Written Answers of 12 July 1996

TRANSPORT

  West Coast Main Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the west coast main line will qualify for inclusion in the trans-European network high speed rail links. [36827]

  Mr. Watts
  The west coast main line is included on the current trans European network high speed rail map. The United Kingdom secured nearly £7 million of EU funding in support of the WCML modernisation in 1995 and we are confident of further sums during 1996 and beyond.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total cost of the Scott inquiry. [36042]

  Mr. Freeman
  The total cost so far to public funds of Sir Richard Scott's inquiry is assessed as £6,945,000.

  This figure includes the direct salary, legal and other estimated costs of the inquiry itself; the direct salary cost of officials wholly employed on matters relating to the inquiry—but not the cost of officials who have worked on inquiry-related matters from time to time as part of their normal duties, which is unquantifiable; the cost of providing external legal services for witnesses to the inquiry, and the value of legal services charged by the Treasury Solicitor's Department. Some legal advice has been provided by Government lawyers as part of their normal duties, which is also unquantifiable and therefore not included.

  Some officials continue to work on inquiry-related matters, for example in taking forward the Government's response to Sir Richard Scott's recommendations. However, since this work is generally carried out as part of officials' other duties it is unlikely that there will be a significant increase in the costs set out.

  Civil Servants (Improper Conduct)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many allegations made by civil servants of improper conduct by Ministers are currently under investigation by the first civil service commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the nature of the allegations. [37132]

  Mr. Freeman
  The civil service commissioners' annual report for 1995–96 published on 4 June, stated that one appeal to them under the civil service code was currently under investigation; one case had been the 320
  subject of internal departmental investigation and the commissioners had not yet received an appeal; and one further case was still the subject of internal departmental procedures. I understand from the first commissioner that none of these cases involved allegations of improper conduct by Ministers and that no further approaches have been made to the commissioners since their report was published. The commissioners will report in general terms on the number, nature and outcome of all appeals made to them in their next report.

  Occupational Health and Safety Agency
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make an announcement on the progress of the sale of the Occupational Health and Safety Agency. [37549]

  Mr. Freeman
  The House was informed on 23 November 1995 that it was the Government's intention to sell the Occupational Health and Safety Agency. I announced the shortlist of four companies to the House on 26 June. It is the Government's intention to identify a preferred bidder by the end of July and to complete the sale as soon as possible thereafter.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Industrial Electricity and Gas Prices
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the change in real terms since privatisation in industrial electricity and industrial gas prices; and what estimate the DTI energy model has provided about the effect of these changes on consumption levels. [36815]

  Mr. Eggar
  Between privatisation—in the second quarter of 1990—and the first quarter of 1996 industrial electricity prices have fallen by 10.5 per cent. in real terms. Industrial gas prices fell by 55 per cent. in real terms between privatisation—in the fourth quarter of 1986—and the first quarter of 1996.

  The DTI energy model estimates that in the short run, industrial energy demand is relatively unresponsive to changes in energy prices. In the longer term, for every 10 per cent. fall in energy prices, total energy demand is estimated to rise by around 4 per cent.

  However, the price responsiveness of energy demand varies significantly across industrial sectors and types of fuel. For example, industrial electricity demand is estimated to be more price responsive than industrial gas demand.

  Energy prices are just one of the many influences on energy demand and recent changes in demand for electricity and, particularly, gas will be affected by developments in technology and availability of supplies as well as prices.

  Transhipment Licences
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the British Government's policy on the issuing of transhipment licences relating to trade between two other countries for products supplied by British companies. [36485]
  321
  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 July 1996]: A transhipment licence is used where controlled products enter the United Kingdom solely for transit to another country. Individual transhipment licences are no longer required for many such goods except to the most sensitive destinations and for certain military, security and paramilitary police equipment. Most transhipments, for both industrial and other military goods, are allowed under the terms of the open general transhipment licence.

  Where applications for individual transhipment licences are required, they are considered against the same strict criteria as applications for other export licences.

  In accordance with arrangements introduced on 10 November 1994, goods that remain on board a plane or ship or those on "through airway bills" or "through bills of lading" are not controlled provided that they leave the UK within 30 days of arrival, that the final destination has been decided before the goods left the country of original export and are not re-directed on their way through the UK. Additionally, the goods must have been exported in accordance with the original country's export laws.

WALES

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with(a) the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and (b) other bodies regarding amending his Department's guidelines for the work of the Welsh Development Agency in respect of inward investment; and if he will make a statement. [36597]

  Mr. Hague
  With the approval of the Treasury, my Department issued guidelines to the Welsh Development Agency for its inward investment activities in March 1995. An amendment to those guidelines, covering United Kingdom relocations, was agreed and issued in June 1995 and a copy placed in the Library of the House.

  The guidelines are currently being reviewed with the agency. Should it be necessary to make further amendments, or issue revised guidelines, a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Planning Policy
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a timetable for the production of all technical advice notes to accompany "Planning Guidance (Wales) Planning Policy", published in May. [36550]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The first group of technical advice notes was issued for public consultation on 25 June. The intention is that final versions of these will be published before the end of the year. The remaining notes are scheduled for public consultation in October with the intention of publishing them in final form by March 1997.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for mineral planning guidance in Wales. [36551]

  Mr. Jones
  My right hon. Friend is reviewing minerals planning guidance in Wales. Consultation on the draft guidance which results will take place later this year.
  322

  Epilepsy Association
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial support he currently provides to the Epilepsy Association in Wales. [36859]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  South and East Wales Ambulance Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South and East Wales ambulance trust concerning(a) the maximum expenditure allowed on capital projects without specific authorisations from his Department, (b) the cost of the new headquarters of the trust at Mamhilad, Pontypool and (c) the efficacy of the radio control system ordered for the trust. [37149]

  Mr. Hague
  None. All capital projects are subject to established planning and approval processes.

