Written Answers of 23 July 1996

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Youth Courts
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average time an indictable offence took(a) from offence to charge or summons, (b) from charge or summons to first listing,

  Average time taken for indictable offences heard in the youth court by stage of proceedings and by standard region, 1994, England and Wales

  Average number of days

  Offence to charge or summons

  Charge or summons to first listing

  First listing to completion

  Offence to completion

  England and Wales

  39

  26

  67

  132

  English regions and Wales

  North England

  35

  24

  67

  125

  North West England

  34

  23

  58

  115

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  32

  23

  73

  128

  East Midlands

  38

  25

  81

  144

  West Midlands

  35

  25

  71

  131

  East Anglia

  42

  26

  57

  125

  Sample size less than 100

  Greater London

  38

  30

  76

  144

  South East (except London)

  63

  28

  57

  148

  South West

  35

  26

  64

  125

  Wales

  41

  26

  59

  127

  Figures for the constituent intervals may not sum exactly to average offence to completion time due to rounding.

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what conclusions were drawn in the evaluation of performance carried out for the Public Record Office following its establishment as a next steps executive agency. [39678]

  Mr. Streeter
  An evaluation of the performance of the Public Record Office during its first three years as an executive agency was carried out by the Public Record Office in conjunction with the Lord Chancellor's Department and a report was completed in June 1996.

  The report concluded that the office had benefited considerably from its move to agency status which had led it to re-evaluate and to clarify its aims and objectives within its statutory role, and to focus on improving its performance and on meeting the needs of its users. The office has made notable advances in planning and managing its work and resources and has achieved efficiency gains and service improvements in a period in which its work load was increasing and in which it also successfully undertook a major building programme at its Kew site.

  Copies of the evaluation report will be laid in the Libraries of both Houses.
  128
  (c) from first listing to completion and (d) from offence to completion for cases proceeding through youth courts for (i) England and Wales and (ii) each region in England and Wales in 1984 and 1994. [38798]

  Mr. Streeter
  The information requested for 1994 is contained in the accompanying table; however, similar data were not collected in 1984. The table includes information on all indictable offences—both indictable only and triable either way. The source of the figures is the magistrates courts time intervals survey. This survey collects information on all defendants in indictable cases in one sample week of February, June and October each year.

  Caution needs to be exercised when comparing figures from different areas because sampling error in the figures could make any conclusions invalid. This is especially true for areas where the sample size was less than 100.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the total income received from lottery ticket sales in Cheshire since the start of the national lottery. [36383]

  Mr. Sproat
  This is a matter for the Director General of the National Lottery. I have therefore asked the director general to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list by county the percentage of lottery tickets purchased in each and the percentage of lottery awards funding received by each since the creation of the national lottery. [37696]

  Mr. Sproat
  Sales figure are an operational matter for the Director General of the National Lottery who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery and I have therefore asked him to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his letter in the Library of the House. The new awards database currently being tested by my Department will soon be able to show the percentage of lottery awards received by each county and I will write to the hon. Member with this information when it is available.
  129
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to co-ordinate with other authorities measures to prevent the illegal purchase of national lottery tickets by minors. [38953]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Secretary of State has directed the director general not to licence games, which, in his opinion, do not have sufficient controls to prevent the participation of young people under the age of 16. In the director general's annual report, laid before the House on 17 July, he details measures he has taken to deal with this issue.

  The sale of lottery tickets to minors is illegal. Camelot, as promoter of all lotteries forming part of the national lottery, is responsible for ensuring compliance with the law. My Department has taken part in co-ordination meetings with the other relevant authorities—the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Crown Prosecution Service and trading standards organisations—with an enforcement interest in this matter.

  Tourist Information Centres
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the present total number of tourist information centres in the United Kingdom; and what arrangements are planned to centralise information. [38423]

  Mr. Sproat
  There are 831 tourist information centres in the UK. This includes 562 in England, 160 in Scotland, 84 in Wales and 25 in Northern Ireland. In England, these are largely operated by local authorities with the English tourist board supporting common standards, staff training and national branding. Network TICs have to be prepared to offer information on destinations other than those in their local areas.

  The ETB has a number of initiatives under way to improve the collection and provision of information. It co-ordinates the collection of data on attractions, events and accommodation into its tourism resource information processing systems—TRIPS—database. ETB has launched a Network 2000 project to determine how services might be enhanced by greater use of information technology and the Internet. This includes a pilot project to make the TRIPS information available on-line to TICs.

  British Academy of Sport
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the specific roles for(a) the United Kingdom Sports Council, (b) the British Olympic Association and (c) the private sector has in the proposed British academy of sport. [39104]

  Mr. Sproat
  Details of the Government's proposals for the British academy of sport, including the roles of the United Kingdom Sports Council, the home country sports councils and other sporting organisations, will be set out in the prospectus which will be published shortly.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what targets she has set for the executive agencies in her Department. [39637]
  130
  Mr. Sproat
  The following targets have been set for 1996–97:

  The Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  Financial targets

  Commercial surplus: £8 million

  Call on the taxpayer: £6.7 million

  Visitor satisfaction measures1

  Visitors' average ratings of:

  Value for money: 0.7 to 1.0

  Enjoyment: above 1.4

  Helpful and friendly staff: above 1.45

  Efficiency target

  Savings on running costs: 2 per cent.

  Conservation target

  To complete both the fire protection works planned for 1996–97, and the programme of works identified by the buildings condition surveys as needed in 1996–97. To undertake further detailed inspection of the specific areas identified by the surveys as possibly needing work in 1997–98.
  1Visitor ratings are assessed from interviews with about 600 visitors each year, conducted by independent market research consultants. Ratings: 2.0 is extremely good. 1.5 is very good, 1.0 is quite good. 0 is OK, -1.0 is quite poor. and -2.0 is very poor.

  The Royal Parks Agency

  Financial

  (i) Increase income from £2.48 million to £2.7 million from permits, fees, licenses, events, concessions and car parking.

  (ii) Achieve a 6 per cent. improvement in running costs efficiency.

  (iii) Invite tenders for a private finance initiative scheme for Pembroke lodge in Richmond park.

  (iv) Establish a target by October 1996 for Royal Parks constabulary unit costs based on a reduction of the 1995–96 costs.

  Fabric

  (i) Prepare proposals for works to remove the White lodge in Bushy park from the "at risk" register.

  (ii) Investigate opportunities for marketing columbarium spaces to fund further restoration works in Brompton cemetery catacombs, with a view to removing them from the "at risk" register.

  (iii) Evaluate competitive tenders for works maintenance services and award new contracts by the end of 1996.

  (iv) Achieve average visitor rating of 80 per cent. on cleanliness of the royal parks.

  Visitor survey

  Achieve an overall score of 8.3 out of 10 visitor satisfaction rating for the royal parks.

  Assessment of soft landscaping quality

  Achieve an overall score of 8 out of 10 for the soft landscaping presentation in the royal parks.

  Statistical Forms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the statistical forms issued to businesses by her Department, indicating the number of each sent out. [38674]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department issues no statistical forms to business.
  131

  Works of Art
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 11 July,Official Report, columns 251–52, if she will take steps to promote the expediting of the allocations of works of art and museum objects which have already been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax during the years 1992 to 1994; and if she will make a statement giving reasons for the delay which has taken place in the four instances concerned. [38697]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The list supplied in my answer of 11 July was a comprehensive one covering all items which I have agreed may be accepted in lieu of tax and which are still active, and the date of that agreement. The list was not therefore confined solely to items which have been finally accepted in lieu of tax—for which memoranda have been exchanged between the Inland Revenue and the relevant estate and for which the Revenue has been compensated by my Department for the tax forgone. Once I have agreed acceptance, it may, in some cases, take time for acceptance or allocation to follow. This may be for legal, taxation and other such technical reasons. I cannot comment on individual cases because of the law relating to the confidentiality of taxpayers' affairs—section 182 of the Finance Act 1989. It is the Museums and Galleries Commission which advises me both on whether to agree the acceptance of AIL offers and on their allocation. My Department, the MGC, and all other parties involved in administering and negotiating the allocation of accepted items will continue to do so as speedily as the technical complexities allow.

  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make it her policy to favour a more flexible interpretation of what may constitute significant partnership funding required in order to make available lottery funding for the acquisition by public institutions of exceptional works of art; and if she will make a statement. [38666]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: My policy is that partnership funding should be required. I have encouraged the lottery distributors to be flexible in their interpretations of this requirement reflecting the circumstances in which they operate.

  Bay Radio Ltd.
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action has been taken by the Radio Authority under section 86 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 to review the suitability of Bay Radio Ltd. to hold a licence to operate a radio station; and if she will make a statement. [38261]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The licensing of independent radio stations is for the Radio Authority. I understand that it has not at this stage undertaken a review of the suitability of Bay Radio Ltd. under section 86 of the Broadcasting Act 1990.
  132

  Government Art Collection
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what arrangements exist and what proposals he has to encourage contemporary artists through displays of paintings and sculpture in Government-owned buildings. [38424]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government art collection, with guidance from its advisory committee, buys and commissions paintings and sculpture by contemporary British artists for display in Government buildings at home and abroad. The GAC occasionally supplements its own holdings by borrowing contemporary works from other collections for display in particular locations.

TRANSPORT

  Railways (Complaints)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints he has received regarding the newly privatised parts of the rail network; and how many about those services provided by British Rail in the same period. [33179]

  Mr. Watts
  Since the commencement of the first franchised services on 4 February 1996, I have received 29 complaints about railway passenger services operated by franchise operators, and 219 about those operated by British Rail.

  Rail Near Miss Registration
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will put in place a system of near miss registration, anonymous if necessary, to register situations concerning workers on the track similar to that applying in the aviation industry. [38538]

  Mr. Watts
  I have no current plans to do so. It is the responsibility of the railway industry itself to manage its affairs properly to control risks to staff. For some time now, details of near misses involving track workers have been recorded by the industry in support of the drive to reduce track casualties.

  Rail (Investment Projects)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many major projects in British Rail's 1991 "Future Rail—The Next Decade" investment prospectus are under construction. [38536]

  Mr. Watts
  British Rail's document "Future Rail—The Next Decade", published in July 1991, mentioned seven projects involving the construction of new railway lines and the upgrading of existing lines. Of those seven projects, three are completed—the Birmingham cross-city electricification scheme, the Manchester metrolink light rail scheme and the Manchester airport rail link. One—Heathrow express—is under construction. The remaining three—the channel tunnel rail link, Thameslink 2000 and crossrail—are at various stages of development.
  133

  Salaries
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is for each agency within his Department and the Central Transport Group the median basic salary, excluding all allowances except local pay allowances for each grade from AA to SEO employed in London. [38603]

  Mr Norris
  The information is as follows:

  CTG

  DSA

  DVLA

  HA

  MSA

  TCA

  VI

  AA

  10,497

  9,523

  9,248

  10,227

  —

  —

  10,663

  AO

  12,036

  11,613

  11,329

  10,655

  —

  —

  13,179

  Typist

  10,879

  9,924

  9,144

  11,123

  10,164

  —

  11,447

  Per Sec

  13,560

  12,214

  11,076

  13,672

  —

  —

  —

  Sen Per Sec

  17,104

  15,739

  14,355

  16,043

  —

  —

  —

  SGB 2

  —

  9,602

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SGB 1

  10,651

  10,695

  10,534

  9,920

  —

  —

  —

  EO

  16,164

  14,814

  14,587

  16,000

  —

  —

  —

  PTO

  15,849

  —

  16,653

  18,750

  —

  —

  18,727

  HEO

  20,426

  19,187

  19,198

  20,218

  16,665

  —

  —

  HPTO

  21,067

  —

  19,289

  24,406

  —

  —

  21,696

  SEO

  24,530

  23,669

  23,769

  24,408

  —

  —

  —

  SPTO

  27,186

  —

  24,650

  31,185

  —

  —

  28,552

  AT/HEOD

  19,963

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  DX

  —

  14,962

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDX(T)

  —

  17,194

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDX(M)

  —

  17,716

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SUDX

  —

  19,573

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  ACDX

  —

  21,415

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  H/P

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9,115

  TEST

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13,179

  AVE

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,849

  TE

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,693

  STE

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19,477

  The figures provided in this answer are, in all cases, prior to the implementation of 1996 pay settlements.

  Key to Agencies:

  DSA Driving Standard Agency

  DVLA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  HA Highways Agency

  MSA Marine Safety Agency

  TCA Coastguards Agency

  VI Vehicle Inspectorate Key to Grades:

  Per Sec Personal Secretary

  Sen Per Sec Senior Personal Secretary

  SGB Support Grade Band

  AT/HEOD Administrative Trainee/Higher Executive Officer (Development)

  PTO Professional and Technological Officer (including equivalents)

  DX Driving Examiner

  SDX Senior Driving Examiner

  SUDX Superintending Driving Examiner

  ACDX Assistant Chief Driving Examiner

  H/P Handyperson

  TEST Tester

  AVE Assistant Vehicle Examiner

  TE Traffic Examiner

  STE Senior Traffic Examiner

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is for each agency within his Department and the Central Transport Group the median basic salary, excluding all allowances except local pay allowances for each grade from AA to SEO employed outside London [38602]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  CTG

  DSA

  DVLA

  HA

  MSA

  TCA

  VI

  AA

  8,530

  8,643

  8,546

  6,928

  8,979

  7,496

  9,115

  AO

  11,581

  10,504

  10,587

  10,537

  10,876

  11,377

  11,292

  Typist

  9,903

  8,831

  8,741

  10,482

  9,716

  10,164

  10,348

  Per Sec

  12,246

  10,972

  11,076

  12,311

  12,174

  11,636

  13,179

  134

  CTG

  DSA

  DVLA

  HA

  MSA

  TCA

  VI

  Sen PS

  —

  14,267

  14,355

  15,512

  —

  —

  15,538

  SGB 2

  —

  9,602

  10,012

  9,920

  10,124

  —

  9,415

  SGB 1

  —

  10,695

  —

  —

  —

  8,602

  11,843

  EO

  15,520

  14,238

  14,006

  14,901

  15,208

  15,520

  15,849

  PTO

  13,651

  —

  16,653

  17,658

  —

  13,962

  17,658

  HEO

  19,812

  18,437

  18,432

  18,828

  19,215

  19,611

  18,911

  HPTO

  20,861

  —

  19,289

  21,275

  —

  18,911

  20,454

  SEO

  24,780

  22,371

  22,822

  23,077

  —

  24,035

  23,932

  SPTO

  28,833

  —

  24,650

  27,998

  26,920

  22,562

  25,633

  CGO

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13,598

  —

  Stat Off

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  17,182

  —

  Dist Off

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19,611

  —

  M Surv 2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18,007

  —

  —

  M Surv 1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  27,998

  —

  —

  DX

  —

  14,238

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDX(T)

  —

  16,524

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SDX(M)

  —

  17,025

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SUDX

  —

  18,808

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  ACDX

  —

  20,507

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  H/P

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,679

  TEST

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13,179

  AVE

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,220

  TE

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,378

  STE

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  18,727

  EM

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  21,485

  The figures provided in this answer are, in all cases, prior to the implementation of the 1996 pay settlements.

  Key to grades

  Persec: Personal Secretary

  Sen PS: Senior Personal Secretary

  SGB: Support Grade Band

  AT/HEOD: Administrative Trainee/Higher Executive Officer (Development)

  PTO: Professional and Technological Officer (including equivalents)

  DX: Driving Examiner

  SDX: Senior Driving Examiner

  SUDX: Superintending Driving Examiner

  ACDX: Assistant Chief Driving Examiner

  H/P: Handyperson

  TEST: Tester

  AVE: Assistant Vehicle Examiner

  TE: Traffic Examiner

  STE: Senior Traffic Examiner

  MSURV2: Marine Surveyor Grade 2

  CGO: Coastguard Officer

  Stat Off: Station Officer

  Dist Off: District Officer

  Key to agencies:

  DSA: Driving Standards Agency

  DVLA: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  HA: Highways Agency

  MSA: Marine Safety Agency

  TCA: Coastguards Agency

  VI: Vehicle Inspectorate

  Mrs Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each agency within his Department and the Central Transport Group the number by grade of staff earning less than £ 8,847.86 per annum. [38599]
  135
  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  AA

  AO

  Typist

  SGB 1 and 2

  CTG

  66

  3

  0

  2

  DSA

  235

  0

  0

  0

  DVLA

  67

  0

  6

  0

  HA

  26

  126

  0

  15

  MSA

  27

  9

  4

  0

  TCA

  9

  2

  0

  1

  VI

  106

  0

  3

  2

  VI also have 27 Handypersons earning less than £ 8,847.86 per annum.
  The figures provided in this answer are prior to the implementation of the 1996 pay settlements and, for part-time staff, are based on full-time equivalent salaries.

  Key to grades:

  AA: Administrative Assistant

  AO: Administrative Officer

  SGB1 and 2: Support Grade Bands 1 and 2

  Key to agencies:

  DSA: Driving Standards Agency

  DVLA: Drive and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  HA: Highways Agency

  MSA: Marine Safety Agency

  TCA: Coastguards Agency

  VI: Vehicle Inspectorate

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each agency within his Department and the Central Transport Group for the administrative assistant and administrative officer grade the median basic salary excluding all allowances other than local pay additions for women employed(a) on a part-time basis and (b) a full-time basis. [38596]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  £

  AA

  AO

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Central Transport Group

  10,116

  10,007

  12,036

  11,906

  Driving Standards Agency

  8,643

  5,351

  10,504

  6,503

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  8,546

  n/a

  10,587

  n/a

  Highways Agency

  10,262

  15,646

  12,106

  16,697

  Marine Safety Agency

  8,979

  14,424

  10,876

  15,438

  Coastguards Agency

  7,412

  7,755

  11,636

  10,753

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  9,265

  9,415

  11,292

  11,920

  Part-time salaries are given on a full-time equivalent basis other than where marked with 1. The figures for part-time staff in DVLA are not currently available. They will be provided later.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the Central Transport Group the median and mean salary levels for each grade employed and for staff employed(a) in London and (b) outside London. [38604]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  Mean salary

  Median salary

  SCS

  London

  56,395

  53,088

  National

  52,531

  51,112

  136

  Mean salary

  Median salary

  Grade 6

  London

  43,240

  43,632

  National

  41,720

  41,047

  Grade 7

  London

  34,818

  35,649

  National

  33,963

  33,211

  SEO

  London

  26,464

  26,688

  National

  24,838

  25,554

  SPTO

  London

  28,236

  28,962

  National

  28,429

  28,552

  HEO

  London

  21,877

  22,267

  National

  19,765

  20,047

  HPTO

  London

  22,759

  24,338

  National

  20,614

  20,454

  EO

  London

  17,732

  18,051

  National

  15,215

  15,642

  PTO

  London

  17,010

  17,314

  National

  13,651

  13,651

  SEN PS

  London

  19,992

  20,057

  National

  —

  —

  PER SEC

  London

  17,409

  17,612

  National

  14,588

  14,673

  Typist

  London

  15,205

  15,168

  National

  11,564

  11,726

  AO

  London

  14,413

  14,626

  National

  11,311

  11,581

  AA

  London

  11,925

  12,273

  National

  8,455

  8,530

  AT/HEOD

  20,177

  21,739

  SGB 1 and 2

  11,908

  12,145

  The figures provided in this answer are prior to the implementation of the 1996 pay settlement, other than for the Senior Civil Service.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each agency within his Department and the Central Transport Group the mean basic salary for women employed on(a) a part-time basis and (b) a full-time basis. [38598]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  Full-time £

  Part-time £

  Central Transport Group

  14,841

  16,238

  Driving Standards Agency

  12,028

  14,865

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  12,259

  n/a

  137

  Full-time £

  Part-time £

  Highways Agency

  13,688

  18,504

  Marine Safety Agency

  11,750

  5,875

  Coastguards Agency

  13,442

  10,022

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  11,966

  9,895

  For those in grades below the senior civil service, the figures provided in this answer are prior to the implementation of the 1996 pay settlements. Part-time salaries are given on a full-time equivalent basis except where marked1. The figures for part-time staff in DLVA are not available. They will be provided later.

  Rail Public Service Obligation Grant
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the public service obligation grant made to the railways for each year since 1992. [38585]

  Mr. Watts
  The information requested, for the three years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94, is as follows:

  Year

  Public Service obligation grant payments (£ million cash)

  1991–92

  892

  1992–93

  1,155

  1993–94

  930

  1993–94 is the last year in which public service obligation grant was paid.

  Automatic Train Protection
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of automatic train protection trials that are in operation, on what lines they are operating, the number of trains on which automatic protection is fitted, the number of trains on which automatic trainprotection is operating and the number of drivers trained in the use of automatic train protection. [38522]

  Mr. Watts
  Two automatic train protection equipment trials have been undertaken, one on the Chiltern line and the other on the Great Western main line. The trials were designed to allow technical evaluation of different equipment. The numbers of trains fitted and crews trained for the purposes of the trials are not available.

  The trials have now been completed and it is intended that the schemes will be brought into full normal operation by October 1996.

  London Underground operates a "train stop" type automatic train protection system throughout its network.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made regarding the introduction of automated train protection. [38521]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack's train protection strategy is a major programme incorporating several initiatives which will further reduce the number of signals passed at danger. These initiatives include:

  (i) the bringing into full service operation of the pilot ATP schemes on the Chiltern and Great Western routes, planned for October 1996.

  138

  (ii) the development of a train protection warning system to replace the existing automatic warning system at selected locations. This will provide train stop and red signal speed trap facilities. The development contract was let by Railtrack earlier this year and equipment has been installed which will allow trials to take place.

  (iii) the development of radio-based cab signalling, initially as part of the modernisation of the West Coast main line. Two development contracts have been let and work is proceeding.

  In addition, other initiatives to prevent SPADS, including a driver reminder appliance, have been the subject of successful trials and wider application is planned to follow.

  Although it is not reasonably practicable to fit on a network wide basis the system of ATP which have piloted, the Health and Safety Executive would expect to see a form of ATP, or an equivalent protection system, incorporated on any new high speed line such as the channel tunnel rail link and fully considered in any new major resignalling scheme.

  The HSE's HM railway inspectorate will be closely monitoring progress towards delivery of Railtrack's train protection strategy.

  Rolling Stock Companies (Train Recorders)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has made to the ROSCOs in relation to the introduction of black box recorders in trains. [38525]

  Mr. Watts
  None. The Health and Safety Executive's guidance calls for the provision of black box recorders and most new passenger rolling stock is equipped with diagnostic and data recording equipment.

  Rail Accident Investigation Reports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include in section 14 of the Health and Safety at work, etc. Act 1974 a regulation to ensure that accident investigation reports are published and disseminated throughout the railway industry. [38545]

  Mr. Watts
  Section 14 already provides that the Health and Safety Commission may direct an investigation into an accident and publish a report. The commission's stated policy is to publish reports of serious accidents investigations carried out under the 1974 Act. In addition, the commission's railway industry advisory committee is examining existing arrangements for disseminating information gained from accident investigations.

  Capital Settlements
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average English local authority transport capital settlement, including grant and credit approval, as a percentage of the amount bid for; and what were the corresponding average percentages for(a) Labour-controlled councils and (b) all Conservative-controlled councils. [39054]
  139
  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8 July 1996,Official Report, column 73. Figures are not kept according to the political control of the council.

  Rail Users Consultative Committees
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the chairmen of rail users consultative committees both central and regional are or have been active in the Conservative party. [39133]

  Mr. Watts
  The information is not available. Current chairmen of the rail users consultative committees were never required to provide information concerning their political activities, although applicants responding to notices about membership are now requested to supply such details. The conditions of chairmen's appointments contain guidance concerning political activity designed to ensure any such interests do not prejudice the committees' work.

  Seat Belts
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what surveys he has done to ascertain the percentage of children wearing seat belts in cars; and if he will make a statement on the findings. [39250]

  Mr. Norris
  Surveys of car occupant restraint use are conducted every six months. The latest survey, in April, showed that 95 per cent. of children under the age of 14 were found to be wearing restraints in the front passenger seat of cars but only 79 per cent. were found to be wearing restraints in the rear seats of cars. We regularly run publicity campaigns on the importance of wearing belts and our recent campaign was aimed specifically at encouraging children to wear restraints in the rear seats of cars.

  Child Pedestrians
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued in respect of the age at which children no longer require supervision as pedestrians. [39275]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department has issued joint guidance, with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and other road safety bodies, on the topic "Teaching Children To Be Safer Pedestrians". This advises that children up to the age of seven should always be supervised. Above this age, parents and carers need to judge what level of supervision is required depending on local traffic conditions and the experience and responsibility of the child.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (i) what proposals he has and (ii) targets he has set for reducing death and injury to children on the road; [39276]

  (2) what plans he has for educational initiatives to reduce death and injury to children on the road. [39277]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department has today announced a strategy to reduce child pedestrian fatalities by a quarter by the end of the century. This would save the lives of at least 30 children a year and reduce serious injuries by some 1,000 a year.
  140
  Under the strategy, the Department will continue to promote educational initiatives to reduce deaths and injuries to children on the roads.

  Bus and Coach Directive
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what working papers have been circulated to his Department by the European Commission in the course of its preparations for the EC bus and coach directive. [39157]

  Mr. Norris
  Numerous working group documents, including those from other member states, as well as an early version of Commission proposals have been circulated.

  A66
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will ensure that any connection road built between Elton and Longnewton ancillary to the proposed A66 grade separated junction is reserved for the use of buses only; [38924]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the timing of the compulsory purchase orders for the construction of the A66 grade separated junction at Longnewton; [38923]

  (3) when he expects construction work to commence on the A66 grade separated junction at Longnewton. [38922]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Tim Devlin, dated 23 July 1996:
  As you know, the Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the A66 Long Newton Grade Separated Junction.
  Restricting the use of the link road between Elton and Long Newton to buses only was debated at length at the Public Inquiry in September 1995. The Independent Inspector concluded that the link road should be available to all traffic, including pedestrians. cyclists and equestrians. He did not accept that the predicted traffic flows through Elton, as a result of providing the link road, would be untoward. The Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport fully accepted the Inspector's conclusions and recommendations in their decision letter of 1 July.
  The detailed design of the scheme and the making of the compulsory Purchase Order will be commenced in the near future to allow works to start as soon as financial resources become available.

  Noise Barriers
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times in each of the last 10 years noise mitigation barriers have been(a) replaced, (b) repaired and (c) upgraded; and what has been the cost to his Department. [38303]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking how many times in each of the last 10 years noise mitigation barriers have been (a) replaced, (b) repaired and (c) upgraded; and what has been the cost to his Department.
  The information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  141
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department has spent on noise mitigation barriers adjacent to motorways in each of the last 10 years. [38304]

  Mr. Watts
  The following amounts have been spent in the past two financial years.

  1994–95: £437,000

  1995–96: £6,116,000

  Data for this previous eight years are not available without incurring a disproportionate cost to the Department.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what design standards currently exist for noise mitigation barriers adjacent to(a) motorways and (b) railway lines; [38299]

  (2) what procedures currently exist for (a)checking whether noise mitigation barriers adjacent to (i) motorways and (ii) railway lines meet the required design standards and (b)ensuring that those barriers which are found not to meet the required design standards are improved to meet them; [38300]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the site supervision and checking of structural calculations for noise mitigation barriers adjacent to (a) motorways and(b)railway lines. [38301]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member. Noise mitigation barriers adjacent to railway lines are a matter for Railtrack.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about noise mitigation barriers.
  Guidance on the design of environmental barriers which include noise mitigation barriers is provided in the HMSO publication Design of Roads and Bridges: Volume 10 Environmental Design. This includes advice on the structural options available, acoustic considerations and resistance to wind forces. Standards of material quality and workmanship for particular forms of barrier structure are prescribed in the HMSO publication Specification for Highway Works, which sets out the standard requirements for motorway and trunk road construction contracts. In addition, contracts may either provide a complete design or specify that barriers are to be provided by the contractor to meet certain criteria. In either case, it is usual for designs to be required to conform to the Agency's published guidance. When specialist proprietary products are offered by contractors, evidence of the basis of their design and of their performance to the prescribed standard is required.
  Noise mitigation barriers are prescribed in principle by location, length and height; various other characteristics may be provided for in particular contracts to prescribe quality and type of materials, structural form and acoustic properties. Some aspects of materials and functional properties are assessed prior to erection; others such as overall form, position and integrity are assessed during and after erection. For all procurement it is the contractor's responsibility to supervise the installation of barriers on site and to check their compliance with the contract under their quality assurance procedures. This supervision is backed up by arrangements which depend on the type of contract for vetting of proposals and inspection of their construction by the client's representative or the site agent.
  142
  Noise mitigation barriers are routinely inspected and maintained as part of the highway infrastructure and defects are rectified as and when necessary. In designing the appropriate form of barrier, the maintenance requirements and expected life of the proposed system are taken into account. Planned maintenance includes for the replacement of barriers at an appropriate time, as indicated by inspection reports.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate whether the noise mitigation barriers between junctions 8 and 10 of the M25 meet the required design standards. [38302]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 23 July 1996:
  As you know, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the noise mitigation barriers between junction 8 and 10 of the M25.
  The barriers already in place meet the relevant design standards; those still to be provided will also be built to the same standard.

  Airports
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what criteria were used to determine which airports were designated under section 40 of the Airports Act 1986; [37815]

  (2) to what extent the criteria used to determine which airports were designated under section 40 of the Airports Act 1986 take account of trends in competition in the aviation industry following air service liberalisation in (a)Europe and (b)elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [37819]

  Mr. Norris
  No formal criteria for the designation of airports are included in the Airports Act. However, the criteria that the Government consider relevant to designation are the market position, including extent of competition from other airports and other modes; prima facie evidence of excessive profitability or abuse of monopoly position; the scale and timing of investment, and their implications for profitability; and the efficiency and quality of service.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of staff currently employed at(a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick airports. [39510]

  Mr. Norris
  These are matters for BAA plc.

  Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he has to grant transport supplementary grant in respect of only part of a proposed bypass where other parts are not expected to be constructed. [38921]

  Mr. Norris
  The power to pay transport supplementary grant is contained in sections 87 and 88 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Guidance on bidding is issued annually, and copies are deposited in the Library—the latest is local authority circular 2/96. It is for local authorities to decide, and justify, what constitutes a viable scheme, and to bid for resources accordingly. All bids are considered competitively, on merit.
  143

  Rural Roads
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to improve safety on B, C and unclassified roads in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the annual proportion of accidents, fatalities and injuries that have occurred on such roads in recent years. [38948]

  Mr. Norris
  Safety on B, C and unclassified roads is the responsibility of the local highway authority. The wide range of Government measures to reduce accidents—including anti-drink driving and speeding campaigns, and measures to reduce young driver risk—influence drivers on all roads, and are reflected in the reduced numbers of accidents on non built-up B, C and unclassified roads. Fatal and serious injury accidents have fallen by 37 per cent. on these roads since the 1981 to 1985 baseline. Local highway authorities can improve the road layout at known accident blackspots and the Government have given £55 million this year to fund local safety schemes.

  Casualties on non-built up B, C and unclassified roads in England and Wales in 1995 were:

  Fatalities: 498

  Seriously injured: 5,281

  Slightly injured: 22,175

  The proportion of Great Britain casualty accidents on non-built up B, C and unclassified roads has remained very stable—in 1994, it was 8.7 per cent., which was unchanged from the 1981 to 1985 baseline proportion.

  Birmingham Relief Road
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his decision on the public inquiry into the building of the Birmingham northern relief road. [39482]

  Mr. Watts
  The Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport will announce their decision as soon as possible after receiving the inspector's report, which is not expected before November this year.

  Road Accidents (Fatigue)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to establish a research programme into the extent that fatigue influences road accidents. [39386]

  Mr. Norris
  Interim results from our research programme into the influence of fatigue on road accidents were announced last September; work continues on the appraisal of possible countermeasures and will report next year.

  Bridges
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the bridge strengthening programme will be completed by 1999; and if it will be necessary to impose weight restrictions on strategically important bridges. [39265]

  Mr. Watts
  The bridge strengthening programme will continue for a number of years after 1999. We do not envisage that it will be necessary to impose weight restrictions on strategically important bridges.
  144

  Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the number of accidents involving newly qualified HGV drivers in the last year. [39337]

  Mr. Norris
  Information on heavy goods vehicle accidents is not available in this form. In 1995, HGV drivers aged between 21 and 24 were involved in 850 injury accidents.

  MOT Certificates
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many MOT test certificates have been stolen in each of the last five years. [39338]

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

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mrs. Gwyneth Dun woody, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on the number of MOT certificates stolen over the past 5 years.
  Details of the number of MOT certificates stolen from garages are shown below:

  1991/92: 113,361

  1992/93: 160,666

  1993/94: 170,000

  1994/95: 60,868

  1995/96: 51,694

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed full time or part time(a) to provide information and publicity and (b) on press and media in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1993–94. [39430]

  Mr. Norris
  The figures sought are as follows:

  (a) (i) 9 full-time publicity officers

  (a) (ii) 9 full-time publicity officers

  (a) (iii) 9 full-time publicity officers

  (b) (i) 20 full-time press officers

  (b) (ii) 17 full-time press officers

  (b) (iii) 19 full-time press officers

  Staff in departmental agencies work on both publicity and press and media and cannot be broken down as requested. The figures are:

  1995–96: 13.5

  1994–95: 16.5

  1993–94: 11.2

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are assumed in his Department's budget to be employed (i) full time and (ii) part time,(a) to work on press and media and (b) to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39474]

  Mr. Norris
  The following staff are employed in the Department.

  (i) (a) 14 Full-time Press Officers

  (ii)(a) 1 Part-time Press Officer

  (i) (b) 7 Full-time Publicity Officers

  (ii) (b) None

  145
  Staff departmental agencies work on both publicity and press and media and cannot be broken down as requested. There are 25 staff working in this area in the departmental agencies for 1996–97.

  Working Time Directive
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to introduce United Kingdom legislation and promote compliance within the transport industry with the EU working time directive. [39388]

  Mr. Norris
  None. Transport industries are excluded from the scope of the directive.

  Vehicle Relicensing (Post Offices)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has taken since 1990 to increase the number of post offices contracted with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for vehicle relicensing services; what measure he takes to ensure that the DVLA's estimates of costs in adding post offices to its contracted network are reasonable and accurate; and if he will make a statement. [38952]

  Mr. Norris
  The question of adding offices to the vehicle relicensing network and the cost forms part of the contractual arrangements between the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and Post Office Counters Ltd. These are currently under review as part of negotiations to agree a new contract. Since the last contract was let in 1989, some 400 offices have been added to the network. The current network of 4,000 vehicle relicensing post offices will be extended only if it can be shown to be cost-effective and does not merely add to the cost of collecting vehicle excise duty.

  Motorway Accidents
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) accidents and (b) fatalities occurred on (i) the hard shoulder of motorways and (ii) in vehicles stationary on the hard shoulder in the last year. [39399]

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

  Accidents and fatalities; on the motorway hard shoulder; GB 1995

  Number

  Accidents

  Fatalities

  All accidents on the lay-by/hard shoulder1

  150

  11

  Accidents involving a stationary vehicle on the lay-by/hard shoulder2

  88

  5

  1 Includes vehicles entering, on, or leaving the lay-by/hard shoulder.

  2 Involving a vehicle parked on the lay-by/hard shoulder.

  Public Service Vehicles
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to ensure that members of the public have access to details of prohibitions received by operators of public service vehicles. [39487]
  146
  Mr. Norris
  We have recently completed a public consultation exercise on proposals for the Vehicle Inspectorate to make available on demand information about prohibitions issued by its examiners to both public service and heavy goods vehicle operators following roadside enforcement checks.

  The consultation document also proposed the release of information about operator convictions and about annual roadworthiness tests for individual heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles.

  We are currently considering the responses received during the consultation period.

  Willerby 93
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks are being undertaken to ensure the financial standing and viability of the application for an operator licence submitted to the north eastern traffic area office in the name of Willerby 93; and if he plans to grant the licence. [39356]

  Mr. Norris
  The consideration of applications for operator licences is the responsibility of independent traffic commissioners. I have asked Mr. Keith Waterworth, the traffic commissioner for the north-eastern traffic area, to respond directly.

  European Vignette System
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to join the European Vignette system. [39339]

  Mr. Norris
  None at present.

  Drivers (Amnesties)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider introducing an amnesty from prosecution for those drivers who are prepared to confess their own breaches of the law where those breaches were encouraged or actively sought by the employer. [39375]

  Mr. Norris
  No.

  Lyme Bay
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional resources he has allocated to the Coastguard agency to implement the recommendations of the inquiry into the Lyme bay tragedy. [39359]

  Mr. Norris
  None. The report of the inquiry stated that the recommendations could be implemented with the existing personnel and other resources of the Coastguard agency.

  Civil Aviation Authority
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission an efficiency scrutiny of the Civil Aviation Authority; and if he will make a statement. [39460]

  Mr. Norris
  No. There are already a number of mechanisms in place in the Civil Aviation Authority to foster efficiency.
  147

  Recruitment Information
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information on recruitment his Department is required to publish; if he will make this information available for the Central Transport Group for 1995; and if he will make a statement. [39659]

  Mr. Norris
  The Civil Service Order in Council 1995 authorises the civil service commissioners to require departments and agencies to publish summary information

  Recruitment statistics for the central transport group (CTG)—1 January to 31 December 1995

  Status

  Breakdown showing women, ethnic minority and people with disabilities successful at each level

  Grade

  Number in grade 31 December 1995

  Number of posts recruited 1 January to 31 December 1995

  FTA1

  Permanent

  Female

  Ethnic minority

  Disability (male and female)

  G5

  68

  2

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  G7

  271

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  EO

  368

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1 (male)

  Administrative Trainee

  12

  9

  —

  9

  4

  —

  —

  AO

  488

  7

  1

  6

  5

  —

  2 (male)

  AA

  155

  14

  9

  5

  7

  —

  5 (male)

  PS

  103

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  SGB2

  16

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1 (male)

  Casual Students

  5

  6

  6

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Higher Scientific Officer

  5

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Economic Assistant

  5

  4

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Assistance Information Officer

  4

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Total

  1,500

  50

  22

  28

  22

  0

  9 (male)

  1 Fixed term appointment.

  Traffic Areas (Restructuring)
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the proposed restructuring of the traffic areas. [39549]

  Mr. Norris
  A consultation paper setting out options was issued on 17 July. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Highways Agency
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Highways Agency annual report and accounts for 1995–96 will he published. [39612]

  Mr. Watts
  The Highways Agency annual report and accounts 1995–96 was published on Monday 22 July. Copies have been placed in the Library and are available on request from the Highways Agency.

  Croydon Tramlink
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Croydon Tramlink. [39614]

  Mr. Norris
  I am glad to report that I have authorised London Transport to finalise and then sign the concession agreement for Croydon Tramlink. This will mean that Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. will be able to build and operate the new system, which should open in the year 2000. The 148
  about their recruitment and the use of permitted exceptions to the principles of fair and open competition and selection on merit.

  The Central Transport Group is in the process of revising its systems for recruitment in the light of recent guidance laid down by the civil service commissioners, to ensure that recruitment is carried out on the basis of fair and open competition and selection on merit, and to make provision for internal audit.

  The number of staff appointed to CTG in 1995 are shown in the table. There were no permitted exceptions to fair and open competition and selection on merit in 1995.

  total central Government grant involved will be £125 million. Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. will also be making a significant financial contribution.

  Croydon Tramlink will bring important benefits to public transport users in south London. It is an excellent example of how the Government's private finance initiative makes it possible to build projects which would not have been afforded if all the money had had to come from the taxpayer. I am delighted that, after careful negotiation, it has been possible to reach agreement between public and private sectors to take forward this worthwhile public transport scheme.

  School Buses
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken to end the three for two concession for school buses; and what action he is taking to ensure that local authorities comply with the guidance issued by his Department. [39486]

  Mr. Norris
  The three for two concession for seats on school buses for children over the age of five but under 14 years old no longer applies when seats are equipped with belts. The Department has not issued any guidance notes on the application of the three for two concession.

  Regulation of Railways Act 1871
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to repeal and replace the
  149
  provision of the Regulation of Railways Act 1871 which sets up and publishes a report into railway accidents and if he will make a statement. [38544]

  Mr. Watts
  The Health and Safety Commission has recently undertaken a review of railway safety legislation, including the regulation of Railways Act 1871, and published its proposals in a consultative document. I await the commission's recommendations.

  The Health and Safety at Works, etc. Act 1974 contains provisions under which accidents on the railway may be investigated and reports published.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the impact of(a) his policies and (b) the work of his Department in helping small businesses in the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors the impact and the statistical results of such monitoring. [39139]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the UK economy and aim to help them by providing sound economic conditions—keeping inflation and interest rates low—by reducing legislative administrative and taxation burdens and, where appropriate, by providing direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  The recently published transport Green Paper recognised the central importance of maintaining a transport system that provides business with an efficient means of moving goods and raw materials around the country. The paper sets out the Government's assessment of the future for transport in the UK and the measures that need to be taken to meet the differing demands of the economy, the environment and the individual.

  My Department has, like others, reviewed the regulations for which it is responsible to ensure that unnecessary or over burdensome regulation is cut back. When considering new regulations, we take particular account of the burden and cost regulations impose on small businesses.

  Over the past 12 months, we have introduced measures to relax the regulation for signing tourist destinations. These now include provisions for signing of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions which were previously excluded. We have also simplified the licensing arrangements for goods vehicle operators, 80 per cent. of whom run fewer than a total of four heavy goods vehicles. Previously, licences were granted for a maximum of four years at a time, but a system of continuous licensing is now in place.

  Merchant Navy
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many United Kingdom residents presently hold valid UK Merchant Navy certificates of competency in the marine engineer classes(a) 1, (b)2,(c)3 and (d)4; [38540]
  150
  (2) how many United Kingdom residents presently hold valid UK Merchant Navy certificates of competency in the deck officer classes (a) 1, (b)2, (c)3, (d)4 and (e)5; [38539]

  (3) how many Merchant Navy certificates of equivalent competency have been issued. [38555]

  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 Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Questions about the number of UK residents who currently hold valid UK Merchant Navy Certificates of Competency in Marine Engineer and Deck Officer classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and the number of Certificates of Equivalent Competency which have been issued since they were introduced.
  I regret that I cannot answer your two questions about UK residents holding certificates of competency because the information is not held in the form requested and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
  In answer to your third question, 26 Certificates of Equivalent Competency have been issued since they were introduced on 1 August 1995.

