Malcolm Chisholm, dated 30 January 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what was the total cost of paying Income Support for mortgage interest payments in Scotland in each of the years since 1988–89; and how many households received payments in each of these years.
  Annex A details the information requested.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Annex A: Income Support customers with mortgage interest in Scotland

  Number of cases with mortgage interest

  Total estimated annual expenditure £million

  1988–89

  15,000

  19

  1989–90

  14,000

  26

  1990–91

  18,000

  33

  1991–92

  19,000

  32

  1992–93

  22,000

  33

  1993–94

  23,000

  32

  1994–95

  25,000

  34

  Notes:

  1. Cases are rounded to the nearest thousand and expenditure to the nearest million.

  2. Estimated annual expenditure is derived by multiplying the number of cases with the average weekly amount then multiplying by 52.

  3. For 1993–94 and 1994–95 figures have been used from the 4 quarterly enquiries which show a better estimate for expenditure.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries 1989–1992 and Quarterly Enquiries May 1993–February 1995.

  Divorce
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what calculation he has made of the changes in divorce rates in each 10-year period to 2020 and in 2037. [11635]

  Mr. Heald
  None.

  Marriage
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what calculation he has made of the changes in marriage rates in each 10-year period to 2020 and in 2037. [11634]

  Mr. Heald
  None

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the benefit savings attributable to the Child Support Agency since its establishment would be if they were calculated on the same basis as those forecast in the financial memorandum of the Child Support Bill; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figures. [12074]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Such estimates cannot be provided until the longer-term incentive effects of the work of the Child Support Agency are known.
  836
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the benefit savings attributable to liable relatives action would have been in each year since 1989 if they had been calculated including the 51 multiplier in accordance with the procedures adopted by the Child Support Agency since 1993–94. [12071]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The information is in the list:

  1989–90: £270 million

  1990–91: £315 million

  1991–92: £400 million

  1992–93: £440 million

  These figures include savings resulting from action to collect spousal maintenance and payments made in respect of sponsored immigrants.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which computer applications contain information relating to clients on the Child Support Agency computer system. [11806]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 30 January 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency computer applications.
  Information relating to Child Support Agency clients is held and maintained only in the database of the main Child Support Computer System.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many requests he has received from clients of the Child Support Agency for copies of the records held on them by the agency computer system. [11802]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 30 January 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency records.
  From the inception of the Agency in April 1993 to 24 January 1996, a total of 3,634 requests have been received from clients of the Child Support Agency for copies of personal information held about them on the Child Support Computer System.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Company Pension Funds
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the role of the Pensions Act 1995 in preventing employers appropriating or transferring the surpluses from company pension funds. [12606]

  Mr. Heald
  At present, trustees can approve payments from surplus to employers if they are permitted by scheme rules. The Pensions Act 1995 will no longer allow the trustees of occupational pension schemes to make a payment to the employer from a surplus unless new
  837
  statutory requirements are met. In future, the following conditions will have to be met, irrespective of the terms of the scheme rules:

  (a) the proposals to eliminate the surplus have been approved by the Inland Revenue;

  (b) the trustees are satisfied that it is in the interests of the members for the payment to be made;

  (c) the scheme must not be winding up;

  (d) all pensions must be increased annually in line with inflation up to 5 per cent. for both past and future service;

  (e) the employer has agreed that a payment should be made to him;

  (f) members must be notified in accordance with prescribed requirements of the intention to make a payment from surplus to the employer.

  The Act also provides that if a payment is made to an employer in breach of the statutory requirements, the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority may apply to the High Court—the Court of Session in Scotland—for an order to restore the funds to the scheme.

  We have announced our intention to bring these requirements into force from April 1997.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of state benefits regained

  Average household equivalised incomes of women over the age of 25 who are widowed, single and in partnerships

  Equivalent monetary values in £s per week

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Year

  Widows

  Singles

  Women in couples

  Widows

  Singles

  Women in couples

  1981

  —

  168

  207

  —

  152

  180

  1987

  —

  205

  251

  —

  186

  218

  1988–89

  —

  207

  273

  —

  189

  240

  1990–91

  —

  207

  293

  —

  189

  258

  1991–92

  194

  215

  294

  182

  195

  259

  1992–93

  194

  218

  296

  180

  196

  262

  1. The information in the table is derived from the Households Below Average Incomes' datasets.

  2. Information for widows is not available before 1991. Figures for single women includes women who are single and never married, divorced, separated and widows. In 1981, 1987 and 1988–89 information for women in couples covers married women only; women who were co-habiting are counted as single women. Information for couples for later years includes married women and women who are co-habiting.

  3. Estimates are of mean weekly household equivalised disposable income. For further information about equivalisation see appendix 4 of Households Below Average Income 1979–1992–93—a copy of which is in the Library. Figures are given to the nearest whole £ and are in March 1995 prices.

  4. All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  5. Figures for 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93 are for two calendar years data combined.
  838
  by the compensation recovery unit in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland in each of the past three years. [11541]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 January, Official Report, column 108, about the compensation recovery unit, if he will list the parties which were consulted in late 1995. [12484]

  Mr. Evans
  The information has been placed in the Library.

  Women's Incomes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate his Department has made of the average income of women over the age of 25 years who are (a) widowed, (h) single and (c) in a partnership for each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement. [12264]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Such information as is available is in the table. These figures show average household income after adjustment for household size and composition. These figures are used rather than individual income as the latter does not reflect all the income available to women in households; some income components can also not readily be attributed to individuals.