  NHS Trusts (Car Leasing)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the minimum term of car leasing contracts in NHS trusts and health authorities under executive car leasing schemes approved by his Department; what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Gwent health authority concerning the annual renewal of the chief executive's car leasing contract; and if he will make a statement. [37133]

  Mr. Hague
  The provision of leased cars is governed by section 24 of the NHS General Whitely Council agreement for staff employed by health authorities and NHS trusts on national terms and conditions of service. I am placing a copy of section 24 in the Library. NHS trusts can determine their own leasing arrangements for staff employed on trust terms and conditions of service and they need to be satisfied about the propriety of expenditure on them. My Department does not approve individual schemes and I have had no consultations with the chairman of Gwent health authority.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Qualification Levels (Don Valley)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people with an educational qualification below national vocational qualification level 2 in the Don Valley parliamentary constituency(a) have been and (b) are being trained by the Barnsley-Doncaster training and enterprise council. [36161]

  Mr. Paice
  The information is not available in the form requested. The national follow-up survey of all 1994–95 youth training leavers indicates that 30 per cent. of participants in the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council's youth programmes had no qualifications when they joined.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of those in the age range 18 to 25 years(a)resident in the Don Valley parliamentary constituency and (b) resident in related travel-to-work areas have obtained national vocational qualification level 2. [36160]
  323
  Mr. Paice
  The information is not available in the form requested. I understand that in the Doncaster district 1,025 participants on the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council's youth programmes obtained a qualification at NVQ level 2 or higher during 1995–96. Other young people will have achieved NVQ level 2 or above as a result of other education and training programmes, including those not organised by the TEC. Figures for this are not available at constituency level.

  Examination Results (Cheshire)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the number of school students achieving grades C and above in GCSE examinations in Cheshire for each of the last five years and how that number relates to the national average. [36370]

  Mr. Paice
  The table gives the (i) number of and (ii) percentage of 15-year-old pupils attaining grades C and above in GCSE examinations in Cheshire and England for the years 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992. The data for 1991 are not available on a consistent basis.

  GCSE achievements of 15-year-old pupils1 in all maintained schools2

  Number of 15-year-old pupils achieving 1+ grades A*-C3

  Percentage of 15-year-old pupils achieving 1+ grades A*-C3

  Cheshire

  England

  Cheshire

  England

  1991–92

  7,454

  316,689

  68

  64

  1992–93

  7,356

  314,835

  71

  66

  1993–94

  7,549

  328,635

  72

  68

  1994–95

  8,360

  356,843

  72

  68

  1Those pupils aged 15 at 31 August.

  2Including grant-maintained schools, city technology colleges and maintained special schools.

  3Grade A* was introduced in 1993–94.

  City College, Manchester
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received from City college, Manchester in respect of redundancies consequent on funding reduction. [36940]

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend has received one letter.

  Post-16 Education
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to ensure a local provision of post-16 education in Manchester. [36922]

  Mr. Paice
  It is the statutory duty of the Further Education Funding Council to secure the provision of sufficient facilities for full-time education for those aged 16 to 18, and adequate facilities for part-time education for those aged over 16 and for full-time education for those aged 19 and over. I understand that there is no shortage of provision in Manchester.
  324

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Slave Trade
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce further legislation in respect of trafficking in human beings. [36562]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Under section 25(1) of the Immigration Act 1971, it is an offence for a person to be knowingly concerned in making or carrying out arrangements for securing or facilitating the entry into the United Kingdom of anyone who he knows or has reason to believe is an illegal entrant. Clause 5 of the Asylum and Immigration Bill extends this provision to include facilitating for reward the entry of an asylum claimant, and facilitating the acquisition of leave to remain by deception. No further legislative changes are planned.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to guarantee foreign prostitutes illegally present in the United Kingdom immunity from expulsion if they come forward. [36563]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  No.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures to prevent trafficking in women were discussed by officials from his Department and from the immigration service at the recent European Commission conference in Vienna. [36565]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The conference discussed a wide range of issues in the areas of migration policy, social policy and protection, law enforcement and police co-operation, and judicial co-operation. The European Commission is considering the conclusions of the conference with a view to presenting a communication to the Council and the European Parliament.

  Cheshire Fire Service
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of incidents attended by the Cheshire fire service in each of the last five years. [36470]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is in the following table:

  Incidents attended by local authority fire brigades in Cheshire 1990 to 1994

  Year

  Cheshire

  1990

  15,588

  1991

  14,956

  1992

  13,754

  19931

  14,084

  19942

  16,449

  1From 1993, the figures for special service incidents attended are included on a financial year basis rather than a calendar year basis.

  2Provisional data. As from 1994, the coverage of die data was extended to include certain non-emergency calls, of which 76 were recorded in 1994.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private finance initiative
  325
  applications have been received from(a)police authorities and (b) fire brigades; and what is the total value of these projects. [36246]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is for police and fire authorities to take forward private finance schemes. My hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration announced on 21 May measures to help local authorities to engage in private finance initiative projects.

  The Home Office is supporting 13 police forces in the development of 14 "pathfinder" PFI projects, with an estimated total capital value of around £130 million. A number of fire brigades are also being encouraged to explore potential private finance options.

DEFENCE

  Low Flying
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what mechanism compensation may be claimed for health damage to a child or adult caused by low flying aircraft; and how many such claims there have been since 1990. [36813]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department will pay reasonable compensation providing it can be demonstrated that military aircraft activity is responsible for any injury sustained. Individuals should submit their claim in writing to:

  The Ministry of Defence

  PL(LS) Claims 3

  Room 459

  Lacon House

  Theobalds Road

  London WC1X 8RY

  Statistics are not available in the form requested. Since 1990–91, however, my Department has received 124 claims for personal injuries as a result of military aircraft activity.

  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much is the Department's annual expenditure on research into possible health damage to people caused by low flying aircraft. [36814]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department is involved in research, both intramurally and extramurally, into a wide range of issues which have a bearing on the relationship between military aircraft activity and health. The annual expenditure specific to the possible effect of military low flying on health, however, cannot be separately identified.

  Service Accommodation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body 1996 report concerning the use of the assured shorthold tenancy as a basis for fixing service accommodation rents. [37069]

  Mr. Soames
  The Armed Forces Pay Review Body stated in its 1996 report that it has adopted as the basis for its recommendations on accommodation charges a326
  weighted average derived from all relevant housing sectors. This includes assured shorthold tenancies, but these are not the sole comparator. The Government have accepted the review body's recommendation.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if armed forces accommodation newly constructed by his Department is included in his plans for the sale of the married quarters housing stock. [37068]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The estate intended for sale ranges widely in age, from properties constructed recently to housing built before 1945.

TREASURY

  EC Budget
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the next edition of "Europe Finances". [36354]

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the statement on the 1996 EC budget; and what factors underlie the delay in publication. [36690]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I hope to publish this document before the recess. I regret that publication has been delayed by pressures of other work in the Treasury.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the principal differences in the treatment of PFI projects between the present system of cash accounting and the system of resource accounting which is planned to be introduced. [36571]

  Mr. Jack
  PFI contracts seek to procure public services which flow from capital invested by the private sector. Proposals to achieve an appropriate accounting treatment for PFI projects under resource accounting will be examined by the independent financial reporting advisory board to the Treasury which has been set up in response to the wishes of Parliament.