  New Roads
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance is issued by his Department to local authorities and developers in respect of carriageway traffic flow rates for new roads. [38991]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport does not issue specific guidance on traffic flow rates for local authority roads. The Highways Agency's design manual for roads and bridges contains guidance on traffic flows on trunk roads. It is open to local authorities to determine the extent to which this guidance is relevant to their own road schemes.

  A46/A47 Link Road
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the £3.462 million spent on the Leicester A46/A47 was for stage I design and construction. [38919]

  Mr. Norris
  There is no requirement for the expenditure figures to be split between stages 1 and 2 and this information is not held by my Department. When the A46/A47 link road scheme was first accepted for transport supplementary grant it was for the entire scheme. The phasing of the scheme is entirely a matter for the local authority, Leicestershire county council.

  Airside Facilities
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the scope of relevant activities as defined in the Airports Act 1986 to include the monopoly provision of airside facilities to airlines; and if he will make a statement. [39459]

  Mr. Norris
  Section 41 of the Airports Act 1986 empowers the Civil Aviation Authority to impose conditions on an airport if it considers that any unfair trade practices, or exploitation of the airport operators's bargaining position, are taking place in respect of any
  151
  "relevant activities". The provision of airside facilities to airlines is deemed to be a "relevant activity" according to the definition in section 36 of that Act.

  Light Goods Vehicles
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that professional drivers of LGV's have adequate rest and refreshment facilities at affordable prices. [39373]

  Mr. Norris
  Motorway service areas have to contain designated number of parking spaces for lorries which can be used free of charge for at least two hours. Elsewhere, it is for commercial interests to decide, subject to planning permission, what facilities to provide and where, for lorry drivers as for other road users.

  Airlines
  Mrs Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate a review of the regulatory requirements imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority on United Kingdom carriers with particular reference to costs to airlines. [39505]

  Mr. Norris
  No. The Civil Aviation Authority already takes account of the coats to industry in developing regulatory requirements.

  Trucks
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the findings of his review of 44 tonnes operation; and what estimate he has made of the number of 44 tonne trucks currently operating. [39497]

  Mr. Norris
  We are considering the findings of the review. At the end of 1995, 713 six-axled vehicles were licensed to operate at up to 44 tonnes.

  Heathrow and Gatwick Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the percentage of delays which are attributable to runway slot limitations at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. [39513]

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter for the operator of the airports, BAA plc.

  Tachographs
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proposals he has to ensure that tachographs record a full 24-hour day; [39377]

  (2) if he will consider introducing a unique serial number on tachograph discs. [39376]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government share concerns that the records produced by drivers should be accurate. However, the requirements on drivers to record their time and the layout of approved records sheets are set out in an EU regulation. I am not convinced that amendment to the regulation along the lines proposed would be 152
  cost-effective or free of practical difficulties. We favour the use of digital recording equipment and drivers smartcards, as proposed by the European Commission, to overcome the acknowledged shortcomings of mechanical recording equipment.

  Working Environment
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to promote better working environments in the transport industry; and if he will make a statement. [39397]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport pursues a number of initiatives which contribute to improved working environments in the transport industry, including enforcement of drivers' hours legislation and advice to operators on the protection from assault of bus crews.

  Transport and Tourism
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment his Department has made of the total number of jobs related directly and indirectly to transport and tourism; [39503]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the total earnings to the United Kingdom economy from transport and tourism. [39502]

  Mr. Norris
  The latest assessment of the contribution of transport to the UK economy are given in an article "Transport in the Economy" published in the 1994 edition of "Transport Statistics Great Britain". My Department does not make assessment for tourism.

  Smoke Hoods
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to introduce compulsory smoke hoods for passenger aircraft. [39547]

  Mr. Norris
  A Civil Aviation Authority study has shown that, in many circumstances, the time required for passengers to don unfamiliar smoke hoods could delay the evacuation of aircraft. The authority therefore has no proposals to require the provision of smoke hoods. However, the authority will keep under review all technical developments in smoke hoods and other survival techniques.

  Air Transport Industry
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to improve the competitiveness of the air transport industry in the United Kingdom. [39499]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department seeks the liberalisation of international air service arrangements wherever possible so as to increase competitive opportunities for UK airlines and UK airports.

  Airbags (Child Seats)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has given about the use of child seats in the front seats of cars where an airbag is fitted. [39252]
  153
  Mr. Norris
  The Department's advice is that rear-facing child seats must not be fitted to front seats of cars where an air bag is fitted and this message is contained in the publicly available "Choosing Safety" booklet. Following agreement between the Department and manufacturers, all new vehicles fitted with passenger side airbags and sold in the UK since 1 January 1996 have been voluntarily fitted with a warning label. In addition, the owner's handbook has carried further explanation of the dangers. The Department is continuing discussions with the UK motor industry to ensure that the public are fully aware of the dangers.

  Fatality rate per 100,000 population for children aged 0 to 14

  1994

  1993

  1992

  1991

  1990

  Pedestrian

  car passenger

  Pedestrian

  car passenger

  Pedestrian

  car passenger

  Pedestrian

  car passenger

  Pedestrian

  car passenger

  Austria

  1.3

  1.6

  1.4

  1.5

  1.4

  1.4

  1.3

  2.7

  1.6

  2.2

  Belgium

  1.1

  1.3

  0.8

  1.5

  2.1

  1.3

  1.7

  0.9

  1.9

  2.2

  Denmark

  0.7

  1.2

  0.9

  0.5

  0.9

  0.8

  1.9

  1.6

  1.4

  1.7

  Finland

  0.9

  1.6

  0.7

  1.2

  1.7

  1.0

  0.4

  2.2

  1.1

  1.4

  France

  1.0

  1.8

  0.9

  2.0

  1.2

  2.0

  1.4

  2.1

  1.5

  2.2

  Germany

  1.0

  1.2

  1.0

  1.3

  1.2

  1.6

  1.4

  1.5

  1.5

  1.8

  Great Britain

  1.3

  0.7

  1.4

  0.7

  1.6

  0.5

  2.0

  0.6

  2.2

  0.8

  Greece

  1.5

  1.6

  1.6

  1.2

  1.5

  1.3

  2.2

  1.5

  Ireland

  1.7

  0.5

  1.9

  1.3

  1.8

  0.8

  2.4

  0.8

  2.4

  1.0

  Italy

  0.9

  0.6

  1.0

  Luxembourg Netherlands

  0.5

  0.6

  0.6

  0.9

  0.8

  1.0

  0.9

  0.9

  0.9

  0.8

  Portugal

  5.2

  2.3

  5.0

  2.8

  6.4

  2.3

  5.0

  2.3

  Spain

  1.1

  1.7

  1.3

  1.9

  1.0

  2.5

  1.4

  2.2

  1.5

  2.7

  Sweden

  0.8

  0.9

  0.4

  0.9

  0.9

  1.0

  0.5

  1.2

  0.9

  1.1

  Child Car Seats
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has given in relation to the type and use of child car seats. [39251]

  Mr. Norris
  Guidance for the public on the type and use of child car seats is contained in the publications "Seat Belts and the Law" and "Choosing Safety". Both of these publications are produced by the Department of Transport and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Flight Guarantees
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require travel agents and tour operators to advise passengers at the time of booking a flight or flight-inclusive holiday, if there is a guaranteed and identifiable carrier authorised to operate from the United Kingdom and with guaranteed flight slots; and if he will make a statement. [39508]

  Mr. Norris
  No. Tour operators are already required by the terms of their air travel organiser's licence to inform customers before entering into a contract either which airline will operate the flight or that this information is not available. If customers are informed of the intended operator, they must also be told whether they can cancel their contract without penalty in the event of any subsequent change.

  Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the power of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to review the conduct of individual airports under the Airports Act 1986 to allow a review of the conduct of the owner of groups of airports; and if he will make a statement. [39504]
  154

  Children (Road Deaths)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the death rate for children killed on the roads(a) other than in cars and (b) as passengers in cars per 1,000 child population in each of the last five years and for each EU country; and in the case of (b) what was the percentage of deaths where the children were not using seat belts. [39278]

  Mr. Norris
  Available information for EU member countries is shown in the table. No information is available on unbelted child passenger fatalities.

  Mr. Norris
  No. Groups of airports can already be designated under section 40 of the Act for regular review by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. No separate need is seen to extend the MMC's powers to review the conduct of the owner of a group of airports.

  Safety Evaluations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to extend safety case evaluations applied to the channel tunnel to other forms of public transport. [39394]

  Mr. Norris
  The safety case approach is already used where appropriate in a number of industries, for example rail and aviation. I will consider the extension of the safety case approach where I am satisfied that this is an appropriate way to maintain and improve safety standards for the transport mode concerned.

  MV Derbyshire
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the date of the forthcoming expedition to the wreck of the MV Derbyshire; and how long he expects the expedition to last; [39466]

  (2) if he will give the Derbyshire Families Association access to the complete raw data that will be brought back from his Department's expedition to the wreck of the MV Derbyshire; [39464]

  (3) when he expects to publish the findings of the expedition to the wreck of the MV Derbyshire. [39465]

  Mr. Norris
  The phase 1 expedition to the wreck of the Derbyshire departed on 22 July and is expected to return on 29 July.
  155
  The data recovered will be first fully considered by the technical assessors, who will be consulting widely on their findings and intentions. The raw data will later be available to all interested parties, including the Derbyshire Families Association.

  A full report of the assessors findings will be published after the completion of phase 2.

  Seat Belts (Coaches)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that seat belts fitted to coaches are fitted to the correct specifications; and what action he is taking to ensure that his Department monitors the correct fitting of seat belts. [39489]

  Mr. Norris
  The safety of equipment and its fitting must ultimately remain the responsibility of the installer. We intend to issue guidelines in support of the legislation and are exploring options for checking installations at the annual test. We are also considering other safeguards, but they can be of only a limited nature.

  Lap Straps (Coaches)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to introduce the compulsory fitting of inertia lap straps aboard buses and coaches carrying school children. [39488]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Accident Investigations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to implement the recent recommendations by the Consumers Association for an independent accident investigation body; and if he will make a statement. [39395]

  Mr. Norris
  We have rigorous independent mechanisms for investigating accidents, specifically for each transport mode. Transport is a diverse and international business and it makes sense to have separate bodies while ensuring a regular communication between them. I do not believe that an overarching safety investigation authority would add value.

  Drivers' Hours
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce further United Kingdom legislation on drivers' hours following his Department's consultation exercise in 1993. [39398]

  Mr. Norris
  The consultation in 1993 was part of a wider exercise to identify unnecessary or overly burdensome regulations. I announced on 5 September 1995 that I was not convinced that the domestic drivers'156
  hours rules imposed a significant burden on industry and that I had concluded after careful consideration that any relaxation of the rules would not be in the best interests of road safety, which is my chief priority.

  Runway Capacity
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the runway capacity in the south-east—RUCATSE—recommendation that a new runway in the south-east of England is equivalent to five years' traffic growth. [39512]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 20 June 1996,Official Report, column 534.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the cost of traffic congestion to British industry in each of the last 10 years. [39490]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department has not made estimates of the total cost of traffic congestion to British industry. At a national level, such costs are very difficult to identify. Others have made estimates of the cost of congestion in this country on the basis of work carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development some six years ago. However, the method used contains a number of gross simplifications and the results are consequently unreliable.

  Our own assessments have focused on the appraisal of individual transport projects. They start from the baseline of current conditions and estimate the reduction in costs in the area concerned that can be achieved by implementing the project. These estimates are based on an extensive body of research findings.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fishing vessels of under 7m in length are registered in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) each other European Union country; and if he will make a statement [39163]

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

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mrs. Margaret Ewing, dated 25 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of fishing vessels under seven metres in length registered in (a) the United Kingdom and, (b) each other European Union country.
  The number of fishing vessels under seven metres in length registered in the United Kingdom is 3074. I regret that this Agency does not hold information on similar sized vessels registered in other European Union countries.
  157

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Racially Motivated Crimes (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racially motivated crimes in the Greater London area were reported in the first six months of 1996. [37787]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information has been supplied by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. There were 2,741 racial incidents reported to the Metropolitan police service in the first six months of 1996. This figure represents all racial incidents reported including those that do not have a crime element associated with them.

  Money Laundering
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of incidents of money laundering referred to the National Criminal Intelligence Service for each year since its inception indicating the sources of information and the number of referrals about and from(a) accountants and (b) lawyers. [37824]

  Mr. Maclean
  All disclosures of suspicious financial transactions made under the money laundering legislation are passed to the financial intelligence and money laundering section of the National Criminal Intelligence Service—NCIS. The total number of disclosures made for each year since the inception of NCIS in April 1992 are as follows:

  Year

  Disclosures

  1992

  11,281

  1993

  12,750

  1994

  15,007

  1995

  13,710

  1996 (to date)

  7,416

  Information about the number of disclosures made that relate to solicitors or accountants is not held centrally. However, the number of disclosures made by solicitors and accountants are as follows:

  Year

  Solicitors

  Accountants

  1992

  4

  1

  1993

  4

  2

  1994

  86

  6

  1995

  213

  44

  1996 (to date)

  168

  34

  Other sources of disclosures cannot be retrieved easily for each of the years in question. However, in 1995 the sources of disclosures were:

  Origin of disclosure

  Percentage of total

  Banks and building societies

  80

  Insurance companies

  5

  Bureau de change

  4

  Solicitors and accountants

  2

  158

  Origin of disclosure

  Percentage of total

  Independent financial advisers

  1

  Credit/debit companies

  0.5

  Industry regulators

  0.1

  Other sources accounting for less than 1 per cent, each (e.g. car/boat salesman)

  7

  Criminal Offences (Staffordshire)
  Mr. Brian David Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people were(a) cautioned and (b) convicted in court of committing a criminal offence in Staffordshire in the latest year for which figures are available (i) in total and (ii) broken down to show those aged under (1) 16, (2) 21 and (3) 25 years; [37887]

  (2) how many people convicted of criminal offences in Staffordshire for the latest year for which figures are available were (a)registered unemployed and (b)without employment. [37888]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1994, the latest available, on the number of persons cautioned and convicted by age group in the Staffordshire area is given in the table.

  Information on the employment status of defendants appearing before the courts is not recorded centrally.

  Number of offenders cautioned and convicted at all courts in Staffordshire Police Force Area by age and type of offence 1994

  Age/disposal

  Indictable offences

  Summary non-motoring offences

  All offences excluding summary motoring

  Aged 10 and under 16

  Cautioned

  1,685

  453

  2,138

  Convicted

  365

  103

  468

  Total

  2,050

  556

  2,606

  Aged 16 and under 21

  Cautioned

  860

  372

  1,232

  Convicted

  1,872

  944

  2,816

  Total

  2,732

  1,316

  4,048

  Aged 21 and under 25

  Cautioned

  359

  147

  506

  Convicted

  1,290

  1,283

  2,573

  Total

  1.649

  1,430

  3,079

  All ages

  Cautioned

  4,010

  1,398

  5,408

  Convicted

  6,110

  8,720

  14,830

  Total

  10,120

  10,118

  20,238

  Detective Inspector Gladding
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Gloucester on what disciplinary action has been taken against Detective Inspector Gladding following the comments in the Appeal Court in the case of R.v. Mills and Poole; and if he will make a statement. [38183]
  159
  Mr. Maclean
  No disciplinary action has been taken. The Police Complaints Authority announced in March 1993, following a full investigation by the then assistant chief constable of Thames Valley, that there was no evidence to justify disciplinary proceedings against any officers in the case.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers, and from which countries, have had their applications considered under the short procedure from(a) 15 March 1995 until 27 November 1995, (b) 27 November 1995 until 20 March 1996 and (c) 20 March 1996 to the latest convenient date; how many of these applications in each period were (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) transferred to the full procedure. [38429]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The requested information on short procedure applications is given in the tables. Over the period 15 May 1995 to 30 June 1996, there were 5,735 refusals and three grants of asylum from short procedure applications. As at 30 June, there were 996 cases still under consideration. Information on cases transferred is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Short procedure applications, by nationality, 15 May–30 November 1995

  Number

  Nigeria

  528

  India

  255

  Pakistan

  221

  Romania

  143

  Ghana

  138

  Poland

  45

  Algeria

  15

  Kenya

  14

  Tanzania

  11

  Uganda

  11

  Gambia

  6

  Bulgaria

  6

  Columbia

  4

  Sri Lanka

  3

  Zaire

  2

  Ivory Coast

  2

  Zimbabwe

  2

  Others

  11

  Total

  1,417

  Short procedure applications, by nationality, 1 December 1995–31 March 1996

  Number

  Nigeria

  618

  India

  451

  Pakistan

  322

  Algeria

  310

  Ghana

  205

  Poland

  78

  Sierra Leone

  74

  Romania

  66

  Gambia

  53

  Turkey

  50

  Bulgaria

  45

  Sri Lanka

  39

  Bangladesh

  29

  Kenya

  26

  Ivory Coast

  25

  160

  Short procedure applications, by nationality, 1 December 1995–31 March 1996

  Number

  Tanzania

  16

  Zaire

  14

  Lithuania

  13

  Columbia

  8

  Slovakia

  8

  Cyprus

  7

  Jamaica

  7

  Ethiopia

  6

  China

  5

  Angola

  5

  Czech Republic

  5

  Cameroon

  4

  Uganda

  3

  Zimbabwe

  3

  Russia

  3

  Brazil

  3

  Guyana

  3

  Hungary

  3

  Sudan

  2

  Eritrea

  2

  Estonia

  2

  Peru

  2

  Others

  19

  Total

  2,534

  Short procedure applications, by nationality, 1 April-30 June 1996

  Number

  Nigeria

  528

  Pakistan

  314

  India

  292

  Algeria

  203

  Ghana

  194

  Sir Lanka

  173

  Columbia

  113

  China

  93

  Sierra Leone

  85

  Romania

  79

  Turkey

  75

  Poland

  69

  Lithuania

  54

  Bangladesh

  52

  Bulgaria

  50

  Gambia

  45

  Zaire

  45

  Ecuador

  36

  Cyprus

  25

  Angola

  22

  Russia

  16

  Sudan

  16

  Ukraine

  16

  Zimbabwe

  15

  Ivory Coast

  11

  Tanzania

  11

  Jamaica

  11

  Kenya

  10

  Lebanon

  10

  Uganda

  9

  Cameroon

  9

  Ethiopia

  8

  Congo

  8

  Togo

  7

  Slovakia

  6

  Eritrea

  6

  South Africa

  6

  Burundi

  5

  161

  Short procedure applications, by nationality, 1 April-30 June 1996

  Number

  Egypt

  5

  Philippines

  5

  Brazil

  2

  Estonia

  2

  Gabon

  2

  Kuwait

  2

  Benin

  2

  Cuba

  2

  Honduras

  2

  Sengal

  2

  Others

  30

  Total

  2,783

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases for the last year for which figures are available an in-country asylum application led to an applicant being issued with a visitor visa to Britain. [39034]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The requested information is not available.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the immigration and nationality department on the treatment of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom by an Iranian national who leaves Iran legally; and if he will make a statement. [38961]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  It is understood that stringent checks are in place at airports in Iran, making it difficult for a person of interest to the authorities there to leave with a passport in their own identity. This situation is taken into account when applications for asylum from Iranians are considered, but each case is considered individually on its merits under the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees, and asylum or exceptional leave is granted in appropriate cases.

  Violence
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in percentage terms the main causes of injury in incidents of violence against persons in the last available year. [38324]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available relates to offences of homicide and firearms offences. Statistics on offences currently recorded as homicide by apparent method of killing are published in table 4.3. of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1994". Table 3.8 of the same publication gives figures for overall notifiable offences in which firearms were reported to have caused injury. A copy of the Criminal Statistics publication is available in the Library.

  Ban Glasses (Injury)
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the compensation awarded annually by the Criminal Injuries 162
  Compensation Board to victims of injuries caused by bar glasses. [38323]

  Mr. Maclean
  The board comments that a significant number of injuries are known to arise from incidents in public houses and similar places, but no estimate is available of the amounts paid to victims of bar glass injuries.

  Immigration Rules
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been (i) granted and (ii) refused (1) entry clearance, (2) leave to enter the United Kingdom and (3) leave to remain in the United Kingdom in 1994, 1995 and 1996 to the latest convenient date under the provisions of paragraphs 169–75 of the Consolidated Immigration Rules, HC 395 of Session 1994–95 as (x) ministers of religion, (y) missionaries and (z) members of religious orders. [38426]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Stalking
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to recommend to the chief constable one of whose serving officers has been said, by a presiding judge, to have stalked a neighbour. [38744]

  Mr. Maclean
  None. The matter is entirely for the chief constable to consider.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total public expenditure(a) in each of the last available five years and (b) in total over the last five years, in constant prices, on the identification of alternatives to the use of animals for scientific testing. [37519]

  Mr. Sackville
  The research into alternatives to the use of animals in scientific procedures for which the Home Office is responsible is that granted through the Animal Procedures Committee

  (a) In each of the last five years this has amounted to:

  1991–92: £215.000

  1992–93: £253.000

  1993–94: £308,000

  1994–95: £273,000

  1995–96: £253,000

  (b)The total expenditure over the last five years, in constant 1995–96 prices, is £1,365,309.

  Police Numbers
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list for each of the last five years, as at 31 March, for(a) each borough and (b) the Metropolitan police as a whole, (i) the population and (ii) the number of officers per 10,000 population; [38282]
  163
  (2) if he will list for each of the last five years, as at 31 March, for (a) each division, (b)each borough and (c) the Metropolitan police as a whole, the number of police officers. [38281]

  Mr. Maclean
  A borough/divisional breakdown is Hammersmith available only using current strength figures; historical and borough/divisional strength is not recorded. The other information requested is as follows:

  Borough and division

  Current police strength (as at 18 July 1996)

  Population (as at 30 June 1994)

  Number of officers per 10,000 population

  Barking and Dagenham

  304.45

  155,018

  19.6

  Dagenham

  304.45

  Barnet and Hertsmere

  751.81

  308,300

  24.4

  Barnet and Hertsmere

  293.26

  Golders Green

  223.3

  West Hendon

  235.25

  Bexley

  293.05

  220,432

  13.3

  Bexleyheath

  293.05

  Brent

  626.3

  244,467

  26.6

  Wembley

  268.6

  Willesden Green

  357.7

  Bromley

  474.14

  293,019

  16.2

  Bromley and Orpington

  474.14

  Camden

  696.26

  182,448

  38.1

  Hampstead

  208.6

  Holborn

  201.8

  Kentish Town

  285.86

  City of Westminster

  1,702.76

  190,743

  89.3

  Belgravia

  294.06

  Charing Cross

  401.4

  Marylebone

  332.3

  Paddington

  352

  West End

  Central

  323

  Croydon

  614.74

  326,736

  18.8

  Croydon

  288.36

  South

  Norwood

  326.38

  Ealing

  635.52

  289,793

  21.9

  Ealing

  347.03

  Southall

  288.49

  Enfield

  543.88

  259,773

  20.9

  Edmonton

  261.78

  Enfield

  282.1

  Greenwich

  623.45

  212,332

  29.4

  Greenwich

  296.5

  Plumstead

  326.95

  Hackney

  667.14

  192,492

  34.7

  Stoke

  Newington

  346.34

  Shoreditch and Hackney

  320.8

  164

  Borough and division

  Current police strength (as at 18 July 1996)

  Population (as at 30 June 1994)

  Number of officers per 10,000 population

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  535.18

  156,597

  34.2

  Fulham

  206.73

  Hammersmith

  328.45

  Haringey

  528.1

  212,332

  24.9

  Hornsey

  267.4

  Tottenham

  260.7

  Harrow

  292.6

  210,308

  13.9

  Harrow

  292.6

  Havering

  366.65

  231,706

  15.8

  Havering

  366.65

  Hillingdon

  428.6

  243,387

  17.6

  Hillingdon

  428.6

  Hounslow

  861.89

  202,790

  42.5

  Chiswick

  202.2

  Hounslow

  272.7

  Heathrow

  Airport

  386.99

  Islington

  546

  175,203

  31.2

  Holloway

  259.9

  Islington

  286.1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  635.1

  150,237

  42.3

  Brompton

  384.7

  Notting Hill

  250.4

  Kingston upon Thames

  384.44

  138,522

  27.8

  Kingston

  384.44

  Lambeth

  974.75

  260,763

  37.4

  Brixton

  323.7

  Streatham

  277.71

  Vauxhall

  373.34

  Lewisham

  625

  242,472

  25.8

  Catford

  289.4

  Lewisham

  335.6

  Merton

  320.05

  177,259

  18.1

  Wimbledon

  320.05

  Newham

  633.88

  226,850

  27.9

  Forest Gate

  323.48

  Plaistow

  310.4

  Redbridge

  545.5

  225,102

  24.2

  Ilford

  249.6

  Barkingside

  295.9

  Richmond upon Thames

  306.65

  172,035

  17.8

  Twickenham

  306.65

  Southwark

  1,020.36

  228,767

  44.6

  Peckham

  374.38

  Southwark

  373.88

  Walworth

  272.1

  Sutton

  418.43

  173,376

  24.1

  Epsom and Sutton

  418.43

  165

  Borough and division

  Current police strength (as at 18 July 1996)

  Population (as at 30 June 1994)

  Number of officers per 10,000 population

  Tower Hamlets

  607.4

  170,549

  35.6

  Limehouse

  268

  Bethnal Green

  339.4

  Waltham Forest

  472

  221,790

  21.2

  Chingford

  239.1

  Leyton

  232.9

  Wandsworth

  659.28

  266,721

  24.7

  Battersea

  302.9

  Wandsworth

  356.38

  Year

  Number of police officers (Metropolitan Police as a whole) as at 31 March

  Population as at 30 June

  Number of officers per 10,000 population

  1992

  28,154

  7,387,272

  38.1

  1993

  27,867

  7,419,854

  37.6

  1994

  27,699

  7,456,173

  37.1

  1995

  27,480

  7,456,173

  36.9

  1996

  27,342

  7,456,173

  36.7

  The Surrey element of the population for divisions that straddle London boroughs and Surrey cannot be differentiated and is not included in the population figures.

  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of police officers per 10,000 population in(a) inner London, (b) outer London and (c) surrounding counties. [38284]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number of officers per 10,000 population

  Inner London

  140

  Outer London

  122.6

  Thames Valley

  218.5

  Essex

  219.5

  Herts

  220.5

  Kent

  220.5

  Surrey

  221.5

  1 Metropolitan Police figures as at 18 July using the population count supplied by Office for National Statistics as at June 1994.

  2 HMIC figures for surrounding counties are correct as at March 1996.

  The figures for London exclude officers based at

  Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences of domestic burglary in the Metropolitan police area by quarter from April 1993 to December 1994

  1993

  1994

  April-June

  July-September

  October-December

  January-March

  April-June

  July-September

  October-December

  Prosecutions = 100 per cent.

  1,024

  1,048

  1,039

  1,024

  1,019

  1,017

  991

  Convictions

  Number

  619

  674

  656

  616

  615

  681

  607

  Per cent.

  60

  64

  63

  60

  60

  67

  61

  The majority of cases held in the earlier part of the period will involve offences committed prior to the instigation of Operation Bumblebee across the Metropolitan police area in June 1993.

  166
  headquarters departments on area and in portfolio units; and in holding branch. The figures for outer London include divisions which cover parts of the Metropolitan police district outside the London boroughs; and exclude Spelthorne division, which falls wholly within Surrey.

  Metropolitan Police Budgets
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the 221,790 21.2 Home Department on what basis budgets within the Metropolitan police are allocated to divisions. [38283]

  Mr. Maclean
  The allocation of budgets to individual divisions within the Metropolitan police is a matter for the commissioner and his senior colleagues. I understand that the process is supported by a resource allocation formula which seeks to direct resources in line with objective measures of need and in line with the five core territorial policing functions—traffic, crime, response, partnership and the Queen's peace—undertaken by the Metropolitan police. Headquarters' branches and corporate projects are not funded under the resource allocation formula but receive funding separately through "top slicing".

  Theft Act
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will propose amendments to the Theft Act 1968 to reverse the decision in Regina v. Preddy to the effect that a transfer of funds between bank accounts is not a transfer of property. [38221]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government are committed to introducing legislation to combat loan fraud, as proposed by the Law Commission in its report, "Conspiracy to Defraud" (Law Comm 228), at the earliest possible opportunity.

  Operation Bumblebee
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for each quarter since Operation Bumblebee was first launched the number of(a) people arrested, (b) those arrested who were charged, (c) those charged who were prosecuted and (d) those prosecuted who were found guilty from a (i) guilty plea and (ii) not-guilty plea. [38290]

  Mr. Maclean
  Detailed information on arrest and the number of people charged is not collected centrally and information regarding plea data is not available.

  The table shows the number and percentage of defendants prosecuted and convicted of offences of domestic burglary in the Metropolitan police area from June 1993 to December 1994—latest available.
  167

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the annual report of the board of visitors for the year ended 31 December 1995, what plans he has to replace the integral bars in the living accommodation of HM prison Buckley Hall to prevent self-harm by prisoners. [38349]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about plans to replace the integral bars in the living accommodation at Buckley Hall prison to prevent self-harm by prisoners.
  There are no plans to replace the integral bars in the living accommodation at Buckley Hall prison.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are currently available to deal with persistent young offenders; and if he will make a statement. [38681]

  Mr. Maclean
  The courts have a wide range of powers to deal with persistent young offenders aged 10 to 17 years. These can include community sentences as well as powers to involve parents of offenders. More particularly, courts may impose long terms of detention on 10 to 17-year-olds, up to an adult maximum, for grave offences. courts may also impose sentences of detention in a young offender institution for up to two years for any other imprisonable offence if the young person is at least 15 years old. The Government will also be introducing a new secure training order which will provide a vigorous regime based on care, discipline and education for persistent young offenders aged 12 to 14 years.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young offenders(a)reoffended and (b)reoffended with a more serious offence in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [38682]

  Miss Widdecombe
  With respect to(a) the recent information on reoffending of young offenders relates to a sample of young offenders discharged from prison in 1992. Within two years of discharge, 72 per cent. of the males and 51 per cent. of the females had been reconvicted for a standard list offence.

  With respect to (b)there is no standard classification of offences, according to their seriousness. Information has, however, been published that relates the type of offence for which offenders were originally convicted with the offence at first reconviction. Table 10.8 in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales 1994" (Cm 3087) contains information on the percentage of first reconvictions in various offence type categories for male young offenders. A copy of this publication has been placed in the Library.
  168

  Alcohol Prohibition Orders
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many local authority areas orders prohibiting the public consumption of alcohol in specified places have been made, in each of the last five years; [38947]

  (2) what representations he has received from (a) the Police Federation, (b)the Association of Chief Police Officers and (c) local authority associations regarding the effectiveness of measures to prohibit the public consumption of alcohol in specified areas; and if he will make a statement. [38946]

  Mr. Sackville
  Annual figures are not available, but since its introduction in 1990 33 local authorities have adopted the byelaw which prohibits the consumption of alcohol in designated places.

  No representations have been received about its effectiveness.

  Mr. Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted under byelaws prohibiting the public consumption of alcohol in specified places in each of the last four years in England. [38945]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested cannot be identified separately from other summary offences.

  Mohammed Riaz
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a decision is to be taken on the transfer of Mohammed Riaz currently detained in Her Majesty's prison Frankland to a category B prison; and if he will make a statement. [38957]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about when Mohammed Riaz, who is imprisoned at Frankland prison, will be transferred to a category B prison.
  Mr. Riaz is serving life imprisonment having been convicted of murder and false imprisonment in 1984. Since 1990, he has been considered a category B prisoner and, like most prisoners of his categorisation at this stage of a life sentence, he is held at a dispersal prison which holds both category A and category B prisoners.
  In line with normal arrangements for the regular assessment of life sentenced prisoners, Mr. Riaz's allocation will be considered further in August. I cannot at this stage say whether or when he will be considered as suitable for transfer to a category B prison.

  Betting and Gaming (Deregulation)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated annual saving to private business and to public funds for the Deregulation (Gaming Machines and Betting Office Facilities) Order.[39155]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The industry estimates that the new all cash amusement with prizes machines, and jackpot machines in casinos, will generate £9 million to
  169
  £14 million additional profits and at least £2 million in taxes. Estimates are not available of the effect of the other provisions.

  Drugs
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Government propose in respect of the import of(a) khat, (b) gammahydroxybutyrate and (c) "cake" to the United Kingdom. [38968]

  Mr. Sackville
  Neither the khat plant nor the substances gammahydroxybutyrate—GHB—or "cake", which we understand refers to 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-benzylamphetamine, are controlled under the international United Nations drug conventions or under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs considered the misuse of khat in 1988 and advised that there was no evidence of a social problem arising from its misuse in the United Kingdom such as to justify bringing the plant under the controls of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. We have no current plan to bring khat under legislative controls but will continue to monitor the position.

  The misuse of GHB is to be review by the advisory council at its next meeting in November.

  We are not aware of any reports of misuse in the United Kingdom of the substance known as "cake" but the advisory council nevertheless has under review the question whether this and a number of similar substances should be brought within the scope of the 1971 Act.

  Detention at Her Majesty's Pleasure
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedural changes will be made following the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights of 21 February in Singh and Hussain concerning the release of prisoners sentenced to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure. [39718]

  Mr. Howard
  Prisoners detained during Her Majesty's pleasure who have served a period adequate to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence, have their cases reviewed periodically by the Parole Board. At present, responsibility for their release rests with the Secretary of State. This responsibility cannot be conferred on the Parole Board or any other body without primary legislation.

  As an interim measure, I have decided to change the administrative arrangements for the review and release of such prisoners. These administrative arrangements will apply to all such prisoners whose next Parole Board review begins on or after 1 August 1996. The changes will mean that these prisoners may have legal representation and an oral hearing before the Parole Board. They will also then be able to examine and cross examine witnesses. They will normally receive full disclosure of all material relevant to the question of whether they should be released.
  170
  If, at that review, the Parole Board favours the release of a prisoner, I will normally accept such a recommendation. My consideration of all such cases remains subject to consultation with the judiciary, as required by section 35(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  The Singh and Hussain judgments affect only the process by which the decision is made on whether to release prisoners sentenced to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure. They do not relate to the period of detention which such prisoners must serve to satisfy the requirements of retribution and deterrence, or Parole Board reviews which take place before the end of that period.

  There will be no change to the dates set for Parole Board reviews of prisoners who have served that period, other than in the very small number of cases where I rejected the board's recommendation for release at the last review. Such cases will, exceptionally, be referred back to the Parole Board for early consideration under the new arrangements.

  Hong Kong
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Governor of Hong Kong has submitted a further report on the discharge of his functions under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990. [39720]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The Governor of Hong Kong submitted his fifth report to my right hon. and learned Friend on 3 July. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Extra-territorial Jurisdiction
  Mr. Alison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the outcome of the review of policy on extra-territorial jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement. [39721]

  Mr. Howard
  I am today publishing the report of the review which I set up with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. A copy has been placed in the Library. The review advised against any general extension of extra-territorial jurisdiction because of the implications which so substantial an extension of jurisdiction would have for the procedures and rules of evidence of the United Kingdom courts. It recommended, however, in favour of the adoption of a set of policy guidelines, against which proposals for taking extra-territorial jurisdiction over individual offences committed abroad by British citizens and residents should be judged. These are:where the offence is serious (this might he defined, in respect of existing offences, by reference to the length of sentence currently available);
  where, by virtue of the nature of the offence, the witnesses and evidence necessary for the prosecution are likely to be available in the United Kingdom territory, even though the offence was committed outside the jurisdiction;
  where there is international consensus that certain conduct is reprehensible and that concerted action is needed involving the taking of extra-territorial jurisdiction;

  171
  where the vulnerability of the victim makes it particularly important to be able to tackle instances of the offence;
  where it appears to be in the interest of the standing and reputation of the United Kingdom in the international community;
  where there is a danger that offences would otherwise not be justifiable.

  Meeting any of the guidelines would not mean automatically that jurisdiction would be taken, but it would be established a prima facie case for considering the issue further.

  The review also recommended in favour of the assumption of jurisdiction over acts of conspiracy and incitement committed in this country in respect of offences abroad. I and my colleagues have accepted both of these recommendations.

  The review further advised that sexual offences committed against children abroad satisfied a number of the criteria in the guidelines and, in the light of that, we have decided that we should take extra-territorial jurisdiction over such offences.

  Legislation to give effect to the proposals for conspiracy and incitement and child sex tourism will be brought forward at the earliest possible opportunity.

  Summary of firearms and other weapons and ammunition surrendered to the police aduring the firearms amnesty June 1996 by police force area

  Number of items surrendered

  England and Wales

  Total firearms

  Police force area

  Rifles

  Smooth-bore guns

  Hand guns

  Other firearms

  All firearms

  Total other weapons

  Total rounds of ammunition

  Avon and Somerset

  30

  354

  207

  287

  878

  41

  16,410

  Bedfordshire

  12

  86

  21

  54

  173

  15

  5,200

  Cambridgeshire

  21

  149

  47

  91

  308

  7

  8,066

  Cheshire

  37

  137

  69

  133

  376

  19

  11,969

  Cleveland

  5

  53

  27

  113

  198

  0

  4,043

  Cumbria

  29

  144

  80

  112

  365

  13

  7,243

  Derbyshire

  35

  87

  81

  134

  337

  20

  10,730

  Devon and Cornwall

  125

  450

  239

  296

  1,110

  71

  10,733

  Dorset

  53

  193

  110

  165

  521

  55

  24,321

  Durham

  18

  108

  61

  118

  305

  2

  4,774

  Essex

  68

  361

  123

  241

  793

  223

  15,994

  Gloucestershire

  30

  110

  23

  147

  310

  4

  5,200

  Greater Manchester

  21

  86

  97

  216

  420

  5

  17,981

  Hampshire

  71

  293

  0

  352

  716

  227

  27,500

  Hertfordshire

  13

  57

  37

  54

  161

  4

  5,366

  Humberside

  20

  109

  81

  49

  259

  198

  11,021

  Kent

  50

  215

  133

  190

  588

  63

  14,909

  Lancashire

  26

  185

  88

  205

  504

  36

  37,938

  Leicestershire

  26

  149

  67

  162

  404

  43

  11,490

  Lincolnshire

  44

  266

  57

  99

  466

  6

  13,909

  London, City of

  0

  1

  0

  5

  6

  0

  1,569

  Merseyside

  16

  39

  70

  120

  245

  36

  5,948

  Metropolitan Police

  70

  206

  283

  497

  1,056

  11

  34,895

  Norfolk

  20

  289

  79

  217

  605

  5

  15,155

  Northamptonshire

  16

  86

  58

  62

  222

  5

  2,411

  Northumbria

  44

  101

  109

  174

  428

  5

  16,499

  North Yorkshire

  26

  130

  68

  87

  311

  17

  9,259

  Nottinghamshire

  11

  200

  84

  217

  512

  18

  10,338

  South Yorkshire

  17

  81

  139

  115

  352

  180

  9,860

  Staffordshire

  24

  155

  71

  173

  423

  59

  20,635

  Suffolk

  57

  324

  107

  162

  650

  79

  16,468

  Surrey

  32

  111

  94

  131

  368

  91

  12,960

  Sussex

  73

  282

  208

  310

  873

  116

  35,002

  Thames Valley

  102

  316

  211

  235

  864

  53

  20,917

  Warwickshire

  15

  80

  48

  69

  212

  5

  9.666

  West Mercia

  29

  244

  85

  168

  526

  24

  14,047

  172

  Metropolitan Police (Information Technology)
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary on information technology provision in the Metropolitan police. [39719]

  Mr. Maclean
  Yes. I have today placed in the Library a note of the recommendations from the report, together with the commissioner's response and the police authority responses, which take into account the advice my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received from the Metropolitan Police Committee.

  Firearms Amnesty
  Mr. Ashby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many weapons were surrendered to police during the national firearms amnesty which ran from 3 to 30 June; and if he will make a statement. [39722]

  Mr. Howard
  During the course of the recent amnesty, nearly 23,000 firearms, 700,000 rounds of ammunition and 3,000 other weapons were surrendered to police forces in Great Britain, I am very pleased with the response. Every one of the thousands of weapons which have been handed in no longer poses a threat to the community. The following table gives a detailed summary of the types of firearm surrendered to each force:
  173

  Summary of firearms and other weapons and ammunition surrendered to the police aduring the firearms amnesty June 1996 by police force area

  Number of items surrendered

  England and Wales

  Total firearms

  Police force area

  Rifles

  Smooth-bore guns

  Hand guns

  Other firearms

  All firearms

  Total other weapons

  Total rounds of ammunition

  West Midlands

  39

  129

  126

  303

  597

  55

  19,306

  West Yorkshire

  24

  97

  83

  145

  349

  519

  6,938

  Wiltshire

  55

  221

  61

  108

  445

  17

  15,180

  Total England

  1,404

  6,684

  3,632

  6,516

  18,236

  2,347

  541,850

  Dyfed Powys

  43

  292

  117

  41

  493

  4

  25,047

  Gwent

  17

  40

  22

  31

  110

  1

  1,366

  North Wales

  21

  148

  65

  98

  332

  0

  15,464

  South Wales

  20

  141

  74

  105

  340

  44

  7,309

  Total Wales

  101

  621

  278

  275

  1,275

  49

  49,186

  Total England and Wales

  1,505

  7,305

  3,910

  6,791

  19,511

  2,396

  591,036

  Central Scotland

  24

  83

  30

  78

  215

  33

  3,035

  Dumfries and Galloway

  40

  144

  26

  75

  285

  32

  4,983

  Fife

  20

  126

  30

  131

  307

  98

  12,900

  Grampian

  40

  298

  76

  133

  547

  116

  13,120

  Lothian and Borders

  50

  141

  64

  242

  497

  29

  14,455

  Northern

  70

  172

  51

  75

  368

  26

  18,504

  Strathclyde

  78

  284

  195

  379

  936

  45

  30,805

  Tayside

  32

  96

  60

  85

  273

  87

  6,359

  Total Scotland

  354

  1,344

  532

  1,198

  3,428

  466

  104,161

  Total Great Britain

  1,859

  8,649

  4,442

  7,989

  22,939

  2,862

  695,197

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy in relation to recommendations made by adjudicators in dismissed or withdrawn immigration appeals. [39723]

  Mr. Howard
  There is no statutory power enabling an adjudicator to make a recommendation in an appeal which is dismissed or withdrawn, and I am not bound to accept such recommendations.