  Public Sector Finance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the entitlements for 1996–97 resulting from the carry forward of underspends allowed under the endyear flexibility schemes for capital, running costs, health, Ministry of Defence operating costs, EU structural funds and Jubilee line extension expenditure. [37693]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A list of entitlements totalling £369 million for capital expenditure; £498 million for running costs; £268 million for health expenditure; £285 million for MOD operating costs expenditure; £359 million for EU structural funds and £30 million for expenditure on the Jubilee line extension is shown in the table.

  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, individual cash limits and running costs limits will be increased when entitlement is taken up.
  327
  The total increase in cash limits resulting from the take-up of end-year flexibility will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Entitlements for 1996–97 voted cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Class

  Vote

  Vote title

  £000

  I

  3

  Defence systems procurement and research

  148,503

  II

  1

  Foreign and Commonwealth Officer Overseas representation

  7,543

  II

  3

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office BBC World Service

  1,190

  III

  2

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: operational expenditure, agencies and departmental administration

  5,189

  IV

  1

  Department of Trade and Industry: programmes and administration

  1,783

  IV

  2

  Department of Trade Industry: science

  4,605

  IV

  13

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  50

  V

  1

  Highways Agency

  21,064

  V

  2

  Department of Transport: administration and transport services

  2,000

  V

  4

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  2,000

  V

  5

  Roads and local transport

  7,467

  VI

  2

  Regeneration and countryside and wildlife, England

  3,135

  VI

  3

  Environmental protection and water

  1,552

  VI

  5

  Department of the Environment: administration

  4,000

  VI

  8

  Ordnance Survey

  1,906

  VIII

  2

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  2,000

  VIII

  3

  Public Record Office

  1,481

  VIII

  6

  HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor

  187

  VIII

  7

  The Crown Office, Scotland and Lord Advocate's Department

  1,800

  IX

  1

  Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services

  5,204

  X

  I

  Department of National Heritage: programme expenditure and administration

  1,372

  XIII

  1

  Agriculture, fisheries and environmental services, Scotland

  2,085

  XIII

  2

  Local government, housing, transport, other environmental services and European funds, Scotland

  3,230

  XIII

  3

  Education, industry, arts and libraries, Scotland

  19,609

  XIII

  5

  Law, order and protective services, police grant and social work services, Scotland

  2,000

  XIII

  6

  Scottish Office: administration

  737

  XIII

  7

  General Register Office for Scotland

  93

  XIII

  8

  Scottish Record Office

  607

  XIII

  9

  Administration of justice, Scotland

  1,755

  XIV

  I

  Agriculture and fisheries, Wales

  2,000

  XIV

  2

  Industrial support, Development Board for Rural Wales, housing subsidy, employment and training and education, Wales

  3,536

  XIV

  3

  Roads and transport, housing, other environmental services, CADW, arts and libraries, health and personal social services, ERDF and Welsh Office administration, Wales

  262

  XV

  1

  Northern Ireland Office administration, law, order, protective and miscellaneous services

  2,000

  XVI

  1

  H M Treasury

  2,000

  328

  Entitlements for 1996–97 voted cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Class

  Vote

  Vote title

  £000

  XVI

  4

  Inland Revenue: administration

  507

  XVI

  5

  Inland Revenue Valuation Office (Executive Agency): administration

  353

  XVI

  8

  Department for National Savings

  535

  XVI

  11

  The Office of HM Paymaster General

  1,210

  XVI

  12

  Office for National Statistics

  1,254

  XVII

  1

  Cabinet Office: Office of Public Services

  5,674

  XVIII

  2

  Cabinet office: security and intelligence services

  1,902

  Total voted capital entitlements

  275,380

  Entitlements for 1996–97 non-voted cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Cash block

  Description of expenditure

  £000

  DOE/ERDF

  Supplementary credit approvals for capital expenditure by local authorities and payments to public and private sector bodies in England funded by ERDF grant.

  3,960

  DOE/HC

  Department of the Environment: grants and capital expenditure financed by the Housing Corporation in England.

  569

  DOE/RCW

  Department of the Environment: supplementary credit approvals to local authorities under the Single Regeneration.

  1,567

  DOE/LACAP

  Department of the Environment: basic credit approvals to local authorities in England for housing, transport (except passenger transport authorities, education, health, other services and (for counties only) fire services. Supplementary credit approvals, specified capital grants and certain other grants to local authorities in England for housing.

  4,105

  DOE/OES

  Department of the Environment: supplementary credit approvals for other environmental services in England, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the Isles of Scilly (water and sewerage).

  1,877

  DOH/LACAP

  Supplementary credit approvals for health in England.

  1,305

  DOT/LACAP

  Department of Transport: supplementary credit approvals for transport in England. Basic credit approvals for passenger transport authorities. Supplementary credit approvals to cover local authority expenditure which will be reimbursed by ERDF grant.

  5,258

  LCD/LACAP

  Lord Chancellor's Department: supplementary credit approvals for magistrates' courts (England and Wales).

  767

  MAFF/LACAP

  Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food: supplementary credit approvals for flood defence, coast protection and harbour improvements in England.

  66

  NIDI

  Northern Ireland Departments: services in Northern Ireland broadly analogous to services in Great Britain covered by cash limits but including family practitioner services.

  17,587

  329

  Entitlements for 1996–97 non-voted cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Cash block

  Description of expenditure

  £000

  NID4

  Northern Ireland Departments: expenditure in Northern Ireland on national agriculture capital grant schemes, certain assistance for production, marketing and processing and the fishing industry.

  646

  SO/LA1

  Scottish Office: net capital allocations and grants to local authorities in Scotland for roads and transport, non-HRA housing, police, education, social work services, general services and urban programme.

  29,849

  SO/LA2

  Scottish Office: net capital allocations and grants to local authorities in Scotland for HRA housing. Capital expenditure by New Towns in Scotland for housing and other environmental services.

  11,741

  WO/LACAP

  Welsh Office: basic credit approvals for local authorities in Wales. Supplementary credit approvals for all services (except ERDF projects). Strategic Development Scheme grants (both capital and current) and some housing grants.