  It has hitherto been the practice to comply with adjudicators' recommendations, unless to do so would be unreasonable or inconsistent or would undermine general policy.

  I have reviewed this policy in the light of evidence that some applicants are lodging appeals which cannot succeed on their merits because of statutory limitations, but in which the appeal hearing is being used as a means of persuading an adjudicator to make a recommendation. Henceforth, I will act on adjudicators' recommendations in dismissed or withdrawn appeals only where the written determination discloses clear exceptional compassionate circumstances which have not been previously considered and which would merit the exercise of my discretion outside the immigration rules.

  Doli Incapax
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received over the use of doli incapax as a defence for juveniles between the age of 10 and 14 years; and if he will make a statement. [38101]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]Since 16 March 1995, when the House of Lords re-instated the common law presumption that a child between the ages of 10 and 14 is doli incapax, eight representations have 174
  been received: two letters from groups with an interest in criminal justice issues, three letters from individuals, and three letters from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents.

  Metropolitan Police (Custody)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of people held, and for what period, in Metropolitan police stations in 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [38106]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that a total of 392,402 persons were held in custody in Metropolitan police stations between April 1995 and March 1996. The period of time for which each detainee was held is not recorded centrally.

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were stopped and searched by the police in each district of the Metropolitan police, for each quarter, for 1994–95 and 1995–96; and if he will provide an ethnic breakdown of those stopped and searched. [38866]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were stopped and searched by the police in each police authority for each quarter, in 1994–95 and 1995–96; and if he will provide an ethnic breakdown of those stopped and searched. [38865]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]The following tables give information on searches of persons or vehicles under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and other legislation. Statistics for the
  175
  first quarter of 1996 are not yet available. For the only information which is available on the ethnic breakdown of those stopped and searched in 1994–95, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Stockton, South (Mr. Devlin) on 29 March at columns 792–93.

  Searches of persons or vehicles under pace and other legislation1 for financial year 1994–95

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  Quarter 1

  Police force area

  1994

  1994

  1994

  1995

  Total

  Avon and Somerset

  1,324

  1,357

  1,637

  1,746

  6,064

  Bedfordshire

  474

  435

  679

  415

  2,003

  Cambridgeshire

  897

  580

  575

  589

  2,641

  Cheshire

  231

  363

  196

  293

  1,083

  Cleveland

  695

  639

  1,290

  2,879

  5,503

  Cumbria

  1,708

  1,937

  2,355

  2,340

  8,340

  Derbyshire

  1,615

  1,730

  2,153

  2,539

  8,037

  Devon and Cornwall

  374

  396

  354

  247

  1,371

  Dorset

  489

  760

  614

  790

  2,653

  Durham

  879

  734

  780

  1,082

  3,475

  Essex

  1,283

  1,196

  1,279

  1,156

  4,914

  Gloucestershire

  807

  929

  1,039

  1,419

  4,194

  Greater Manchester

  11,191

  9,996

  10,232

  13,103

  44,522

  Hampshire

  614

  617

  890

  1,059

  3,180

  Hertfordshire

  1,411

  1,218

  1,253

  1,259

  5,141

  Humberside

  440

  358

  596

  788

  2,182

  Kent

  1,143

  710

  828

  890

  3,571

  Lancashire

  2,358

  2,095

  2,306

  2,561

  9,320

  Leicestershire

  3,768

  4,739

  4,971

  4,460

  17,938

  Lincolnshire

  531

  498

  481

  590

  2,100

  London. City of

  746

  775

  977

  1,096

  3,594

  Merseyside

  4,029

  3,544

  3,750

  3,522

  14,845

  Metropolitan Police

  72,378

  75,418

  77,634

  84,199

  309,629

  Norfolk

  1,689

  1,893

  2,218

  2,056

  7,856

  Northamptonshire

  846

  929

  1,349

  1,116

  4,240

  Northumbria

  3,223

  3,740

  5,504

  8,677

  21,144

  North Yorkshire

  745

  582

  736

  688

  2,751

  Nottinghamshire

  519

  594

  591

  747

  2,451

  South Yorkshire

  1,845

  1,580

  2,035

  1,990

  7,450

  Staffordshire

  504

  573

  635

  790

  2,502

  Suffolk

  908

  1,063

  893

  929

  3,793

  Surrey

  4,066

  3,869

  4,068

  3,405

  15,408

  Sussex

  1,342

  1,589

  1,685

  1,544

  6,160

  Thames Valley

  1,578

  1,541

  1,763

  2,656

  7,538

  Warwickshire

  1,401

  1,293

  1,360

  1,352

  5,406

  West Mercia

  2,183

  2,107

  2,690

  2,891

  9,871

  West Midlands

  1,668

  1,943

  2,118

  1,918

  7,647

  West Yorkshire

  1,015

  1,011

  1,306

  1,371

  4,703

  Wiltshire

  1,215

  593

  489

  384

  2,681

  Dyfed-Powys

  2,761

  3,846

  3,031

  2,959

  12,597

  Gwent

  759

  803

  1,065

  1,144

  3,771

  North Wales

  3,074

  3,435

  3,236

  2,762

  12,507

  South Wales

  1,690

  1,492

  1,430

  1,493

  6,105

  All forces

  142,416

  145,500

  155,071

  169,894

  612,881

  1 But not searches of persons or vehicles under S60 or S81 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  Searches of persons or vehicles under pace and other legislation for financial year 1995–96 (Available quarters)

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  Police Force Area

  1995

  1995

  1995

  Total

  Avon

  1,908

  1,829

  2,092

  5,829

  Bedfordshire

  484

  484

  702

  1,670

  Cambridgeshire

  824

  729

  630

  2,183

  Cheshire

  448

  313

  437

  1,198

  Cleveland

  3,357

  2,969

  3,334

  9,660

  Cumbria

  2,422

  2,231

  2,618

  7,271

  Derbyshire

  3,466

  3,135

  3,506

  10,107

  Devon and Cornwall

  567

  457

  907

  1,931

  Dorest

  673

  639

  666

  1,978

  Durham

  1,059

  706

  836

  2,601

  Essex

  1,517

  1,343

  1,722

  4,582

  176

  Searches of persons or vehicles under pace and other legislation1 for financial year 1995–96 (Available quarters)

  Quarter 2

  Quarter 3

  Quarter 4

  Police Force Area

  1995

  1995

  1995

  Total

  Gloucestershire

  1,309

  1,235

  1,328

  3,872

  Greater Manchester

  12,014

  11,949

  12,168

  36,131

  Hampshire

  1,987

  1,694

  2,314

  5,995

  Hertfordshire

  1,355

  1,286

  1,466

  4,107

  Humberside

  593

  496

  582

  1,671

  Kent

  793

  675

  1,126

  2,594

  Lancashire

  3,005

  2,807

  3,050

  8,862

  Leicestershire

  5,005

  3,693

  4,418

  13,166

  Lincolnshire

  626

  950

  1,506

  3,082

  London, City of

  1,201

  1,298

  1,030

  3,529

  Merseyside

  4,411

  4,729

  5,791

  14,931

  Metropolitan Police

  83,890

  75,075

  76,208

  235,173

  Norfolk

  1,855

  1,522

  2,191

  5,568

  Northamptonshire

  1,234

  1,383

  1,455

  4,072

  Northumbria

  7,856

  7,965

  7,787

  23,608

  North Yorkshire

  802

  909

  1,119

  2,830

  Nottinghamshire

  843

  803

  795

  2,441

  South Yorkshire

  1,738

  1,363

  1,733

  4,834

  Staffordshire

  1,047

  1,224

  1,539

  3,810

  Suffolk

  904

  1,222

  1,026

  3,052

  Surrey

  4,233

  3,551

  3,501

  11,285

  Sussex

  1,721

  1,761

  2,070

  5,552

  Thames Valley

  2,992

  2,690

  2,756

  8,438

  Warwickshire

  1,336

  1,904

  2,050

  5,290

  West Mercia

  2,685

  2,977

  3,471

  9,133

  West Midlands

  3,505

  3,846

  4,478

  11,829

  West Yorkshire

  1,511

  1,419

  2,515

  5,445

  Wiltshire

  577

  608

  629

  1,814

  Dyfed-Powys

  3,806

  5,571

  3,420

  12,797

  Gwent

  1,255

  1,151

  1,367

  3,773

  North Wales

  2,907

  2,925

  2,823

  8,655

  South Wales

  1,241

  1,167

  1,570

  3,978

  All forces

  177,012

  166,583

  176,732

  520,327

  1 But not searches of person or vehicles under S60 or S81 of the criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  Operation Eagle Eye
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of Operation Eagle Eye. [38867]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: I understand from the commissioner that during 1995–96, £4.8 million was spent on vehicles, technology and training in support of Operation Eagle Eye which is one of the agreed priorities for the Metropolitan police.

  Actual personnel costs for 1995–96 are not available but the commissioner estimates that personnel costs for Operation Eagle Eye for 1996–97 will be £17.1 million.

  Closed Circuit Television (Wales)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many schools in Wales applied for funding under the closed circuit television challenge competition; and what percentage of them were successful. [38879]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: There were 40 bids from Wales which included schools either solely or as an element. Eight of these—20 per cent.—were successful.
  177
  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money his Department contributed towards each of the projects in Wales which were successful in the closed circuit television competition this year; and what percentage this was of the total cost of each project. [38877]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The information is contained in the table.

  Home Office CCTV challenge competition 1996–97 Winners in Wales

  Name of bid

  Amount awarded (£)

  Percentage of total

  Total capital cost of scheme

  Aberystwyth town centre and station

  62,000

  47.7

  130,000

  Bryn Hafren comprehensive school, Barry 1

  26,620

  75

  35,493

  Glan Ely high school, Cardiff1

  25,200

  75

  33,600

  Llanrumney high school, Cardiff1

  27,651

  75

  36,868

  Cardiff high school1

  21,546

  75

  28,728

  Cardigan town centre

  31,500

  48.5

  65,000

  Derwendeg primary school, Caerphilly1

  4,000

  66.7

  6,000

  Llandudno town centre

  130,500

  37.3

  350,000

  Llangefni town centre, Anglesey

  27,000

  49.1

  55,000

  Gurnos housing estate, hospital, shops, school and two business estates, Merthyr Tydfil

  217,500

  61.3

  355,000

  Blaenbaglan primary school, Neath and Port Talbot1

  12,072

  75

  16,096

  Dwr-Y-Felin lower school, Neath and Port Talbot 1

  10,538

  75

  14,051

  Penarth town centre

  59,000

  47.6

  124,000

  Swansea enterprise park

  71,500

  47.67

  150,000

  Total

  726,627

  51,9

  1,399,836

  1 Welsh Office contirbuted funds for these schemes.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he took to inform eligible organisations in Wales of the closed circuit television challenge competition; what intermediaries were used in the information and distribution process; who received the information; what percentage of those receiving the information participated in the challenge competition; and what percentage of them were successful. [38878]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The closed circuit television challenge competition 1996–97 was officially launched at a press conference on 22 November 1995, which received wide coverage. On the same day, copies of the bidding guidance were sent to all chief executives of county councils and district councils; to all chief officers of police and clerks to police authorities; and to all chief probation officers in England and Wales. Copies were also sent to crime prevention
  178
  officers in every police force area, and to everyone who submitted a bid to the previous CCTV challenge competition. Further copies were sent to anyone who requested one and we are aware that others were distributed by local copying. No complete list of recipients were kept. There were a total of 64 bids from Wales; 8.1 per cent. of the total number of bids received. Fourteen of these were successful 5.4 per cent. of all successful bids.

  Street Robbery
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the arrest and conviction rates for street robbery for each quarter from 1994 to June 1996 for the Metropolitan police area. [38868]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The available information on arrests has been supplied by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and is given in the following table. Information on conviction rates for street robberies is not available.

  Arrests for street robbery in the Metropolitan police district

  Year

  Number of arrests

  1994

  Quarter 1

  583

  Quarter 2

  591

  Quarter 3

  683

  Quarter 4

  753

  1995

  Quarter 1

  784

  Quarter 2

  1,214

  Quarter 3

  1,274

  Quarter 4

  1,260

  1996

  Quarter 1

  1,109

  Quarter 2

  1,138

  Recidivism
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the most recently available numbers of prisoners reconvicted within(a) two years, (b) four years and (c) five years of discharge from each (i) adult female local prison, (ii) adult female open prison, (iii) female closed training prison and (iv) female open and closed young offender institution; [38752]

  (2) if he will list the most recently available number of prisoners reconvicted within (a)two years, (b)four years and (c) five years of discharge from each (i) local prison, (ii) open prison, (iii) dispersal prison, (iv) category B prison and (v) young offender institution. [38745]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  179
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about reconvicted prisoners.
  I attach tables in reply to points (a) of each of these Questions. Information in reply to points (b) and (c) is not available at this time. I will write to you again giving you the information in the near future.
  With reference to (a), the most recent available information relates to a sample of prisoners discharged from prison during 1992. The information available is as follows:

  Table 1: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Local prison regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Bedford

  41 (17)

  51

  Belmarsh

  43(8)

  325

  Birmingham

  54 (10)

  183

  Bristol

  59 (13)

  112

  Brixton

  34(11)

  149

  Bullingdon/Oxford

  31 13)

  98

  Cardiff

  62(11)

  123

  Chelmsford

  37 (13)

  65

  Durham

  49(9)

  199

  Elmley

  61 (17)

  61

  Exeter

  47 (10)

  133

  Holloway*

  37(6)

  289

  Hull

  45(11)

  112

  Leeds

  63(8)

  209

  Leicester

  53 (12)

  109

  Lewes

  63 (12)

  92

  Lincoln

  45(10)

  125

  Liverpool

  57(7)

  299

  Newhall*

  49(11)

  85

  Norwich

  41 (12)

  116

  Pentonville

  45(7)

  414

  Preston

  56 (12)

  106

  Pucklechurch*

  51 (11)

  83

  Shrewsbury

  65 (14)

  66

  Swansea

  57 (15)

  71

  Wandsworth

  40(6)

  590

  Winchester

  54(11)

  123

  Wormwood Scrubs

  49(7)

  380

  Total

  49(2)

  5,100

  1 The range for chance variation is based on a 95 per cent, confidence interval, ie. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Table 2: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Open prison regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Askham Grange*

  28(7)

  149

  Drake Hall*

  30 (5)

  410

  East Sutton*

  32(8)

  137

  Ford

  20(6)

  354

  180

  Table 2: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Open prison regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the stimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Grendon/Spring Hill

  27(11)

  132

  Hewell Grange

  28(13)

  92

  High Point

  38(18)

  53

  Kirkham

  37(7)

  376

  Leyhill

  25(9)

  172

  Morton Hall

  41 (12)

  109

  North Sea Camp

  31 (9)

  132

  Rudgate

  29(8)

  188

  Standford Hill

  29(8)

  252

  Sudbury

  35(7)

  353

  Total

  31 (2)

  2,927

  1 The range of chance variation is based on a 95 per cent, confidence interval, i.e. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Table 3: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Closed Cat B regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figure in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Dartmoor

  56 (12)

  108

  Garth

  60(13)

  64

  Maidstone

  35(11)

  62

  Total

  46 (5)

  506

  1 The range for chance variation is based on a 95 per cent, confidence interval, i.e. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Table 4: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Closed Cat C regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Acklington

  51(8)

  264

  Aldington

  34(15)

  69

  Ashwell

  37(11)

  158

  Brockhill

  42 (12)

  115

  Bulwood Hall*

  43(11)

  80

  Camp Hill

  52(8)

  218

  Channings Wood

  43(9)

  185

  Downview

  23 (13)

  69

  Erlestoke

  31 (15)

  85

  Everthorpe

  70(11)

  71

  Featherstone

  40(1)

  165

  Haverigg

  64(8)

  186

  High Point

  43(6)

  394

  Lancaster

  56 (14)

  86

  Latchmere House

  25 (13)

  71

  Lindholme

  51 (7)

  368

  Littlehey

  35(11)

  114

  181

  Table 4: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Closed Cat C regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  The Mount

  29(9)

  147

  Northeye

  43 (12)

  136

  Norwich

  47 (15)

  76

  Ranby

  54(8)

  254

  Risley

  24(9)

  106

  Rochester

  43 (14)

  57

  Send

  38(15)

  59

  Shepton Mallet

  48 (13)

  91

  Stafford

  55(6)

  422

  Stocken

  39 (12)

  115

  Styal*

  54(9)

  136

  The Verne

  36(9)

  194

  Wayland

  22(11)

  92

  Wellingborough

  39 (13)

  83

  Whatton

  14(6)

  96

  Wymott

  59(6)

  442

  Total

  47(2)

  5,456

  1 This range for chance variation is based on a 95 per cent. confidence interval, i.e. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Table 5: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from closed Y0I regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Castington

  67 (10)

  82

  Deerbolt

  82(4)

  461

  Dover

  63(7)

  209

  Feltham

  60(7)

  227

  Glen Parva

  72(5)

  358

  Hollesley Bay

  66(9)

  127

  Huntercombe/Finnamore

  63(7)

  220

  Moorland

  81 (10)

  77

  Northallerton

  72(8)

  138

  Onley

  73 (6)

  298

  Portland

  76(6)

  225

  Stoke Heath

  78(7)

  170

  Total

  71 (2)

  2,782

  1 This range for chance variation is based on a 95 per cent, confidence interval, ie. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Table 6: Reconviction rates within two.years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Open YOI regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to change 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Drake Hall*

  50(13)

  60

  Guys Marsh

  74(9)

  107

  Hatfield

  62(8)

  148

  Huntercombe/Finnamore

  53 (10)

  101

  182

  Table 6: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Open YOI regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to change 1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Thorn Cross

  67(7)

  187

  Usk/Precoed

  67(11)

  70

  Total

  64(4)

  727

  1 This range for chance variation is based on a 95 per cent, confidence interval, i.e. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Table 7: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from short sentence YOI regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary accordingly to chance.1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Eastwood Park

  76(6)

  211

  Hollesley Bay

  66(8)

  163

  Werrington

  66(11)

  78

  Wetherby

  72(5)

  340

  Total

  72 (3)

  792

  1 This range for change variation is based on a 95 per cent, confidence interval, i.e. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Table 8: Reconviction rates within two years of discharge in 1992 for prisoners discharged from Juvenile YOI regimes. Female establishments are asterisked. Figures in brackets give the range above and below the estimate that rates are likely to vary according to chance1

  Establishment

  Two year percentage reconvicted

  Number sampled

  Feltham

  82(5)

  186

  Kirklevington

  96(4)

  118

  Onley

  89(4)

  271

  Werrington

  90(4)

  261

  Total

  89(2)

  836

  1 This range for chance variation is based on a 95 per cent, confidence interval, i.e. the interval in which the true value is likely to lie for 19 out of 20 occasions. Figures are not given where there are fewer than 50 prisoners in the sample for an establishment.

  Victim Support Groups
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the victim support groups in Wales that his Department supports financially; what level of support was given in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and what is the estimated support for each group in 1996–97; [38640]

  (2) how many victim support groups in Wales have paid members on their staff; [38641]
  183
  (3) what percentage increase there has been on the number of victims referred to each victim support group in Wales; and what was the percentage increase compared with the increase in funding for these groups during the last three years. [38642]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The Home Office local funding grant is channelled though the Victim Support national office and is allocated to local schemes and branches by the local funding panel, a sub-committee of the national council. Applications from local schemes are considered in accordance with criteria

  Victim support schemes in Wales

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Scheme

  Grant

  Referrals

  Grant

  Percentage increase

  Referrals

  Percentage increase

  Grant

  Percentage increase

  Referrals

  Percentage increase

  Estimated grant

  North Wales

  32,430

  573

  32,754

  1.0

  4,526

  689.9

  40,634

  24.1

  —

  —

  27,509

  Dyfed and Powys

  Cardigan and Carmarthen

  16,906

  2,669

  —

  —

  2,520

  -5.6

  17,246

  —

  1,868

  -25.9

  17,677

  Llanelli/Ammanford

  27,335

  —

  27,581

  0.9

  2,770

  —

  27,857

  1.0

  2,250

  -18.8

  27,857

  Pembrokeshire

  16,221

  2,338

  16,356

  0.8

  2,153

  -7.9

  16,520

  1.0

  1,776

  -17.5

  16,520

  Brecon

  16,906

  1,459

  —

  —

  1,332

  -8.7

  17,246

  —

  1,158

  -13.1

  17,677

  Montgomeryshire

  16,906

  1,800

  17,075

  1.0

  1,584

  -12.0

  17,246

  1.0

  1,379

  -12.9

  17,677

  Radnorshire

  15,378

  1,070

  17,054

  10.9

  936

  -12.5

  17,246

  1.1

  708

  -24.4

  17,677

  Ystradgynlais

  16,906

  899

  17,075

  1.0

  802

  -10.8

  17,246

  1.0

  677

  -15.6

  17,677

  Gwent

  61,717

  —

  62,334

  1.0

  —

  —

  62,958

  1.0

  —

  —

  64,532

  South Wales

  Bridgend

  24,420

  2,822

  24,638

  0.9

  4,502

  59.5

  31,364

  27.3

  4,537

  0.8

  32,148

  Caerphilly and District

  22,531

  1,646

  22,705

  0.8

  197

  -88.0

  22,932

  1.0

  1,173

  495.4

  23,505

  Cynon Valley

  7,872

  1,653

  15,880

  101.7

  2,732

  65.3

  16,039

  1.0

  2,294

  -16.0

  16,440

  Merthyr Tydfil

  22,602

  2,285

  22,802

  0.9

  792

  -65.3

  23,007

  0.9

  2,825

  256.7

  23,582

  Rhondda

  —

  1,305

  —

  —

  726

  -44.4

  —

  —

  1,708

  135.3

  —

  Taff Ely

  26,336

  2,717

  26,472

  0.5

  1,001

  -63.2

  26,736

  1.0

  2,041

  103.9

  30,644

  Upper Rhymney Valley

  14,008

  2,218

  14,148

  1.0

  150

  -93.2

  14,238

  0.6

  1,335

  790.0

  14,594

  Barry and Vale of Glamorgan

  20,904

  2,068

  22,815

  9.1

  531

  -74.3

  23,225

  1.8

  2,745

  416.9

  23,806

  Cardiff Greater

  —

  1,090

  4,000

  —

  485

  -55.5

  4,000

  0.0

  1,396

  187.8

  —

  Central Cardiff

  4,000

  1,422

  4,000

  0.0

  542

  -61.9

  4,000

  0.0

  1,050

  93.7

  4,000

  South Glamorgan

  4,000

  283

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Neath and District

  23,488

  4,602

  21,016

  -10.5

  291

  -93.7

  21,226

  1.0

  1,082

  271.8

  26,240

  Port Talbot

  16,906

  4,804

  17,075

  1.0

  302

  -93.7

  17,246

  1.0

  1,413

  367.8

  17,677

  Swansea and Lliw Valley

  32,210

  1,668

  32,838

  1.9

  1,311

  -21.4

  33,034

  0.6

  2,627

  100.4

  33.860

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what increase there has been in recorded tobacco smuggling-related crime since the inception of the single market. [38818]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  Detections by the excise verification officers employed by Custom to combat smuggling of excise goods within the European Union for the first three years of the single market are shown in the table.

  Calender year

  Number of detections

  Total revenue involved (£ million)

  1993

  813

  1.2

  1994

  2,059

  3.6

  1995

  3,429

  6.9

  184
  agreed with the Home Office, but the allocation of funds to particular schemes and the priorities which guide that funding are matters for Victim Support, not the Home Office.

  The table summarises the available information. It is based on data supplied by Victim Support. Some reorganisation of schemes have occurred in the period, and not all schemes have received Home Office grant throughout it.

  In 1995–96, 19 victim support schemes in Wales had paid members on their staff.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Foreign Aid
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) tenurial, (b) land ownership, (c) land use and (d) land management conditions he has attached to foreign aid packages since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [38192]

  Mr. Hanley
  Where issues of rights and occupancy access to land are important, these are one of several key criteria we take into account when planning and implementing aid projects in both rural and urban areas. The conditions that ODA attaches to such projects vary depending on the nature of the project and the needs of the recipient country.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial assistance has been given to foreign aid projects to assist
  185
  with (a)alterations to rural land use, (b)alterations to rural land ownership patterns and (c)land management projects since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [38190]

  Mr. Hanley
  ODA does not maintain data covering expenditure on land issues in the form requested. It would therefore not be possible to provide a detailed answer without disproportionate cost. However, in the years 1989–90 to 1994–95, ODA support in the general area of land development/reclamation amounted to over £20 million; over £43 million was spent on rural development in the same period. A wide range of developing countries have benefited from such assistance, particularly the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.

  Yemen (Disaster Relief)
  Sir Robert Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects assisted, indicating the financial amounts involved, in respect of United Kingdom disaster relief for Yemen following the recent severe flooding; and if he will make a statement. [38473]

  Mr. Hanley
  The UK responded swiftly and generously to the plight of flood affected populations following the severe flooding in Yemen last month. The UK's response has been as follows:

  Response

  Channel

  Value £

  Relief flight with consignment of tents and plastic sheeting.

  British Red Cross Society

  202,076

  Consignment of drugs.

  British Red Cross Society

  1,271

  Provision of technical expert for disaster assessment and coordination.

  UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs

  50,000

  Recruitment of planning specialists, and monitoring and supervision of field operations.

  Assistance to the Health

  Merlin

  100,000

  Sector Emergency well

  Care

  70,000

  rehabilitation Water tankering operations

  Oxfam

  70,000

  Total

  493,347

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Law of the Sea Convention
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer from the Minister for Small Business, Industry and Energy of 15 July,Official Report, columns 360–61, if he will set out the considerations as a result of which the United Kingdom has not yet ratified the UN law of the sea convention of 1982; and when the United Kingdom ratification is expected to take place. [38862]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  It is the Government's intention that the United Kingdom will accede to the United Nations convention on the law of the sea in due course. In the light of a number of continuing uncertainties in the international situation with regard to fisheries issues, the Government have concluded that now is not an 186
  appropriate time to accede to the convention. The timing of accession remains under review and Parliament will be informed as soon as the Government have taken a decision.

  Bosnia (War Crimes)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions the United Kingdom has taken to secure international funding to support the work of the war crimes tribunal in Bosnia. [38117]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia is funded by assessed and voluntary contributions.

  We encourage all member states to pay their assessed contributions promptly and in full as we do. We have also made voluntary contributions of almost £600,000 to the office of the prosecutor and hope that others follow our example.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the implementation force—IFOR—troops have in seeking out war crimes suspects. [38118]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  IFOR troops will detain and transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia any persons indicted by the tribunal whom they encounter in the performance of their duties if circumstances permit.

  Sudan
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the Government's policy in respect of the political charter concluded in April 1996 between the Government of Sudan and the southern Sudanese factions. [39026]

  Mr. Hanley
  The charter contains positive elements. However, the largest southern Sudanese faction, the Sudan People's Liberation Army—SPLA—is not a party to it. It is not yet clear if the charter is a serious peace initiative.

  We urge all parties to pursue peace through negotiation. It is time for the Sudanese Government and the SPLA each to test the professed readiness of the other for peace. A monitored ceasefire, allowing unconditional delivery of humanitarian aid, would be an excellent start.

  Banana-producing Countries
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has received about and what assessment he has made of the effects of the exclusion of the Caribbean banana-producing states from the disputes panel at the World Trade Organisation. [38995]

  Mr. David Davis
  The European Commission, strongly encouraged by the UK, pressed for full African Caribbean and Pacific participation in the World Trade Organisation panel set up to examine complaints about the EU banana regime. However, the panel ruled on 13 June after the ACP states would be able to attend its first substantive meeting and present their case there. The Government have not yet received any direct representations from
  187
  Caribbean Governments about this. However, the UK will continue to encourage the Commission to ensure that Caribbean interests are adequately defended.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the time allocated to the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states to prepare their case for presentation at the World Trade Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [38996]

  Mr. Davis
  The dispute settlement panel of the World Trade Organisation, established to examine complaints against the EU banana regime, ruled on 13 June that the ACP group of states would have to present their arguments in the WTO banana dispute on 13 August. Panel proceedings in the WTO are required to be completed within set time scales, and the time allocation in this case is no different from other cases. The Government will continue to support the European Commission in defending the interests of the ACP robustly in the WTO.

  Military Training Assistance Scheme
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy, when considering the consolidation of the assessment and monitoring procedures of the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme, to include selection methods, regulation of training methods, content of the training programme and procedures for follow up assessment. [38624]

  Mr. David Davis
  Selection methods and follow up assessments are regularly monitored to ensure that this Department's UKMTAS programme for overseas countries is achieving value for money and overall objectives. Training course content and methodology are the responsibility of the various UK training establishments, which operate to high professional standards.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to replace the present method of assessment of the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme in Guatemala with an assessment and monitoring procedure which is wholly independent. [33623]

  Mr. Davis
  The scheme is already constantly monitored to ensure that value for money and overall foreign policy objectives are being achieved.

  MEPs (Allowances)
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what United Kingdom taxes the general expenditure allowance and the secretarial assistance allowance paid to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament are subject. [38963]

  Mr. David Davis
  The allowances of Members of the European Parliament are not subject to UK taxes.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the rules governing the payment of the international travel allowance to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament for non-official meetings. [39865]
  188
  Mr. Davis
  To claim the travel allowance, Members of the European Parliament must make a declaration that the journey was made in pursuit of their duties and provide supporting documentation in the form of an invitation or programme of the visit. The European Parliament guidelines require Members to produce tickets arid receipts in order to obtain a refund of costs.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level, in pounds sterling, of the allowance paid to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament for international travel not connected with official meetings. [38964]

  Mr. Davis
  A travel allowance of up to 3000 ecu or £2,480 per year is available to MEPs to meet the costs of travel in performance of their duties, for purposes other than official meetings.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level, in pounds sterling, of(a) the general expenditure allowance and (b) the secretarial assistance allowance paid to United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament. [38962]

  Mr. Davis
  The general expenditure allowance is currently, 3,099 ecu or £2,562 per month.

  The secretarial assistance allowance is £8,937 ecu or £7,389 per month.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the administration procedure by which United Kingdom Members of the European Parliament claim payment of(a) the general expenditure allowance and (b) the secretarial assistance allowance. [38966]

  Mr. Davis
  Both allowances are claimed by filling out the appropriate application form available in the European Parliament. The general expenditure allowance is paid as a lump sum and without need to produce justification. The secretarial assistance allowance is only paid on declaration of a contact between a Member of the European Parliament and an assistant. The allowance is paid directly to the assistant.

  European Youth Foundation
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons Her Majesty's Government withdrew funding from the European Youth Foundation under the cultural convention at the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement. [38956]

  Mr. David Davis
  The decision to cease our annual endowment to the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe with effect from 1 January 1997 was made in the context of our determination to take the steps necessary to reduce public expenditure and consequently, the burden on the taxpayer. Participation in the EYF is voluntary. Set against this backdrop, it was not possible to exempt the EYF from this process of financial constraint. We do, however, continue to support young people and European youth activities through our contribution to the general budget of the Council of Europe.
  189

  Overseas Missions (Asylum Requests)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the procedure followed by British missions overseas when foreign nationals of the mission's host country request asylum at the mission. [39033]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 22 July 1996,Official Report, column 40.

  Security and Intelligence Services (Industrial Tribunals)
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Government towards access by staff of the security and intelligence services to industrial tribunals. [39610]

  Mr. Rifkind
  For reasons of national security, staff of the security and intelligence services have been subject to a general ban preventing their access to industrial tribunals. Following advice from the heads of the services, the Home Secretary and I have agreed that there should no longer be a general ban, but that decisions on whether access to industrial tribunals can be allowed should be taken case by case. Staff will be allowed access to an industrial tribunal in those cases where national security considerations can be met by the procedural safeguards available; where they cannot, access will continue to be disallowed.

  This change carries forward the Government's policy of protecting national security, while also protecting to the maximum extent possible the employment rights of the staff of the security and intelligence services on whose diligence, professionalism and commitment the nation depends. It does not affect the restrictions on union membership by staff of the services.

  Gibraltar
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase the use of Gibraltar airport. [38488]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: We would welcome arrangements for the increased use of Gibraltar airport which would benefit Gibraltar and accord with Gibraltar's wishes.

  Entry Clearance Referrals
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to lay before the House the 1995 report by Dame Elizabeth Anson, the independent monitor, of refusal of entry clearance where there is no right of appeal. [39611]

  Mr. Rifkind
  I have arranged for copies of Dame Elizabeth's 1995 report to be placed in the Libraries of the House today. I welcome the report and note Dame Elizabeth's recommendations, which will receive careful consideration.
  190

  Wassenaar Arrangement
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the negotiations to establish the Wassenaar arrangement. [39609]

  Mr. David Davis
  After more than two years of negotiations the Wassenaar arrangement was formally launched at a meeting of the 33 founding participating states on 11 and 12 July 1996 in Vienna.

  The purpose of the arrangement is to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations. Participating states will seek, through their national policies, to ensure that transfers of these items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities which undermine these goals, and are not diverted to support such capabilities.

  The arrangement will complement and reinforce existing control regimes for weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, by focusing on the threats to international and regional peace and security which may arise from transfers of conventional armaments and sensitive dual-use goods and technologies where the risks are judged greatest.

  As part of the arrangement, participating states have agreed new control lists for military and dual-use goods and technologies. These are more focused than earlier lists on those goods and technologies which pose the greatest risk to international and regional peace and security. They are also shorter, thus benefiting British industry. A target date of 1 November 1996 has been set for the implementation of these new control lists.

  Participating states will exchange, on a voluntary basis, information that will enhance transparency, will lead to discussions among all participating states on arms transfers, as well as on sensitive dual-use goods and technologies.

  The Wassenaar arrangement is based on political, not legal commitment. All measures taken will be in accordance with national legislation and policies and implemented at national discretion.

  The arrangement will not be directed against any state or group of states and will not impede bona fide civil transactions. Nor will it interfere with the rights of states to acquire legitimate means with which to defend themselves, as recognised in article 51 of the charter of the United Nations.

  The Government welcome the establishment of the Wassenaar arrangement as a further step towards increased regional and international security. The UK will continue to play a full and active role in developing the arrangement further and in line with British interests.

  A copy of the "Initial Elements", which describe the operating procedures of the Wassenaar arrangement, has been placed in the Library of both Houses.
  191

PRIME MINISTER

  Sheffield City Council
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 16 April,Official Report, column 509, and the letter of 17 April regarding remarks about Sheffield city council, when the hon. Member can expect a full reply. [37119]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member on 16 April,Official Report, column 509.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 July. [37412]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 July. [37414]

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

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if hon. Members may appear before the Intelligence and Security Committee. [38967]

  The Prime Minister
  Yes. It is for the committee to decide whom it invites to give evidence.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the total amount spent so far arising from the Intelligence and Security Committee being established. [38841]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Direct administrative and staff costs—excluding accommodation—were £207,054 from December 1994 to the end of June 1996.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister how many officials work for the Intelligence and Security Committee; and what are their grades. [38842]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Four. One grade 7, one senior executive officer, one higher executive officer (development) and a personal secretary.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  General Practice Professorships
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many general medical practitioners hold chairs of general practice or primary care in United Kingdom universities and medical schools. [38393]

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is not available centrally. 1 understand that there are 23 professors of general practice in post at universities in the UK.
  192

  Sex Industry (Advertisements)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will make it her policy to ban job advertisements associated with the sex industry from appearing in jobcentres; [38859]

  (2) what steps she intends to take to remove sex industry advertisements from publications available in jobcentres. [38860]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. David Hanson, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking if she will make it her policy to ban job advertisements associated with the sex industry appearing in Jobcentres and what steps she intends to take to remove sex industry advertisements from publications available in Jobcentres. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Employment Service (ES) has a responsibility under the Employment and Training Act 1973 to provide a public employment service to both employers and job seekers. We must therefore have strong reasons for refusing any employer access to our services.
  Jobcentres have written guidance which stipulates that they must not accept vacancies which: are illegal; would result in a breach of the law; might put job seekers at risk. It is not our intention to ban vacancies for an entire industry which would necessarily involve a very wide range of jobs. However, we acknowledge that there are certain types of vacancies that it would not be in the best interests of a public employment service to advertise, and our guidance explains this. The guidance also asks Jobcentres to take special care when handling certain types of vacancies, for example, those that offer employment in sauna baths or massage parlours.
  Any complaints Jobcentres receive from job applicants are followed up and where there is evidence that an employer is not genuine, or the vacancy falls into one of the categories described above, the service to that employer may be discontinued.
  The ES aims to provide job seekers with the widest possible access to job vacancies. Jobcentre managers can therefore decide to make available jobs newspapers for publications produced outside the Department, providing they are relevant to the employment, training or educational needs of job seekers. We have to consider the needs of the majority of our job seekers looking for work and not deny them access to vacancies because a publication contains an occasional vacancy which some people may dislike.
  It is not the role of the ES to censor private publications. There are governing bodies specifically for this. Advertisements appearing in newspapers and other publications must comply with the appropriate Codes of Practice, and any individuals having a complaint can ask the Advertising Standards Authority to investigate.
  I hope this is helpful.

  "Jobsearch"
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (I) how many jobcentres and job clubs currently subscribe to "Jobsearch"; [38916]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the quality of advertisements in the magazine "Jobsearch". [38915]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  193
  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. David Hanson, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking what assessment she has made of the quality of advertisements in the magazine Jobsearch, and how many Jobcentres and Jobclubs currently subscribe to Jobsearch. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  It is not the role of the Employment Service to monitor or attempt to influence the quality or content of privately produced publications. There are governing bodies specifically for this. Advertisements in newspapers or other publications must comply with the appropriate Codes of Practice, and any individual having a complaint can ask the Advertising Standards Authority to investigate.
  There are no central subscription arrangements for the Jobsearch magazine, nor do we keep centrally records of Jobcentres or Jobclubs which subscribe. To obtain this information would require disproportionate costs so I am sorry I am unable to provide it.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will monitor the impact of the introduction of employer contributions under the access to work scheme; and when she plans to make a statement on the impact. [37638]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Alfred Morris, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about monitoring the new cost sharing arrangements in the Access to Work programme. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Access to Work is operated by the Employment Service. The budget is cash limited and the new arrangements introducing cost sharing from 1 June enable us to strike an appropriate balance between helping to meet the needs of people with disabilities and in making best use of available resources. We shall be monitoring the new arrangements and expenditure closely, including numbers separately identified of people unemployed, employed, and self employed on application for Access to Work support.
  I hope this is helpful.

  School Buildings
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will make a statement on the work commissioned by the Funding Agency for Schools from the firm of surveyors, Hunters; [38275]

  (2) what reports the Funding Agency for Schools has commissioned on the condition of grant-maintained school buildings. [38276]

  (3) what information she collates on the condition of grant-maintained school buildings individually and in aggregate, with special reference to the cost of the backlog of repairs and maintenance; and if she will place such information in the Library. [38277]

  Mrs. Gillan
  This is a matter for the Funding Agency for Schools. I have asked the chairman of the funding agency to write to the hon. Member with this information.
  194

  Schools (Parental Choice)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many parents secured the primary or secondary school of their first choice for their child in the most recent year for which figures are available(a) in total and (b) for each local education authority. [38583]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not collected centrally. However, the most recent evidence—from surveys commissioned by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities in 1992 and The Times in 1993—suggested that some 90 per cent. of parents gained a place at their first choice school.

  Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the licences issued by her Department; for what purpose they are issued; and what are the administrative costs for each. [38685]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department issues copyright licences under delegated authority from Her Majesty's Stationery Office. No separate record is kept of cost, but it is negligible and substantially less than the cost of one administrative level staff unit.

  Teachers (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the full-time equivalent number of teachers employed in North Yorkshire(a) infant and primary and (b) secondary schools in each year since 1974. [38929]

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

  Full-time equivalent of qualified teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools in North Yorkshire Local Education Authority area: 1975–1995

  Position in January each year

  Primary

  Secondary

  1975

  2,661

  2,805

  1976

  2,718

  2,945

  1977

  2,744

  3,059

  1978

  2,727

  3,126

  1979

  2,698

  3,160

  1980

  2,648

  3,219

  1981

  2,529

  3,197

  1982

  2,402

  3,178

  1983

  2,304

  3,205

  1984

  2,282

  3,197

  1985

  2,271

  3,073

  1986

  2,274

  3,017

  1987

  2,322

  2,938

  1988

  2,356

  2,852

  1989

  2,411

  2,814

  1990

  2,450

  2,795

  1991

  2,435

  2,800

  1992

  2,470

  2,805

  1993

  2,500

  2,851

  1994

  2,503

  2,758

  1995

  2,600

  2,822

  195

  School Security
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she is co-ordinating to improve the security of schools in England and Wales. [38951]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government have accepted in full the recommendations of the working group on school security, including for the provision of substantial additional funding earmarked specifically for school security. We have already strengthened police powers regarding the carrying of knives and other weapons on school premises. The security of schools in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total public expenditure for the training of outside consultants in the structure and language of national vocational qualifications prior to the publication of the Beaumont report; and what expenditure is planned in this regard for(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [39038]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department did not provide any training at public expense specifically on structure and language of NVQs prior to the Beaumont report. Following the receipt of that report and as stated in the Government's action plan a programme of professional development for people involved in the development of occupational standards and NVQs is planned for 1996–97, and will continue to be available until the end of the "review of all" in April 1998. A total training budget of approximately £60,000 is proposed for 1996–97. No specific amount has been set aside for consultants as opposed to others provided by industry bodies.

  We expect to spend a similar amount in 1997–98.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the level of current expenditure on(a) additional national vocational qualifications and (b) the revision of existing national vocational qualifications; and what expenditure is planned for 1997–98. [39037]

  Mr. Paice
  The current planned level of expenditure through the standards programme for work on additional standards and national vocational qualifications is £2.2 million for 1996–97.

  The current planned level of expenditure through the standards programme for work on revision and updating of standards and national vocational qualifications is £4.8 million for 1996–97.

  Decisions on expenditure on these items for 1997–98 have not yet been taken.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the total public expenditure on the development of standards for national vocational qualifications since the inception of the 196
  standards programme; and now much of this expenditure has been on outside consultants. [39039]

  Mr. Paice
  Total expenditure since the inception of the standards programme for national vocational qualifications in 1988 has been £83 million. It is not possible to say how much of this has involved consultants.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which courses are now no longer approved for output funding by her Department as a result of their removal from the NVQ national database; and for each course, what was the number of students taking the course in the last three years. [38257]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Three hundred and fifty-five vocational qualifications were removed from approval and closed to new entrants to training programmes between May 1993 and May 1996. Of these, 81 are no longer eligible for output payments to TECs; they are listed. Student numbers taking each qualification are not available as trainee data are collected on an aggregated basis by level of qualification for all approved types. Data are not collected by reference to individual qualification titles.

  Qualification titles:—Accommodation Services; Adult Trainers Award; Agricultural Machinery Partsmen (Special Examination); Agriculture Phase II; Aeronautical Engineering Competencies Part II; Animal Care (Small Animals) Phase 1; Animal Care (Small Animals) Phase 2; Animal Care (Special Examination); Automotive Glazing (GTL); Automotive Glazing (RTITB); Baking; Basic Quarrying (Special Examination); Basic Upholstery Skills; Beauty Therapy; Beauty Specialist's Diploma; Caring for Children (0–7 years); Certificate in Achievement in Forecourt Operations; Certificate in Cleaning Science; Certificate of Proficiency (Chemical Industry); Certificate of Tour Operating Practice Level I; Clothing and Knitting Craft Stage I; Community Care Practice; Cosmetic Make-up; Diploma in Health Community Care and Parentcraft; Diploma in Hotel Reception and Front Office Practice; Electronic Office Systems Maintenance; Electronic Office Systems Maintenance (Field); Electronic Office Systems Maintenance (Workshop) Family and Community Care; First Certificate in Caring; First Certificate in Leisure Studies; First Certificate in Science; First Diploma in Caring; First Diploma in Leisure Studies; Footware Manufacture Operatives Stage 1; Footware Manufacture Operatives Stage 2; Furniture Removing—Manual Operations; Furniture Removing—Sales Administration; Guide Dogs (Kennel Staff); Guide Dogs (Trainer); Horse Care (Level 1); Horse Care (Level 2); Industrial Ceramics (Special Examinations); Industrial Cleaning and Maintenance; Iron and Steel Production (Foundation); Kennel Craft (Special Examination); Leather Goods Manufacture; Light Leather Goods Skills Tests; Maintenance and Repair of Construction Plant Part I; Manicure; Meat Industry General Assistant; National Small Animal Care Certificate; Plumbing Craft (New Scheme); Practical Caring Skills Part II; Practical Environmental Skills; Preliminary Certificate in Applications Programming; Preliminary Examination for Banking Certificate; Preliminary Examination for membership of AAT; Process Operations (Man-Made Fibres and Film) Level 1; Process Operations (Man-Made Fibres and Film) Level 2; Recreation and Leisure Industries Part I; Recreation and Leisure Industries Part II; Road Haulage; Roadwork Craft; Saddlery Level I Skills Tests; Security and Emergency Alarm Systems Part I; Security and Emergency Alarm Systems Part II; Shoe Repair Stage I; Shoe Repair Stage II; Skillbuild (Level 1); Stock Administration and Handling Part II; Surveying for Draughtproofing; The Certificate in Accounting; The Certificate in Business Travel; Threshold Certificate; Tobacco Processing (Cigarette Making); Tobacco Processing (Cigarette Packing); Tobacco Processing (Cigarette Packing); Tobacco Processing (filter Rod Making); Tobacco Processing (Loose Tobacco); Vehicle Mechanics and Systems (Stage Two) National Craft Certificate; Waterman's Certificate (Special Examination) Part I.
  197

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which TECs have been visited in the past six months by officials from the European Commission Court of Auditors; and for what reasons the visits have been made. [39064]

  Mr. Forth
  Shropshire TEC was visited by officials from the European Commission Court of Auditors within the last six months. The visit was made to audit two European social fund project final claims relating to activity undertaken in 1995.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Oman (University Construction)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what checks were carried out by Her Majesty's Government before the issue of export credits in relation to the construction of a university in Oman; if such checks included inspection of the physical plans for that university; which aspects of the project relating to the construction of a university in Oman were deemed to be for non-educational purposes; and what those purposes were. [36612]

  Mr. Nelson
  ECGD supported a financing facility for the Sultan Qaboos university project and a subsequent, related credit facility for a teaching hospital which is part of the university complex. In accordance with normal insurance practice, ECGD relies upon information given in applications for cover. Although, ECGD saw extracts of the contract it did not see physical plans for the construction of the university. Neither ECGD nor the DTI had or has any knowledge or evidence that the university has been used for non-educational purposes.

  Insolvency (Reviewer of Complaints)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list by location the reviewers of complaints appointed by each of the supervisory bodies, sponsored by his Department, indicating who is responsible for(a) appointing, (b) dismissing and (c) retiring them and on what basis; and what remuneration each receives. [37335]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested by the hon. Gentleman relating to four of the recognised supervisory bodies for auditors—the Institutes of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants—is the same as that set out in my reply to his question about the recognised professional bodies for insolvency practitioners, 16 July,Official Report, columns 458–59. Complaints about members of the fifth recognised supervisory body, the Association of Authorised Public accountants, are dealt with through the complaints procedures of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) pursuant to his answer of 28 March,Official
  198
  Report, column 733, about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested; [37530]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 22 March, Official Report, column, 366, about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested. [37531]

  Mr. Lang
  The examination of more than 26,000 files dating back to 1987.

  Audit Inspections
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will appoint DTI inspectors to investigate auditing aspects of(a) the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, (b) Polly Peck, (c) Barings, (d) Sumitomo, (e) Levitt and (f) Ferranti. [37835]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  No. My Department's powers of investigation extend to companies under the Companies Act 1985, but not to partnerships. The role of auditors in BCCI, Polly Peck, Barings and Ferranti are already the subject of investigations by the professions' joint disciplinary scheme. Initial investigations into Sumitomo are in the hands of the Serious Fraud Office and any auditing aspects arising out of the SFO investigation which fall short of criminality will be referred to the relevant recognised supervisory body for it to consider and take regulatory or disciplinary action as appropriate. The SFO has previously investigated and prosecuted in the case of Roger Levitt.

  Small Limited Companies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many small limited companies failed to file their annual accounts and statutory returns within the statutory prescribed periods, broken down by size of company in the last available year. [37823]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The precise information requested is not available.

  However, in 1995–96, 23,954 companies which filed accounts late claimed small company exemptions from the full disclosure requirements of the Companies Act. This compares with a total number of small company accounts registered of 337,000. It is not possible to say how many of those companies which failed to file accounts at all within the period might have proved eligible for the small company exemption. Information on the filing of annual returns by those same companies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Sealskin Order
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to revoke the Trade Descriptions (Sealskin Goods) Information Order 1980; and if he will make a statement. [39181]
  199
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Following two rounds of public consultation, my Department published notice, on 21 June 1996–28 June 1996 in Northern Ireland—of my intention to revoke the order. This has provided a further opportunity for representations to be made. I shall be considering very carefully all the additional responses I receive before making my final decision.

  Footwear Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom share of exports of footwear by the EU in 1972, 1979 and the latest available date; and if he will provide corresponding figures for Italy, France and Germany. [38156]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Percentage shares of EU1 exports of footwear2 1972, 1979 and 1994

  1972

  EU9 1979

  EU12 1994

  UK

  n/a

  4.7

  4.9

  France

  n/a

  10.4

  6.9

  Germany3

  n/a

  7.9

  9.0

  Italy

  n/a

  71.8

  48.4

  Notes:

  1 Shares of EU9 in 1979 and EU12 in 1994. Data for Greece, Spain and Portugal are not available for 1979.

  2 Code 64 of the Hannonised commodity coding system.

  3 West Germany in 1979.

  Source:

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom share of and exports of footwear by the main manufacturing countries in 1972, 1979 and the latest available date; and if he will provide corresponding figures for Italy, France and Germany. [38157]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Percentage shares of main manufacturing countries 1 Exports of footwear2 1972, 1979 and 1994

  1972

  1979

  1994

  UK

  n/a

  4.5

  5.9

  France

  n/a

  9.9

  8.5

  Germany3

  n/a

  6.7

  11.0

  Italy

  n/a

  69.9

  59.1

  Notes:

  1 Main manufacturing countries comprise UK, Belgium-Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, USA and Japan.

  2 Standard international trade classification (SITC) 85.

  3 West Germany in 1979.

  Source:

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.

  United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom share of EU imports and exports of footwear in 1972, 1979 and at the latest available date. [38170]
  200
  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested is given in the table:

  UK percentage share of EU(1) exports and imports of footwear (1972, 1979 and 1994)

  EU9

  EU12

  1972

  1979

  1994

  EU Exports

  n/a

  4.7

  4.9

  EU Imports

  n/a

  15.5

  15.4

  Notes:

  1 Shares of EU9 in 1979 and EU12 in 1994. Data for Greece, Spain and Portugal are not available for 1979.

  2 Code 64 of the Harmonised commodity coding system.

  Source:

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of import penetration in footwear from(a) the rest of the world and (b) the EEC in 1972, 1979 and the latest available date; and if he will provide corresponding figures for Italy, France and Germany. [38164]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  United Kingdom import penetration for footwear for 1994, the latest year data are available, can be readily calculated from information published in "UK Markets AR 16" published by Taylor Nelson and available in the Library of the House. Comparable information for 1972 and 1979 is not available. Corresponding figures for Italy, France and Germany are not available.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many staff are assumed in his Department's budget, employed (i) full-time and (ii) part-time,(a) to work on press and media and (b) to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39475]

  (2) how many staff were employed full-time or part-time (a) to provide information and publicity and (b) on press and media in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1993–94. [39429]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The numbers of staff employed in the press office and publicity branch of the Department's information directorate are as follows:

  Publicity

  Press Office

  Full time

  Part time

  Full time

  Part time

  1996–971

  35

  1

  31

  —

  1995–961

  33

  1

  31

  —

  1994–95

  30

  2

  31

  —

  1993–94

  39

  2

  34

  —

  1 Figures include posts arising from the 1995 Machinery of Government changes.

  China (Tableware Imports)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the timetable for further European Council of Ministers' decision-making in respect of quotas of tableware imports from China; and if he will make a statement. [38811]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The European Commission is due to complete its annual review of these quotas, and to propose any appropriate adjustments, before 31 December 1996. The Council of Ministers will then consider the issue.
  201

  Companies (Payments)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 496, what was the cost of mailing the consultative document. [38907]

  Mr. Page
  The consultative document was mailed to all those consultees on my Department's company law mailing list at a cost of £541, including VAT.

  Off-shore Oil
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken to ensure that orders for floating production units to be used in the development of United Kingdom off-shore oil reserves will either be built in the United Kingdom or have substantial United Kingdom content. [38116]

  Mr. Page
  My Department established a working group in 1994 to consider how to make United Kingdom industry more competitive in the supply of floating production systems. At the beginning of 1995, the group proposed a set of recommendations for Government and industry. These have been implemented and the competitiveness of UK industry has improved markedly, as evidenced by the several orders placed with UK companies for floating production system work during 1995 and 1996. Most notably, Harland and Wolff in Belfast are building what is expected to be the world's largest shipshaped floating production system for BP. Also, BARMAC, AMEC, SLP, Heerema Hartlepool and Brown Brothers have all won orders and UK industry is well positioned for further work.

  Civil Space
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the progress of the review of Government policy towards civil space. [39617]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I hosted the second United Kingdom space policy forum at Queen Mary and Westfield college on Tuesday 25 June. This was a great success with almost 200 senior members of the UK space community attending. As a result of the forum and the wide-ranging discussions during the review, I am now publishing a "Forward Plan for UK Space Activities", copies of which are being placed in the Library of the House. The plan will be presented to the press tomorrow and will set out key goals for the UK civil space programme.

  Companies House
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the results of the Companies House contracting-out programme. [39618]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Companies House contracting out programme announced by the then President of the Board of Trade in December 1994 has now been completed.

  The final element of the programme was concluded on 1 July with the award of a contract to Capita Managed Services Ltd. for the running of the Companies House customer enquiry unit and the postal search and search accounts service in Cardiff.
  202
  The contract was awarded on the basis of best value for money after a competitive tender in line with EC procurement rules. It will run for three years with an option for Companies House to extend for a further two, one year periods. The contract commenced on 1 July, and 46 full and part-time staff involved in the activities transferred to the contractor.

  In running the Postal Search and Search Accounts Service, Capita Managed Services Ltd. will be making records held by the registrar available for inspection by the public and providing copies of such records to the public. This is a function of the registrar determined by statute—Section 709 of the Companies Act 1985—and Capita Managed Services Ltd. has, therefore, been granted an authorisation for this purpose under the Contracting Out (Functions in Relation to the Registration of Companies) Order 1995.

  Following agreement in December 1995, Companies House mainframe computer services have, since April this year, been provided under an extension to the DTI's existing contract with Hoskyns.

  Competitive tendering has been carried out in respect of Companies House, London and the English satellite offices, Companies House, Edinburgh, and the remittance processing and office services functions at Companies House, Cardiff.

  In each case, after careful evaluation of the bids, I concluded that best value for money would be obtained by retaining these activities in-house. This is a great tribute to the management and staff of Companies House who have worked hard over recent years to improve quality and cut costs. The contracting out process has identified significant further savings and these will result in an even more effective service for customers.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the agency review of the Patent Office has been completed: and if he will make a statement. [39615]

  Mr. Lang
  An evaluation report on the performance of the Patent Office since its inception as an executive agency in March 1990 has been completed, and a revised framework document has been prepared. Copies of these documents, which complete the agency review process, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Export Intelligence System
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will announce the results of his study into the value for money of the export intelligence system. [39616]

  Mr. Nelson
  I am pleased to report that the independent market research carried out for my Department by Metra Martech has found that in 1995 United kingdom firms earned between £300 million and £500 million of additional exports as a result of information provided under this system and that this represents at least £65 of additional exports for each £1 of support provided by the taxpayer. One in every four customers of the service did business as a result of its last year.
  203

  Subsidence Adviser
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the annual report of the subsidence adviser appointed under section 46 of the Coal Industry Act 1994. [39619]

  Mr. Page
  I have now received this report from the subsidence adviser and have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses today.

  AEA Technology plc
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the privatisation of AEA Technology plc. [39638]

  Mr. Page
  The Government have consistently said that decisions on the future of AEA Technology—AEAT—would be taken in the light of the performance of the business and on a basis which meets the needs and requirements of customers and serves the best interests of the taxpayer.

  AEAT has a strong management team led by Sir Anthony Cleaver and Dr. Peter Watson which has transformed the performance of the business over the past two years. However, the Government and AEAT management remain convinced that the company can realise its full commercial potential only in the private sector.

  In the light of what has been achieved, the Government have now decided that AEAT should be privatised later this year. The intention is that, subject to market conditions, privatisation will proceed by way of a flotation on the London stock exchange. In preparing for the flotation, the Government will continue to pay particular regard to the interests of the taxpayer, the company and its employees. The Government also remain committed to ensuring the independence and impartiality of AEAT's services to its customers.

  Stagecoach Holding plc
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in carrying out its investigation into the acquisition of Chesterfield Transport (1989) Ltd. by Stagecoach Holdings plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973; [38650]

  (2) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in carrying out its investigation into the acquisition of S.B. Holdings Ltd. by Stagecoach Holdings plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973; [38652]

  (3) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in carrying out its investigation into the acquisition of Lancaster City Transport Ltd. by Stagecoach Holdings plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973; [38654]

  (4) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in carrying out its investigation into the acquisition of Portsmouth Citybus Ltd. by Stagecoach Holdings plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973; [38656]
  204
  (5) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in carrying out its investigation into the acquisition of Ayrshire Bus Owners Ltd. by Stagecoach Holdings plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973; [38651]

  (6) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in carrying out its investigation into the acquisition of Mainline Partnership Ltd. by Stagecoach Holdings plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973; [38653]

  (7) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in carrying out its investigation into the acquisition of Formia Ltd. by Stagecoach Holdings plc under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. [38655]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The estimated costs in carrying out the investigations are as follows:

  i Stagecoach Holdings plc/Lancaster City Transport Ltd.—£163,000

  ii Stagecoach Holdings plc/Portsmouth Citybus Ltd.—£131,000

  iii Stagecoach Holdings plc/Formia Ltd.—£68,000

  iv Stagecoach Holdings plc/S B Holdings Ltd.—£242,000

  v Stagecoach Holdings plc/Mainline Partnership Ltd.—£185,000

  vi Stagecoach Holdings plc/Ayrshire Bus Owners (A1 Service) Ltd.—£232,000

  vii Stagecoach Holdings plc/Chesterfield Transport (1989) Ltd.—£187,000

  The MMC introduced revised costing and budgetary arrangements on 1 April 1995. Reported costs from this date are on accruals based accounts; those for earlier years are cash-based. In addition, overhead costs were attributed on an estimated basis for earlier years. The figures for the first five inquiries are therefore not directly comparable with those for the last two.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent defending its actions against the application for judicial review in relation to the acquisition by Stagecoach Holdings plc of SB Holdings, the judgment in which case was made on 5 July. [38657]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The court has awarded the Monopolies and Mergers Commission its costs in these proceedings. At this stage it is not yet clear how much the total spend on MMC legal costs will be. The MMC's spend to date in relation to counsel's fees is £7,495.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how much the Department of Trade and Industry spent in defending its actions against the petition for judicial review brought by Stagecoach Holdings plc in the Court of Session, the judgment in which case was made on 20 June; [38660]

  (2) how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent in defending its actions against the petition for judicial review brought by Stagecoach Holdings plc in the Court of Session in relation to the company's acquisition of A1 Service, the judgment in which case was made on 20 June. [38659]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The court has awarded the Department and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission its costs in these

  205
  proceedings. The Department and the MMC were represented by the same counsel. Spend in relation to counsel's fees is about £25,800. Other legal costs have not yet been finalised.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much the Monopolies and Mergers Commission spent defending its actions against the application for judicial review in relation to the acquisition by Stagecoach Holdings plc of Mainline, the judgment in which case was made on 5 July. [38658]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The court has awarded the Monopolies and Mergers Commission its costs in these proceedings. At this stage it is not yet clear how much the total spend on MMC legal costs will be. The MMC's spend to date in relation to counsel's fees is £8,533.

  Electric Shock Weapons
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received and what discussions he has held(a) within the UN and (b) with his EU counterparts about the possibility of a global ban on electric shock weapons. [38401]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: None.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to announce the outcome of the review into the operation of public interest immunity certificates; and if he will make a statement. [38225]

  The Attorney-General
  On 26 February, I announced that the Government were to seek the views of interested parties about the use of public interest immunity certificates. Although responses were invited by 1 May, a number of late responses were received, including some very recently. The views of those who have responded are currently being carefully considered. I expect to announce the outcome of the Government's consideration of this issue once Parliament has resumed after the summer recess.

  Marchioness Incident
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Crown Prosecution Service received the transcripts of the evidence given at the inquest which followed the sinking of the Marchioness; what factors have prevented a decision being taken on whether to initiate a prosecution; when such a decision is expected; and if he will make a statement. [39017]

  The Attorney-General
  The transcripts became available in stages, the final instalment having being received on Friday 15 December 1995. The Crown Prosecution Service has sought the advice of senior counsel. The matter is complex, but the Director of Public Prosecution expects to issue her decision very shortly.
  206

  Government Property Lawyers
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will announce the key performance targets for the Government Property Lawyers agency for 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [39660]

  The Attorney-General
  On 18 July 1995, I informed the House,Official Report, column 1037, of the key performance targets which I had set for the Government Property Lawyers for 1995–96.

  The agency has carried out its work to a high standard and has achieved the targets which I set. I have set the following targets for the agency for 1996–97:

  To recover the full operating cost of the agency.

  To achieve at least 4,350 new instructions from its clients.

  To effect an average of 95 completions per caseholder.

  To maintain and improve the quality of service in particular by keeping the proportion of cases completed satisfactorily—that is, without requiring rectification by reason of any fault of the agency—on or before the target date at or above 99.5 per cent.

  Over the three-year-period, 1996–97 to 1998–99 to achieve a reduction in operating costs of an average of 2.5 per cent. per year in real terms taking 1996–97 as the base year.

  I wish the chief executive and his staff another successful year.

  Mr. Coombs
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to(a) lay before Parliament and (b) publish the annual report and accounts of the Government Property Lawyers for the year 1995–96. [39661]

  The Attorney-General
  The annual report and accounts for the Government Property Lawyers was laid before Parliament this morning and then published.

  Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Chessington Computer Centre
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what changes have been made to the performance targets of Chessington Computer Centre trading fund for the current year. [39633]

  Mr. Freeman
  The only change to the targets I gave in my answer on 1 April,Official Report, column 19, is an adjustment to the financial surplus. As disclosed in the financial statement for the year ending 31 March 1996, the Chessington directors reassessed the carrying value of certain software assets and provision was made in these accounts for a diminution in value of these assets thus reducing future depreciation charges. Mainly as a result of these changes, the target operating surplus before interest has increased from £223,000 to £470,000.

DEFENCE

  Gulf War
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each armed service the number of people who served in the Gulf war who have
  207
  subsequently died (a) while serving in the armed services and (b) since they were discharged; and if he will show in each case the cause of their deaths. [35004]

  Mr. Soames
  Figures for service personnel who served in the Gulf war and have subsequently died since the end of that conflict, while serving, are shown in the table:

  Deaths in service of personnel who served on OP Granby

  Cause of death

  Army

  Navy

  RAF

  Injuries and poisoning

  20

  6

  34

  Neoplasms

  4

  1

  4

  Disorders of the circulatory system

  1

  2

  4

  Disorders of the nervous system and sense organs

  0

  0

  1

  Infections

  0

  0

  1

  Total

  25

  9

  44

  Information on the numbers of discharged service personnel who have died since the end of the Gulf war is not available.

  I very much regret that in my answer of 12 June to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on this matter, Official Report, column 210, the figure for the total number of service personnel who had died during the conflict and subsequently while still serving was incorrect. As at 19 July this year, the correct figure is 117.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the private finance initiative for the provision, maintenance and management of the RAF's United Kingdom requirement for cars, vans and minibuses. [38989]

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the private finance initiative project for the provision, maintenance and management of the Royal Air Force's United Kingdom requirement for cars, vans and minibuses. [39550]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I am pleased to announce that, following a competition a contract will be placed with LEX Service, for the provision, maintenance and management of the majority of the RAF's UK fleet of cars, vans and minibuses. The RAF has harnessed the opportunities offered by the Government's private finance initiative to secure private sector capital investment and management expertise for these vehicle services. A firm price five-year contract has been negotiated and savings of approximately £17 million are expected over the duration of the contract. The scheme will save money for the taxpayer, maintain the standard of service at less cost and allow the RAF to concentrate on its core business.

  Greenham Common Airbase Accident
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been released by the Government concerning the accident at Greenham Common airbase on 28 February 1958; what recent reassessment he has carried out of the validity of the conclusions of the 1961 Aldermaston report on the accident; and what are the current health implications of that accident. [39134]
  208
  Mr. Soames
  To detail all of the information released by the Government relating to this accident, which occurred almost 40 years ago, would involve disproportionate cost. My Department has recently released two previously classified reports on radioactivity measurements in the Greenham Common area and an unclassified report, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The National Radiological Protection Board has carried out an independent assessment of the findings of the 1961 Aldermaston report and considered also the later reports published in 1986 and 1994. The NRPB announced on 18 July that if the data in the 1961 report are correct, the indications are that the radiological impact would have been negligible. The NRPB will also be carrying out a limited programme of measurements to provide further reassurance. We believe that the levels quoted in the 1961 report are well below any public health significance, and no subsequent monitoring in the area has found any elevated measurements.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 484, if he will place in the Library a copy of the paper on uranium and plutonium contamination around the Greenham Common airforce base when it is released to the Public Record Office. [39053]

  Mr. Soames
  Copies of the 1961 report have already been placed in the Library of the House, together with copies of a reassessment report on the 1961 findings, prepared in 1986.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 485, if he will list by date and locations the seven category one accidents involving nuclear weapons to which he refers; and if he will provide details in each case. [39052]

  Mr. Soames
  No. It remains our policy neither to confirm nor to deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any particular time or place.

  Forces Personnel (Commercial Organisations)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines govern the use of armed forces personnel by commercial organisations; and if he will publish them. [38687]

  Mr. Soames
  Service personnel are permitted to undertake employment during leave or off-duty hours with the approval of their commanding officer. Such approval may be given only if the activity in question does not contravene the relevant regulations which are to be found in Queen's regulations. Authority may be given provided that uniform is not worn, the service is not brought into disrepute and service knowledge is not used for the benefit of business. There are certain categories of employment in which service personnel are not permitted to undertake employment.

  The regulations are contained in the Queen's regulations for all the three services, copies of which are held in the Library of the House. Copies are also available from HMSO.
  209

  Vessel Transfers
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the inspection arrangements for the vessels to be transferred to Serco-Denholm by officials of the marine safety agency; what is the timetable for such inspection; if Serco-Denholm will be responsible for ensuring that those vessels judged to be in an unsatisfactory condition are brought up to MSA requirements; and if he will make a statement; [38895]

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether the royal maritime auxiliary service vessels which are to be handed over to Serco-Denholm comply with MSA regulations; and if he will make a statement; [38890]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the financial arrangements he has entered into in relation to the transfer of royal maritime auxiliary service vessels to Serco-Denholm; [38905]

  (4) what guarantees have been sought by Serco-Denholm in relation to the seaworthiness of the RMSA vessels which are to be transferred to the consortium; and if he will make a statement; [38889]

  (5) what financial arrangements he has entered into with Serco-Denholm concerning the construction of vessels needed to service the Ministry of Defence contract; and if he will make a statement. [38943]

  Mr. Soames
  All RMAS vessels to be used by Serco-Denholm in fulfilment of its contract with my Department are being inspected by my officials and an independent Lloyd's surveyor as part of the process of ensuring that they comply with current Ministry of Defence safety standards.

  Following contract effective date on 12 August, Serco-Denholm will, as the contract requires, be responsible for ensuring that the vessels meet the standards of safety and certification operating in the commercial shipping industry and regulated by the marine safety agency (MSA).

  Initially the vessels will be supplied as Government furnished equipment but, after achievement of MSA certification, they will be chartered on normal commercial terms by Serco-Denholm. No financial arrangements have been entered into with Serco-Denholm concerning the construction of vessels. The vessels will remain Government-owned assets and the responsibility for procuring any replacements will rest with my Department.

  Wimbledon Tennis Championship
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces worked as stewards at the 1996 Wimbledon lawn tennis championship; how they were selected; if they were recompensed for the work; what was the total cost of the service; and what proportion of this was borne(a) by the championship organisers and (b) from public funds. [38686]

  Mr. Soames
  The total number of members of the armed forces who worked as stewards at the 1996 Wimbledon lawn tennis championship was 275.

  Service personnel volunteer for duties at the Wimbledon tennis championships as part of a historical association stretching back to 1946. They are allowed to
  210
  wear service uniform, but are required to take annual leave. They are not paid for their participation but are recompensed for their expenses by the championship organisers—the All England tennis club.

  There is no cost to public funds.

  Trident
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's latest planning assumption for the outstanding number of Trident D5 missiles to be procured from the United States of America. [39178]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Our current planning assumptions are that a further 21 Trident missiles will be purchased in three batches of seven in US fiscal years 1997, 1998 and 1999.

  Procurement Announcements
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department last announced a major defence procurement order during a parliamentary recess; what is his Department's policy concerning the announcement of large procurement projects when Parliament is not sitting; and if he will make a statement. [39067]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We make announcements on major defence procurement orders at the earliest convenient time after decisions have been made. In practice, we usually make such announcements when Parliament is sitting.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the total Trident missile purchase(a) will be deployed operationally, (b) will act as a processing margin and (c) will be used for test firings. [39179]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  On the basis of present assumptions, some three quarters of our currently planned Trident missile purchase will be available for operational deployment; a fifth are planned to be used during post-build or post-refit firings; the remainder will act as a processing margin.

  HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Martin) of 18 July, when he expects(a) HMS Albion and (b) HMS Bulwark to come into service. [39068]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are both expected to enter service early in the next decade.

  Air-launched Anti-armour Missile
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military reasons underlying the requirement for an air-launched anti-armour missile capability. [39177]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  An advanced air-launched anti-armour weapon is needed to provide a capability against modern main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles that can be deployed rapidly to and around the battlefield; and which will enable us to attack enemy
  211
  forces at long range and before contact with our own ground forces. It will thus complement the attack helicopter, which is designed to operate at shorter range. Its stand-off capability will keep our aircrew and aircraft losses to a minimum.

  Defence Communication Services
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Defence agency status for defence communication services.[39548]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Currently responsibilities for Defence wide-area communications systems and information transfer services are spread widely across my Department. Staff currently employed in these areas number approximately 2,200 located in about 150 sites throughout the UK and overseas. The UK elements of these are likely to reduce considerably as the transfer of most of the Defence fixed telecommunications systems to the private sector takes place.

  Responsibility for the remainder of the Defence wide-area communications systems and information services is to be rationalised and considered as a candidate for Defence agency status—as the De fence Communications Services Agency—under the next steps initiative.

  A study is being undertaken to establish whether agency status or other options would be appropriate. I would welcome comments from interested parties. These should be sent to:

  Major General W. J. P. Robins

  DGICS

  Ministry of Defence

  Room 1253

  Main Building

  Whitehall

  London

  SW1A 2HB

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the review of the convention relating to the disclosure of information to Parliament on the export of defence equipment has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [39551]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It has been the practice of Ministers in successive Administrations to decline, on grounds of public policy, to answer questions about arms sales, although some information is provided to Parliament, for example by placing the UK's submission to the UN Arms Register in the Library of the House. An examination of this convention was commissioned following the publication of Sir Richard Scott's report.

  As explained in the background note placed in the Library of the House on 26 February by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Government's policy on defence sales is based on respect for the right of other countries, as sovereign states, to protect their independence and exercise their inherent right to self-defence as recognised by the UN charter. The Government also place considerable importance on the maintenance of a healthy defence industry which supports
  212
  overall some 400,000 jobs, 80,000 of which are dependent on defence exports. Last year, British defence equipment manufacturers won contracts worth some £5 billion and the size of our export market is a major factor in protecting the security of supply and reducing the cost of the same equipment to our own forces. It therefore remains Government policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas wherever it is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests and to grant export licences on a case-by-case basis in the light of established criteria including internationally agreed guidelines and our treaty and other international commitments.

  There are four main reasons why, on occasions, information about defence exports should not be publicly disclosed. First, our national security may be jeopardised if a third country obtains details of an importing ally's defence inventory. Secondly, importing nations have their own legitimate security concerns and therefore an interest in protecting information about the detail of their defence inventory or, even on occasion, its composition. Exporters not prepared to respect these considerations will be seriously disadvantaged. Thirdly, providing competitors with commercially sensitive information may weaken the competitive position of British exporters, leading to lost orders and serious industrial consequences, not necessarily limited to the export of defence equipment. Fourthly, our bilateral relations with other countries might be weakened, potentially resulting in the dilution of the UK's influence.

  The Government share Sir Richard Scott's view that commercial confidentiality may, in many cases, continue to constitute a valid reason for withholding certain categories of information. The code of practice on access to Government information (Cm 2290) recognises the need to respect a third party's commercial confidences and other information given in confidence. It also recognises defence, security and international relations as reasons for withholding information. Nevertheless, these considerations need to be balanced against legitimate parliamentary and public interest in the provision of information about British defence exports, which are controlled strictly in accordance with our international obligations. We have therefore decided that we shall in future answer questions about defence exports as fully as the four constraints outlined above permit. Any exceptions will meet the test in the code of practice that the harm or prejudice which might arise from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making such information available.

  A number of other countries provide annual reports on defence exports, containing varying degrees of detail. The Government propose in future to include as part of the annual statement on the Defence estimates a report about defence equipment exports to supplement the information already provided elsewhere.

  Two other reviews arising from Sir Richard Scott's report are continuing which are relevant to the provision of information on defence equipment exports. Ministerial accountability and responsibility are under examination in another place by the Public Service Committee which has been asked by the Defence Select Committee to take account of the latter's submission, including the recommendation that Select Committee Chairmen be given, in confidence, details of the background when a

  213
  Minister does not give a full answer to a parliamentary question. The examination of export control legislation being led by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will include all issues relevant to strategic export licensing and procedures. The Ministry of Defence will be closely involved with both of these reviews.

  I am today placing in the Libraries of both Houses a more detailed account of the review just completed.

HEALTH

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many staff were employed full-time or part-time(a) to provide information and publicity and (b) on press and media in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1993–94; [39419]

  (2) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full-time or part-time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39444]

  (3) how many staff are assumed in his Department's budget, employed (i) full time and (ii) part time, (a) to work on the press and media and (b) to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39367]

  (4) what was the cost of staff employed full-time or part-time (i) to provide information and publicity and (ii) to work on the press and media in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1993–94; [39411]

  (5) what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39349]

  Mr. Horam
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were dispensed in each year since 1979; and how many were free of charge. [38010]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is in the table.

  Year

  Exempt

  Free contraceptives

  Total dispensed

  1979

  181.3

  4.2

  304.6

  1980

  192.6

  4.6

  303.3

  1981

  200.0

  5.2

  300.0

  1982

  210.4

  6.0

  311.3

  1983

  220.7

  6.2

  315.3

  1984

  226.5

  6.9

  320.5

  1985

  232.6

  5.9

  318.7

  1986

  241.3

  5.3

  322.5

  1987

  253.9

  5.1

  335.3

  1988

  263.5

  5.3

  346.5

  1989

  268.1

  5.6

  351.9

  1990

  276.9

  5.9

  360.5

  1991

  290.5

  5.9

  370.7

  1992

  307.0

  6.1

  386.8

  1993

  326.6

  6.2

  405.1

  1994

  336.1

  6.3

  414.1

  1. The analysis is based on a 1 in 20 sample of all prescriptions submitted to the Prescription Pricing Authority by community pharmacists and appliances contractors. Dispensing doctor and personal administration prescriptions are not analysed into exempt, non-exempt or other categories.
  214
  2. 1979 to 1990 data is based on fees and covers prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and applicance contractors only.

  3 1991 to 1994 data (new PCA) are based on items and have the same coverage as in note 1 above.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into the provision of, and access to, NHS dentistry; and if he will make a statement. [39227]

  Mr. Malone
  We keep in regular contact with health authorities on the provision of, and access to, national health service dentistry across England.

  Cancer Commission Groups (Trent)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what terms of reference he has given Trent National Health Service Executive in respect of cancer commission groups; and if he will make a statement. [39229]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health issued guidance on 15 March 1996 asking National Health Service Executive regional offices to have a role in designation of cancer centres, facilitating the local work of health authorities, general practitioners, and trusts, particularly on cross district issues. Regional co-ordinators are expected to help develop a regional strategy.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the membership of Trent NHS Executive cancer commission groups. [39230]

  Mr. Horam
  National Health Service Executive, Trent has set up cancer commissioning groups for southern Derbyshire, Leicestershire, north Trent and Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire. The membership of each group is set out:

  Cancer commission group

  Southern Derbyshire

  Dr. L. Adamson

  Medical Director, Southern Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Dr. J. R. M. Bateman

  Medical Director, Derby City General Hospital NHS Trust

  Dr. A. Benghiat

  Lead Clinician, Derby Cancer Centre (Chairman)

  Mr. T. Bucknall

  Lead Clinician, Burton Cancer Unit

  Mrs. J. Butler

  Chief Executive, Southern Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Mr. I. Hall

  Project Manager, Derby Cancer Centre

  Dr. C. Kenny

  Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Southern Derbyshire Health Authority

  Mr. J. MacDonald

  Chief Executive, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Mr. M. Scott

  Chief Executive, Derby City General Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. J. R. Nash

  Medical Director, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Dr. M. J. Trelinski

  representing South Staffordshire GPs

  Dr. B. Hands

  representing Southern Derbyshire GPs

  Dr. J. Walsworth-Bell

  representing South Staffordshire Health Authority

  Mrs. P. Cooke

  Chairman, Southern Derbyshire Community Health Council

  215

  Cancer commission group

  Leicestershire

  Dr. B. J. Crump

  Director of Public Health, Leicestershire Health Authority

  Mr. P. Homa

  Chief Executive, Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Mr. N. J. Naftalin

  Medical Director, Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Dr. A. C. B. Wicks

  Medical Director, Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. T. Spotswood

  Director of Contracts, Leicester General Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. J. S. Willetts

  Chief Executive, Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust

  Dr. A. G. H. Cole

  Medical Director, Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. R. H. Bettles

  Chief Executive, Fosse Health NHS Trust

  Dr. M. A. Edgar

  Medical Director, Fosse Health NHS Trust

  North Trent

  Mr. R. Ackroyd

  Chief Executive, Barnsley Health Authority

  Dr. D. Birks

  Director of Public Health, Barnsley Health Authority

  Mr. J. Newton

  Chief Executive, Doncaster Health Authority

  Dr. J. Radford

  Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Doncaster Health Authority

  Mr. C. Fewtrell

  Chief Executive, North Derbyshire Health Authority

  Dr. A. Charlesworth

  Director of Public Health, North Derbyshire Health Authority

  Mr. N. Clifton

  Chief Executive, North Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  Dr. R. Richards

  Consultant in Public Health Medicine, North Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  Mr. J. Hinchcliffe

  Chief Executive, Rotherham Health Authority

  Dr. T. Patterson

  Director of Public Health, Rotherham Health Authority

  Ms C. Hamlyn

  Chief Executive, Sheffield Health Authority

  Mr. T. Plant

  Sheffield Health Authority

  Mr. C. Dench

  Chief Executive, South Humber Health Authority

  Dr. B. Crompton

  GP Adviser, South Humber Health Authority

  Nottinghamshire/ Lincolnshire

  Dr. S. Wilson

  Director of Public Health, Nottingham Health Authority

  H. Wilkinson

  Contracting Lead Officer, Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  Dr. R. Richards

  Lead Officer, North Nottinghamshire Health

  K. Powis

  Contracting Lead Officer, North Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  Dr. B. Rana

  Lead Officer, Lincolnshire Health Authority

  Mr. R. Banyard

  Contracting Lead Officer, Lincolnshire Health Authority

  Dr. S. Ford

  Nottinghamshire Local Medical Committee

  Dr. V. Zbizczniak

  Lincolnshire Local Medical Committee

  Dr. P. Jones

  Nottinghamshire Local Medical Committee

  Dr. Crompton

  Lead Officer, South Humber Health Authority

  Liz Mitchell

  Project Manager, Nottingham/Lincoln Cancer Centre

  Hepatitis C
  Mrs Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to provide payments to those haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis C; and if he will make a statement. [39456]
  216
  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Nottingham, East, (Mr. Heppell) on 8 July,Official Report, column 21.

  Tardive Dyskinesia
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into(a) tardive dyskinesia and minor abnormalities, (b) schizophrenia and minor physical abnormalities and (c) tardive dyskinesia and negative symptoms; and if he will make a statement. [39216]

  Mr. Bowis
  The links between Tardive Dyskinesia, minor physical abnormalities and negative symptoms are already well researched.

  Medical Records
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average charge levied on patients for seeing their medical records. [39270]

  Mr. Horam
  The Access to Health Records Act 1990 allows the record holder to charge a fee of up to £10. A similar fee is permitted when access is sought under the Data Protection Act 1984. Where a copy of a record or extract is supplied, the Access to Health Records Act also permits a charge to be made to cover the cost of making the copy and of any postage.

  Factor 8
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide funding for the purchase of recombinant factor 8 by haemophiliacs. [39457]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department does not allocate money to support specific treatments for particular patient groups. National health service funds are allocated to purchasers of health care who are in the best position to decide what services, including treatments, they wish to purchase to meet local needs.

  Depression
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into the efficacy of Flesinoxan in the prevention of relapse during the continuation phase following acute treatment of a major depressive episode; and if he will make a statement. [39215]

  Mr. Bowis
  No. Clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products are usually commissioned by the companies that own them.

  Wheelchairs
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average charge made to patients provided with wheelchair by hospitals. [39257]

  Mr. Bowis
  Wheelchairs provided by the national health service are issued free on loan.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 June,Official Report, column 194, about guidance to wheelchair centres, what guidance has been issued concerning the changes to the provision of indoor-outdoor wheelchairs announced on

  217
  23 February, beyond the NHS Executive document HSG(96)34; and when disabled people can expect to benefit from these changes. [39173]

  Mr. Bowis
  Health authorities and wheelchair service centres are now setting up local arrangements in accordance with the guidance in HSG(96)34. We expect that the first powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs will be available very soon.