  14,473

  Total non voted entitlements

  93,770

  Total capital entitlements

  369,150

  Entitlements for 1996–97 cash limits and external finance limits resulting from the carryover of underspends on health expenditure

  Class

  Vote

  Description of expenditure

  £000

  XI

  1

  Hospital, community health, family health and related services, England

  124,373

  XI

  2

  Department of Health administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England

  12,188

  XIII

  4

  Hospital, community health, family health, other health services and welfare food, Scotland

  44,586

  XIII

  5

  Law, order and protective services, police grant and social work services, Scotland

  1,494

  XIV

  3

  Roads and transport, housing, other environmental services, CADW, arts and libraries, health and personal social services, ERDF and Welsh Office administration, Wales431

  XIV

  5

  Hospital, community health, family health services and other health services (part), Wales

  30,699

  NHS Trusts (Scotland)

  Scottish Office

  21,678

  NHS Trusts (Wales)

  Welsh Office

  17,009

  NID 1

  —

  Northern Ireland Office: Services in Northern Ireland broadly analogous to services in Great Britain covered by cash limits but including family practitioner services

  15,510

  Total health entitlements

  267,968

  330

  Entitlements for 1996–97 cash limits resulting from the carryover of underspends on structural funds expenditure

  Cash limit

  Vote title or description of expenditure

  £000

  Class IV—Vote 1

  Department of Trade and Industry programmes and administration

  41,140

  DOE/ERDF

  Supplementary credit approvals for capital expenditure by local authorities and payments to public and private sector bodies in England funded by ERDF grant

  57,238

  Class IX—Vote 1

  Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services

  177,283

  Class XIII—Vote 2

  Local government, housing, transport, other environmental services and European funds, Scotland

  29,556

  SO/ERDF

  Payments of grants to local authorities and other bodies in Scotland on approved projects which match forecast European Regional Development Fund receipts

  32,105

  WO/ERDF

  Payments of European Regional Development Fund grants in Wales including supplementary credit approvals in respect of capital expenditure by local authorities

  22,000

  Total structural funds entitlements

  359,322

  Entitlement for the Ministry of Defence resulting from the carryover of underspends on operating costs

  285,332

  entitlement for the Jubilee line

  30,000

  Entitlements for 1996–97 running costs limits resulting from the carryforward of running costs underspends

  Department

  £000

  Overseas Development Administration

  5,281

  Intervention Board—Executive Agency

  2,814

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  8,834

  Trade and Industry

  15,654

  Office of Fair Trading

  349

  Office of Telecommunications

  179

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  1,291

  Department of Transport

  19,834

  Department of the Environment

  36,074

  Health and Safety Executive

  10,829

  Home Office

  12,545

  Charity Commission

  695

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  8,689

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  520

  Crown Prosecution Service

  798

  Public Record Office

  5,157

  Serious Fraud Office

  1,014

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  3,115

  Crown Office

  1,898

  Department for Education and Employment

  94,889

  OFSTED

  5

  Department of National Heritage

  2,024

  OFLOT

  210

  Department of Health

  10,415

  Department of Social Security

  27,000

  Scottish Office

  14,013

  Scottish Courts Administration

  3,810

  Scottish Record Office

  1,076

  General Register Office

  380

  331

  Entitlements for 1996–97 running costs limits resulting from the carryforward of running costs underspends

  Department

  £000

  Welsh Office

  915

  Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales

  157

  Northern Ireland Office and Departments

  45,013

  H M Treasury

  11,932

  Customs and Excise

  33,557

  Inland Revenue

  85,997

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  435

  Department for National Savings

  1,942

  Office of National Statistics

  5,453

  Office of Public Service

  18,485

  Cabinet Office

  1,788

  Security and Intelligence Services

  2,670

  Privy Council Office

  281

  Total running costs

  498,017

  Mutual Status
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the benefits of mutual status; and if he will make a statement. [36463]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  During the recently concluded consultation on the draft Building Societies Bill, a number of societies, and others, mentioned the benefits of mutual status. We are currently considering these responses along with all the others we have received.

  State Pensioners
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in receipt of a state pension pay(a)higher rate income tax, (b) basic and lower rate income tax only and (c) the lower rate of tax only. [36358]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated numbers of taxpayers by marginal rate in receipt of state retirement pension—men aged 65 or over and women aged 60 or over—at 1996–97 income levels are given in the table.

  Number of taxpayers (millions)

  Lower rate

  1.50

  Basic and lower rate

  1.65

  Higher rate

  0.15

  Total

  3.30

HEALTH

  Care for the Elderly
  Mr. Bernard Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on action by the European Commission to incur expenditure on projects to assist the elderly without legal authority. [37690]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department has become aware that the European Commission has invited applications for funding for measures to assist the elderly. Such action has not been agreed by the Council of Ministers. The Government firmly believe that the Commission does not 332
  have the legal authority to commit expenditure of this kind without the endorsement of all member states in the Council. The Government have, therefore, lodged an application in the European Court of Justice challenging this planned expenditure. This challenge is necessary to ensure legality, financial propriety and democratic accountability in Commission spending.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial support he currently provides to the British Epilepsy Association in England. [36858]

  Mr. Bowis
  In the current financial year the main national epilepsy organisations, the British Epilepsy Association and the National Society for Epilepsy have been awarded section 64 project grants from the Department of Health amounting to £52,500 and £29,500 respectively. The British Epilepsy Association is currently receiving a section 64 project grant of £22,500 a year for three years towards its database project, and a grant towards its helpline of £90,000 over three years.

  The National Society for Epilepsy is currently receiving a project grant for its joint educational fellowship for epilepsy project with the Royal College of General Practitioners of £40,000 over two years and a grant of £12,500 a year due to end in 1997–98 for its information needs project.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases the regional executive for the North and Yorkshire has agreed that hospital trust budgets for 1996–97 can plan outturn deficits; and for which trusts deficit budgets have been agreed. [37019]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is based on estimates subject to revision. It is not therefore suitable for publication.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what policy guidance he has given to hospital trusts about the planned setting of deficit budgets in the present financial year. [37020]

  Mr. Horam
  Trusts' annual plans are based on contracts negotiated with local purchasers. The primary financial duty of national health service trusts is to break even on an income and expenditure basis, taking one year with another. This is a statutory obligation and is set out in the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. We have not issued any further policy guidance on this matter.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospital trusts had deficits in 1995–96; and what the size of the deficit was in each case. [37021]

  Mr. Horam
  Financial information for all trusts is placed in the Library when audit has been completed. The latest year for which audited records are available is currently 1994–95. The audited information for 1995–96 will not be available until later this year and as before will be placed in the Library as soon as practicable.
  333

  Ethnic Minorities
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the research which he has conducted into medical conditions that particularly affect members of ethnic minorities. [37023]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department attaches great importance to ensuring that the health needs of ethnic minority populations are recognised and met.

  The Department's policy research programme is open and research findings are normally published. The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The MRC is an independent body receiving its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on how the "The Health of the Nation" targets relate to members of ethnic minorities. [37036]

  Mr. Horam
  The targets for improvement in health within "The Health of the Nation" White Paper relate to the whole of the population. The White Paper recognises that there will be a need for local decisions about developing local strategies and action to take account of the particular needs of different population groups such as those from black and ethnic minority groups.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the rates of incidence of(a)sickle cell anaemia, (b) thalassaemia, (c) glaucoma, (d) diabetes and (e) hypertension in each of the last five years in (i) ethnic minority and (ii) other patients. [37097]

  Mr. Horam
  Information is not available centrally on rates of incidence of these conditions which differentiates between members of ethnic minorities and others.

  Information is available centrally in the hospital episode system both of operations and diagnosis using specific codes. The available information is contained in "Hospital episode statistics", volume 1, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of the membership of the NHS executive board are from ethnic minorities. [37136]

  Mr. Horam
  None of the current members of the national health service executive board are from ethnic minorities. Members of the board are senior civil servants and are appointed in line with civil service commissioners' guidelines for ensuring fair and open competition regardless of race or ethnic origin.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current percentage of ethnic minority consultants with(a)A+, (b) A, (c) B and (d) C merit awards; and what is the total percentage of consultants with a merit award. [37145]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the ethnic origin of distinction award holders is not currently held centrally. As at 30 September 1995, the proportion of consultants in Great Britain holding an A+, A, or B distinction award was 13 per cent. With effect from 1 April 1996 the C award element of the distinction award scheme was replaced by a system of discretionary points, decided locally.
  334
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a breakdown of ethnic minority representation on the boards of(a)health authorities and (b) NHS trusts for the past five years. [37031]

  Mr. Malone
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a breakdown of ethnic minority membership of community health councils. [37029]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current percentage of consultants who are from an ethnic minority, by speciality and in total. [37144]

  Mr. Malone
  The proportion of consultants in post from an ethnic minority is 16 per cent. However, this figure is based on information which is voluntarily provided to trusts by the doctors concerned. As not all doctors provide it, this data must therefore be subject to some uncertainty.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish a breakdown of general practitioners by ethnic minority for each of the past five years(a)nationally and (b) by region; [37035]

  (2) if he will list the total number of(a)general practitioners and (b) ethnic minority general practitioners by region. [37146]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the number of general practitioners was published in "Statistics for General Medical Practitioners in England: 1985–1995", copies of which are available in the Library. Information on the total number of ethnic minority general practitioners by region is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the current percentage of black and ethnic minority chairs and non-executive members of NHS authorities, trusts and community health councils,(a)nationally and (b) individually by (i) community health council, (ii) trust and (iii) district health authority; [37039]

  (2) how many and what percentage of regional health authority chairmen are from ethnic minorities. [37137]

  Mr. Malone
  The current breakdown of ethnic minority chairmen and non-executive members is 4.8 per cent. of people appointed to national health service trusts and 5.9 per cent. of those appointed to health authorities. The figure for community health councils is not available centrally.

  Specific details relating to each NHS trust and health authority will be in the annual report which is to be published later this summer.

  None of the eight regional chairmen is from a minority ethnic background.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a)ethnic minority and (b) other patients have been sectioned under the provisions of Mental Health Acts in each of the last five years. [37098]
  335
  Mr. Bowis
  The number of total formal admissions of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 is shown in the table. Information on ethnic minority patients admitted under the Act is not available centrally.

  Total formal admissions to national health service facilities, private mental nursing homes registered to detain patients and special hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983, 1990–91 to 1994–95, England

  Numbers

  Total formal admissions

  1990–91

  18,982

  1991–92

  21,564

  1992–93

  22,581

  1993–94

  24,616

  1994–95

  27,073

  Source:

  KH15, K037 and Special Hospitals Services Authority.

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have received ECT in each of the last five years broken down into(a)men, (b) women and (c) ethnic minorities. [37099]

  Mr. Bowis
  Reliable information on the number of administrations of electro-convulsive therapy treatment is not available centrally.

  Care Eligibility Criteria
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's discussions with the Cornwall health authority and Cornwall county council on continuing care eligibility criteria. [37042]

  Mr. Bowis
  The regional offices of the national health service executive and social services inspectorate are currently working with Cornwall health authority and Cornwall county council, at their request, on the implementation of eligibility criteria.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities have not finalised continuing care eligibility criteria. [37041]

  Mr. Bowis
  Health authorities implemented local policies and eligibility criteria for continuing health care from April 1996. They are required to keep their policies under review and formally to revise their eligibility criteria for April 1997.

  Out-patients
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collates on cancelled out-patient appointments. [37044]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Bradford NHS Hospital Trust
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he will make an announcement on the appointment of a new chair for the Bradford Hospital trust; [37046]
  336
  (2) what assessment he has made of the procedures used in selecting a new chair of Bradford Hospital NHS trust. [37047]

  Mr. Horam
  The procedures for the appointment of the chairman of Bradford Hospital national health service trust have followed the published guidance from the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Details of the new chairman will be announced shortly.

  Bandages
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bandages listed in the drug tariff are direct substitutes for Biflex Thuasne and Velband bandages. [37048]

  Mr. Malone
  Clinical equivalence is one of a number of factors taken into account when a product is considered for inclusion in the drug tariff. However, information on the clinical equivalence of products is not routinely kept by the Department.

  Bad Debts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 July,Official Report, column 25, on bad debts, what is included in the "Other" category. [37101]

  Mr. Horam
  Other bad debts relate to all debts which are not overseas visitors, private patients, or road traffic accidents. No separate analysis of such debts is available centrally.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 May,Official Report, column 93, when figures for 1995–96 on debtors and bad debts will be available. [37070]

  Mr. Horam
  Figures for 1995–96 on debtors and bad debts will be available from 30 November 1996.

  Specialist Training
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time spent in higher specialist training by(a) white doctors and (b) doctors from ethnic minority groups with right of residence. [37154]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Screening
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the strategy for screening for sickle cell anaemia, glaucoma, diabetes and hypertension; and how this strategy relates to members of ethnic minorities. [37024]

  Mr. Horam
  Individual health authorities are responsible for assessing the needs of their resident populations, including the needs of ethnic minorities, and for purchasing services, including screening, to provide for those needs.