  NHS Pensions Agency
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the annual report and accounts of the NHS Pensions Agency. [39552]

  Mr. Horam
  I have approved the report and accounts which has today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys have been conducted on the health of health care workers who have tended CJD patients. [36938]

  Mr. Horam
  No such surveys have been conducted. The national Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance unit investigates the incidence and epidemiology of CJD, paying particular attention to occupation and eating habits so that any change in the pattern of CJD following the advent of BSE can be detected. This includes details of a patients' occupation and the latest results are published in the unit's fourth annual report, copies of which are available in the Library, and do not show any evidence of an occupational link.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's definition of a highly suspect case of CJC. [36939]

  Mr. Horam
  The term "highly suspect case" is not used in respect of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. This disease can be definitely confirmed only by electron microscope examination of brain tissue. This is usually done post mortem although rarely it may be possible to establish a definite diagnosis by brain biopsy while the patient is still alive. In other cases CJC can be no more than a possibility, greater or lesser according to the number and degree of clinical features a patient exhibits.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implications of the court ruling relating to Credit Suisse and Allerdale borough council on PFI funding for NHS trusts. [37818]

  Mr. Horam
  National health service trusts are aware of the need to confirm with their lawyers that contractual agreements entered into in the course of private finance initiative projects are within their statutory powers.

  Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional guidance he plans to issue on the impact of the Appeal Court judgment in the case of Michael Berry and Gloucestershire county council on the 218
  legal duties of local authorities under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will make a statement. [38298]

  Mr. Bowis
  Leave to appeal to the House of Lords has been granted in this case. The Department will consider whether to revise any of its guidance in the light of the House of Lords judgment.

  Latex Surgical Gloves
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in respect of protein levels in latex surgical gloves; and if he will make a statement; [38267]

  (2) what routine monitoring his Department undertakes in respect of allergic reactions experienced by NHS staff to proteins in latex surgical gloves; [38268]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the levels of proteins in latex surgical gloves purchased by the NHS. [38269]

  Mr. Horam
  No specific research has been commissioned on protein levels in latex surgical gloves. The available information on the subject has been evaluated and relevant experts in the field have been consulted. The Medical Devices Agency published a device bulletin entitled "Latex Sensitisation in the Health Care Setting (Use of Latex Gloves)", copies of which are available in the Library. The Department does not undertake specific monitoring of allergic reactions experienced by national health service staff to proteins in latex surgical gloves. However the Medical Devices Agency has a system for investigating adverse incidents associated with all medical devices.

  Operations (Children)
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many procedures were carried out per 100,000 children aged up to 16 years old for each of the last 10 years for(a) myringotomy, (b) adenoidectomy and (c) tonsillectomy. [38270]

  Mr. Horam
  The information available for national health service hospitals in England is shown in the table. The latest year for which information is available is 1994–95; prior to 1989–90, data to the level of detail requested were not held centrally.

  Myringotomy

  Adenoidectomy

  Tonsillectomy

  1989–90

  51

  173

  449

  1990–91

  51

  162

  466

  1991–92

  68

  173

  501

  1992–93

  61

  169

  510

  1993–94

  38

  155

  522

  1994–95

  35

  162

  534

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics—as related to Child population.

  Prodigy System
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the drugs and preparations listed in each therapeutic area covered by Prodigy match those in the British National Formulary. [38271]
  219
  (2) what assessment he has made of the choice provided to general practitioners by the Prodigy system in each therapeutic area; [38272]

  (3) if at the preparation stage of the database incorporated into Prodigy, and before the list was reviewed by the Royal College's (a) medical experts in particular therapeutic areas and (b) patients and patients group were given the opportunity to provide input into the preparation of the drugs list specific to those areas. [38274]

  Mr. Malone
  The therapeutic recommendations used for phase 1 of the Prodigy trial were intended to permit a realistic test of the concept of computerised decision support for general practitioner prescribing. To ensure that they were suitable for this purpose and had the support of a substantial body of medical opinion, an expert group nominated by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Physicians, the General Medical Services Committee of the British Medical Association, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, was commissioned to validate them. A number of sources were used including the British National Formulary. The recommendations will be further developed in the course of the trial in the light of comments from the GPs participating.

  If at the end of the trial it is decided to develop a system for more widespread use, based on the experience gathered in the Prodigy trial, there will be extensive consultation in which all interested parties will have the opportunity to provide input.

  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with the pilot study of the Prodigy system. [38273]

  Mr. Malone
  Phase 1 of the Prodigy project on computerised decision support for general practitioner prescribing has been running in 140 GP practices since the end of 1995. An interim report, together with hard copy of the therapeutic advice and prescribing recommendations used in the initial phase of the evaluation, will be published next week; copies will be placed in the Library.

  Patient Information Leaflets
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of ways of presenting the benefits of medicines to patients as well as their known side-effects in the proposed patient information leaflet. [38286]

  Mr. Malone
  Patient information leaflets are drawn up in line with European directive 92/27/EEC which prescribes the information which must be conveyed to the patient in such a leaflet. Guidance for the pharmaceutical industry on the preparation of leaflets was provided in 1993.

  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to proceed with the patient information leaflet initiative; and what have been the reasons for the delay. [38285]

  Mr. Malone
  European directive 92/27/EEC requires that a patient information leaflet be supplied with all medicines within five years of its implementation on 1 January 1994. Agreement was reached with the pharmaceutical industry to introduce the information
  220
  prescribed by the directive for the products in each therapeutic category of medicine simultaneously. A phased programme to do this began in December 1995 and will continue until the end of 1998.

  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for deciding the suitability of the content of patient information leaflets. [38287]

  Mr. Malone
  Patient information leaflets provided with medicinal products are drawn up by the marketing authorisation holder and are approved for use by the Medicines Control Agency.

  Acne (Treatment)
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the cost effectiveness of roaccutane as an alternative treatment for acne. [38288]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Medicines (Cost-effectiveness)
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the routine procedures for assessing the cost-effectiveness of one medicine against another. [38289]

  Mr. Malone
  Guidance on the conduct of economic evaluations of medicines was issued jointly by the Department of Health and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry in 1994. Guidance to health authorities and purchasers asks them to take account of evidence on both clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in determining local prescribing policies. The clinicians who make prescribing decisions in individual cases have access to a wide range of information to help assess the relative clinical and cost effectiveness of alternative treatments.

  Excimer Laser Treatment
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated by his Department on the safety and effectiveness of excimer laser treatment; and what (i) guidance and (ii) regulations he has issued concerning excimer laser treatment. [38673]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health has not commissioned or evaluated any studies on the safety and effectiveness of excimer laser treatment.

  The Medical Devices Agency issued guidance on the safe use of lasers in medical and dental practice in early 1996.

  Part II of the Registered Homes Act 1984 and the Nursing Homes and Mental Nursing Homes Regulations 1984, taken together, require that premises using or intending to use potentially hazardous lasers, which can be used for medical treatment purposes, be registered under the Act.

  Dysentery and Food Poisoning
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of(a) dysentery and (b) food

  221
  poisoning there were in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and (iv) England in each year since 1990. [38926]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is published annually in series MB2 "Communicable disease statistics". The latest available publication is series MB2 No. 21 (1994), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Data for 1995 are given in the table:

  Dysentery

  Food poisoning (All)

  York

  3

  109

  North Yorkshire

  15

  1,266

  Yorkshire1

  681

  8,832

  England

  4,373

  75,499

  1 Yorkshire is defined as the sum of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

  General Practitioners
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new general practitioners have entered general practice in each of the last five years; and how many have retired. [39057]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the table:

  General practitioner stocks and flows unrestricted principals at 1 October, England and Wales

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Stock

  27,150

  27,340

  27,650

  27,990

  28,280

  28,420

  Joiners

  1,380

  1,560

  1,440

  1,420

  1,480

  —

  New joiners

  1,160

  1,340

  1,210

  1,100

  1,270

  —

  Rejoiners

  220

  220

  230

  320

  210

  —

  Leavers1

  1,510

  1,250

  1,100

  1,130

  1,340

  —

  Change in stock

  + 130

  + 310

  + 340

  + 290

  + 140

  —

  Source:

  GP Census.

  Notes:

  1Information is not collected centrally on the number of GPs retiring.

  Nurses
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to include nurses in the commission process of health services. [39061]

  Mr. Malone
  The Health Authority Act 1995 requires every health authority to make arrangements for securing professional advice.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will resume consultations with dispensing doctors on the patient signing arrangements for NHS prescriptions. [39069]

  Mr. Malone
  We intend to approach the General Medical Services Committee of the British Medical Association shortly.
  222

  Diabetic Care
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made on the proposals of the British Diabetic Association and Department of Health task force to improve diabetic care. [39059]

  Mr. Horam
  The National Health Service Executive has disseminated the report of the Department of Health and British Diabetic Association St. Vincent joint task force for diabetes to health authorities and asked them to take account of the recommendations in planning local diabetes services. It is for local health authorities to decide on the priority they give to developing such services.

  In addition, a diabetes subgroup of the clinical outcomes group has been set up to develop service guidance for purchasers, based on the recommendations of the task force. The subgroup's membership includes representatives of health authorities and trusts, nurses, general practitioners, patients, and the British Diabetic Association. The subgroup expects to complete its work by the end of 1996.

  Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to paragraph 2.7 of his Department's report on the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, on what basis his Department agreed 20 per cent. as the allowable level of research and development costs. [39022]

  Mr. Malone
  The research and development carried out in the United Kingdom rose steadily through the 1970s and early 1980s. The Government agreed with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry in 1986 that support for research and development would be maintained at the then current level of around 20 per cent. of pharmaceutical sales to the national health service. That agreement was continued in 1993.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he proposes to publish a report to Parliament on the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme annually. [39032]

  Mr. Malone
  Following the first report to Parliament, submitted in May, I plan to make further reports on a regular basis.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to paragraph 1 of his Department's report on the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, what factors underlay the discrepancy between the companies' figure for total home profits and the Department's outturn figures. [39031]

  Mr. Malone
  Under paragraph 4.8 of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, the Department may question any figures which do not appear to be consistent with the requirements of the scheme. The difference between the company figures and the outturn figures shown in table 1 of the report to Parliament reflects the figures accepted in negotiation as reasonable for the national health service and the taxpayer to bear.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will supplement the information provided in his Department's report on the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme in respect of the nature of the research and development work carried out with funding provided under the scheme. [39001]
  223
  Mr. Malone
  The pharmaceutical price regulation scheme does not provide funding for research and development, but allows as a cost a proportion of companies' spending. Research priorities are determined by the companies.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the factors underlying the sums spent by the United Kingdom relative to those spent by its major competitors on pharmaceutical research related to worldwide pharmaceutical development. [39023]

  Mr. Malone
  The "Research and Development Scoreboard", published earlier this month, shows that expenditure on research by the pharmaceutical industry in the United Kingdom is comparable to its major competitors worldwide.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to paragraphs 2.4.1 and 2.4.2 of his department's report on the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, if he will make a statement on the criteria used by his Department when it agreed a profitability range of 17 per cent. to 21 per cent. return on capital; what criteria are used to determine where on the range an individual company is placed; how the profitability of companies covered by the scheme compares with movements in the FT500 index; and how his Department measures the degree of a company's long-term commitment to the United Kingdom pharmaceutical market. [39029]

  Mr. Malone
  The range of target profitability under the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme allows pharmaceutical companies to earn profits in line with the average profitability of companies in other sectors of United Kingdom industry. The range was established taking account of the FT500 index, and is subject to review in the light of movements in that index, but was agreed in negotiation with the industry, not by a set formula. Individual companies are placed within that range in the light of factors which they can show to demonstrate their long-term commitment to supplying the medicines which the national health service needs. These factors are established and assessed in negotiation.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Department's report on the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme what factors underlay his Department not being able, at 30 April, to finalise agreed outcome figures on the annual financial returns from companies for(a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many companies are outstanding for each year; and what action his Department is taking to finalise outcome figures more quickly. [39030]

  Mr. Malone
  Clearance of annual financial returns is dependent on completing negotiations with companies, which may be both complicated and time consuming. In addition there has been delay due to the extra work arising from the negotiation of the new pharmaceutical price regulation scheme in 1993 and from subsequent policy initiatives. On 30 June 1996 six AFRs from 1992, 14 from 1993 and 35 from 1994 remained unfinished.

  Steps are being taken to clear this backlog.
  224

  Nursing Staff Accommodation
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to privatise nursing accommodation. [39063]

  Mr. Malone
  It is for national health service trusts to determine, as part of their recruitment and retention policies, what staff residential accommodation they require and how that accommodation is to be provided.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued in respect of the provision of accommodation to nursing students. [39062]

  Mr. Malone
  The guidance HSG(93)6, issued on 28 January 1993, advises national health service employers on the provision of accommodation for Project 2000 students. Copies are available in the Library.

  Wheelchairs
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a list of all wheelchair centres in England and Wales. [39172]

  Mr. Bowis
  I will arrange for copies of the directory "Addresses of NHS Wheelchair Services" to be placed in the Library shortly.

  General Practitioners
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of general practitioners reaching the ages of(a) 65 and (b) 70 years in each of the next five years. [39058]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  Estimated number of Unrestricted Principals reaching age 65–70 over next 5 years in England and Wales.

  Year

  Reaching 65

  Reaching 70

  1996

  190

  54

  1997

  221

  53

  1998

  276

  72

  1999

  289

  91

  2000

  375

  113

  Source:

  General Medical Services Census, 1 October 1995.

  Estimates are based on the age of Unrestricted Principals at 1 October 1995.

  Nurses (Pension Schemes)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to include practice nurses in NHS pension schemes; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of this. [39060]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 17 June,Official Report, column 352.

  Human Embryos
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos will be unfrozen and destroyed on 1 August; and what arrangements he is making to ensure that they are disposed of in a respectful manner. [39035]
  225
  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 June,Official Report, columns 85–86. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is compiling figures on contacts made by the clinics with couples whose embryos have been store since before 1 August 1991. This information will not be complete until after 31 July.

  Guidance on disposal arrangements is given in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's code of practice.

  Operations (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the current median waiting periods for patients needing hip replacement treatment at(a) each hospital where this operation is provided and (b) in England, and the equivalent waiting times for the two preceding years; [37497]

  (2) if he will list the current median waiting periods for patients needing cataract treatment, (a) at each hospital where this operation is provided and (b) in England, and the equivalent waiting time for the two preceding years. [37498]

  Mr. Horam
  [holding answer 19 July 1996]: Current median waiting times are not available centrally. Information for the latest years available has been placed in the Library.

  Secondary Care
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered medical practitioners hold chairs in secondary care in United Kingdom universities and medical schools. [38394]

  Mr. Forth
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available centrally.

SCOTLAND

  New Prisons
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the proposed start date for the construction of the new prison at Bowhouse, Kilmarnock; [37350]

  (2) what sites in Scotland are being currently considered for new prisons. [37351]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Negotiations with private sector consortia for the new privately financed prison await the outcome of the application for outline planning permission now with East Ayrshire council. Subject to outline approval being granted readily, construction work might be expected to begin in late 1997 or early 1998. As for further new prisons, local authorities 226
  in the central belt of Scotland are to be approached in the near future with a view to identifying potential prison sites in this area.

  Hospital Readmissions
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each NHS trust in Scotland the number of patients readmitted within one month of discharge in each of the last five years. [38396]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is laid out in the table. The reason for a patient being readmitted is not necessarily related to the reason for original admission. The longer after discharge that a patient is readmitted, the less likely the reasons are related.

  Readmissions within 28 days of discharge

  NHS Trust,

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  998

  1,293

  3,499

  3,985

  4,162

  North Ayrshire Hospitals and Arran NHS Trust

  2,813

  3,157

  3,493

  5,259

  4,659

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Health Care NHS Trust

  992

  836

  230

  232

  246

  Borders General Hospital Acute Unit

  1,207

  1,328

  1,598

  1,701

  1,869

  Borders Community Health Services

  239

  232

  147

  219

  242

  Dumbarton Unit

  728

  979

  1,173

  1,324

  1,565

  Argyll and Bute Unit

  862

  968

  1,017

  1,190

  1,117

  Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  2,059

  2,580

  2,988

  3,677

  3,417

  Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust

  1,623

  1,805

  1,901

  1,842

  2,113

  Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  131

  156

  170

  146

  167

  Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust

  2

  3

  18

  1,470

  2,498

  Fife Healthcare NHS Trust

  1,235

  1,508

  1,684

  1,210

  508

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  2,284

  2,620

  2,918

  2,697

  3,330

  Continuing Care for the Elderly Unit

  3,250

  2,200

  1,037

  107

  79

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust

  3,160

  2,746

  3,304

  3,620

  4,330

  The Yorkhill NHS Trust

  3,717

  3,382

  2,836

  3,449

  4,248

  The Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  2,259

  2,589

  3,229

  3,622

  3,651

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust

  6,916

  8,828

  10,246

  13,456

  13,952

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  6,291

  7,313

  7,810

  9,196

  9,404

  Stobhill NHS Trust

  4,413

  4,119

  4,795

  5,540

  5,430

  Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust

  2,203

  2,311

  2,731

  2,645

  3,224

  Caithness and Sunderland NHS Trust

  378

  340

  522

  500

  612

  Highland Communities NHS Trust

  446

  403

  473

  590

  737

  Community and Priority Services Unit

  142

  142

  179

  167

  179

  Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals NHS Trust

  3,136

  3,358

  3,548

  4,026

  4,161

  Law Hospitals NHS Trust

  2,468

  2,702

  3,080

  3,382

  3,950

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust

  2,642

  2,982

  3,715

  5,254

  5,636

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  6,818

  7,315

  7,776

  7,887

  6,202

  Grampian Healthcare NHS Trust

  1,544

  1,370

  1,396

  1,546

  1,528

  Moray Health Services NHS Trust

  545

  553

  537

  680

  894

  Orkney Health Board Unit

  176

  239

  209

  228

  281

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  1,945

  2,218

  2,633

  2,670

  2,832

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  6,682

  6,790

  7,624

  8,408

  9,570

  227

  Readmissions within 28 days of discharge

  NHS Trust

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust

  1,287

  1,437

  1,571

  1,749

  1,752

  Western General Hospitals NHS Trust

  4,800

  6,673

  8,475

  10,979

  12,092

  East and Midlothian NHS Trust

  1,131

  1,124

  1,433

  1,535

  1,681

  Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust

  429

  317

  90

  103

  117

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  5,128

  5,501

  5,456

  6,432

  6,945

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust

  1,362

  1,489

  1,708

  1,991

  2,258

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust

  272

  343

  253

  252

  280

  Agnus NHS Trust

  907

  909

  944

  1,095

  1,331

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  2,063

  2,541

  2,795

  2,756

  2,765

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  1,905

  2,070

  2,146

  2,303

  2,448

  Western Isles Health Board

  358

  391

  467

  495

  479

  Community Services Unit

  163

  186

  181

  196

  227

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  1,693

  2,190

  2,534

  2,941

  3,210

  Shetland Hospitals and Community Services Unit

  316

  314

  343

  477

  433

  Other1

  2,739

  2,524

  1,287

  549

  211

  Total

  101,070

  107,374

  118,229

  136,068

  145,013

  1 Includes closed hospitals, discontinued specialities within hospitals, various convalescent nursing homes etc.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each trust in Scotland for each of the last five years the number of patients who were readmitted to hospital within three months of discharge. [39204]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is laid out in the table. The reason for a patient being readmitted to hospital is not necessarily related to the reason for original admission. The longer after discharge that a patient is readmitted, the less likely it is that the reasons are related.

  Total readmissions within three months of discharge

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  12,645

  13,437

  14,333

  14,723

  15,267

  Angus NHS Trust

  2,003

  1,853

  1,950

  2,341

  2,560

  Argyll and Bute Unit

  1,653

  1,796

  1,900

  2,201

  2,135

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Care NHS Trust

  1,708

  1,526

  504

  495

  547

  Borders Community Health Services

  483

  447

  336

  435

  473

  Borders General Hospital Acute Unit

  2,343

  2,532

  3,084

  3,339

  3,645

  Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust

  744

  741

  1,062

  1,063

  1,258

  Community and Priority Services Unit

  348

  400

  444

  423

  415

  Community Services Unit

  465

  500

  493

  522

  528

  Continuing Care for the Elderly Unit

  4,143

  2,696

  1,330

  216

  161

  Dumbarton Unit

  1,604

  1,832

  2,289

  2,438

  2,838

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  3,715

  4,132

  4,682

  5,273

  5,715

  Dundee Healthcare

  228

  Total readmissions within three months of discharge

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  NHS Trust

  595

  709

  667

  580

  673

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  9,802

  10,396

  10,510

  11,880

  13,043

  East and Midlothian NHS Trust

  2,302

  2,226

  2,905

  3,183

  3,418

  Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust

  831

  619

  208

  248

  270

  Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust

  2,074

  2,340

  2,613

  2,776

  2,828

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  4,097

  4,441

  4,450

  4,613

  4,719

  Fife Healthcare NHS Trust

  2,353

  2,825

  3,097

  2,194

  1,145

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  11,726

  12,873

  13,502

  15,144

  15,780

  Grampian Healthcare NHS Trust

  3,178

  2,799

  3,064

  3,175

  3,284

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse hospitals NHS Trust

  5,064

  5,546

  6,512

  8,238

  8,623

  Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust

  3,302

  3,443

  3,738

  3,883

  4,127

  Highland Communities NHS Trust

  951

  985

  1,153

  1,290

  1,520

  Kirkcaldy Acute hospitals NHS Trust

  4,504

  5,127

  5,760

  5,350

  6,228

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  4,758

  5,604

  5,621

  6,153

  6,917

  Monklands and Bellshill hospitals NHS Trust

  5,230

  5,604

  5,933

  6,443

  6,604

  Moray Health Services NHS Trust

  1,152

  1,209

  1,187

  1,295

  1,749

  North Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust

  5,010

  5,709

  6,234

  8,298

  8,158

  Orkney Health Board

  355

  453

  439

  426

  500

  Others

  5,194

  5,200

  2,786

  1,232

  410

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust

  2,712

  2,948

  3,325

  3,858

  4,110

  Queen margaret Hospital NHS Trust

  15

  10

  32

  2,619

  4,436

  Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust

  4,455

  4,773

  5,304

  5,472

  5,998

  Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  283

  334

  356

  320

  344

  Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  4,160

  5,110

  5,780

  6,945

  6,648

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  12,982

  12,582

  13,792

  15,017

  16,769

  Shetland Hospitals and Community Services Unit

  620

  627

  687

  768

  771

  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  2,235

  2,897

  6,466

  7,140

  7,401

  Southern General Hospitals NHS Trust

  5,808

  5,491

  6,275

  7,232

  8,399

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  4,255

  5,114

  5,619

  5,724

  5,614

  Stobhill NHS Trust

  7,788

  7,585

  8,350

  9,363

  9,539

  The Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  4,536

  4,894

  6,507

  6,972

  7,023

  The Yorkhill NHS Trust

  5,668

  5,181

  4,854

  5,592

  6,553

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust

  14,519

  14,916

  17,011

  20,603

  20,960

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  3,565

  4,026

  5,398

  5,830

  6,587

  Western General Hospitals NHS Trust

  8,051

  10,609

  13,232

  16,417

  18,030

  229

  Total readmissions within three months of discharge

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Western Isles Health Board

  782

  866

  971

  999

  1,065

  Scotland

  186,767

  197,480

  216,745

  240,742

  255,787

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients in each of the last five years were readmitted to hospital within one month of leaving in each health board area. [39205]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is laid out in the table. The reason for a patient being readmitted is not necessarily related to the issues for original admission. The longer after the discharge that a patient is readmitted, the less likely it is that the reasons are connected.

  Readmissions within 28 days of discharge

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Argyll and Clyde

  5,404

  8,490

  7,249

  8,279

  8,378

  Ayrshire and Arran

  5,320

  5,782

  7,222

  9,476

  9,067

  Borders

  1,448

  1,563

  1,745

  1,924

  2,115

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,076

  2,376

  2,715

  3,317

  3,437

  Fife

  4,198

  4,888

  5,412

  5,599

  6,336

  Forth Valley

  4,048

  4,667

  4,988

  5,093

  5,251

  Grampian

  8,907

  9,238

  9,709

  10,113

  10,624

  Greater Glasgow

  32,143

  31,201

  33,285

  39,019

  41,112

  Highland

  3,042

  3,071

  3,736

  3,935

  4,573

  Lanarkshire

  8,451

  9,237

  10,581

  12,884

  13,982

  Lothian

  17,188

  19,478

  21,958

  25,545

  28,133

  Orkney

  176

  239

  209

  228

  281

  Shetland

  316

  314

  343

  477

  433

  Tayside

  7,996

  8,439

  8,590

  9.997

  10,812

  Western Isles

  358

  391

  487

  495

  479

  Scotland

  101,071

  107,374

  118,229

  136,068

  145,013

  Cycling Accidents (Children)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children received head injuries in cycling accidents in each of the past five years. [38236]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children(a) died and (b) were injured in cycling accidents in each of the past five years. [38235]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of child cyclists reported to have been killed or injured in road accidents in Scotland is set out in the table.

  Child (aged 0–15) cyclists killed or injured in road accidents

  Year

  Fatalities

  Injuries

  1991

  3

  545

  1992

  7

  532

  1993

  6

  462

  1994

  4

  625

  1995

  3

  547

  230

  Medical Teaching and Research
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total allocation for 1996–97 in respect of general practice teaching and research in Scotland broken down by medical school. [38605]

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

  Medical school

  £

  Aberdeen

  242,700

  Dundee

  267,700

  Edinburgh

  411,700

  Glasgow

  398,200

  Total

  1,320,300

  Cold Weather Payments
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Bellwin scheme of financial assistance for extreme cold weather will be activated for the Scottish borders; and what factors underlie the delay in activating the scheme. [38477]

  Mr. Kynoch
  A decision on this will be reached shortly.

  Conveyancing
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to update the Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1874; and if he will make a statement. [38858]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The provisions of the Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1874 are amended from time to time. Further amendment may be required in the light of the Scottish Law Commission's work on the abolition of the feudal system. The Government are committed to completing the reform of the feudal system and will give careful consideration to further action in this area once the commission's report and recommendations have been received.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects redundant road signing along the M74–A74 marking road works completed along this stretch of road to be removed. [38632]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The remaining redundant signing along the M74–A74 is due to be removed at the completion of the maintenance period at the end of October 1996.

  Highlands and Islands
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of objective 1 supported projects in each local enterprise company area within the highlands and islands and the value to date of the projects which have been approved. [38305]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested appears in the table.
  231

  LEC

  Number of ESF/ERDF projects

  Total European Social Fund and European regional development fund approved (£ million)

  Argyll and the Islands

  98

  10.2

  Moray Badenoch and Strathspey

  49

  4.3

  Caithness and Sutherland

  65

  7.5

  Inverness and Nairn

  25

  4.9

  Lochaber

  43

  7.9

  Orkney

  48

  3.4

  Ross and Cromarty

  37

  6.9

  Shetland

  93

  6.2

  Skye and Lochalsh

  43

  3.4

  Western Isles

  91

  19.7

  Pan Highlands and Islands

  277

  28.2

  The pan-highlands and islands category includes all projects which cover two or more LEC areas. Information is given about the value of European social fund and European regional development fund grants approved because firm information on total project value becomes available only when project claims are submitted.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many projects approved before 1 March by the project programme management committee of the highlands and islands partnership programme have not yet been started; and if he will make a statement. [38306]

  Mr. Forsyth
  Eight hundred European regional development fund and European social fund projects had been approved by the Secretary of State before 1 March 1996. One hundred have not submitted claims. However, in some cases where claims have been submitted the claim may be for preparatory work, such as professional fees, rather than for physical work on the project; and in some cases where no claim has yet been submitted the project may have started.

  The precise information which the hon. Member seeks is in the process of being collected from project sponsors, in order to assist the management of the programme. It is expected to be available in the autumn; and I shall write to the hon. Member when it has been received.

  English Certificates or Money Provisions
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 8 July,Official Report, column 53, about mechanisms in place at the Books of Council and Session, what is his definition of an appropriate court. [38795]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Schedule 8, rule 3 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 defines the court(s) with jurisdiction to hear a case. Once judgment has been made or entered in that court, that court is the appropriate court to issue the certificate of judgment in terms of section 18(2) of the said Act.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 8 July,Official Report, column 54, about numbers of English certificates of money provisions registered with the Books of Council and Session, for each year 1990 to 1995 and for the first six months of 1996, how many of the certificates were
  232
  granted in actions which arose out of consumer contracts falling within the terms of schedule 8, rule 3 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982. [38796]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The form of the certificate of judgment is provided for in schedule 6, rule 4 and schedule 7, rule 4 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982. In neither case is it necessary for the certificate to state the cause of the action. The information requested cannot, therefore, be provided from the face of the register and the Keeper has neither the locus nor the means to look behind the ex facie terms of a certificate presented for registration.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 July,Official Report, column 589, concerning information technology functions, if he will give itemised costs of individual projects exceeding £500,000 during the period 1991–92 to 1996–97; and what assessments he has made of the benefits to the NHS in Scotland of each of these individual projects. [38888]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Agency Printing Costs
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the agencies for which his Department is responsible indicating for each the costs incurred for printing(a) all publications and (b) the annual report in the last available year. [38669]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is given in the table. All costs are based on outturns for 1995–96.

  Cost of printing publications 1995–96

  Agency

  Cost of printing

  All publications1 £

  Annual report £

  Scottish Prison Service

  10,064

  6,000

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  21,341

  7,228

  Historic Scotland

  2479,316

  9,753

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  18,491

  5,585

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  359,190

  5,721

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  4121,896

  4,032

  Registers of Scotland

  55,443

  17,398

  Scottish Record Office

  6,000

  2,007

  Scottish Court Service

  56,399

  4n/a

  1 Includes the cost of the annual report.

  2 Includes the cost of printing guidebooks, events programmes, promotional leaflets, etc.

  3 Includes the cost of information booklets.

  4 Includes scheme literature and forms.

  5 The Scottish Court Service became an agency on 1 April 1995 and therefore the cost of the first report (1995–96) will be incurred in 1996–97.

  233

  Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the licences issued by his Department; for what purpose they are issued; and what are the administrative costs for each. [38677]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office is responsible for administering the following two licensing arrangements:The registration of residential schools providing care. This is a statutory requirement which acts as an effective control over proprietors and managers of establishments providing a significant degree of care to young and/or vulnerable children.
  Yearly approval of adoption societies. This is a statutory requirement for adoption societies to be approved by the Secretary of State on a yearly basis.

  The administration of these licences represents only a small part of the overall administrative responsibilities of the departmental staff involved. It is therefore not possible to assign a specific cost to these particular activities.

  Community Service Orders
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the additional costs likely to be incurred by social work departments in Scotland from implementation of the proposals for an increase in the number of hours for which community service orders are to be made contained in the White Paper "Crime and Punishment". [38754]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Community service is 100 per cent. funded by central Government. No net increase in costs is anticipated following from the increases in minimum and maximum hours. Any increase in costs resulting from the increase in maximum hours under solemn procedure is estimated to be offset by a reduction in the number of short orders which are relatively more expensive to manage.

  CSC Computing Contract
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who specified the computing contract won by CSC; and who evaluated the CSC bid. [39174]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A statement of service requirements was prepared by each customer and formed the basis of the contract negotiated with each of the shortlisted bidders. The bid was evaluated by an evaluation group appointed by the national working group on computer services which was representative of customer interests. Customer preferences were sought and taken into account in the evaluation process.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the disaster recovery plan if CSC fails to discharge its obligations in accordance with its computing contract. [39162]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In the normal course, contingency plans are prepared against events which might cause major disruption to the service. Provisions against the possibility of either party failing to discharge their obligations are included in the contract and these are intended to provide a framework to ensure, as necessary, transfer and continuity of service. A high-level contingency plan based on these contract provisions is in 234
  hand and this addresses the range of issues which might arise, options for action and the responsibilities for taking them forward.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect the performance of CSC has had on the billing of general practitioner fundholders by national health service trusts. [39160]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No significant difficulties have arisen. Only one minor difficulty has been brought to the attention of the Common Services Agency and this has been addressed by CSC with the client concerned.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which targets and deadlines were included in the computing contract won by CSC; and what progress has been made in meeting them. [39159]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Targets for quality and delivery are set, as necessary, by each customer of the contract. These cover the full range of services and developments identified by health boards, NHS trusts and the Common Services Agency and are specified in individual customer agreements. Monitoring is carried out by individual customers on the basis of service reports provided to them by CSC. Responsibility for providing an overview of the contract rests with the Common Services Agency.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sanctions are available if CSC fails to discharge its obligations in accordance with its computing contract. [39161]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  If services are not supplied in accordance with service levels specified in customer agreements each customers is entitled to liquidate damages which reflect the loss to the customer. In addition, each customer is entitled to insist on compliance with the service levels specifications regardless of the impact on the resource required by the supplier. If the service falls below the agreed minimum services standard, each customer has additional rights which may include termination if the defaults are not remedied within the three months of notice being given.

  Private Landed Estates
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what are the criteria for monitoring non-agricultural grants made to owners of landed estates of more than 500 acres to(a) improve or maintain private buildings, (b) improve or maintain private roads and (c) promote tourism; and if he will make a statement; [39168]

  (2) how much public money in (a) grants and (b) loans has been given to owners of landed estates of more than 500 acres to (i) improve or maintain private buildings or (ii) improve or maintain private roads on those estates in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [39169]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Grants for such purposes may be available from a range of public bodies and agencies in addition to the Scottish Office, and there will be different monitoring criteria for each scheme. Not all this information is held centrally, nor can it be obtained, except at disproportionate cost.
  235
  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 15 July,Official Report, column 407, if he will set out the methods for monitoring non-agricultural grants to owners of landed estates of more than 500 acres; and if he will make a statement. [39166]

  Mr. Robertson
  The methods employed do not discriminate as between owners of landed estates and other applicants and include, as appropriate, checking of plans and costings, examination of invoices, physical inspection of completion and supervision of usage for approved purpose and of compliance with conditions.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 15 July,Official Report, column 407, when the information relating to the criteria upon which monitoring conditions imposed on applicants for financial assistance are based will be published; if he will give details of those criteria; and if he will make a statement. [39167]

  Mr. Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 21 February,Official Report, column 194. Making such information available is an on-going process and I shall be pleased to send the hon. Member copies of the explanatory literature for any of the schemes administered by the Scottish Office in which she is interested.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer from the Minister with responsibility for education, housing and fisheries of 15 July,Official Report, column 407, in each year since 1990 (i) how many departmental officials were involved in the monitoring of grants of public money to (a) agricultural and (b) non-agricultural schemes, (ii) how many schemes were found not to have met the requirement conditions, (iii) how much in assistance was recovered, (iv) in how many cases the monitoring of the schemes involved on-site visits and (v) what methods were adopted by departmental officials in monitoring the effectiveness of scheme; and if he will make a statement. [39171]

  Mr. Robertson
  The information sought in categories (i) to (iv) is not held centrally and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost. The methods adopted in monitoring effectiveness vary from scheme to scheme, but include such procedures as physical inspection of completed works and regular supervision to check that the grant-aided work continues to meet all the conditions of approval imposed.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated annual saving to private business and public funds form the Deregulation (Gaming on Sunday in Scotland) Order 1996. [39156]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. The order removes the restriction on licensed casinos and bingo clubs in Scotland opening on Sunday afternoons. The extension of the permitted gaming hours is likely to result in a financial benefit to the industry in the form of an increase in turnover.
  236

  Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce his decision on the report of the public inquiry into the proposed electricity interconnector to Northern Ireland. [38973]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend is still considering the report on the public inquiry into proposals to construct the Scottish section of the proposed Scotland-Northern Ireland electricity interconnector and representations on these proposals. He will announce his decision in due course.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the need for a public inquiry into the undersea section of the electricity interconnector to Northern Ireland; what is the outcome of his consideration of these representations; and if he will make a statement. [38975]

  Mr. Kynoch
  I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 19 January,Official Report, column 804.

  School Language Assistants
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local education authorities have withdrawn foreign language assistants from secondary schools on grounds of financial constraints. [39115]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Twelve Scottish local authorities have decided to not employ foreign language assistants for their schools for 1996–97. The reasons for this are entirely a matter for the authorities concerned.

  Drugs Offences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of(a) men and (b) women convicted by courts of drug offences in Scotland during 1995. [39221]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested for 1995 is not yet available. The information for 1994 can be found in tables 6(a) and 6(b) of the Scottish Office statistical bulletin "Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts, 1994", a copy of which was placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Northern Isles Freight
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to respond to the Scottish Affairs Committee report into the removal of tariff rebate subsidy on northern isles freight. [39634]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government welcomed the Committee's study of this subject and has considered the report very carefully. A command paper responding in full to the report will be presented to Parliament after the recess. We fully recognise, however, the importance of this issue to the island communities of Orkney and Shetland; and therefore wish to indicate now the nature of the Government's response on the key recommendations made by the Select Committee.

  We welcome the Select Committee's acceptance of the Government's conclusion that the tariff rebate subside scheme was flawed and that there was a need therefore to consider other forms of subsidy. We also welcome its

  237
  endorsement of the importance that the Government attach to the current competitive tendering exercise for a lifeline passenger service in the northern isles. We note that it has not argued that the reintroduction of subsidies for the carriage of general freight has a place in a satisfactory long-term regime. These conclusions correspond closely to the Government's analysis of the position.

  I promised, following the decision to withdraw freight subsidies, that we would ensure that the effect of withdrawal was monitored and reviewed. We have done so by listening to representations made to us and considering evidence put before us. In response to that and to the Select Committee's report, the Government propose to make four changes to policy. These are:

  i. to specify maximum freight rate levels in the lifeline service contract, which will provide some element of price stability to the freight market and ensure that tariffs do not increase excessively.

  ii. to require the successful bidder for the lifeline service contract to provide sufficient capacity to carry livestock during peak periods, which will for the first time guarantee that farmers will be able to export livestock during the busiest periods of the year.

  iii. to increase the subsidy level for the carriage of livestock from 33 per cent. to 50 per cent. with effect from 1 September 1996 to reflect the economic importance of the livestock trade, particularly to Orkney, and to alleviate the effects of the uncertainty which the bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis has introduced into the livestock market since the Government's original decisions. The need for the increased rate of subsidy will be kept under review, in the light of conditions in the livestock market.

  iv. to reinstate tariff rebate subsidy support for bulk freight in the northern isles with effect from 1 September 1996, at a rate of 30 per cent. on exports and 10 per cent. on imports, in order to remove the adverse effect of the withdrawal of subsidies on bulk freight on companies exporting low-value bulk freight and on companies dependent on imported supplies of hulk freight. The Scottish Office will also undertake an urgent review of the bulk freight market, which will involve extensive consultations with the relevant local interests, in order to identify a more satisfactory system of bulk freight subsidies for introduction in the medium term. We are suspending the phasing out of tariff rebate subsidy in the Western Isles pending the conclusions of the review; and subsidy will continue at the present rate of 20 per cent. for both imports and exports during 1997–98.

  In addition, we are able to give two assurances which the Select Committee sought. These are to confirm that:
  the tendering process for the lifeline service enables bidders to present alternative options to the present pattern of service: and there is no obstacle, in principle, to the successful bidder for the contract applying, through a public sector sponsor, for European regional development fund assistance towards vessel replacement.
  The inclusion of peak period livestock capacity within the contract for the lifeline passenger service, which will carry accompanied cars and freight as well as passengers, means that the contract will cover all of the categories of traffic which the Select Committee recommended should be included within the definition of a lifeline service, although the Government remain of the view that the lifeline service is properly defined by reference to the need for passenger ferry services.
  238
  The Government have been unable to accept some of the Select Committee's recommendations. We have been unable to reconcile several of the conclusions of the Select Committee with the need for a tendered contract for the lifeline services, which the Select Committee has endorsed, and with the Government's wish to respond urgently to the Select Committee's criticism of the present regime, by putting the tendered contract in place as soon as possible. The Select Committee's recommendation that tariff rebate subsidy be reintroduced for general freight on a temporary basis, despite its conclusion that there is no medium-term need of subsidy for such freight, would have a detrimental impact on the tendering of the lifeline services passenger ferry contract. The Committee's recommendation that the Kirkwall—Invergordon route should be separately tendered to carry freight and livestock would also have a detrimental effect on the tendering of the lifeline contract, and would place other freight carriers operating in the locality at a commercial disadvantage.

  The likely adverse impact on the tendering exercise for the lifeline passenger service is also part of the reason that the Government do not accept the recommendation that CalMac be involved in the provision of services in the northern isles. Other important considerations are that it would constitute an unacceptable transfer of risk to the public sector; and would entail very substantial increased costs to the taxpayer to finance vessel procurement.

  We regard the Select Committee's proposal for separate public sector procurement of vessels as unnecessary, in the light of the assurance given about eligibility of vessel replacement by private sector operators for European regional development fund assistance; and the proposal is also subject to some disadvantages.

  In reaching these decisions, the Government's overriding objective remains to secure an unprecedented long-term guarantee to ensure the continuation of lifeline services to Orkney and Shetland, which are essential to the economic and social welfare of the islands, through a competitive tendering process which should command confidence that the subsidy level does not provide scope for cross-subsidy of freight operations. The additional measures announced today seek to provide help to four key sectors of the economy of the islands:
  the livestock farming community, which will benefit from the guaranteed provision within the lifeline contract of capacity to carry livestock during the peak periods and the increase in the rate of tariff rebate subsidy on livestock while the serious difficulties in the livestock market caused by the BSE crisis remain;
  companies dealing in general freight, which will benefit from the specification of maximum freight levels in the lifeline contract;
  companies dealing in bulk freight, which will benefit from the reintroduction of tariff rebate subsidy and the commitment to an improved system of bulk freight subsidy in the medium term;
  consumers in the islands, who will benefit from the effect on prices of the measures on general freight and imported bulk freight.

  The Select Committee has rightly made the point that the purpose of subsidy arrangements is not to benefit the

  239
  operators of shipping services. Nevertheless, these measures should have a beneficial effect on the volume of business in the market and thus indirectly improve trading conditions for all operators. I believe that the overall effect of the measures set out above will be a significant further economic and social benefit to Scotland's islands communities.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the 10 largest industrial or commercial developments in Scotland which resulted from inward

  Published figures for:

  Date of announcement

  Company

  Location

  Type of project

  Planned investment (£ million)

  Planned new jobs

  RSA (.£ million)

  April 1994

  International Components Corporation

  East Kilbride

  New Project

  6.0

  400

  2.05

  September 1994

  NEC Semiconductors (UK) Ltd.