  The new National Screening Committee, which will meet for the first time later this year, will advise on national policy for implementation of screening programmes. Decisions are yet to be made on which conditions it will consider.
  337

  NHS Leaflets
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are in place for translation of NHS leaflets into languages other than English. [37025]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health produces a substantial quantity of health information translated into languages other than English. Material is targeted at ethnic minority groups either if it is specific to them or where it is every citizen's right to have access to the information. The patients charter and "The Health of the Nation and You" are examples of publications translated into ethnic minority languages.

  Health Advocates
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health advocates have been employed in primary care in each of the last five years. [37135]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Immunisation
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the immunisation rates for children(a) nationally and (b) from ethnic minorities for each of the past five years. [37037]

  Mr. Horam
  Information can be found in the summary information booklet titled "Vaccination and Immunisation Summary Information for 1994–95 England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information for immunisation rates for ethnic minorities is not available centrally.

  AIDS
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the level of spending on AIDS research in each of the last five years. [37043]

  Mr. Horam
  The amount spent on HIV/AIDS research are as follows:

  1991–92: £20.4 million

  1992–93: £20.0 million

  1993–94: £21.8 million

  1994–95: £20.4 million

  1995–96: £19.9 million

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the companies which have guaranteed a donation to the millennium exhibition, together with the sum guaranteed. [34435]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 25 June 1996]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.
  338

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the results of the feasibility study for market testing personal details and customer services work for the Contributions Agency. [35684]

  Mr. Heald
  Operational responsibility for the Contributions Agency lies with Mrs. Faith Boardman, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from George Bertram to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 12 July 1996:
  As the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency is away from the office, I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the Agency in her absence.
  I have been asked to reply to your question about the results of the feasibility study for market testing personal details and customer services work for the Contributions Agency.
  The personal details and customer services feasibility studies have been taken forward under the new titles of Account Alteration Unit and Archive/Tracing Unit and resulted in a number of recommendations. The main thrust of the recommendations is that business units should investigate methods of producing savings, including enhanced IT systems and benchmarking with the private sector.

  War Pensions Agency
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to review the procedures of the War Pensions Agency; [35704]

  (2) how many compensation appeals were dealt with by the War Pensions Agency in 1995; and what percentage of those appeals resulted in the appeal being upheld; [35705]

  (3) what factors the War Pensions Agency takes into account when making its statement of case on compensation appeals; [35706]

  (4) how many letters he has received concerning the operations of the War Pensions Agency and its operational procedures in the last three years. [35707]

  Mr. Heald
  These are matters for Mr. Kevin Caldwell, chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 11 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about compensation appeals, review of procedures and correspondence concerning the operations of the War Pensions Agency (WPA).
  You ask about "compensation appeals." Compensation payments are made by the Department when, for example, a person's pension payments have been delayed due to a clear and unambiguous error by ourselves. There is no right of appeal against non-payment of compensation under the scheme. I have therefore, taken your question as referring to appeals made against entitlement and assessment decisions made on War Pension claims.
  The Pensions Appeal Tribunal (PAT) Acts 1943 and 1949, with subsequent rules and amendments, provide for the hearing by independent Tribunals of appeals against the WPA's decisions. These Tribunals are set up by the Lord Chancellor's department in England and Wales and analogous legal departments in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  339
  Various sections of the PAT Acts provide for appeals by members of the Armed Forces, the Home Guard, Mercantile Marines, Naval Auxiliary Personnel, Ulster Defence Regiment (now part of the Royal Irish Regiment), Coastguards and Civilians. From October 1995 there are also appeal rights under the Polish Forces Scheme.
  When a decision on entitlement to a War Pension is notified, the claimant is informed of his/her appeal rights. Appeals may be made against complete rejection of an entitlement claim, against the rejection of attributability, against the decision that service aggravation no longer remains or against the date on which service aggravation passed away. In Widows' claims, there are appeal rights against rejection of entitlement to a War Widow's Pension.
  Assessment appeals may be made against the composite assessment of disablement, the period of award and the decision to make an assessment final. There is also provision for appeals against awards being withheld or reduced on the grounds of negligence or misconduct.
  Rule 5 of the PAT Act requires the Secretary of State to prepare a statement of case containing the relevant facts relating to the appellant's case as known to the Secretary of State. This statement of case consists of a chronological compendium of the appellant's relevant medical history. The relevant medical history may include service medical records, reports from General Practitioners and Specialists, hospital case notes, audiograms and War Pension medical examinations. The appellant's claims and submissions, previous Tribunal and Secretary of State decisions are also included, along with the Secretary of Sstate's reasons for decision in entitlement appeals and terms of reference to the Tribunal.
  There is no reference in the PAT rules to the need for a medical submission. However, an "Opinion of Medical Division" is included in the statement of case in all entitlement appeals where medical questions are involved and is referred to by the Secretary of State in the reasons for decision. For assessment appeals, our Medical Advisors include an Opinion of Medical Division in the Statement of Case if it is relevant.
  If the appellant's medical history contains relevant information which in the opinion of the Secretary of State would be harmful to the appellant, it is handled under Rule 22 of the PAT Acts and excluded from the appellant's copy of the statement of case. The appellant's representative, the Tribunal and ourselves have copies of the full statement of case with the evidence excluded from the appellant's copy under Rule 22 underlined. Our Medical Advisers provide guidance in this matter to the Secretary of State. Ultimately it is for the Tribunal to decide whether, in the interests of the appellant, the evidence excluded from his/her statement of case should or should not be disclosed. In addition, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 makes it an offence to disclose details of convictions for certain offences and the conduct constituting the offence which led to the conviction. Evidence to which the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act applies would normally be excluded from the statement of case. However, if our Medical Advisers consider that this evidence forms a necessary part of the total evidence, the agreement of the President of the PAT can be sought for inclusion of this in the statement of case.
  You ask about the number of appeals dealt with by WPA in 1995. You will appreciate that appeals processed by WPA during 1995 would not have been heard and decided by the PAT within the same 12 months due to the time involved in preparing and hearing an appeal. During 1995 we prepared and cleared 3,650 entitlement and 4,800 assessment appeals to the PAT. In 1995 the PAT heard 2,762 appeals against entitlement decisions involving 5,326 medical conditions. Of these our decision was upheld on 1,581 appeals (57 per cent.), involving 3,920 medical conditions (74 per cent.) and overturned on 1,181 appeals (43 per cent.), involving 1,406 medical conditions (26 per cent.). The PAT also heard 2,504 assessment appeals and our assessment was upheld on 1,826 (73 per cent.) and overturned on 678 (27 per cent.).
  Information about the number of letters received by the Secretary of State on War Pensions Agency operations is not available. However, the table below shows the number of letters to which Ministers and myself (and my predecessors) replied from April 1994, the date WPA took on Agency status.
  340