  Livingston

  Expansion

  530.0

  430

  7.0

  October 1994

  British Sky Broadcasting

  Dunfermline

  New project

  10.0

  1,000

  6.0

  February 1995

  Meric International Corporation

  Irvine

  New project

  8.0

  450

  3.4

  August 1995

  British Gas

  Edinburgh

  New project

  1—

  500

  Nil

  August 1995

  Motorola

  Bathgate

  Expansion

  1—

  400

  7.0

  September 1995

  TSB

  Glasgow

  New project

  15.0

  900

  2—

  October 1995

  Lexmark International

  Rosyth

  New project

  26.0

  500

  2—

  November 1995

  Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd.

  Mossend

  New project

  260.0

  3,300

  2—

  July 1996

  Lite-On Technology

  Mossend

  New project

  40.0

  1,031

  2—

  1Not published by company.

  2Not yet published

  Details of the financial assistance offered to inward investors are commercially confidential. All such assistance complies with the rules of the relevant schemes and with EC state aid rules. The principal form of assistance offered in support of inward investment projects is regional selective assistance and where the amount offered is £75,000 or more, the total amount offered is published in "Labour Market Trends" in the quarter after the first instalment of grant is paid. Where such publication has already taken place, the relevant figure is included in the table.

  Most of the above projects are still in the process of being implemented and up-to-date information on the number of new jobs so far created by them is not held centrally.

  Atholl Estate
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums from public funds have been given to the Atholl estate in the form of(a) non-agricultural grants and (b) loans since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [36735]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 11 July 1996]: Fully comprehensive information is not held centrally and some information may be commercially sensitive. However, three important areas of support to the estate have come from the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland. In the case of SNH and Historic Scotland, full information on grant payments is published in their annual reports and is thus available to those who are interested.
  240
  investment since 1993; and, in each case, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs created and the average cost to public funds of each of these jobs. [37636]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: All our dealings with inward investors are undertaken on a commercially confidential basis and we do not therefore publish details of individual projects except in cases where details of the project have been announced by the company itself. The table contains details of the 10 largest inward investment projects—in terms of planned new jobs—which have been attracted to Scotland since 1 January 1993 and which have been the subject of public announcements:

  Rowett Research Institute
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the prior option review of the Rowett research institute. [39665]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Government's response to the report of the multidepartmental efficiency scrutiny of public sector research establishments announced a series of prior option reviews. As part of this series the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department will conduct a prior options review of the Rowett research institute.

  The review will address whether the research conducted at the Rowett continues to be needed, whether it requires public funding, the relationship of the Rowett to others working in similar or related areas of science, and the potential for privatisation or rationalisation.

  I would welcome comments from interested parties. They should be sent by 30 September to:

  Mrs. B. McGee

  The Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department

  Pentland House

  47 Robb's Loan

  EDINBURGH

  EH14 1TY

  Forestry Commission Land Sales
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those areas in the Scottish borders area sold by the Forestry Commission in 1996. [37995]
  241
  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. Gordon Cowie, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Gordon M. Cowie to Mr. Arch)' Kirkwood, dated 23 July 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Scotland has asked me to reply to your Question about the areas sold by the Forestry Commission, in 1996, in the Scottish Borders Area.

  There have been no plantation sales completed, in the Borders Council Area, so far in 1996.

  However, there is one plantation, Priesthaugh measuring 787 ha, currently with our Solicitors awaiting legal completion and another. Edgarhope measuring 143.5 ha. with Agents for marketing.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what tonnage of fishing vessels and what number of fishing vessels in Scotland have been(a) permanently reassigned for purposes other than fishing in the waters of the European Community and (b) permanently transferred to a third country since 1993; how many of these would have been covered under article 8 of European Council regulations 3699/93; and if he will make a statement. [38243]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 19 July 1996]: No record is kept of the destination of vessels leaving the fleet without Government assistance. Under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Schemes 1993 to 1996, no decommissioned vessels were either permanently reassigned for purposes other than fishing in the waters of the European Community or permanently transferred to a third country.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the option of including permanent transfer of a fishing vessel to a third country or permanent reassignment for purposes other than fishing in waters of the European Community in the United Kingdom's decommissioning scheme; and if he will make a statement. [38244]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 19 July 1996]: A number of organisations made representations to the Scottish Office about fishing vessel decommissioning in response to a consultation document issued on 14 March. Some of these included support for the disposal of decommissioned vessels by methods other than scrapping. Similar representations were also received about previous schemes.

  Under Council regulation (EEC) No. 3699/93, each member state is responsible for ensuring that vessels decommissioned with assistance from the Community's financial instrument of fisheries guidance do not re-enter its own fishing fleet or the fleet of any other member state. It has not been possible to develop transfer or reassignment mechanisms in the UK which would guarantee this. Under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) Scheme 1996, the requirement therefore remains that most decommissioned vessels in
  242
  the UK be scrapped, although there is a provision allowing vessels to be transferred in a seaworthy state to registered museums.

TREASURY

  Unfunded Pension Liabilities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated impact on the public sector unfunded pension liability of the recent proposals from each of the public sector pay review bodies. [36350]

  Mr. Jack
  Recent proposals from review bodies have not contained this information. The Government Actuary's Department periodically reassesses the accrued unfunded pensions liabilities of public service schemes taking account of movements in pay, other economic variables and changes in demographic features. However, these liabilities cannot readily be broken down according to review body.

  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a ready reckoner of the change in unfunded pension liabilities caused by salary changes in per cent. increments between 1/4 per cent. and 10 per cent. on the basis of current levels of inflation and discount rates. [36340]

  Mr. Jack
  Each 1 per cent. rise in pay above the level of price inflation is estimated to increase the cash equivalent transfer value of unfunded pension liabilities in public service pension schemes by about £700 million. These additional liabilities will become payable over a lengthy period reflecting particularly the span of years over which existing staff reach retirement age and the period of years over which their pensions are payable.

  Isle of Wight (Expenditure)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total annual expenditure of his Department in respect of the Isle of Wight, including expenditure on administration. [36918]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Information is not held centrally about how much Government expenditure is for the benefit of particular counties. However, a regional breakdown is available in "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses", Cm3201. Information could be collected from other Government Departments only at disproportionate cost.

  Abortion Statistics
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors account for the interval in publication between the next edition of "Abortion Statistics, England and Wales" (series AB No. 19) and its predecessors. [36899]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The edition "1992 Abortion Statistics, England and Wales (series AB No. 19)" was published on 30 March 1995. The Office for National Statistics publishes on average, one edition a year. The present target dates for each edition are 12 to 18 months from the end of the period covered. Publication dates are determined by the time required for the receipt of HSA4 notification forms by the chief medical officers at the
  243
  Department of Health and the Welsh Office, and the statistical processing and analyses of the notifications by the ONS in preparation for their subsequent publication.

  The key principle of ()NS policy on the release of statistical data is that data are released as early as possible.

  Housing Benefit Cheques
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will act to limit the commission charged by organisations that cash housing benefit cheques for claimants. [37172]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Housing benefit claimants do not need to use cheque encashment centres. Local authorities—who are responsible for the payment of this benefit—have powers to make alternative arrangements to ensure that claimants who do not have bank accounts receive its full value. For example, payment can be made by Girocheque which can be cashed at a post office., local authorities can use their own cash offices to cash cheques; or benefit can be paid direct to the landlord.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the procedures for cashing cheques by organisations which are not banks. [37170]

  Mrs. Knight
  These are matters for the cheque cashing centres and the banks who offer them cheque clearing facilities.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate organisations which cash cheques for housing benefit claimants and make recommendations to tackle fraud and abuses. [37171]

  Mrs. Knight
  Local authorities are responsible for the payment of housing benefits. Those which are concerned about organisations which cash cheques for housing benefit claimants have powers to make alternative arrangements to ensure that claimants without bank accounts receive the full value of their benefit by other means. For example, payment can be made by Girocheque which can be cashed at a post office; local authorities can use their own cash offices to cash cheques; or benefits can be paid direct to the landlord.

  The clearing bank which offers facilities to a cheque cashing firm is liable should any problems occur with a cheque not paid directly to the named payee.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the revenue from the higher rates of income tax in(a) 1978–79, (b) 1983–84 and (c) 1995–96; [37579]

  (2) what proportion of gross national product was raised in higher rate income tax in (a) 1978–79, (b) 1983–84 and (c) 1995–96; [37584]

  (3) what proportion of income tax was raised by higher rate tax in (a)1978–79, (b) 1983–84 and (c) 1995–96. [37583]

  Mr. Jack
  Estimated income tax liabilities from higher rates of income tax, that is rates in excess of the basic rate, and from the investment income surcharge are given 244
  in the table. Their sum is also expressed as a percentage of total income tax and of gross national product at market prices.

  Income tax at excess over basic rate (1) £ million

  Investment income surcharge (2) £ million

  (1) and (2) as percentage of total income tax

  (1) and (2) as percentage of GNP

  1978–79

  1,790

  249

  10.1

  1.2

  1983–84

  3,330

  255

  10.2

  1.2

  1995–961

  7,080

  —

  9.8

  1.0

  1Provisional.

  Infrastructure Projects
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of his policies in respect of reducing public expenditure and taxation levels on the timing of priority infrastructure projects, with particular reference to bypasses. [38440]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  When deciding on its future spending plans in the annual public expenditure survey round, the Government consider their priorities for all areas of departmental expenditure. The implication of any options is under discussion for future levels of infrastructure funding, including the roads programme, is an important element of these deliberations.

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken to combat organised criminal gangs smuggling tobacco; and if he will make a statement. [38808]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Customs have taken further steps this year to combat organised smuggling of tobacco and other revenue goods. These include a programme of enhanced staff training, an uprating of intelligence systems and organisation, and an increase in staffing levels. Whilst measures of this kind by their nature take some time to bear fruit, the Government are determined that vigorous efforts to protect both the revenue and legitimate traders will continue.

  Self-assessment
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that small firms will not suffer financially as a result of the introduction of self-assessment taxation. [38904]

  Mr. Jack
  Self-assessment is a clearer, more straightforward, more efficient tax administration system which will reduce costs for the self-employed.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of tax returns completed by volunteers in the pilot self-assessment of taxation scheme were filled in(a) correctly, (b) incorrectly and (c) on time. [38894]

  Mr. Jack
  Results from the first year's live trial of self-assessment in Leicester show that 95 per cent. of tax returns could be processed without further reference to the taxpayer. Of these, 37 per cent. required the Revenue to make a correction of an obvious error in the return. A total of 79 per cent. of tax returns were submitted to the Inland Revenue within the time allowed under
  245
  self-assessment. Revised forms reflecting comments by the Leicester volunteers, are currently being used in the extended live trial in Leicester and Southampton.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extra costs to small firms of paying accountants to prepare accounts for random inspection by the Inland Revenue. [38893]

  Mr. Jack
  In order to monitor the operation of self-assessment and enhance compliance, the Inland Revenue will carry out a small number of random inquiries into returns under the self-assessment taxation system. As all necessary information will be included in the self-assessment return form, small firms will not be required to prepare accounts for self-assessment.

  Value Added Tax
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that VAT penalties are levied on small businesses only where there is not a reasonable excuse for late or incorrect payments. [38900]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The VAT civil penalties for late or incomplete payment and for inaccurate returns are default surcharge and misdeclaration penalty respectively. Existing legislation provides that neither penalty is imposed where a business, of whatever size, has a reasonable excuse. Insufficiency funds, reliance on a third party or dilatoriness or inaccuracy on the part of any person relied upon are specifically excluded by law from qualifying as a reasonable excuse. However the cash accounting threshold of £350,000 whereby many small businesses pay VAT only when it is paid to them is of considerable benefit to small businesses.

  Debt Interest Payments
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of general Government expenditure was spent on debt interest payments in each year since 1990; and what he expects it to be in 1996–97 and 1997–98. [38701]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  As a percentage of general Government expenditure (GGE(X)—GGE net of interest and divided receipts, excluding privatisation proceeds and lottery financed spending—general Government net debt interest payments were as follows:

  Percentage

  1990–91

  5.6

  1991–92

  4.7

  1992–93

  4.8

  1993–94

  5.3

  1994–95

  6.1

  1995–96

  6.7

  For 1996–97 and 1997–98, general Government net

  Estimated resident population at mid-year 1974–1994: selected age-groups expressed as a percentage of the total

  England and Wales

  Percentage of males aged

  Year

  0–4

  5–9

  10–14

  15–19

  20–24

  Total

  0–24

  25+

  1974

  7.6

  8.6

  8.4

  7.4

  7.2

  100

  39.3

  60.7

  1975

  7.3

  8.4

  8.6

  7.6

  7.1

  100

  39.0

  61.0

  246
  debt interest as a percentage of GGE(X) is forecast as 7.2 per cent. and 7.8 per cent. respectively. These forecasts are consistent with the summer economic forecast 1996.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of Government expenditure on debt interest payment in each year since 1990; and what he expects it to be in 1996–97 and 1997–98. [38700]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  General Government net debt interest payments were as follows:

  1990–91: £12.1 billion

  1991–92: £11.3 billion

  1992–93: £12.7 billion

  1993–94: £14.6 billion

  1994–95: £17.5 billion

  1995–96: £20.2 billion

  For 1996–97 and 1997–98, general Government net debt interest is forecast at £22.2 billion and £24.8 billion respectively. These forecasts are consistent with the summer economic forecast 1996.

  Financial Services Act
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) of 27 June,Official Report, column 235, if he will list the number and nature of relevant representatives that were consulted, the basis of their selection, and the criteria of relevance. [38906]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Law Commission's report (No. 236) on fiduciary duties and regulatory rules was published in December 1985. This provided an opportunity for interested participants within the financial services industry to consider the implications of the recommendation that legislation would be desirable to clarify the effect of Chinese wall arrangements.

  The Treasury received no representations supporting the Law Commissions' recommendations. Moreover, both the Securities and Investments Board and the London Investment Bank Association did express the view that there was no compelling reasons to amend the Financial Services Act 1986 as recommended by the Law Commission, and much to be gained from relying on the legal precedents set since the Financial Services Act came into force.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the(a) male, (b) female and (c) total population was under the age of 25 years, broken down by age group and in total, for each of the last 20 years for which figures are available; and what was the percentage change in each year. [38683]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information is contained in the following table:
  247

  Estimated resident population at mid-year 1974–1994: selected age-groups expressed as a percentage of the total

  England and Wales

  Percentage of males aged

  Year

  0–4

  5–9

  10–14

  15–19

  20–24

  Total

  0–24

  25+

  1976

  6.9

  8.3

  8.7

  7.8

  7.2

  100

  38.8

  61.2

  1977

  6.5

  8.1

  8.7

  8.0

  7.3

  100

  38.6

  61.4

  1978

  6.3

  7.9

  8.7

  8.2

  7.4

  100

  38.4

  61.6

  1979

  6.2

  7.5

  8.6

  8.5

  7.5

  100

  38.3

  61.7

  1980

  6.3

  7.2

  8.4

  8.7

  7.6

  100

  38.2

  61.8

  1981

  6.4

  6.8

  8.3

  8.8

  7.8

  100

  38.0

  62.0

  1982

  6.5

  6.5

  8.1

  8.8

  8.0

  100

  37.9

  62.1

  1983

  6.6

  6.2

  7.8

  8.8

  8.2

  100

  37.7

  62.3

  1984

  6.6

  6.2

  7.5

  8.6

  8.5

  100

  37.4

  62.6

  1985

  6.6

  6.2

  7.2

  8.4

  8.7

  100

  37.1

  62.9

  1986

  6.7

  6.4

  6.8

  8.2

  8.8

  100

  36.8

  63.2

  1987

  6.7

  6.5

  6.4

  8.0

  8.8

  100

  36.4

  63.6

  1988

  6.8

  6.6

  6.2

  7.8

  8.7

  100

  36.0

  64.0

  1989

  6.9

  6.6

  6.2

  7.4

  8.5

  100

  35.6

  64.4

  1990

  7.0

  6.6

  6.2

  7.1

  8.3

  100

  35.2

  64.8

  1991

  7.0

  6.6

  6.3

  6.7

  8.1

  100

  34.8

  65.2

  1992

  7.1

  6.7

  6.4

  6.4

  7.9

  100

  34.4

  65.6

  1993

  7.0

  6.8

  6.5

  6.1

  7.7

  100

  34.0

  66.0

  1994

  6.9

  6.8

  6.5

  6.1

  7.3

  100

  33.7

  66.3

  The question also asked for percentage changes each year. It is not entirely clear what was meant by this, but year to year differences in the percentages can be seen in the tables.

  Estimated resident population at mid-year 1974–1994: selected age-groups expressed as a percentage of the total

  England and Wales

  Percentage of females aged

  Year

  0–4

  5–9

  10–14

  15–19

  20–24

  Total

  0–24

  25+

  1974

  6.8

  7.7

  7.6

  6.7

  6.7

  100

  35.5

  64.5

  1975

  6.6

  7.6

  7.7

  6.9

  6.6

  100

  35.3

  64.7

  1976

  6.2

  7.5

  7.8

  7.1

  6.6

  100

  35.1

  64.9

  1977

  5.8

  7.3

  7.8

  7.3

  6.6

  100

  34.9

  65.1

  1978

  5.6

  7.1

  7.8

  7.5

  6.7

  100

  34.7

  65.3

  1979

  5.6

  6.8

  7.7

  7.7

  6.8

  100

  34.6

  65.4

  1980

  5.7

  6.5

  7.5

  7.8

  7.0

  100

  34.5

  65.5

  1981

  5.7

  6.1

  7.4

  7.9

  7.3

  100

  34.4

  65.6

  1982

  5.9

  5.8

  7.2

  7.9

  7.4

  100

  34.3

  65.7

  1983

  6.0

  5.6

  7.0

  7.9

  7.6

  100

  34.1

  65.9

  1984

  6.0

  5.6

  6.7

  7.7

  7.8

  100

  33.8

  66.2

  1985

  6.0

  5.6

  6.4

  7.6

  8.0

  100

  33.6

  66.4

  1986

  6.0

  5.7

  6.1

  7.4

  8.1

  100

  33.3

  66.7

  1987

  6.1

  5.8

  5.8

  7.2

  8.0

  100

  33.0

  67.0

  1988

  6.2

  6.0

  5.6

  7.0

  7.9

  100

  32.6

  67.4

  1989

  6.3

  6.0

  5.5

  6.7

  7.8

  100

  32.3

  67.7

  1990

  6.3

  6.0

  5.6

  6.4

  7.6

  100

  31.9

  68.1

  1991

  6.4

  6.0

  5.7

  6.1

  7.4

  100

  31.6

  68.4

  1992

  6.4

  6.1

  5.8

  5.8

  7.2

  100

  31.3

  68.7

  1993

  6.4

  6.1

  5.9

  5.5

  7.0

  100

  31.0

  69.0

  1994

  6.3

  6.2

  5.9

  5.5

  6.7

  100

  30.7

  69.3

  Estimated resident population at mid-year 1974–1994: selected age-groups expressed as a percentage of the total

  England and Wales

  Percentage of persons aged

  Year

  0–4

  5–9

  10–14

  15–19

  20–24

  Total

  0–24

  25+

  1974

  7.2

  8.1

  8.0

  7.0

  6.9

  100

  37.3

  62.7

  1975

  6.9

  8.0

  8.2

  7.2

  6.8

  100

  37.1

  62.9

  1976

  6.5

  7.9

  8.2

  7.4

  6.9

  100

  36.9

  63.1

  1977

  5.2

  7.7

  8.3

  7.7

  6.9

  100

  36.7

  63.3

  1978

  5.9

  7.5

  8.2

  7.9

  7.0

  100

  36.5

  63.5

  1979

  5.9

  7.1

  8.1

  8.1

  7.1

  100

  36.4

  63.6

  1980

  6.0

  6.8

  7.9

  8.2

  7.3

  100

  36.3

  63.7

  1981

  6.1

  6.4

  7.8

  8.3

  7.5

  100

  36.2

  63.8

  1982

  6.2

  6.1

  7.6

  8.4

  7.7

  100

  36.0

  64.0

  1983

  6.3

  5.9

  7.4

  8.3

  7.9

  100

  35.8

  64.2

  1984

  6.3

  5.9

  7.1

  8.2

  8.2

  100

  35.5

  64.5

  1985

  6.3

  5.9

  6.8

  8.0

  8.3

  100

  35.3

  64.7

  1986

  6.4

  6.0

  6.4

  7.8

  8.4

  100

  34.0

  65.0

  1987

  6.4

  6.2

  6.1

  7.6

  8.4

  100

  34.7

  65.3

  248

  249

  Estimated resident population at mid-year 1974–1994: selected age-groups expressed as a percentage of the total

  England and Wales

  Percentage of persons aged

  Year

  0–4

  5–9

  10–14

  15–19

  20–24

  Total

  0–24

  25+

  1988

  6.5

  6.3

  5.9

  7.4

  8.3

  100

  33.3

  66.7

  1989

  6.6

  6.3

  5.8

  7.0

  8.1

  100

  33.9

  66.1

  1990

  6.6

  6.3

  5.9

  6.8

  7.9

  100

  33.5

  66.5

  1991

  6.7

  6.3

  6.0

  6.4

  7.8

  100

  33.2

  66.8

  1992

  6.7

  6.4

  6.1

  6.1

  7.6

  100

  32.8

  67.2

  1993

  6.7

  6.4

  6.2

  5.8

  7.3

  100

  32.5

  67.5

  1994

  6.6

  6.5

  6.2

  5.8

  7.0

  100

  32.2

  67.8

  Alcohol Duty
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate of the price elasticity of demand for(a) beer, (b) wine and (c) spirits are currently used to estimate the impact of changes in excise duties on Government revenue; over what period these price elasticities are based; and when they are next to be updated. [38971]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The revenue implications are estimated using a computer model produced by the Institute of Fiscal Studies, with values for independent variables updated annually. The model has a wide range of both own and cross price elasticities for various categories of consumption with own price elasticities of -0.963, -1.048 and -1.07 for beer, wine and spirits respectively.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated annual saving to private business and public funds from the Deregulation (Validity of Civil Preliminaries in Marriage) Order 1996. [39158]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I am advised by the Registrar General that the extension of the period of validity from three to 12 months of the civil preliminaries to marriage will produce no savings for business. Local authorities may accrue some small savings in administration.

  Abortion Statistics
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many NHS abortions were performed in(a) North Yorkshire, (b) Yorkshire, and (c) England in each year since 1979. [38925]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The figures following are for women usually resident in(a) North Yorkshire district health region, (b) Yorkshire health region, and (c) England.

  Number of NHS abortions performed to usually resident women, 1979–1994

  North Yorkshire

  Yorkshire

  England

  1979

  609

  2,874

  51,785

  1980

  634

  2,970

  56,966

  1981

  722

  2,961

  57,346

  1982

  629

  2,825

  58,714

  1983

  653

  2,716

  59,091

  1984

  692

  2,719

  61,190

  1985

  695

  2,920

  61,350

  1986

  789

  3,252

  63,368

  1987

  775

  3,327

  65,354

  1988

  924

  3,221

  64,885

  250

  Number of NHS abortions performed to usually resident women, 1979–1994

  North Yorkshire

  Yorkshire

  England

  1989

  896

  3,616

  66,513

  1990

  1,002

  3,889

  69,059

  1991

  1,035

  4,638

  70,749

  1992

  1,059

  5,640

  87,198

  1993

  1,117

  6,111

  94,199

  1994

  1,235

  7,315

  100,001

  Printing Costs
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the agencies for which he is responsible indicating for each the costs incurred for printing(a) all publications and (b) the annual report in the last available year. [38671]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executives of the Chancellor's five agencies: National Savings, the Royal Mint, the Office for National Statistics, the Valuation Office and Paymaster agencies. I have asked each of them to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, with details for National Savings, to your Question about printing costs.The total cost of printing external publications (excluding the annual report) during 1995–96 was approximately £1.8 million. This figure covers principally the costs of our product booklets, investment guides and interest rate leaflet, all of which are available throughout the post office network, and our guide for financial advisers.The cost of printing the annual report for the year ending 31 March 1996 was just under £14,000.
  Letter from Mrs. V. E. Lowe to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 23 July 1996:
  In your question to the Chancellor (ref 38671) you ask about the costs incurred in printing publications and the Annual Report.I have regarded publications as that material available to the public, such as Council Tax leaflets, Charter booklets, Business Plan, Property Market Report etc. The cost during 1995–96 was £95,165 and the cost of producing the last Annual Report and Accounts was £7,918.Please let me know if I can assist further.
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your Question requesting the most recent annual costs for printing all publications and in particular the Annual Reports for the agencies for which he is responsible as far as it relates to the Office for National Statistics.251 On your first point, most ONS priced paper publications are published by HMSO, who pay for the printing costs. Details of these printing costs can be obtained from the HMSO. For priced paper publications published by ONS, the printing costs in the calendar year 1995 were approximately £24,000.The printing costs for the last CSO Annual Report and Accounts (1995–96), which was laid before Parliament on the 15 July 1996, were £2964.I hope you find this reply helpful.
  Letter from Keith Sullens to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your Question seeking information on the costs his Agencies have incurred on printing all publications, and separately the annual report for the last available year.The total amount spent by PAYMASTER in 1995/96 was £47,932.72. Of this, £14,515.00 was spent on the Annual Report and Accounts.
  Letter from Roger Holmes to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply to your Question about printing costs.In the financial year 1995/96 the Royal Mint incurred costs of £10,437.00 for the design and printing of its Annual Report for 1994/95. There were no other publications printed during this period.

  Primary Tax Legislation
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the Inland Revenue with the project to rewrite primary tax legislation to make it clearer and more user-friendly. [39620]

  Mr. Jack
  I am very pleased with the progress that has been made in developing this important project. The Inland Revenue has today published a consultative document which sets out detailed proposals for taking the rewrite forward. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  This is a huge project and we are committed to doing it well. The full and continuing involvement of the private sector will be essential to its success. The document sets out how we propose to achieve that aim.

  Petroleum Revenue Tax
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the petroleum revenue tax legislation in respect of the provision of relief for expenditure not related to an oil field. [39639]

  Mr. Jack
  The Government intend to introduce legislation in the next Finance Bill to put beyond doubt that oil companies cannot manipulate existing tax rules to allow them to claim petroleum revenue tax relief on non-field expenditure incurred by an unrelated group which continues to hold North sea licence interests. The change will apply to all claims for relief made on or after today. This new legislation will ensure that substantial amounts of PRT are protected.

  Further details are given in an Inland Revenue press release which is being issued today.

  Alcolhol and Tobacco
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes Customs and Excise are 252
  proposing to the measurement of cross-border shopping in alcohol and tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the latest estimates of revenue losses. [39641]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Customs have advised me that their estimate of the extent of legitimate personal imports of alcoholic and tobacco products is now calculated on the basis of data from the international passenger survey. Customs' earlier estimates used data from the omnibus survey. The international passenger survey has a larger sample than omnibus, interviewing travellers during or shortly after their journey. It is therefore considered a more reliable source of data on cross-border shopping. Customs have consulted with representatives of the alcohol and tobacco industries over this change, and have given them all relevant data.

  Customs' estimate of total tax revenues—excise duty and VAT—lost from legitimate personal importation of alcohol and tobacco for the calendar year 1995 has been re-calculated on this basis as £210 million for duty paid alcoholic drinks and £80 million for tobacco products, making a total of £290 million. The new figure for alcoholic products is broadly in line with that calculated from omnibus data. As before, these figures use Customs' assumption that 50 per cent. of alcoholic products purchased abroad represent additional consumption.

  Cervical Cancer
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the rates of cervical cancer amongst women(a) nationally and (b) from ethnic minorities for each of the past five years. [37038]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 12 July 1996]: The table shows (i) death rates for all women per 100,000 women from cervical cancer—ICD1 180—in the United Kingdom for the years 1986–1994 and (ii) incidence rates of cervical cancer for all women per 100,000 women in the United Kingdom for the years 1986–1990, the latest five-year period available. Information on ethnic status is not collected.

  Per 100,000 women

  Death rates

  Incidence rates

  1986

  7.7

  1986

  17.1

  1987

  7.3

  1987

  16.6

  1988

  7.4

  1988

  17.2

  1989

  7.0

  1989

  15.7

  1990

  6.7

  19902

  16.7

  1991

  6.4

  1992

  6.3

  1993

  5.7

  1994

  5.2

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.

  2 Provisional.

  The United Kingdom death rates from 1986–1994 are based on deaths registered each year for Scotland and Northern Ireland. The deaths for England and Wales are those registered for 1986 to 1992; but for 1993 and 1994 the deaths are those that occurred in the year.

  Taxation
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the(a) direct tax and (b) indirect tax in cash prices paid in (i) 1978–79 and

  253
  (ii) 1996–97 for those whose income is in the (i) top 1 per cent., (ii) top 5 per cent., (iii) top 10 per cent., (iv) top 25 per cent., (vi) bottom 10 per cent., (vii) bottom 5 per cent., and (viii) bottom 1 per cent. and what is the total change for each category and change for each individual taxpayer. [38786]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The information is not available in the form requested. Latest information is contained in the article, "The Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Income, 1994–95, (Economic Trends, December 1995).

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Race Relations
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations he had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the question of(a) amending the Race Relations Acts and (b) other measures to protect members of the Irish traveller community when in Great Britain. [38292]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have had no consultations with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on either of these matters. Case law in Great Britain has already established Irish people generally as constituting a racial group and therefore subject to the protection of the Race Relations Act 1976.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of(a) different ethnic groups and their populations and (b) the Irish traveller community, who will be covered by the proposed race relations Order in Council. [38291]

  (d) Mr. Ancram
  The Government's proposal for a draft race relations (NI) Order in Council seeks to extend to all individuals in Northern Ireland legal redress against racial discrimination. As a question on ethnic origin has not been included in previous Northern Ireland censuses, there are no precise figures on the number in different ethnic groups in Northern Ireland. In its consultation document on race relations of December 1992, the Government published an estimate of approximately 5,000 members of the Chinese community, 1,000 members of the Indian community and 700 members of the Pakistani community. The Irish traveller community was estimated at 1,115 in a survey conducted by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland in 1993.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consult the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in order to amend the residency rule that prevents British students whose British-born parents have been abroad, outside the EU,

  Table showing excess deaths/death rates in winter period December to March

  Deaths

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Total for (December-November)

  15,799

  16,127

  15,286

  15,946

  15,103

  16,123

  16,131

  15,008

  15,472

  15,354

  15,239

  Total for (December-March)

  5,772

  6,222

  5,539

  5,896

  5,296

  6,594

  5,773

  5,548

  5.283

  5,635

  5,547

  254
  for periods of more than three years from receiving awards for or toward tuition fees, to apply to a period of more than 10 years. [38296]

  Mr. Ancram
  No. There are no plans to consult about such a change to the residence requirements, which are common throughout the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Lindsay Robb
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, columns 4777–8, what payments have been made by the Royal Ulster Constabulary to Mr. Lindsay Robb; and on what dates. [38511]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is not appropriate to comment on specific instances in which payments are made under the witness protection scheme. In no circumstances is payment offered as an inducement in return for the giving of evidence. However, it is an unfortunate fact of life, not unique to Northern Ireland, that people who are prepared to perform their public duty in giving evidence of wrongdoing can, on occasion, be subjected to threat and intimidation. In such cases, it is appropriate that protection should be given to those who are prepared to make such a commitment. This protection may include the relocation of the individual and his or her family away from their original home, and involve payments to reimburse them for additional expenses incurred, or to enable them to maintain a standard of living equivalent to that enjoyed prior to any forced relocation.

  Death Statistics
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many deaths have been recorded in Northern Ireland for each of the past 10 years in the period December to March; [39010]

  (2) what the excess winter mortality rates have been in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years expressed in both excess numbers and as percentages. [39011]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Statistics and Research Agency under its chief executive, Mr. E. F. Jardine. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. F. Jardine to Mr. Ian Davidson, dated 22 July 1996:
  You recently tabled two questions asking the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths have been recorded in Northern Ireland for each of the past 10 years in the period December to March. and what the excess Winter mortality rates have been for each of the last 10 years expressed in both excess numbers and as percentages. I have been asked to reply in my capacity as Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.The information provided in the attached table shows the total number of deaths and the excess winter mortality rates for the period December to March for each of the last 10 years compared against the number of expected deaths for the same period (based on the average for the year). I trust this information is sufficient and if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.255

  Table showing excess deaths/death rates in winter period December to March

  Deaths

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1989–90

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Expected for (December-March)

  5,266

  5,376

  5,095

  5,315

  5,034

  5,374

  5,044

  5,003

  5,157

  5,118

  5,080

  Actual deaths in (December-March)2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Expected deaths in (December-March)

  506

  846

  444

  581

  262

  1,220

  729

  545

  126

  517

  487

  Difference as percentage of expected deaths in (December-March)

  9.61

  15.74

  8.71

  10.93

  5.20

  22.70

  14.45

  10.89

  2.44

  10.10

  9.19

  Actual Death rate (December-March)

  11.12

  11.91

  10.55

  11.21

  10.04

  12.45

  10.81

  10.28

  9.71

  10.30

  10.09

  Expected Death rate (December—March)

  10.14

  10.29

  9.70

  10.10

  9.54

  10.14

  9.45

  9.27

  9.48

  9.35

  9.24

  1 One third of annual deaths.

  2 Excess deaths in period December to March.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the titles of its research papers into fair employment practice that the Northern Ireland civil service has decided not to publish. [382941

  Mr. Ancram
  The policy, planning and research unit, on behalf of the central community relations unit, commissioned research on "Modelling Rates of Unemployment using the "Continuous Household Surveys 1987–89" from the department of social statistics at the university of Southampton in December 1990, and a report was received in April 1993. The research was not published as it had been superseded by a more comprehensive project, employing more up-to-date data. Two reports on this latter research, which was commissioned from the Northern Ireland economic research centre, have subsequently been published by the central community relations unit.

  Pension Splitting
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the ability of divorcing couples to arrange pension splitting under the Family Law Act 1996 provisions where their pensions are governed by the new England and Wales law, or one is so governed while the other is governed by Northern Ireland law; and if he will make a statement. [38297]

  Mr. Moss
  None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security proposes to publish a Green Paper to consult on the implications of pension splitting, and to bring forward firm proposals for its implementation. It is our intention to bring forward legislation to allow for pension splitting to be implemented in Northern Ireland from the same date as in England and Wales.

  Stalking
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps in consultation with the Home Office to have Northern Ireland included in the extent of the proposed law on stalking. [38293]

  Sir John Wheeler
  On 9 July, the Home Office and Lord Chancellor's Departments jointly published a consultation paper, "Stalking—The Solutions", which addresses the problems posed by stalking in England and 256
  Wales and proposes measures to deal with the menace. As the consultation paper states, my right hon. and learned Friend intends to publish a separate paper which will address circumstances in Northern Ireland, including the relevant civil and criminal law. The extent of any new legislation which might arise, and the means by which it might be implemented, will obviously depend on comments received on the consultation papers in the two jurisdictions. I will, however, bear the hon. and learned Gentleman's request in mind.

  Queen's University Student Union
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Northern Ireland if he will list the moneys paid to Queen's university students union over the last three years, the purposes of the payments and the religious breakdown of its part-time staff. [38295]

  Mr. Ancram
  Grants paid by the Queen's university of Belfast to its students union over the three years to 1994–95, the latest figures available, are:

  Academic year

  £

  1992–93

  683,000

  1993–94

  731,000

  1994–95

  757,000

  Grants go towards the running costs of the students union, which under the university's charter and statutes promotes the interest of students and represents them in all matters affecting their interests.

  The religious breakdown of the part-time locally recruited staff is 16 per cent. Protestant and 84 per cent. Catholic.

  Statistical Forms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the statistical forms issued to businesses by his Department, indicating the number of each sent out. [38675]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In 1995, the Northern Ireland! Office and the Northern Ireland Departments conducted or commissioned 86 statistical surveys of businesses. A list of the surveys and the number of forms sent out for each survey is contained in the statistics notice "Statistical
  257
  Surveys of Businesses by Central Government in Northern Ireland during 1995", a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Northern Ireland Departments took an early initiative to review the continued need for their forms which impact on business. A register of all Northern Ireland forms sent to business is held which allows the overall position to be kept under review. A detailed review of each NI form is carried out once every two years.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to whom a citizen of Northern Ireland should complain if they believe that they were injured by a plastic bullet fired improperly by a Royal Ulster Constabulary officer; and what complaints procedure exists for examining such complaints. [38955]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Plastic bullets are not in use in Northern Ireland.

  A complaint about the conduct of a police officer may be made to a variety of places, including a local police station, the independent commission for police complaints, the police authority or through a solicitor, but ultimately will end up with the police in complaints and discipline branch. If, however, the complaint is about an officer of assistant chief constable rank or above, it will fall to the police authority for consideration.

  The procedures for examining complaints are contained in the Police (NI) Order 1987—(1987) No. 938 (N.I.10)— and regulations and guidance issued under it. A guide on making a complaint, issued by the independent commission for police complaints, will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints he has received, to date, about the use by the Royal Ulster Constabulary of plastic bullets in Northern Ireland from 7 July to date. [38959]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Plastic bullets are not in use in Northern Ireland.

  In the period from 7 July 1996 until 19 July 1996, five complaints about the use of plastic baton rounds were received by the complaints and discipline branch of the RUC. One of these complaints has since been withdrawn.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plastic bullets were fired by Royal Ulster Constabulary officers in Northern Ireland between 7 July and 15 July; how many reports of people injured by plastic bullets and requiring hospital treatment he has received, to date; how many people were detained in hospital; how many people remain, to date, in hospital; and if he will make a statement. [38958]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Plastic bullets are not in use in Northern Ireland.

  During the period from 0600 on 7 July to 0600 on 16 July 1996, approximately 6,000 plastic baton rounds—PBRs—were fired by the RUC.
  258
  There are reports of injuries to 149 RUC personnel and 192 civilians during this period. It is not possible at this stage to determine how many of the civilian injuries were caused by PBRs. There are no figures to indicate how many people were detained in hospitals.

  New Barnsley RUC Station (Attack)
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Royal Ulster Constabulary officers were injured in the gunfire directed at New Barnsley RUC station; and what was the nature and extent of the attack on the officers. [39040]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Although a total of 95 rounds of gunfire was directed at New Barnsley RUC station in a number of gun attacks between midnight and 3 am on 13 July, fortunately no police officers were injured as a result.

  Petrol Bombs
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many petrol bombs have been recorded as being thrown at the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the last three months; and how many officers have been injured. [39042]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The RUC do not hold figures relating to the number of petrol bombs thrown, but do collate the number of incidents where petrol bombs are thrown.

  Figures for the last three months are not yet available. However, initial estimates would suggest that between 7 and 16 July alone, more than 8,000 petrol bombing incidents were recorded, involving between 16,000 and 24,000 petrol bombs.

  Punishment Attacks
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment attacks have been carried out since 1 September 1994, by(a) republican and (b) loyalist groups. [39041]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Between 1 September 1994 and 18 July 1996, terrorist gangs in Northern Ireland have carried out 454 so-called punishment attacks, 24 of which were shootings. Of these, 277 have been attributed to republican groups and 177 to loyalist groups.

  Intimidation
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on current levels of acts of intimidation against members of the community committed by(a) republicans and (b) loyalists. [39043]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is not possible to sub-divide acts of intimidation into those committed by republicans and those committed by loyalists. However, during the period 0600 on 7 July to 0600 on 16 July, the RUC received reports of 89 cases of intimidation of police personnel and 251 complaints from civilians.

  Housing Policy Review
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to publish the outcome of the housing policy review; and if he will make a statement. [39725]
  259
  Mr. Moss
  I have today placed in the Library of the House the Government's decisions contained in "Building on Success—the Way Ahead" following the period of public consultation. It is now proposed to proceed with the main policies and strategies outlined in the housing policy review, although a number of proposals have been amended in light of the consultation and further considerations. Progress on certain proposals will require legislative change. I am now setting up a small group of senior officials from the Department of the Environment, the Housing Executive and housing associations, to agree the timetable and detailed arrangements for implementation of the decisions.

  Criminal Justice Report
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the royal commission's report on criminal justice; and if he will make a statement. [39726]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The terms of reference of the royal commission did not extend to Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State decided to consider the implications of the report in the context of Northern Ireland.

  To facilitate that process, he published consultation papers on "Criminal appeals and arrangements for dealing with alleged miscarriages of justice" (June 1994), "Disclosure in criminal cases in Northern Ireland" (July 1995), and "Committal proceedings in Northern Ireland" (December 1995).

  Of the recommendations that are applicable to the arrangements in Northern Ireland, many have been, or are in the course of being, implemented. Where appropriate, this is being achieved through legislation, for example through the Police (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, revisions to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 codes, and through extension of relevant parts of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 to Northern Ireland. A number of recommendations including those on corroboration rules, witness intimidation, sentence discounts and police bail are being taken forward in the draft Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order which was published for consultation in May. Others are being pursued by administrative means and some will be further examined in light of the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, including various aspects of pre-trial procedures.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Incinerators
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much is paid to the operator of an animal incinerator(a) for every bovine spongiform encephalopathy carcase disposed of and (b) per tonne for specified bovine offal incinerated. [36853]

  Mrs. Browning
  The information requested cannot be supplied for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the dates 260
  of commencement and the estimated dates of conclusion and publication of the consultation exercises on (a) sheep dipping and (b) sheep scab control; if he proposes to issue interim reports; and if he will make a statement. [37801]

  Mrs. Browning
  The consultation exercise on organophosphorus sheep dips formed part of a review of the certificate of competence scheme in the safe use of OP sheep dips by the Veterinary Products Committee which was announced in December 1995. A letter to interested parties was sent out from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for response by 30 January 1996. The responses were all considered by the VPC in the course of its review. Ministers forming the Licensing Authority expect to receive advice shortly, and an announcement will then be made as soon as possible. Copies of the responses to the consultation letter were placed in the Library of the House.

  The consultation document on sheep scab controls was issued on 21 December 1995; comments were sought by 1 March 1996. As part of the consultation process, officials have held meetings with local authority representatives and organisations representing the sheep industry and ancillary trades. Responses to the consultation letter were made available to the public in the main MAFF library on 15 May 1996. I plan a further round of consultation on revised proposals, taking account of the comments received, in the autumn.

  Nitrate
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what considerations led him to draw a distinction between nitrate vulnerable zones and nitrate sensitive areas and to compensate farmers and landowners only in the case of the latter. [38330]

  Mr. Boswell
  Nitrate vulnerable zones have been introduced under Council directive 91/676/EEC. This requires the designation, as vulnerable zones, of land which drains into waters which are, or are expected to be, polluted by nitrate from agriculture. Mandatory measures to reduce and prevent further such pollution will be introduced before the end of 1999. As these measures will be based on good agricultural practice, the question of compensation does not arise.

  In contrast, the present nitrate sensitive areas scheme was introduced in 1994 under the terms of Council regulation 2078/92/EEC, the Agri-Environment Regulation. The scheme is designed to provide a quicker and more efficient way of stabilising and reducing rising nitrate levels in key groundwater sources, thereby helping to ensure their future viability. Under the scheme, farmers undertake voluntarily to make substantial changes to their farming practices, going significantly beyond good agricultural practice, in return for compensation. All 32 NSAs are located within designated nitrate vulnerable zones.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated relating to transgenic mice in relation to(a) human prions and (b) bovine prions. [36934]
  261
  Mrs. Browning
  The Department and its expert Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, has considered numerous papers on this subject in recent years. There are several groups now specialising in this area, most notably those led by Professor Prusiner in the United States, Professor Weissman in Switzerland, Professor Collinge in London, and at the BBSRC Institute for Animal Health at Edinburgh and Compton. Professor Collinge also briefed SEAC personally before he became a member of the committee. His most recent paper specifically on the subject was published in Nature on 21 December 1995. The Department will be funding development of transgenic models in the current financial year for the study of BSE.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated relating to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy transmission to macaques. [36933]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Department and its independent advisory committee, SEAC have considered the paper published in Nature on 27 June 1996 by Dr. Lasmezas and co-workers in France and Dr. Ironside of the CJD surveillance unit, United Kingdom.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to promote European co-operation on(a) core data definition and acquisition and (b) the quarterly publication of surveillance data on BSE. [36937]

  Mrs. Browning
  All member states have been circulated with descriptions of the clinical disease as seen in the United Kingdom, including a video presentation of a series of cases. Furthermore, criteria for diagnosis of BSE post mortem have also been agreed internationally, within the EC and world-wide, and published in a scientific and technical review of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), 1992, Vol 11, No 2. Eds Bradley and Matthews. Indeed, the Central Veterinary Laboratory is the OIE reference laboratory for the diagnosis of BSE.

  With respect to acquisition of data, some member states participate in a surveillance programme for rabies in which all cattle that prove to be rabies negative are subsequently examined for the presence of BSE. No cases have been diagnosed by this means.

  BSE is a notifiable disease in all member states. Cases must be reported to the Commission and member states weekly in accordance with Council directive 82/894 as amended by Commission decision 90/134.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to ascertain whether the treatment of cattle with organophosphates has affected the incidence of BSE; and when the use of this treatment was discontinued. [38260]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Epidemiological studies at the beginning of the BSE outbreak showed no correlation between the use of agrochemicals and outbreaks of disease but a correlation with concentrated animal feed. The independent advisory committee, SEAC, considered a number of alternative hypothesis of the cause of BSE in its report published in 1994, which is in the Library of the House, including the role of organophosphorus compounds, but decided that
  262
  none of the hypotheses was sufficiently strong to justify extending the current research programme to cover them. Epidemiological studies continue to show the absence of a link between OP compounds and BSE, not only in the UK but in Switzerland where there have been over 200 cases of BSE but Phosmet is licensed for the treatment of warble fly in cattle.

  OP compounds continue to be licensed for the treatment of cattle in Great Britain.

  Multi-annual Guidance Programme
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the extent to which the United Kingdom will meet its commitments under MAGP III; what assessment he has made of the implementation of MAGP III in other EU nations; and if he will make a statement. [39164]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Waveney (Mr. Porter) on 20 June,Official Report columns 626–28. The Commission will shortly issue its 1995 annual report on implementation by the member states. I submitted an unnumbered explanatory memorandum on this document on 9 July. The report will be deposited in the House Library in the usual way.

  Tuberculosis
  Sir Jim Spicer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will instigate an independent scientific review on tuberculosis in cattle and badgers; and if he will make a statement. [39666]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am pleased to tell my hon. Friend and the House that, following consultations with interested parties, the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I have decided to set up an independent scientific review into the policy on TB and badgers. Professor John Krebs, who is chief executive of the Natural Environment Research Council has kindly agreed to chair the review, which is expected to report in the early summer next year. The membership of the review team will be announced later, together with the date when the review will commence. The current control policy for bovine tuberculosis will continue for the duration of the review.

  The terms of reference for the review will be:
  "To review the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle and badgers and assess the scientific evidence for the links between them; to take account of EU policies on reducing and eliminating the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle; to take account of any risk to the human population; and accordingly to review, in the light of scientific evidence, present Government policy on badgers and tuberculosis and to make recommendations."

  Common Fisheries Policy Review Group
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the report of the common fisheries policy review group will be published. [39668]

  Mr. Baldry
  The report will be published on 24 July and copies will be placed in the Library.
  263

  Environment Agency (Flood Warnings)
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the role of the Environment Agency in the dissemination of flood warnings to the public in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [39667]

  Mr. Boswell
  Following a review by a Ministry-chaired working group involving representatives of interested organisations, it was agreed last year that with effect from 1 September 1996, the Environment Agency, as the successor body to the National Rivers Authority, would assume the lead role in disseminating flood warnings to emergency services, local authorities, other statutory bodies and to people and businesses. This was formalised by means of a ministerial direction to the NRA last March which has been inherited by the Environment Agency.

  The NRA, and subsequently the agency, has been preparing local flood warning dissemination plans in consultation with the police and local authorities with the aim of providing timely, accurate flood warnings for locations at risk throughout England and Wales where a flood forecasting system exists. These plans will be held at the agency's area offices concerned. With the aid of grant from the Ministry and Welsh Office the agency is installing automatic voice messaging systems to improve the provision of flood warning information to the public. It will be publicising the new arrangements by various means, including the issuing of leaflets to people and organisations in flood risk areas.

  Livestock Exports
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the report by J. Panting into livestock export procedures as pursued by Jonathan Stirling is to be completed and published. [32326]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 June 1996]: My investigation officers have carried out a thorough investigation of the allegations made in the Channel 4 "Dispatches" programme which was broadcast earlier this year. The investigation included consideration of the material provided by the programme makers to the Department following the broadcast.

  A report was submitted by the investigation branch to the Department's prosecution lawyers at the beginning of June. The lawyers have now considered the report and concluded that there is no evidence which would give rise to criminal charges against anyone featured in the "Dispatches" programme nor was there any evidence to substantiate the allegations of serious misconduct by the LVI featured in the programme.

  Reports of investigations carried out by investigation officers of the Department are not published.

  Statistical Forms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the statistical forms issued to businesses by his Department and the number sent out of each. [37464]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 16 July 1996]: During 1995 there were 96 statistical surveys to businesses conducted by MAFF and its agencies. Most of these were
  264
  fairly small and 38 had fewer than 100 addresses. A table setting out the surveys conducted and the number of businesses approached in 1995 will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Ministry has set targets to cut compliance cost of regular surveys to farmers in line with the recommendations of the deregulation task force. This will result in a reduction in compliance cost to farmers of some 35 per cent. in real terms in the four years up to 1998–99.

  Notable achievements during 1995 included the introduction of sampling to the June census of agriculture and horticulture so that smaller farms need not be surveyed annually. Some 35,000 fewer forms were sent out in 1995. In addition, the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 was used to exempt small traders from having to make weekly returns under the Corn Returns Act of 1882, leading to a 40 per cent. reduction in compliance costs.

  Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the licences currently issued by his Department, indicating their function and the annual administrative costs for each. [37810]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 19 July 1996]: The Ministry is responsible for issuing the following business licences:

  Registration of owners or keepers of pigs with local MAFF animal health office;

  Registration of owners or keepers of cattle with local animal health office;

  Registration of poultry breeding flocks and hatcheries;

  Approval of premises handling specified bovine offal;

  Approval and registration of premises handling animal by-products;

  Registration of animal protein processors;

  Licences for processing of waste food;

  Licences for holding of waste food;

  Licence to hold animal markets held on unpaved premises;

  Importation and transfer of pathogens and carriers of pathogens under Import of Animal Pathogens Order 1980;

  Importation of pathogens and carriers of pathogens under Specified Animal Pathogens Order 1993;

  Importation and quarantine of rabies-susceptible animals;

  Registration by owners or keepers of sheep or goats with local Animal Health Offices;

  Registration of premises recovering meat from bovine bones by mechanical processes;

  Registration of laboratories under the Poultry Breeding Hocks and Hatcheries Order 1993;

  Registration of laboratories under the Processed Animal Protein Order 1989;

  Movement of processed animal protein which has been tested for salmonella

  Exemption licence from requirement to test material for salmonella;

  Movement of bulls to a semen collection centre to donate semen;

  Storage of bovine semen;

  Processing of bovine semen;

  Farm storage of bovine semen;

  Supply of bovine semen (including semen shops);

  Sheep and goats: embryo collection teams and semen collection centre;

  Operation of a farm storage servicing business;

  Bovine embryo collection/production/transfer teams and storage facilities;

  Movement of boars to semen collection centres to donate semen;

  Operation of a porcine semen collection centre;

  265

  Importation of genetic material from sheep, goats, pigs and cattle;

  Importation of captive birds, poultry and hatching eggs;

  Importation of cattle, sheep, goats, other ruminating animals and swine;

  Importation of hay and straw;

  Food irradiation and licensing of premises;

  Export of breeding animals;

  Export of horses and ponies;

  Classifiers of beef carcasses;

  Licences to control the deposit of material at sea;

  Registration of milk production holdings;

  Approval of establishments processing dairy products;

  Approval of egg product establishments;

  Commercial fishing in external and specified waters;

  Commercial fishing in community waters;

  Trans-shipment of pelagic sea fish;

  Transit licence for queen bees between third countries via the UK;

  Importation of live and dead bees for research purposes;

  Importation of queen bees from third countries;

  Burning of heather, grass gorse or vaccinium at certain times of year;

  Keeping of mink for fur-farming;

  Licensing of slaughtermen;

  Approval of fresh meat premises (including slaughterhouses and premises exporting wild game);

  Approval of meat products and other products of animal origin premises and premises manufacturing minced meat and meat preparations for trade with member states;

  Importation of animal and poultry products;

  Registration of egg packing stations;

  Registration of egg producers to market eggs with a Special Marketing Term;

  Registration of hatcheries and breeding establishments;

  Importation, moving or keeping of prohibited plant material, soil, pests etc;

  Disposal of waste from imported vegetables;

  Plant protection products: approval under EC rules for sale, supply and use;

  Plant protection products: approval for R&D under EC rules;

  Pesticide products: approval under UK rules for sale, supply, advertisement, storage and use;

  Pesticide products: experimental permits for supply, storage and use granted under UK rules;

  Authorisation of pesticide adjuvants under UK rules;

  Purchase of strychnine to kill moles;

  Registration of seed merchants, processors and packers;

  Licensed seed testing stations;

  Licensed seed samplers;

  Licensed crop inspectors;

  Registration of fish and shellfish farms;

  Importation of salmonid viscera from third countries;

  Importation of live fish and shellfish (and their eggs and gametes) from third countries;

  Deposit of lobsters in designated areas;

  Animal test certificates;

  Manufacturer's licence for veterinary medicines;

  Wholesale dealer's licence for veterinary medicines;

  Product licences for zootechnical feed additives;

  Marketing authorisations for veterinary medicinal products.

  Information on the administration costs associated with each licence could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what enforcement actions fishery protection vessels have taken against Danish vessels engaged in industrial fishing on the north-east bank; [38253]
  266
  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of industrial fishing for sandeels by Danish vessels on the north-east bank on fish stocks and on the ability of vessels from local ports to pursue the haddock and whiting fishery; [38254]

  (3) what mesh size limits apply to vessels engaged in industrial fishing for sandeels on the north-east bank; [38255]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Sandeeling is subject to common fishery policy regulations. However, the United Kingdom in pressing for the introduction of precautionary total allowable catches as well as further research to increase our understanding of the impact of industrial fishing on other species.

  Nets used to catch sandeels in the North sea from 1 November to the last day of February must have a minimum mesh size of 16 millimetres. No mesh size restrictions are applied to sandeel fisheries at other times but throughout the year the maximum permissible by-catch of all protected species, including haddock and whiting, is 10 per cent.

  Aerial surveillance on 2 and 9 July identified up to 52 industrial trawlers in the area of the north-east bank. That number had fallen to four on 16 July. In the period of peak activity some 25 inspections were carried out by Royal Navy fishery protection vessels without any infringements being found.

  Mr. Jonathan Stirling
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many export consignments of animals Mr. Jonathan Stirling has been involved with as an local veterinary inspector since 1 July. [38411]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Mr. Jonathan Stirling did not carry out any LVI duties with respect to the export of any consignment of cattle, sheep or pigs during the period 1 July to 15 July 1996.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to publish the report of the inquiry into Mr. Stirling's role as an LVI. [38412]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: My investigation officers have carried out a thorough investigation of the allegations made in the Channel 4 "Dispatches" programme which was broadcast earlier this year. The investigation included consideration of the material provided by the programme makers to the Department following broadcast.

  A report was submitted by the investigation branch to the Department's prosecution lawyers at the beginning of June. The lawyers have now considered the report and concluded that there is no evidence which would give rise to criminal charges against anyone featured in the "Dispatches" programme nor was there any evidence to substantiate the allegations of serious misconduct by the LVI featured in the programme.

  Reports of investigations carried out by investigation officers of the Department are not published.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if export health certificates, issued by
  267
  his Department for the ovines destined for EU member states, request the certifying veterinarian to verify that he has conducted an examination of each animal and recorded individual ear tag numbers. [38414]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Model health certifications for intra-Community trade in sheep and goats are laid down in Council directive 91/68/EEC. The certifying veterinary officer is required to confirm that the animals were inspected on the day of certification, which must be no more than 48 hours prior to loading, and show no clinical sign of disease. The eartag number of each animal must be recorded on the certificate.

WALES

  Winter Deaths
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what the excess winter mortality rates have been in Wales for each of the last 10 years expressed(a) in excess numbers and (b) as percentages; [38024]

  (2) how many deaths have been recorded in Wales for each of the past 10 years in the period December to March. [38025]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the following table. The amount by which deaths occurring in December to March exceed the average of those occurring in the previous and following four month periods is defined as excess winter deaths.

  Winter deaths in Wales, 1985–86 to 1994–95

  Year

  Number of deaths in December to March

  Excess deaths:

  Number

  Percentage1

  1985–86

  13,722

  2,852

  26.2

  1986–87

  12,415

  1,867

  17.7

  1987–88

  12,438

  1,675

  15.6

  1988–89

  11,902

  919

  8.4

  1989–90

  13,752

  2,954

  27.4

  1990–91

  13,007

  2,327

  21.8

  1991–92

  12,529

  2,001

  19.0

  1992–93

  12,121

  1,361

  12.6

  1993–94

  12,505

  1,009

  8.8

  1994–95

  12,551

  1,661

  15.3

  1 Excess winter deaths as a percentage of the average of the autumn and summer deaths.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total amount of(a) useable capital receipts and (b) receipts set aside as provision for credit liability, held by each local authority in Wales at 31 March. [37977]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest available information was given in my answer to the hon. Member on 16 February 1996,Official Report, column 730–31. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures for 31 March 1996 are available and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
  268

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy that the budget of the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency for securing inward investment projects and developing indigenous industry in locations in Wales outside the M4 corridor in south-east Wales will not be reduced or restricted as a result of the LG project at Newport; and if he will make a statement. [37855]

  Mr. Hague
  I will make decisions on future budgets later in the year in the usual way as part of the public expenditure survey, taking into account the total amount available to me in my block and the various demands upon it, including the need to promote and encourage economic development across all parts of Wales.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what strategy the Welsh Office has for increasing the number of producer services serving the needs of manufacturing industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [37856]

  Mr. Hague
  My plans for supporting the Welsh economy were published on 13 June in "Meeting the Challenge—The Competitiveness of Wales", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. It describes the services available to stimulate company growth, all of which can be accessed through Business Connect on 0345 96 97 98.

  Health Service Managers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many health service managers there were in(a) 1995 and (b) 1991; and if he will make a statement. [38835]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  At 30 September 1991 there were 711 whole-time equivalent managers—staff paid on manager payscales—in the NHS in Wales. The figure for 30 September 1995 was 1,350 and 31 March 1996, the latest available, 1,321. Figures for the later years may include staff who have been reclassified as managers from other staff groups since 1991. The whole-time equivalent number of all administrative and clerical staff, including managers, was 8,865 at 30 September 1991, 9,875 at 30 September 1995 and 9,808 at 31 March 1996.

  NHS Bureaucracy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to reduce bureaucracy in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [38908]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Excellent progress has been made in reducing unnecessary bureaucracy in the NHS in Wales, and further major initiatives are planned.

  The number of health authorities has been reduced from 16 to five. Within three years, the number of staff employed by these authorities should have fallen by nearly a third. On the basis of the latest estimates from health authorities, this reduction should release £10 million per year for spending on direct patient care.
  269
  This saving will be in addition to the £12.5 million transferred from management costs to patient care over the financial years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 as called for in "Caring for the Future".

  We have also cut the burden of form filling on the NHS. Since 1993–94, successive reviews have reduced the number of forms used by the Welsh Office to collect information from the NHS from over 100 to about 60. These reviews also resulted in significant cuts in the size of many of the remaining forms.

  More broadly, action is already being taken to implement the "Patients not Paper" initiative to reduce the burden of bureaucracy on GP practices and other parts of the primary care sector.

  In addition, the Dpearmtent is currently consulting on how best to implement in Wales the recommendations of the comparable efficiency scrutiny of burdens on health authorities and NHS trusts, "Seeing the Woods, Sparing the Trees". An announcement on the action to be taken on this will be made in the autumn.

  Consultant Anaesthetists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many consultant anaesthetists there are in each of the health trusts in Wales. [38834]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on permanent staff in post is given in the following table.

  Consultant anaesthetists in post at 30 September 1995

  NHS trust/directly managed unit

  Whole-time equivalent number

  Bridgend and District NHS Trust

  7.5

  Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  0.6

  Carmarthen and District NHS Trust

  7.0

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust

  5.0

  East Glamorgan NHS Trust

  6.4

  Glan Clwyd Hospital NHS Trust

  8.6

  Glan Hafren NHS Trust

  15.5

  Glan-y-Mor NHS Trust

  4.0

  Gwynedd Hospitals NHS Trust

  10.0

  Llandough Hospital NHS Trust

  5.0

  Llanelli Dinefwr NHS Trust

  3.0

  Merthyr Cynon Health Unit

  5.0

  Morriston NHS Trust

  8.8

  Nevill Hall and District NHS Trust

  6.0

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust

  5.0

  Powys Health Care NHS Trust

  0.1

  Rhymney Valley Health Unit

  1.2

  Swansea NHS Trust

  9.1

  University Dental Hospital NHS Trust

  0.5

  University Hospital of Wales NHS Trust

  22.8

  Wrexham Maelor NHS Trust

  9.0

  Private Finance Initiatives
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many private finance initiatives schemes there are in Wales; and in what location. [38838]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are two Welsh Office approved private finance initiative projects: a new computer system for the Welsh Office and a multi-storey car park for the University hospital of Wales. For 270
  information about projects under consideration I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) on 22 July 1996.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of ambulance response times in Wales. [38832]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1995–96, 95 per cent. of emergency ambulances across Wales arrived within target times specified in the patients charter. This is seen as a marked improvement given that the number of emergency patients carried in the period increased by 6 per cent. on the previous year.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to further reduce waiting times for hospital appointments. [38836]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The NHS in Wales is to be congratulated on its achievement in cutting the waiting times for outpatient appointments sharply during the course of 1995–96.

  The NHS has committed itself to building on this success in 1996–97 using the special funds available for this purpose. Health authorities are planning on the basis that by 31 March 1997, no patient will have waited more than six months for a first appointment.

  Road Signs (National Borders)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current provision of road signage on the road network marking the border between Wales and England. [38634]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It is our policy to erect bilingual "Welcome to Wales" signs on or close to the border.

  School Inspections
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the average length of Office for Standards in Education inspections in(a) secondary and (b) primary schools; and if he will make a statement; [38820]

  (2) what is his estimate of the average cost of (a) secondary and (b) primary Ofsted inspections in the most recent year for which figures are available. [38819]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  These are matters for the Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales, who heads the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received concerning farm animal welfare. [38822]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  We continue to receive a steady flow of representations on farm animal welfare issues.
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  Long-term Unemployed
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to assist the long-term unemployed. [38824]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A range of new incentives making it easier for the long-term unemployed to take up employment will be available in October when the jobseekers' allowance is introduced.

  The training and enterprise councils and the Employment Service in Wales will continue to provide training for work and other services including advice, jobclub and the job interview guarantee scheme to assist the long term unemployed back into work.

  Public Library Services
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning the future of public library services. [38826]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 18 December 1995,Official Report, column 852, by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for National Heritage. The policy paper on the Government's continuing review of public libraries will be published as soon as practicable.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are currently employed in the public library services in Wales. [38827]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A total of 1,184 people were employed in public libraries services in Wales on 31 March 1995—the most recent figures held centrally.

  Surgical Operations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average cost of an NHS in-patient operation. [38828]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The cost of inpatient care varies sharply depending on the procedure involved. However, based on provisional figures for 1996–97 supplied by NHS trusts in Wales, the average cost of in-patient admissions involving the most common surgical procedures is £1,800. Taking into account day case procedures, the average cost is £1,000.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many in-patient operations were performed in(a) 1992 and (b) 1995. [38829]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  About 240,800 in-patient operations performed in NHS hospitals in Wales during 1992. Data for 1995 are not yet complete but it is estimated that around 250,000 operations were performed.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the available supply of general practitioners in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [38833]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Although there is no overall shortage of general practitioners, I am aware that some practices are experiencing difficulty in recruitment. Health 272
  authorities are monitoring the situation and the Department will also consult professional interests as appropriate.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of tuberculosis occurred in Wales in the last year; in which locations; and if he will make a statement. [38837]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is given in the following table:

  Cases of Tuberculosis notified during 1995

  Bro Taf Health Authority

  69

  Dyfed Powys Health Authority

  28

  Gwent Health Authority

  24

  Morgannwg Health Authority

  29

  North Wales Health Authority

  34

  Source:

  PHLS CDSC (Welsh Unit).

  Cardiac Rehabilitation Units
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cardiac rehabilitation units there are in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [38831]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of Slate for Wales what is his estimate of the average cost to public funds of creating a full-time job from inward investment. [38821]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The evaluation of regional selective assistance offers made during 1985–1988 (HMSO 1993) estimated a net cost for each year of employment created by regional assistance to foreign firms of between £750 to £950, at 1990 prices.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the higher education sector concerning the planned funding for the immediate years ahead. [38823]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  This year my right hon. Friend, hon. Friends and I have received six letters from representatives of higher education institutions about the funding of higher education. We have also received nine letters from others within the sector. My right hon. Friend has also met the heads of Higher Education Wales.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 26 April,Official Report, column 319, about spending on higher education in Wales, if he will supply the information requested for the earliest year after 1980–81 for which it is available. [39012]

  Mr. Evans
  The provision for 1993–94—the earliest year for which information is available—was £4,937 (cash) and £5,025 (real terms).
  273

  School Security
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has developed concerning security in schools; and if he will make a statement. [38825]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The report by the working group on school security was distributed in Wales on 14 June. The Government have welcomed and accepted all its recommendations and we are considering how best to implement them in Wales.

  Funding from the Welsh Office has been given to enable eight schools in Wales to benefit from the Home Office's closed circuit television challenge. The Home Office will be running a further competition for 1997–98 financial year.

  Guidance on security of school premises is being finalised and will be available later this year.

  Play Wales
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning Welsh Office financial support for Play Wales; and when he expects to make an announcement concerning a funding decision. [38880]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: My right hon. Friend has received representations from a wide range of interests about future funding arrangements for Play Wales. He hopes to make an announcement in the near future.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 507, if he will provide a breakdown of cases and suspected cases of CJD by unitary authority area without naming the authorities concerned. [38621]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: For confidentiality reasons I do not propose to publish any information which could lead to the identification of patients.

  Schools (Opting Out)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 8 July,Official Report, column 42, about complaints in respect of opt-out status, what factors made it difficult to provide information without incurring disproportionate costs. [39017]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  A significant number of ballots on grant-maintained status have been accompanied by complaints about the material distributed to parents and the activities of those campaigning in the run-up to the ballot. To provide the details requested would have involved a comprehensive search of a large number of departmental files in order to identify the number of correspondents, the nature of their complaints, and the action taken by officials in respect of any complaints as well as their consideration of the material issued by the school, its local education authority, and third parties.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the impact of(a) his
  274
  policies and (b) the work of his Department in helping small businesses in the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors the impact and the statistical result of such monitoring. [39180]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the United Kingdom economy and aim to help them by providing sound economic conditions—keeping inflation and interest rates low; reducing legislative, administrative and taxation burdens; and where appropriate providing direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  Details of Welsh Office policies and programmes to help small firms in the Principality to grow and improve their competitiveness are provided in "Meeting the Challenge—the Competitiveness of Wales" which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales published on 13 June. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the last 50 appointments he has made both new and re-appointments to non-departmental public bodies, NHS trusts or other non-elected body which provides services to the public with financial support from his Department. [39015[

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Details are set out in "Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales", 1 June 1996, which is available in the Library of the House.

  Companies (Grants)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been paid in grants out of public funds to(a) Howlett (South-East) Ltd., (b) Guardian Maintenance Ltd. and (c) G. H. Smith (South-East) Ltd., during the last five years, giving the total amount paid and the purposes for which such grants was made. [38266]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office has not made any payments to the three named companies during the past five years.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff employed (i) full time and (ii) part time, are budgeted to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39381]

  Mr. Hague
  Twenty-four full time staff.

  Child Labour
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will adopt the policy of the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department in respect of publication of the responses to his consultation document on school-age children who work. [38672]
  275
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Copies of the replies from organisations in Wales to the consultation document "Employment of Children" is available for inspection in the Welsh Office Library, Cathays park, Cardiff.

  Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the licences issued by his Department; for what purpose they are issued; and what are the administrative costs for each. [38684]

  Mr. Hague
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Number and percentage of pupils leaving school, aged 16 and over, without any GCSE A' or AS level qualifications

  Maintained schools in:

  1989–901

  1990–911

  1991–922

  1992–932

  1993–942

  Clwyd

  355 (7 per cent.)

  335 (8 per cent.)

  450 (10 per cent.)

  380 (9 per cent.)

  310 (7 per cent.)

  Dyfed

  565 (14 per cent.)

  570 (15 per cent.)

  335 (9 per cent.)

  405 (10 per cent.)

  350 (9 per cent.)

  Gwent

  815 (15 per cent.)

  900 (18 percent.)

  645 (13 per cent.)

  635 (14 per cent.)

  620 (13 per cent.)

  Gwynedd

  325 (11 percent.)

  280 (10 percent.)

  235 (9 per cent.)

  205 (7 per cent.)

  145 (6 per cent.)

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,570 (24 per cent.)

  1,280 (20 per cent.)

  1,100 (19 per cent.)

  915 (16 per cent.)

  950 (17 percent.)

  Powys

  105 (7 per cent.)

  45 (3 per cent.)

  75 (6 per cent.)

  65 (5 per cent.)

  70 (6 per cent.)

  South Glamorgan

  680 (15 per cent.)

  560 (13 per cent.)

  645 (14 per cent.)

  575 (14 per cent.)

  555 (13 per cent.)

  West Glamorgan

  650 (15 per cent.)

  385 (9 per cent.)

  500 (12 percent.)

  470 (12 per cent.)

  375 (9 per cent.)

  Wales (including Independent schools)

  5,080 (14 per cent.)

  4,400 (13 percent.)

  4,030 (12 percent.)

  3,695 (12 per cent.)

  3,395 (11 per cent.)

  1 From School Examinations Survey, of a sample of school leavers:

  2 From Intended Destinations of Pupils (RD1) Survey.

  Agency Printing Costs
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the agencies for which his Department is responsible indicating for each the costs incurred for printing(a) all publications and (b) the annual report in the last available year. [38670]

  Mr. Hague
  Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments is the only executive agency for which the Welsh Office has sole responsibility. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. T. J. Cassidy, to provide a reply.

  Letter from T. J. Cassidy to Mr. Anthony Steen, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about printing costs incurred by Cadw (an Executive Agency of the Welsh Office) in the last year.The cost of printing for publications in the year ended 31 March 1996 is:

  £

  Annual Report

  18,561.00

  Interpretive publications (guidebooks and other similar material)

  62,523.00

  Corporate publications (information booklets)

  13,334.00

  Total

  84,418.00

  1 (Printed by HMSO).

  276

  School Exclusions and Expulsions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for the last available three years for each county and for Wales as a whole, the number of school exclusions or expulsions recorded for(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) all schools, indicating the percentage of such exclusions or expulsions as a proportion of overall pupil numbers in each case. [38944]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Information is available in respect of the 1994–95 academic year only. This information, shown in the following table, is derived from an early analysis of the January 1996 schools census. Results for the new unitary authorities are not yet available.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effect of the introduction of a higher guaranteed minimum income for pensioners on incentives to save. [36956]

  Mr. Lilley
  Any guaranteed minimum income scheme for pensioners set significantly above income support levels would involve means-testing all pensioners and would weaken the incentive for individuals to save for their retirement.

  Single Mothers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the earnings disregard, with particular reference to single mothers on benefit. [36968]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The earnings disregard is part of our three-fold strategy for lone parents: namely, to help and encourage lone parents to take up work through work incentives, to ensure that both parents take responsibility for their children and that maintenance is properly paid, and to ensure even-handed treatment of one and two parent families.
  277

  Pensioner Incomes
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the average change in pensioner incomes in real terms since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [36970]

  Mr. Heald
  Pensioners' average net incomes, before housing costs, increased by 51 per cent. in real terms, between 1979 and 1993.

  Source:

  Pensioners' Incomes Series 1993, based on information drawn from the Family Expenditure Surveys 1979 and 1993.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of family credit in the year of its introduction; and how many currently receive it. [36971]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Currently, 643,000 families receive family credit compared with 282,000 families in 1988.

  Source:

  Family Credit Quarterly Statistical Enquiry October 1995.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current expenditure on family credit(a) in total and (b) on the child care allowance; and if he will express (c) as a percentage of the total. [34228]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Estimated out-turn on family credit in 1995–96 was £1,682 million. Figures for expenditure on childcare disregard in 1995–96 are not yet available. However, we provisionally estimate that the cost of the disregard from its introduction in October 1994 to the end of February 1996 was £17.8 million.
  278
  Sources:

  1996 Departmental Report.

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of family credit are(a) self-employed and (b) employed; what is the estimated expenditure in each case; how many of those employed are at an hourly rate of (i) less than £2.50, (ii) £2.51 to £3.00, (iii) £3.01 to £3.50, (iv) £3.51 to £4.00, (v) £4.01 to £4.50 and (vi) £4.51 and above; and what is the average benefit payable in each case. [39109]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is set out in the tables.

  Family credit caseload and expenditure by employment type

  Occupation

  Number of cases

  Annual expenditure (£ million)

  Self-employed

  96,000

  297

  Employed

  547,000

  1,385

  Employed family credit recipients by hourly earnings and average benefit payable

  Hourly earnings

  Number of cases

  Average weekly family credit (£)

  £2.50 and under

  67,000

  73.64

  £2.51–£3.00

  66,000

  65.67

  £3.01–£3.50

  101,000

  60.34

  £3.51–£4.00

  87,000

  52.43

  £4.01–£4.50

  73,000

  44.99

  £4.51 and above

  154,000

  35.43

  Sources:

  1. 1996 Departmental Report and Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards (October 1995)—all numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. 1996 Departmental Report 5 per cent. sample of Family Credit cases.
  279
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount paid out in family credit to people in(a) the south-west region, (b) the county of Dorset and (c) each district in Dorset in each of the last five financial years. [38166]

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

  Figures for the amount of family credit in Wales and south western region

  £ million

  1991–92

  87

  1992–93

  133

  1993–94

  163

  1994–95

  198

  1995–96

  233

  The figures for 1995–96 have been derived by apportioning the estimate of total family credit expenditure published in the departmental report, and must, therefore, be treated with caution. All other figures relate to March each year.

  Guaranteed Minimum Pension
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing a guaranteed minimum pension of £80 a week. [36972]

  Mr. Lilley
  It is estimated that a guarantee set at this level which takes account of all sources of taxable income would cost up to £4½ billion at 1996–97 prices.

  Benefits Freeline Service
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the consequences of the abolition of the benefits freeline service. [36973]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  No one will lose out through the closure of the freeline service. Customers will be encouraged to contact their local office where direct links can be made between benefit advice and personal circumstances. Freeline has no access to individual customer details and has never been able to give information specific to claims—the very reason people ring. We are directing our resources to where they are needed most as any organisation must do in order to keep operating costs in check. This decision will mean that we can keep much needed local services running.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people used his Department's freephone help line in the last year. [36981]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The freeline service took 3,237,711 calls from April 1995 to March 1996.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he proposes to maintain the freeline service offering confidential advice and information on benefits, pensions, and national insurance; how many calls have been received in each year, to date, since the service was introduced; and if he will make a statement. [38581]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  280
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Max Madden, dated 22 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he proposes to maintain the Freeline service offering confidential advice and information on benefits, pensions, and national insurance; how many calls have been received in each year. to date, since the service was introduced: and if he will make a statement.The Freeline service closed on 12 July, customers are being encouraged to contact their local benefit offices. The closure will allow resources to be refocused so that the customer is in touch with the staff who administer their claims or who can directly link the benefits available with the specific personal details of the customer.Freeline, Social Security has been operating since 1984, however information about the number of calls is available only from 1993. The number of calls received has been taken to mean the number of calls answered by an adviser.The number of calls answered are shown in the table below:

  Number

  April 1993 to March 1994

  1.5 million

  April 1994 to March 1995

  2.6 million

  April 1995 to March 1996

  3.2 million

  April 1996 to 12 July 1996

  800,000

  These figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.I hope you find this reply helpful.
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if the telephone advice service to local offices to replace the social security freeline service will be free to callers; [38610]

  (2) what monitoring he will set in place to review the effect of the cancellation of the freeline social security service on the take up of benefits. [38609]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 22 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking if the telephone advice service to local offices to replace the Social Security Service Freeline service will be free to callers and what monitoring he will set in place to review the effect of the cancellation of the Freeline Social Security Service on the take up of benefits.Many customers who contacted Freeline had to make subsequent contact with their local benefit office in order to pursue their enquiry. These calls were not free and there are no proposals to make calls to local benefit offices free now that Freeline has closed.It is not expected that the closure of Freeline will have a significant effect on the take up of benefits. Advice and information about benefit entitlement is available through the Agency's network of local benefit offices. Benefit literature is readily available in local offices, post offices and numerous other outlets. There are no proposals to review the effect of the closure of Freeline on the take up of benefits.Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain the position.
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual cost saving to his Department of the abandonment of the Social Security freeline telephone service for claimants; and how many claimants made use of the telephone freeline service in the last year. [38608]
  281
  Mr. Evans
  This is an operational matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 22 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what is the annual cost saving to his Department of the abandonment of the Social Security Freeline telephone service for claimants; and how many claimants made use of the telephone Freeline service in the last year.
  The annual cost savings following the closure of the Social Security Freeline service are estimated at £3m for the financial year 1996/97 and £6.25m thereafter.
  Statistics show that in the period April 1995 to March 1996, Freeline answered 3.2 million calls and in the period April 1996 to closure on 12 July answered 800,000 calls. These figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to conclude his annual review of the system of cold weather payments; and if he will make a statement. [36974]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Further to the reply given to the hon. Member on 21 May,Official Report, column 93, I expect the review to be completed shortly.

  Private and Social Insurance
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the relative costs of private and social insurance in the welfare system. [36975]

  Mr. Heald
  We have made no estimates which cover the welfare system as a whole. Furthermore, private and state schemes are unlikely to be directly comparable. Even within the area of private insurance, plans tend to show considerable variation in charges between different types of scheme and the individual's requirements.

  Income Support
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received about paying income support to 16 and 17-year-olds. [36976]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Department has received a small number of representations.

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children are now living in families that claim income support and associated benefits; and what was the equivalent figure in 1979. [36979]

  Mr. Burt
  A total of 4.04 million children live in families receiving income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit. It is not possible to make a direct comparison with the position in 1979.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics, Quarterly Enquiry May 1995.

  Social Security Statistics 1979.

  Housing Benefit Management Information System annual 1 per cent. sample taken at the end of May 1995.
  282
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men aged 60 to 64 years receive income support. [36983]

  Mr. Evans
  There are 185,000 men aged between 60 and 64 in receipt of income support.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics, Quarterly Enquiry August 1995.

  Note:

  Figure is rounded to nearest thousand.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people in(a) York and (b) North Yorkshire were in receipt of supplementary benefit or income support in (i) 1979, (ii) 1983, (iii) 1987, (iv) 1992 and (v) currently; [38902]

  (2) how many children and what percentage of all children in (a) York and (b) North Yorkshire lived in families in receipt of supplementary benefit or income support in (i) 1979, (ii) 1983, (iii) 1987, (iv) 1992 and (v) currently. [38869]

  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. Hugh Bayley, dated 22 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many people in (a) York and (b) North Yorkshire in (i) 1979, (ii) 1983, (iii) 1987, (iv) 1992 and (v) currently were in receipt of Supplementary Benefit or Income Support (IS), and how many children and what percentage of all children lived in families in receipt of Supplementary Benefit or IS.The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefits Agency (BA) collate statistics by District Office. These Districts do not correspond to constituency boundaries or to specific county boundaries. The available information is shown in the attached tables which relate to the BA's Districts of North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Pennine, Leeds and Hull. The Districts of East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Pennine, Leeds and Hull include areas which are outside North Yorkshire.There is no information available for North Yorkshire prior to 1991. Information for York is included in the North Yorkshire District, which includes the offices of York, Harrogate and Northallerton.We do not collate statistics on the number or percentage of children who live in families in receipt of benefit.Table A relates to the actual number of successful Income Support (IS) claims for 1992 and 1996. Table B relates to the actual number of people in receipt of IS on the last working day of May 1992 and May 1996.I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Table A: Number of successful income support claims

  BA districts

  January to December 1992

  January to June 1996

  North Yorkshire1

  25,015

  10,342

  East Yorkshire

  16,288

  7,726

  Yorkshire Pennine

  17,684

  9,896

  Leeds

  49,218

  20,299

  Hull

  35,045

  14,994

  1 North Yorkshire District includes the offices of York, Harrogate and Northallerton.

  283

  Table B: Number in receipt of income support

  BA districts

  May 1992

  May 1996

  North Yorkshire1

  28,251

  31,394

  East Yorkshire

  21,344

  24,562

  Yorkshire Pennine

  30,389

  31,033

  Leeds

  66,744

  70,997

  Hull

  48,413

  51,970

  1 North Yorkshire District includes the offices of York, Harrogate and Northallerton.

  The area of North Yorkshire is covered by the BA's Districts of North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire (which includes the offices of Scarborough, Bridlington and Goole), Yorkshire Pennine (which includes the offices Halifax, Keighley and Skipton), Leeds (which includes the offices of Leeds East, Leeds North, Leeds North West, Leeds South and Leeds West), and Hull (which includes the offices of Hull West, Hull East and Hull East Outstation).

  The information has been provided by the Central Data Unit, is provisional and may be subject to change.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to improve the quality of service received by clients attending Benefits Agency offices. [36977]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Benefits Agency continues to be committed to maintaining caller facilities that meet the needs of the local community.

  Social Security Reforms
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the extent to which industrial action has been taken in response to recent social security reforms(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other EU countries. [36978]

  Mr. Lilley
  In the United Kingdom we began to respond to the demographic, social and economic changes common to most industrial nations rather earlier than other countries, and have been able to avoid disruption by taking a longer-term perspective. I have done this by introducing reform measures gradually on a sector-by-sector basis to maintain an effective, efficient and affordable welfare system.

  There has been no industrial action outside of my Department of which I am aware and very little adverse reaction from my own Department's staff. Other EU countries including Germany, France, Belgium and Italy, have been dogged by major disruption and unrest during their recent attempts to contain the cost of providing a welfare system.

  Private Insurance Companies
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what role private insurance companies play in his Department's policy making. [36982]

  Mr. Burt
  In developing social security policies, we consult a wide range of interested parties, including, when appropriate, private insurance companies.

  Telephone Advice Services
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the 284
  role of telephone advice services in the social security system.[36984]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department and its agencies have a range of telephone advice services offering a variety of relevant services to different customer groups.

  State Pension (Retirement Age)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what flexibility about the age of retirement is contained in the Government's state pension arrangements. [36985]

  Mr. Heald
  Our aim is to maximise choice and flexibility in pension provision, whilst maintaining a balance between the interests of the taxpayer and of the pensioner.

  Currently individuals can take advantage of the flexibility within the state scheme by deferring their state pension for up to five years after reaching state pension age. For each year of deferral, their pension will increase by seven and a half per cent.

  In the Pensions Act 1995, we made provision to enhance this flexibility from 2010 by removing the limit on the number of years of deferral and increasing the incremental rate from 7.5 per cent. to 10 per cent. a year.