  Number

  April 1994 to March 1995

  909

  April 1995 to March 1996

  1,015

  April 1996 to June 1996

  272

  Finally, you also ask about plans we have to review our procedures. We are continually reviewing our processes and procedures in order to meet the high standard of service expected by War Pensioners and War Widows. The operating organisation and procedures in the War Pensions Agency were changed fundamentally during 1995 and for 1996/97 we have set ourselves some major priorities which include continuing the processes of restructuring our business and delivering the benefits of the Departmental Change Programme.

  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Child Benefit
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of claimants for(a) child benefit and (b) one parent benefit in (i) Crewe and Nantwich and (ii) Cheshire for each of the last five years. [36347]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  European Commission (Expenditure)
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 3 April,Official Report, column 360, if he will make a statement on the further action by the European Commission to incur expenditure without legal authority. [37689]

  Mr. Lilley
  My Department has become aware that the European Commission has invited further applications for funding for projects seeking to combat social exclusion. The substantive issue—of expenditure without the necessary legal authority is identical to the case that the Government took to the European Court of Justice in April. We have therefore this week lodged an application in the European Court of Justice challenging the legal basis of the Commission's proposed further expenditure.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was, at the latest available date, the number of Scottish Office and related agencies staff in 1995 by department or agency, the number of administrative and professional staff in each grade above clerical, by grade, their annual salary costs in each department or agency, the totals in each category, and the population of Scotland. [35993]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The estimated population of Scotland at mid-1995 was 5,136,600. The numbers of staff at 1 April 1995 employed in the Scottish Office and its executive agencies, detailing administrative and professional staff in each grade above clerical and annual salary costs, are set out in the tables.
  341

  All permanent staff in the Scottish Office and its executive agencies at 1 April 1995

  Full time equivalents

  Department/Agency

  Agencies-parent department

  FTE

  Scottish Office Core: of which:

  4,217.3

  Under Secretary of State's Department

  461.0

  Development Department

  546.3

  Education and Industry Department

  559.1

  Home Department

  436.2

  Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department

  1,740.20

  Department of Health

  282.9

  Other1

  191.6

  Executive Agencies:

  5,542.4

  Historic Scotland

  DD

  633.6

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  AEFD

  237.5

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  EID

  161.4

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  AEFD

  142.2

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  EID

  135.0

  Scottish Prison Service

  HD

  4,232.7

  Total

  9,759.7

  1 Covers centrally funded staff such as those on maternity leave or sick leave.

  Actual pay costs for permanent staff, by Department, 1995–96 including ERNIC and superannuation

  Department

  Pay £ million

  Under Secretary of State's Department

  10.3

  Development Department

  13.3

  Education and Industry Department

  15.5

  Home Department

  11.1

  Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department

  35.5

  Department of Health

  7.3

  Other

  2.4

  Total

  95.4

  Actual pay costs for executive agencies are not held centrally.

  All permanent administrative and professional staff above the clerical grades in the Scottish Office and its executive agencies other than Scottish Prison Service position at 1 April 1995

  Grade equivalent

  Administration group

  Professional group

  Total

  Senior Civil Service1

  87.8

  76.8

  164.6

  Grade 6

  14.0

  166.3

  180.3

  Grade 7

  199.4

  230.1

  429.5

  SEO

  155.3

  257.4

  412.7

  HEO

  538.0

  290.1

  828.1

  EO

  587.1

  371.8

  958.9

  Total

  1,493.8

  1,315.7

  2,809.5

  1 Formerly Grades 1 to 5.

  Due to a pay and grading review, Scottish Prison Service staff are no longer classified by the standard civil service grades and are not split into pay bands.

  Consequently, no breakdown along the lines requested is possible for SPS.
  342

  Legislation
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the Scottish laws, statutory instruments or rules in the field of(a) state and private pensions and (b) commercial law enacted since May 1992. [35994]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Matters relating to state and private pensions are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. Matters relating to commercial law are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Most road traffic regulation applicable to Scotland is embodied in legislation which applies to the whole of Great Britain. As a matter of administrative responsibility, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State may promote subordinate legislation where this exclusively relates to traffic regulation in Scotland.

  Matters relating to pensions and social security are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Land Title Registration
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in extending registration of title under the Land Register (Scotland) Act 1979 to further areas of Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [37691]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The programme to extend the land register was announced in 1992. At that time the counties of Renfrew, Dunbarton, Lanark and the Barony and Regality of Glasgow were already on the land register.

  Since 1992, the counties of Clackmannan, Stirling, West Lothian, Fife, Aberdeen and Kincardine have been taken on and the land register now covers 57 per cent. of total housing stock.

  Following the 1994 report of the Committee of Public Accounts, "Registers of Scotland: Service to the Public" Cmd 2739, the Keeper of the Registers has been considering whether the programme should be amended. I have now approved a revised programme for the remaining counties as shown in the table.

  The main changes are that Wigtown and Kirkcudbright are to be covered in 1997 and the borders counties and East Lothian in 1999, instead of in all cases in 2002.

  Operational date

  County

  1 April 1997

  Ayr

  Dumfries

  Wigtown

  Kirkcudbright

  343

  Operational date

  County

  1 April 1998

  Angus

  Perth

  Kinross

  1 April 1999

  Berwick

  East Lothian

  Peebles

  Roxburgh

  Selkirk

  1 April 2000

  Midlothian

  1 April 2002

  Argyll

  Bute

  1 April 2003

  Banff

  Caithness

  Inverness

  Moray

  Nairn

  Orkney and Shetland

  Ross and Cromarty

  Sutherland

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to lay before Parliament a draft of the guidance he is required to give to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency under section 31 of the Environment Act 1995. [37692]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I am today laying before the House a draft of the guidance I am required under section 31 of the Environment Act 1995 to give to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on its objectives, including the contribution it is to make towards the achievement of sustainable development.

  I will also be providing to the agency an explanatory document which provides background information to set the statutory guidance into context and offers a commentary on SEPA's duty to take account of likely costs and benefits. Copies of this document will be placed in the Library.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Tied Aid
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the three reports prepared in 1995 by the Overseas Development Administration, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Treasury on tied aid. [36652]

  Mr. Hanley
  The ODA will publish in the next few weeks a version of the reports containing a full account of the studies, their findings and ODA conclusions, but excluding commercially sensitive information.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on reducing the proportion of tied aid; and if he will make a statement. [36592]
  344
  Mr. Hanley
  In the interests of both the British taxpayer and aid recipients, we have to obtain value for money when buying goods and services with public funds. Subject to this criterion, it is also established policy that, as far as possible, the goods and services financed under the aid programme should be British. In practice the proportion of the aid programme that is tied is falling because of the increase in multilateral aid, the increased use of local goods and services, and reciprocal untying of programme aid under the Special Programme for Africa.

  Three recent studies examined the effects and impact of ODA's tying policies. The findings, which will be published shortly in a summary report by ODA, show that: there would be marginal benefits to the UK economy from unilateral untying and somewhat larger benefits from multilateral untying, but that the costs of tying are relatively low because UK goods and services are for the most part internationally competitive and because a significant part even of the bilateral aid programme is effectively untied. The studies point to a few areas where there is scope for ODA to seek cost-effective procurement more rigorously, but indicate that unilateral untying would yield few efficiency gains for the aid programme, would bring little commercial benefit, and would be unpopular with individual firms and businesses competing for aid-funded contracts.

  The Government remain convinced that multilateral untying would be in the best interests of donors and developing countries. They will continue their efforts to encourage other donors to agree jointly to untie aid.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 751, what factors underlie the percentage fall in bilateral tied aid between 1993 and 1994. [36649]

  Mr. Hanley
  The downward trend reflects recent changes in ODA's procurement system, driven by value for money and efficiency incentives, and continuing efforts to untie aid where this is appropriate for example, jointly with other donors under the special programme of assistance for Africa.

  Kalahari Game Reserve
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the future for the(a) Kalahari game reserve and (b) Kalahari bushmen living in the reserve. [36641]

  Mr. Hanley
  The future of the central Kalahari game reserve is secure. The Botswana Government have made it clear that the bushmen who live in the reserve may continue to do so if they wish and that there is no intention of forcing any of them to move from the reserve.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of(a)dairy and (b) beef herds in the United Kingdom have had no cases of BSE. [27861]
  345
  Mrs. Browning
  Up to 1 July, 40.5 per cent. of dairy herds and 84.6 per cent. of beef herds had never had a case of BSE.

  Cattle Slaughter Scheme
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria were used for the selection of abattoirs to carry out the cattle slaughter policy. [35773]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 9 July 1996]: Following consultation between the Intervention Board and representatives of the abattoirs and renderers a list of approved abattoirs for the purposes of the over 30-month slaughter scheme was drawn up on the basis of a number of clearly specified criteria. These were a traditional large scale trade in cows and heavy steers; logistical considerations such as geographical spread; proximity to renderers; a commitment to accepting casualty animals; a commitment to be able to process at least 100 animals a day on days specified for participation; and that they were currently operating and with EC approved status.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from abattoirs prepared to undertake the slaughter of beasts for less than £107.50 per head. [35775]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 9 July 1996]: We have received a number of representations from abattoirs seeking to participate in the over 30-month slaughter scheme on the basis of a lower fee than the £87.50 provisional rate per animal currently being paid to approved abattoirs up to 16 June.

  Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with reference to paragraph 8 of S.I. 1242 concerning decommissioning of fishing vessels, if he had the option, under article 8 of European Council Regulation 3699/93, of including permanent transfer of a fishing vessel to a third country or permanent re-assignment for purposes other than fishing in waters of the European Community. [37045]

  Mr. Baldry
  In the light of experience of decommissioning schemes implemented before 1993 and of the need to protect public funds, United Kingdom Fisheries Ministers decided not to pursue the option available under article 8 of Council regulation EC No. 3699/93 of allowing vessels to be permanently transferred to a third country or permanently reassigned for uses other than fishing in Community waters.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets have been set for the Meat Hygiene Service in 1996–97. [37729]
  346
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I have set the following targets for the Meat Hygiene Service in 1996–97. These take account of the recent expansion of the duties of the Meat Hygiene Service in relation to BSE.Financial Performance
  To charge plant operators the full economic cost—calculated in accordance with the relevant charging legislation and accruals accounting—of providing the statutory health inspection and controls at fresh meat premises, taking account of any interim support.
  To recover from Government Departments and agencies the full economic costs of providing agreed services or other work undertaken on their behalf.
  To comply with budgetary controls resulting from PES and the Supply Estimates as revised in the light of the BSE situation.
  Operational
  To take all necessary measures to ensure that the slaughterhouse industry fully complies with the legislation applying to specified bovine material.
  To achieve an overall 3 per cent. improvement in the ratios of overhead to total costs, compared with 1995–96.
  To ensure the animal welfare and slaughter/processing provisions are enforced fully in all slaughterhouses including when operating under the calf processing scheme and the over 30 months cattle slaughter scheme.
  Quality and Delivery of Service
  To apply hygiene requirements in such a way as to raise the levels of compliance in both fresh meat and poultry meat slaughterhouses so that two thirds of all slaughterhouses in each category attain a HAS score of at least 65 by the end of 1996–97.
  To provide a formal training programme for all MHS meat inspectors, meat technicians and OVSs in animal welfare by the end of 1996–97.
  To carry out a customer satisfaction survey to assess service delivery by the end of 1996–97.

  I should also like to draw attention to the fact that the MHS has been instructed on my behalf to carry out new tasks in connection with BSE-related matters. These are administration of emergency aid payments to eligible slaughterhouses and enforcement of SBM controls. On behalf of the IBEA the MHS is also supervising and controlling the slaughter and processing of animals under the calf processing and 30 months plus schemes.

  Cattle
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle(a) dairy and (b) non-dairy there are in the United Kingdom; and what is their estimated market value. [23213]

  Mr. Baldry
  [pursuant to the reply 4 July 1996, column 522]: According to the census carried out in June 1995, there were 4.7 million cattle in the dairy herd and nearly 7 million cattle in the beef herd. The farm gate value of the total United Kingdom beef production for 1995 was £2.8 billion. It is difficult to estimate the market value of a cow in milk production, which ranges between £500 and £800 for a non-pedigree animal. At a rough estimate, the UK dairy herd is worth around £4 billion.

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Guidance
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Guidance