  Social Fund
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of a social fund grant or loan(a) in the year the social fund was introduced and (b) currently. [36980]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  In 1988–89, the first full year of the discretionary social fund, 153,000 non-repayable community care grants and 884,000 repayable loans were awarded.

  In 1995–96, 275,000 non-repayable community care grants and 1,753,000 repayable loans were awarded.

  Records held are based on the number of loans and grants awarded not the number of individuals to whom the awards were made. Some people may have been awarded more than one payment during the year.

  Benefits
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of increasing current(a) earnings disregards and (b) capital limits to each benefit by (i) earnings and (ii) prices; and what would have been the cost at 1996 prices had these been uprated every year since their introduction. [34273]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  Table 1: Estimated costs of increasing earnings disregards

  Change to earnings disregards

  Cost 1996–97 (£ millions)

  Increasing disregards by prices.

  10

  Increasing disregards by earnings.

  10

  285

  Table 1: Estimated costs of increasing earnings disregards

  Change to earnings disregards

  Cost 1996–97 (£ millions)

  Increasing disregards by prices since their introduction.

  120

  Increasing disregards by earnings since their introduction.

  160

  1. Estimates are modelled on the 1994 Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and the 1991/1992/1993 Family Expenditure Surveys uprated to 1996–97 levels of prices, benefits and earnings. Costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Factors for uprating are based on the ROSSI and earnings indexes of the year prior to the year in question and have been applied to earnings disregard levels at April 1996.

  3. Figures for Income Support contain unemployed cases who will be included in Jobseekers Allowance from October 1996. The effect on the Back to Work Bonus has not been estimated as the future behavioural response is very uncertain.

  4. It has been assumed that no behavioural effects take place. The estimates which involve larger changes to the earnings disregard should in particular be treated with caution.

  Table 2: Estimated cost of uprating capital limits since their introduction, or at the April 1996 uprating, at 1996–97 prices and benefit levels

  Income related benefit

  Current year

  Since introduction

  Uprated by:

  Prices or earnings

  Prices (ROSSI) £ million

  Earnings £ million

  Income Support (including Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based))

  *

  60

  70

  Housing Benefit

  *

  50

  70

  Council Tax Benefit

  *

  *

  *

  Family Credit

  *

  30

  40

  Total estimated cost

  *

  140

  190

  1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million: * indicates a cost less than £5 million.

  2. The lower and upper capital limits (except in residential care and nursing home cases) which apply in the calculation of income-related benefits are currently £3,000 and £8,000 respectively for Income Support and Family Credit, and £3,000 and £16,000 for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Disability Working Allowance. The lower £3,000 limit was introduced in 1988. The upper limits of £8,000 for Income Support and £16,000 for Housing Benefit were increased in 1990. The Housing Benefit capital limits were applied to Disability Working Allowance and Council Tax Benefit when these benefits were introduced in 1992 and 1993 respectively.

  3. Estimates are based upon data drawn from the 1991, 1992 and 1993 Family Expenditure Surveys, uprated to 1996–97 prices and benefit levels.

  4. Estimates exclude cases in residential care and nursing homes.

  5. Adjustments to these estimates are made using data drawn from the May 1995 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry; the Family Credit database at July 1995; and the May 1994 Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Management Information System.

  6. It is not possible to give separate costs for Disability Working Allowance as there is insufficient information on likely claimants to effectively model their entitlement.

  7. Figures for Income Support include Jobseekers's Allowance (Income-Based) from October 1996,

  8. ROSSI is the Retail Prices Index excluding the rent, mortgage interest and local tax components, and is used to uprate income-related benefits.

  9. After rounding the capital limits to the nearest £250, uprating by earnings or prices is the same for the one year uprating at April 1996.

  10. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
  286

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress the Benefits Agency in(a) Newham and (b) the United Kingdom has made in (i) identifying, (ii) contacting and (iii) recompensing asylum seekers affected by the Court of Appeal decision of 21 June. [35974]

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

  Immediately following the Court of Appeal ruling, Benefits Agency offices were advised to accept claims from those who gained entitlement to benefit for the period from 5 February. Given that the Court of Appeal ruling has received widespread media coverage, and this is an area in which advocacy and support groups are very active, it is likely that any action geared towards identifying affected cases would be largely redundant. Therefore, the Government do not believe it is necessary to take any special steps to identify those who may have gained entitlement following the court ruling.

  Asylum seekers who would have been entitled during the period 5 February to 21 June will be aware that benefit can be obtained by making claim in respect of that period or seeking a review of a decision to disallow benefit. Arrears of benefit will be payable where appropriate in respect of claims and requests for review covering the period 5 February to 21 June.

  Bate Case
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases processed by the Benefits Agency have been affected by the decision of the House of Lords on the Bate case; in how many cases, suspended pending the outcome of the Bate appeal, payments have been made to claimants; if he will indicate the total amounts paid out to claimants affected by the Bate case; and what considerations led to the decision to make the payments. [36568]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Fraud
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the initiatives undertaken to reduce fraud in the periods(a) April 1979 to May 1983,(b) June 1983 to May 1987, (c) June 1987 to March 1992 and (d) April 1992 to date; and what was the amount of fraud detected for each period in constant prices. [36833]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested as details of initiatives undertaken prior to the creation of the Benefits Agency are not available. Such information as is available is as follows:

  1991 to March 1992

  Sector Fraud organisation established.

  National Organised Fraud branch established.

  Introduction of free anti-fraud training for local authority investigators.

  Publication of anti-fraud, good practice guide for local authorities.

  287

  April 1992 to date

  Five year Security Strategy;

  Post Office Reward Scheme;

  Electronic Stop Notice, barcoding of order books;

  Deployment of mobile bar code scanners in Post Offices;

  Generalised Matching Service—development of data matching across Benefits Agency computer systems to identify customer inconsistencies and incorrectness which are likely to result in excess benefit payments.

  Audit Trail Analysis System—to provide a computer tool to deter, detect and report on patterns of fraud and abuse;

  Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign—a series of co-ordinated anti-fraud drives, targeting specific towns or geographical areas;

  Freephone Fraud Hotline Pilot;

  Extra visits and other checks of new and existing claims to benefit;

  Investigation of employers who collude with their employees to make false claims;

  Trial examining standards of documentary proof of identify at point of encashment;

  Prisoners Project—automation of the interface between the Prison Service and the Benefits Agency in England and Wales to eliminate fraud by persons impersonating convicted prisoners;

  Benefit Reviews to measure the scale of benefit fraud and incorrectness on major social security benefits;

  Joint Benefits Agency/Contributions Agency National Insurance Number Project;

  Hole punching of order books by Post Offices prior to return to Benefits Agency office;

  Secure delivery of order books to Post Offices;

  Ultra Violet lamps for Post Office use;

  Redesign of girocheques and order books, including greater security measures;

  Secure delivery of girocheques;

  Benefits Agency and Post Office Counters Limited (BA/POCL)—procuring via a Private Finance Initiative the automation of Post Office counters, introducing the benefit payment card;

  Development and improvement of Management Information Systems;

  Development and improvement of Case Work Management;

  Fraud Investigation National Database;

  Search by Address facility on Departmental Central Index;

  Change Management Project—changing the culture of staff and customers so that security becomes everyone's responsibility;

  Improved verification procedures;

  Child Benefit—creation and maintenance of register of stolen birth certificates.

  Operation Rattle—aimed at people receiving Child Benefit but who are no longer entitled to it owing to their absence from Great Britain

  Joint Child Support Agency (CSA and Benefits Agency (BA) pilot initiative to a BA fraud officer in Plymouth CSA Centre.

  CSA cases referred to BA where fraud is suspected, including cases where reduced benefit directions have been accepted.

  CSA and BA closer working project to identify improved joint working practices to identify and prevent benefit fraud in the most cost effective way.

  Various joint operations with other Departments (e.g. Customs and Excise) and other bodies (e.g. the police) to detect and deter fraud.

  A BA official seconded full-time with the National Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS).

  288

  Appointment of a dedicated anti-fraud Minister (DSS).

  Ministerial group on countering benefit fraud set up to oversee the development of measures to counter benefit fraud and insure effective co-ordination within Government and local authorities.

  Counter Fraud Unit (currently being established in DSS) which will co-ordinate counter fraud activity within DSS and across Whitehall.

  Rationalisation of the Departmental Central Index;

  Benefits Agency review of internal fraud;

  Private Sector Partnership—scoping work to test the suitability of future partnerships with the private sector. Currently considering fraud process efficiency and effectiveness.

  Risk management—assessing and analysing risks so that they can be targeted and minimised;

  A programme of activity to detect unreported changes of circumstances amongst customers residing in countries overseas;

  Merger of the Benefits Agency and Employment Service fraud investigation services;

  Introduction of the anti-fraud financial incentive scheme for local authorities.

  Action against fraud roadshows—held in 20 different locations throughout the country to encourage local authority anti-fraud work.

  Publication of the local authority Fraud Investigators' manual.

  National fraud service level agreements between local authorities and both the Benefits Agency and Employment Service signed.

  Challenge Funding scheme to encourage innovative and anti-fraud ideas (worth £8 million in 1996–97).

  Revised anti-fraud financial incentives with higher rewards and stiffer penalties for poor performance authorities.

  Introduction of the Housing Benefit Matching Service in July 1996 providing a data matching service for local authorities.

  Establishment of organised Housing Benefit Fraud investigation team pilot.

  Fraud savings are not available before 1986–87, information from 1986 is not available in the format requested. Fraud savings in 1995–96 prices for complete fiscal years are given in the table.

  Figures for 1992–96 exclude the estimated savings achieved through the Security and Control Programme before 1995–96, which have yet to be finalised.

  Annual fraud detection savings

  Period

  1995–96 1 Prices £ million

  1986–1987

  221

  1987–1992

  1,947

  1992–1996

  2,757.6

  1 Prices have been uplifted using Retail Prices Index (RPI) mid year indices. The source for RPI data was "Economic Trends Annual Supplement—1996 Edition".

  Doctors' Fees
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) full-time doctors and (b) fee-paid part-time doctors are employed by his Department; and what is the cost to his Department in each case of (i) the salaries or fees payable and (ii) the cost of administration. [36907]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:
  289

  Location

  Number of full time doctors

  Number of fee paid part-time doctors

  Salaries (£ million)

  Fees (£ million)

  DSS Headquarters

  13

  0

  0.20

  0

  Benefits Agency

  278

  1,337

  3.48

  5.44

  War Pensions Agency

  37

  20

  0.50

  0.07

  Totals

  328

  1,357

  4.18

  5.51

  1. Salaries and fees are for the period April to June 1996, and include National Insurance contributions, superannuation, etc.

  2. Fee paid doctors are not employees, but independent contractors.

  3. Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Domestic Fuel Expenditure
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce a system of regional heating premiums to means-tested benefits to reflect the regional disparity of heating costs. [37974]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  No.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who have been disallowed incapacity benefit in the Coventry benefits district in each quarter since April 1995(a) are currently signing on as unemployed, (b) are claiming unemployment benefits and (c) have started work. [37854]

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

  The number of people disallowed incapacity benefit who have successfully made claims to unemployment benefits and/or credits of national insurance in the Employment Service Coventry district is shown in the table:

  Quarter ending

  Number of cases

  June 1995

  11

  September 1995

  40

  December 1995

  54

  March 1996

  22

  June 1996

  111

  Total in period

  238

  1. Of the total making a claim eight have been placed in work by an Employment Service adviser or through specialist PACT help. This figure does not include those who have found work by using the self service facility in Jobcentres.

  Abbeyfield Society
  Sir Michael Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to provide additional funds for the provision of places in registered extra care houses managed by the Abbeyfield Society; and if he will make a statement. [37892]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Abbeyfield Society residents who were living in care homes on 31 March 1993 have preserved rights to the higher levels of income support for 290
  residential and nursing care. These levels are reviewed each year as part of the normal uprating exercise and were last increased in April 1996. Increases above the rate of inflation—Rossi index—were made to the limits for elderly and very dependent elderly people in residential care homes.

  People who enter Abbeyfield extra care homes since April 1993 can seek assistance from local authorities with the cost of their care under the community care arrangements. Normal rates of income support including a residential allowance are available to such residents. These rates are similarly reviewed each year.

  Foster Carers
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from foster carers in respect of efficiency drives in his Department's freeline service. [38158]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Department has received one representation from the National Foster Care Association and two from Norwich and District Carers Forum.

  Child Care
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to raise the age limit for receipt of family credit child care help. [37118]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Proposals have been referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee which include extending eligibility for the child care disregard from the child's 11th birthday until the following September.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims in total have been made for the child care disregard in respect of (i) family credit and (ii) disability working allowance; and how many have been disallowed for(a) being in receipt of the maximum benefit, (b) child care not being provided by a registered provider, (c) the child being aged over 11 years and >(d) being one of a couple where the partner was not incapacitated. [39048]

  Mr. Evans
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further measures he is taking to assist disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [37413]

  Mr. Burt
  The Disability Discrimination Act, which received Royal Assent last year, is being phased in over a period of time to eliminate the unjustifiable discrimination that disabled people currently face in a number of areas, including employment and access to goods, facilities, services and premises. The employment rights and the first rights of access to goods, facilities, services and premises will come into force on 2 December this year.

  Codes of practice on the new rights, together with guidance on the definition of disability in the Act, will be published shortly. These documents will help employers and service providers to understand and comply with the new rights and duties that the Act creates.
  291

  Upper Earnings Limit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the additional contribution yield from raising the upper earnings limit to £600. [38265]

  Mr. Heald
  Raising the present £455 upper earnings limit to £600 would increase national insurance contribution revenue for 1997–98 by an estimated £1.1 billion.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Disregards
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of(a) the costs of and (b) the numbers gaining from an increase in disregards from (i) £5 to £8.15, (ii) £10 to £16.40, (iii) £15 to £24.50, (iv) £25 to £34.10 in (1) income support, (2) housing benefit and (3) council tax benefit. [39044]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the table.

  Benefit

  Total annual cost £ million

  Gainers

  Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance (IR)

  50

  140,000

  Housing Benefit

  90

  320,000

  Council Tax Benefit

  30

  310,000

  Notes:

  1. Costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million. Gainers are rounded to the nearest 10 thousand. Behavioural effects are not taken into account. Figures for Income Support include increases in the cost of income-related Jobseeker's Allowance.

  2. The number of gainers in each case refers both to those already receiving the benefit whose eligibility increases and those who will become eligible for the benefit as a result of the changes made to the earnings disregards in October.

  3. The costs of increasing the Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance disregards also includes the costs of increased entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as a result of people floating onto Income Support because of the increased disregards. The figure for gainers only includes Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance gainers.

  Source:

  1. Modelled using the 1991/1992/1993 Family Expenditure Surveys and the May 1994 Quarterly Statistical Enquiry uprated to 1996/97 levels of incomes, prices and benefits.

  Benefit Statistics
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the numbers of(a) family credit and (b) disability working allowance claimants who are in receipt of the maximum benefit, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) marital status and (iii) whether self-employed or employed. [39110]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the table.

  Numbers of family credit and disability working allowance claimants receiving maximum awards

  Family type

  Family credit

  Disability working allowance

  All cases

  193,000

  8,076

  Male main earner1

  66,000

  —

  292

  Numbers of family credit and disability working allowance claimants receiving maximum awards

  Family type

  Family credit

  Disability working allowance

  Female main earner1

  127,000

  —

  Male claimant

  —

  4,862

  Female claimant

  —

  3,214

  Couples (married and unmarried)

  88,000

  3,057

  Lone parents/single claimants

  105,000

  5,019

  Self-employed

  44,000

  1,577

  Employed

  149,000

  6,499

  Notes:

  1. In Family Credit claims from couples, the claim is made by the mother in the family. Figures on gender are therefore provided by main earner.

  Sources:

  1. Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards (October 1995)— figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Disability Working Allowance 100 per cent. count (January 1996).

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claims were made during 1994–95 for(a) sickness benefit, (b) invalidity benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance and (d) income support where a disability premium is payable on incapacity grounds; [39114]

  (2) how many new claims were made during 1995–96 for (a) short-term incapacity benefit, (b) long-term incapacity benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance and (d) income support where a disability premium is payable on incapacity grounds. [39113]

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

  Benefit

  Claims received

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Sickness/Invalidity Benefit

  11,157,000

  —

  Incapacity Benefit

  —

  11,054,000

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  183,000

  196,000

  Income Support with disability premium

  2647,000

  2737,000

  Sources:

  1 Benefits Agency Central Data Unit. Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  25 per cent. sample from Income Support Computer System (ICIS). The figures represent numbers in receipt of disability premium at end of August 1994 and August 1995. It is not possible to identify separately those receiving disability premium on grounds of incapacity for work.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the numbers of people currently receiving(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit by eligibility for (i) the carer premium, (ii) the lone parent premium and (iii) the disability premium. [39046]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the tables.
  293

  Income support recipients by premium in Great Britain May 1995

  Thousands

  Premium type

  Income support recipients

  Carer

  138

  Disability

  739

  Lone parent

  1,056

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry May 1995.

  Note:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Housing benefit/council tax benefit recipients by premium, Great Britain—May 1995

  Thousands

  Premium type

  Housing benefit recipients

  Council tax benefit recipients

  Carer

  78

  102

  Disability

  639

  700

  Lone parent

  896

  961

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries with and without income support taken at the end of May 1995.

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry May 1995.

  Notes:

  1The figures given refer to the number of benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  2. The figures include overlaps because most people receive both housing benefit and council tax benefit.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4. Second adult rebate cases are not included.

  Housing Benefit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow can expect an answer to his letter of 18 June to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary about the Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1996, S.I. 1996, No. 965. [39000]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I replied to the hon. Member on Monday 22 July 1996.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much housing benefit was paid to residents of(a) York and (b) North Yorkshire in each year since 1979–80. [38939]

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

  £ millions

  Year

  York

  North Yorkshire

  1983–84

  3.8

  18.4

  1984–85

  4.4

  20.9

  1985–86

  5.3

  23.7

  1986–87

  5.6

  25.6

  1987–88

  5.6

  25.8

  1988–89

  5.7

  26.2

  1989–90

  7.2

  29.5

  1990–91

  9.2

  32.8

  1991–92

  10.1

  38.8

  1992–93

  14.1

  56.4

  294

  £ millions

  Year

  York

  North Yorkshire

  1993–94

  16.8

  67.3

  1994–95

  19.5

  78.5

  Source:

  DSS Finance and Planning Division and Department of the Environment.

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.

  2. Information is only available from the introduction of the national scheme in 1983–84.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of families with children aged under 18 years received housing benefit in(a) York, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) Yorkshire and Humberside and (d) England in each year since 1979. [38941]

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

  Percentages of families with children aged under 18, who are in receipt of Housing Benefit for England

  Year

  Percentage

  1990

  13

  1991

  14

  1992

  17

  1993

  19

  1994

  19

  1995

  20

  Source:

  1. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample enquiry taken at May of each year given.

  2. Child Benefit 1 per cent. sample enquiry at December 1994 and 4 per cent. sample enquiry at December for 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 and 1989. Includes families with children aged only 18 and 19.

  Note:

  Information is not available for York, North Yorkshire and Yorkshire and Humberside and the relevant national data were not collected prior to 1990.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate in each case of(a) the cost of and (b) the numbers gaining from a reduction in the housing benefit taper to 50 per cent. to people in receipt of (i) the carer premium, (ii) the lone parent premium and (iii) the disability premium. [39045]

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

  The table shows, for each of the three groups, the estimated annual cost, the estimated number of current claimants who will gain from the change—gainers—and the estimated number of cases who will become newly entitled to and claim housing benefit as a result of the change—floaters on.

  Group

  Cost (£ million)

  Gainers (thousands)

  Caseloads Floaters on (thousands)

  Disability premium

  70

  245

  15

  Lone parent premium

  55

  110

  25

  Carer premium

  0

  5

  0

  Total

  125

  355

  40

  1. Estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Surveys of 1991, 1992 and 1993, uprated to 1996/97 prices and benefit levels. Expenditure estimates are rounded to the nearest £5 million, and caseloads to the nearest 5,000.

  2. The cost and caseload estimates for the disability premium and the lone parent premium includes some cases who are also in receipt of the Carer Premium.
  295

  Unemployment Credits
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average duration of a claim for(a) unemployment credits where no benefit is in payment and (b) incapacity credits where no benefit is in payment. [39112]

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

  The average duration of claims to unemployment benefit where the claimant was not in receipt of unemployment benefit or income support which were live on 8 February was 460 days (1 year and 3 months)1. Almost all of these claimants will have received national insurance credits.

  The average duration of incapacity credits where no incapacity benefits were in payment in 1994–95 was 256 days (8 months)1. It is not known whether income support was in payment for any of the periods involved.

  Sources:

  1 Five per cent. sample of unemployed claimants on 8 February 1996.

  1 One per cent. sample of all claims to sickness benefit made in Great Britain which terminated during 1994–95.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of average earnings the upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions has represented in each of the years(a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91, (c) 1992–93, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95, (f) 1995–96 and (g) 1996–97. [39108]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Year

  Average weekly earnings (£)1

  Weekly upper earnings limit (£)

  Upper earnings limit as a percentage of average earnings

  1989–90

  250

  325

  130

  1990–91

  274

  350

  128

  1991–92

  296

  390

  132

  1992–93

  312

  405

  130

  1993–94

  322

  420

  130

  1994–95

  332

  430

  130

  Number of people claiming benefit due to medical incapacity (Sickness Benefit and Incapacity Benefit) and receiving National Insurance credits only no benefit in payment: Great Britain—thousands

  Total claimants

  Men

  Women

  Married women

  Other women

  1 April 19891

  157

  70

  87

  33

  54

  31 March 19901

  205

  95

  110

  40

  70

  30 March 19911

  262

  126

  137

  53

  84

  4 April 19921

  320

  160

  160

  61

  100

  3 April 19931

  387

  201

  185

  75

  110

  2 April 19941

  440

  233

  207

  83

  124

  12 April 19951

  512

  277

  235

  92

  143

  29 February 19962

  580

  320

  260

  n/a

  n/a

  Source:

  1 per cent. sample of all claims to Sickness Benefit in Great Britain.

  5 per cent. sample of claims to Incapacity Benefit, excluding a small number of cases not held on teh computer.

  Note:

  1. For incapacity only point in time information is available, relating to the end of the statistical year in question.
  296

  Year

  Average weekly earnings (£)1

  Weekly upper earnings limit (£)

  Upper earnings limit as a percentage of average earnings

  1995–96

  344

  440

  125

  1996–97

  357

  455

  127

  1 Average weekly earnings for all full-time workers whose pay was not affected by absence during the year. The figure for 1996–97 is an estimate.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been paid out (i) in unemployment benefit and (ii) in other benefits to unemployed people in(a)York and (b) North Yorkshire in each year since 1979–80. [38934]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Pensions
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many female(a) divorced and (b) widowed pensioners there are in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England; and how many in each area currently receive a full state pension based on their husband's national insurance contributions record. [38935]

  Mr. Heald
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Incapacity Credits
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of(a) the cost and (b) the numbers gaining if receipt of an incapacity credit where no benefit is in payment were to be included in the qualifying benefits for disability working allowance (i) during the eight weeks prior to claim, (ii) in the six months prior to claim and (iii) in the two years prior to claim. [39111]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  There are insufficient data on which to base reliable estimates.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, columns 411–12, if he will break down each of the tables by gender and marital status. [39047]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
  297

  Number of unemployed claimants in receipt of National Insurance credits only: by gender and marital status in Great Britain

  Thousands

  Males

  Females

  Total Claimants

  Total

  Married

  Single, divorced or widowed

  Total

  Married

  Single, divorced or widowed

  May 1989

  274

  171

  96

  75

  102

  65

  37

  May 1990

  220

  141

  69

  73

  78

  45

  34

  May 1991

  280

  187

  96

  90

  93

  52

  41

  May 1992

  313

  211

  116

  96

  102

  59

  43

  May 1993

  335

  229

  128

  101

  106

  62

  44

  May 1994

  281

  192

  120

  72

  89

  52

  38

  May 1995

  231

  155

  92

  63

  76

  43

  33

  February 19961

  229

  155

  87

  68

  74

  39

  35

  Notes

  1 February 1996 is the most recent data available.

  2 The above figures include a small number who will not receive credits, but can't be identified separately.

  3 For Unemployment Benefit, only point in time information is available, relating to the second Thursday of May in each of the years requested. The table below shows the number of unemployed claimants not receiving Unemployment Benefit nor Income Support by gender and marital status. Almost all of these will receive National Insurance (NI) credits.

  Source:

  5 per cent. sample of unemployed claimants taken on the second Thursday of the months shown.

  Number of people receiving at least one credit for Invalid Care Allowance

  Great Britain Thousands

  Financial year

  All

  Men

  Women

  All

  Married

  Single

  Divorced

  Widowed

  Unknown

  1988–89

  116

  21

  95

  77

  7

  4

  6

  1

  1989–90

  129

  26

  103

  83

  9

  4

  5

  1

  1990–91

  143

  30

  112

  91

  11

  5

  5

  1

  1991–92

  174

  35

  139

  110

  16

  7

  6

  1

  1992–93

  210

  45

  165

  130

  21

  8

  6

  1

  1. The information for men aged between 60 and 64 years is available only for the numbers of people in receipt of at least on NI credit in the financial year shown.

  Number of men, aged between 60 and 64 receiving at least one Autocredit

  Great Britain Thousands

  Financial year

  Men

  1988–89

  1,299

  1989–90

  1,310

  1990–91

  1,331

  1991–92

  1,348

  1992–93

  1,371

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Figures 1992–93 are not complete as some returns may not have been received at the time of the extract.

  Source:

  1 per cent. Sample of National Insurance Recording System (NIRS) taken at February 1994.

  National Disability Council
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will appoint a deputy chairman to the National Disability Council. [39613]

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has appointed Martin Reavley, of Bass plc as the deputy chairman of the National Disability Council. Mr. Reavley's period of appointment will run from 9 July 1996 to 22 January 1999. Mr. Reavley has been a member of the council since its inception in January this year and has played an active role in its work.
  298

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further studies he has made to measure the amount of benefit fraud; and if he will make a statement. [39680]

  Mr. Heald
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced in July 1995 that he had instigated a series of benefit reviews across the major social security benefits to identify and quantify the level of fraud. Results of the reviews of income support, unemployment benefit, housing benefit and retirement pension have already been announced. A further review of invalid care allowance has now been completed.

  This shows that the vast majority of customers are entitled to the benefit they are receiving.

  However fraud has been found in 6.5 per cent. of cases representing annual overpayments of an estimated £37 million. The largest area of fraud uncovered was where recipients were failing to provide care to the disabled person.

  As a result of these findings, we are introducing further measures to secure benefit payments for the future whilst ensuring the benefit remains accessible to those entitled to receive it.
  299

  Decision Making and Appeals
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will announce his proposals for improving social security decision making and appeals; and if he will make a statement. [39681]

  Mr. Lilley
  I am today publishing a consultation document setting out my objectives for improving this key area of social security administration as part of the change programme.

  The proposals, on which I welcome comments, seek to remove the legal obstacles to efficient business processing whilst at the same time preserving individual rights to have decisions taken fairly and impartially in accordance with the facts and law. They will make it easier to improve accuracy and will be more cost effective to administer.

  The paper also sets out my plans to develop more flexible arrangements for correcting decisions when necessary and also for ensuring that individuals take proper responsibility for providing relevant evidence to the Department. I have also made clear my intention to retain the right to independent appeal for those people whose dispute cannot better be resolved another way. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Library.

  In addition, some changes to appeals procedures can be made as a step towards the longer term improvements. I am currently consulting the Council on Tribunals on these and, subject to that consultation, will lay regulations during recess, to take effect in the autumn. Copies of the letter to the Council on Tribunals, which sets out my proposals, have been placed in the Library.

  Domestic Fuel Expenditure
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of domestic fuel expenditure for each income decile expressed(a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage of total household expenditure in the latest year for which figures are available. [37901]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  Estimates of the average weekly household expenditure on domestic fuel by income decile groups are available for (a) in table 1.1 and for (b) in table 1.2 of "Family Spending: A report on the 1994–95 Family Expenditure Survey", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

ENVIRONMENT

  Waste
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications for authorisations in respect of(a) municipal waste, (b) hazardous waste, (c) clinical waste and (d) animal and other incinerators have been (i) refused and (ii) allowed since Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution took over regulatory functions in respect of air quality; and if he will list the locations of those allowed and, of these, where are they situated. [37838]
  300
  Mr. Clappison
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution granted authorisations to:

  (a) 19 municipal waste incinerators;

  (b) 4 hazardous waste incinerators;

  (c) 10 clinical waste incinerators; and

  (d) 3 animal incinerators.

  They also granted.

  20 authorisations to in-house waste incinerators;

  11 authorisations to sewage sludge incinerators; and

  7 authorisations to drum incinerators.

  No applications for authorisation from incinerators were refused by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  The names and addresses of the incinerators have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is(a) the average cost and (b) the lowest cost for the installation of loft insulation, approved under the home energy efficiency scheme. [37895]

  Mr. Clappison
  The present average grant towards the cost of loft insulation under the home energy efficiency scheme is £189, and the lowest recorded is £87.49.

  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many grants at 25 per cent. have been paid under the home energy efficiency scheme; and if he will make a statement. [37899]

  Mr. Clappison
  One hundred and twenty nine such grants had been paid by 30 June 1996.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources he plans to make available to local authorities to enable them to implement recommendations arising from reports produced under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995. [38050]

  Mr. Clappison
  None specifically, since those measures which are for direct implementation by local authorities fall within their existing powers and duties as housing authorities. Energy efficiency will continue to be one of the factors taken into account in considering allocations to local authorities in England under the housing investment programme. Housing finance in Scotland, in Wales and in Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the respective Secretaries of State. In the case of the majority of the housing stock, implementation will be for third parties, such as landlords and homeowners, and the role of the local authority will be to inform, educate and motivate. Many authorities already take steps to provide information and encourage residents to use energy more efficiently in their homes.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional resources he plans to make available to the home energy efficiency scheme to match additional measures added to the scheme as a result of the current consultation process. [38052]

  Mr. Clappison
  The allocation for the home energy efficiency scheme is decided each year in the light of the priorities at that time and the overall resources available for all programmes. No decisions have yet been taken on
  301
  the proposals contained in the consultation paper published earlier this year on the future of this successful and well-regarded scheme.

  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is(a) the average cost and (b) the lowest cost for the installation of draught-proofing, approved under the home energy efficiency scheme. [37898]

  Mr. Clappison
  The present average grant towards the cost of draught-proofing under the home energy efficiency scheme is £116, and the lowest recorded is £45.33.

  Radon Gas
  Sir Peter Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what categories of information are provided by the National Radiological Protection Board to local authorities to assist them in identifying and advising individual households which may be at risk from high levels of radon gas; and what category of information on radon-affected homes is considered by the board to be confidential and not made available to local authorities. [38086]

  Mr. Clappison
  Participation in the radon measurement programme, administered by the National Radiological Protection Board on behalf of the Department of the Environment, is voluntary. Householders who participate in this Government-funded programme are given categorical assurances that the results for their homes will be confidential to them. The NRPB is therefore not free to release individual results to any other party. However, to assist local authorities, aggregated data are routinely provided to each local authority within whose area measurements have been made. These data are given for areas defined down to the level of postcode sectors.

  Urban Initiative
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress towards agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the European Commission on the terms on which funds for the Urban initiative can be made available to neighbourhoods in England. [37967]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We are close to finalising the administrative arrangements with the European Commission for the Urban Community initiative. The programmes for those neighbourhoods to receive funding in England, Scotland and Wales will commence as soon as they have been formally adopted by the Commission.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by region the total amount of(a) useable capital receipts and (b) receipts set aside as provision for credit liability, held by each local authority in England at 31 March. [38015]

  Mr. Curry
  A list by region of the amounts of accumulated usable capital receipts and provision for credit liabilities held by each English local authority at 31 March 1995 has been placed in the Library of the 302
  House. The provision for credit liabilities includes amounts set aside from revenue as well as capital receipts. Separate figures are not available.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the delay in consolidating regulations for local authority capital expenditure and finance. [38278]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We expect to issue draft consolidated regulations for consultation by October.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what were the needs assessments for local government expressed through the local government grant systems for(a) Westminster city council and (b) Liverpool city council in each year since 1979; [38279]

  (2) if he will list for each authority for each year from 1979–80 to 1996–97 the amount that each was deemed to need to spend in (i) cash and (ii) real terms for the purposes of distributing rate support grant; to what extent the figures are comparable, taking account of (a) changes in functions of local authorities, (b) abolition of the Greater London council, the Inner London education authority and metropolitan counties, (c) the local government review, (d) changed arrangements for the assessment of needs, (e) changed arrangements for the payment of the needs element of rate support grant and (f) changed precepting arrangements; and if he will list for each authority on a comparable basis the assessed needs in each year on the basis of the percentage of total local government spending that each authority's needs represents and of the amount of assessed needs per head of population. [38280]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Information on standard spending assessments from 1990–91 onwards in cash and in real terms has been placed in the Library. The information includes, for 1992–93 and later years, figures recalculated so as to be comparable to those for the year immediately following. These adjusted figures take account of changes in function and geographical responsibility, but not changes in data, methodology or the national totals for each element of the SSAs.

  The figures in real terms are based on the gross domestic product deflator.

  Information has also been provided as a percentage of the total for England and as an amount per head for the figures in cash terms.

  Data on grant-related expenditure assessments, in cash and in real terms, covering the period 1981–82 to 1989–90, will be placed in the Library shortly.

  I will write to the hon. Member shortly concerning data for the years before 1981–82.

  Street Litter (Westminster)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will discuss with Westminster city council street litter around the Palace of Westminster in the absence of bins. [38085]
  303
  Mr. Clappison
  I understand that Westminster city council recognises the particular pressure placed upon the area around the Palace of Westminster because of the large number of visitors and the absence of bins. It has already discussed with its contractor the need for additional resources at this time of year.

  The city council requires its contractor to clean the area to a higher standard and over a longer period than is required in the statutory code of practice issued under part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Furthermore, where complaints of litter in this area are received, it aims to deal with the problem within one hour.

  Rents (Wigan)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of whether the senior rent officer at Wigan is following the correct statutory procedure in determining private sector rent levels for housing benefits. [38021]

  Mr. Curry
  None. Rent officers are independent statutory officers, appointed by the proper officer of the local authority in accordance with a statutory scheme agreed with the Secretary of State for the Environment. The Secretary of State has specified in the Rent Officers (Additional Functions) Order 1995, as amended. the criteria that rent officers must follow in determining rents for housing benefit purposes. Rent officers are not accountable to the Secretary of State for their decisions. They are accountable through the chief rent officer to the proper officer on matter of performance and conduct.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Brian David Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently registered as homeless with local housing authorities. [38476]

  Mr. Clappison
  Summary information on households for which local authorities in England accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985 is published in a quarterly information bulletin—"Households found accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act 1985: England". Copies of the bulletin, the latest of which provides statistics for the first quarter of 1996, are in the Library.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) households, (b) pensioners and (c) families with children (i) were presented and (ii) were accepted as homeless in (1) York, (2) North Yorkshire, (3) Yorkshire and Humberside and (4) England in each year since 1979. [38998]

  Mr. Clappison
  The available data on households dealt with under the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 and the Housing Act 1985 are set out in the tables. Other than those given for York, the figures for acceptances of households with children or a vulnerable household member could be provided only at disproportionate cost for years before 1991.
  304

  York

  Applications/ Households accepted for re-housing enquiries1

  Total

  Of which households with:

  Vulnerable member due to old age

  Children

  1979

  n/a

  125

  n/a

  n/a

  1980

  n/a

  352

  n/a

  n/a

  1981

  632

  503

  4

  310

  1982

  464

  320

  6

  178

  1983

  355

  212

  5

  128

  1984

  357

  204

  4

  100

  1985

  479

  264

  5

  138

  1986

  597

  313

  3

  180

  1987

  2330

  2159

  22

  2104

  1988

  414

  227

  3

  132

  1989

  457

  242

  8

  132

  1990

  623

  349

  4

  211

  1991

  2750

  230

  22

  3103

  1992

  1,824

  168

  10

  112

  1993

  1,234

  137

  6

  80

  1994

  1,264

  103

  2

  53

  1995

  1,173

  120

  2

  64

  n/a = not available.

  North Yorkshire1

  Households accepted for re-housing

  Total

  Of which households with:

  Vulnerable member due to old age

  Children

  1979

  640

  —

  —

  1980

  850

  —

  —

  1981

  1,020

  —

  —

  1982

  810

  —

  —

  1983

  740

  —

  —

  1984

  740

  —

  —

  1985

  730

  —

  —

  1986

  870

  —

  —

  1987

  760

  —

  —

  1988

  870

  —

  —

  1989

  1,180

  —

  —

  1990

  1,350

  —

  —

  1991

  1,180

  470

  4580

  1992

  990

  70

  720

  1993

  870

  40

  580

  1994

  870

  30

  570

  1995

  820

  30

  550

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Households accepted for re-housing

  Total

  Of which households with:

  Vulnerable member due to old age

  Children

  1979

  4,590

  —

  —

  1980

  5,360

  —

  —

  1981

  5,740

  —

  —

  1982

  5,930

  —

  —

  1983

  5,740

  —

  —

  1984

  5,820

  —

  —

  1985

  7,650

  —

  —

  1986

  8,590

  —

  —

  1987

  8,920

  —

  —

  1988

  9,920

  —

  —

  1989

  11,520

  —

  —

  1990

  13,800

  —

  —

  305

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Households accepted for re-housing

  Total

  Of which households with:

  Vulnerable member due to old age

  Children

  1991

  13,080

  4340

  45,220

  1992

  14,820

  500

  8,900

  1993

  13,650

  480

  8,150

  1994

  11,330

  370

  5,400

  1995

  10,210

  370

  5,400

  England

  Households accepted for re-housing

  Total

  Of which households with:

  Vulnerable member due to old age

  Children2

  1979

  55,530

  —

  —

  1980

  60,400

  —

  —

  1981

  66,990

  —

  —

  1982

  71,620

  —

  —

  1983

  75,470

  —

  —

  1984

  80,500

  —

  —

  1985

  91,010

  —

  —

  1986

  100,490

  —

  —

  1987

  109,170

  —

  —

  1988

  113,770

  —

  —

  1989

  122,180

  —

  —

  1990

  140,350

  6,570

  84,120

  1991

  144,780

  5,860

  88,950

  1992

  142,890

  6,230

  85,300

  1993

  132,380

  5,920

  76,390

  1994

  122,460

  6,050

  68,620

  1995

  120,810

  5,950

  67,100

  1 The data colleced from authorities have, since April 1991, included a request for the number of applications or enquiries first recorded during the quarter. The data provided are not reported on a consistent basis across authorities as they reflect differing local administrative practices and cannot, therefore, be used to produce national or regional totals of applications/inquiries. The available figures prior to April 1991 are not comparable with later data as they have a narrower coverage—they cover only the number of cases in which inquiries carried out by the authority were completed during the year.

  2 Data for 3 quarters only.

  3 Data for 2 quarters only.

  4 April to December only.

  Area Costs Adjustment
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proposals he has to take into account local wage rates in respect of area costs adjustment allocation; [38480]

  (2) what research his Department has commissioned into the operation of the area costs adjustment; [38478]

  (3) what representations he has received in respect of the area costs adjustment; [38481]

  (4) what plans he has to review the criteria for the area costs adjustment. [38479]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend set up an independent review of the area cost adjustment, chaired by Professor Elliott of the university of Aberdeen. The review reported earlier this month. The findings of the review had the benefit of substantial research 306
  commissioned to the specifications of the review team, together with research submitted in representations from local authority associations and groupings.

  The review recommends that the area cost adjustment should be based on the results of an analysis of the reasons for the variations in earnings reported by the labour force survey. The analysis distinguishes the extent to which variations are accounted for by geographical location, as distinct from other factors.

  I have received a number of representations about the results of the review, both asking that its findings be implemented, and asking that they be rejected.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest have been lost or damaged since 1981. [38316]

  Mr. Clappison
  Statistical information on damage to SSSIs in Great Britain is set out in the annual reports of the former Nature Conservancy Council. Since 1 April 1991 similar details for England, Scotland and Wales are contained in the annual reports of the country agencies and, for Great Britain, in that of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Copies of annual reports are in the Library.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest have been compulsory purchased using a nature conservation order since 1981. [38317]

  Mr. Clappison
  None. The Secretary of State confirmed one such compulsory purchase order over land within Somerset, but following further discussions with the landowner the compulsory purchase order was not implemented.

  Asbestos Cement Roof Slates
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he collates regarding the use of asbestos cement roof slates with special reference to(a) their current availability and commercial use, (b) the use of a permanent form of marking of the slates as containing asbestos and (c) the source of production; and if he will make a statement. [38809]

  Mr. Clappison
  No information on the current availability, commercial use or source of production of asbestos cement roof slates is collated by my Department. However, it is estimated that asbestos cement products, including roof slates and profiled sheeting, account for 40 per cent. of the asbestos fibre currently used in the UK. The marking of asbestos products is covered by the Asbestos Products (Safety) Regulations 1985, as amended. These regulations require that asbestos and all products containing the mineral should be marked as such using a specified label. The label may be printed directly on the product, attached to it or attached to its packaging.

  Council Houses
  Mr. Brian David Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been(a) sold and (b) built in the last 10 years. [38475]
  307
  Mr. Clappison
  Between January 1986 and December 1995, almost 810,000 local authority and new town homes were sold for owner-occupation in England. In addition, there were more than 230,000 sales to housing associations and other types of ownership.

  It is estimated that 94,000 dwellings were built by local authorities and new towns in England during this period.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the impact of(a) his policies and (b) the work of his Department in helping small businesses in the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors the impact and the statistical results of such monitoring. [39145]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the UK economy and aim to help them by providing sound economic conditions—keeping inflation and interest rates low; reducing legislative administration and taxation burdens; and, where appropriate, provide direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  My Department assists the development of small businesses through sponsorship of the construction industry and the Rural Development Commission and by its responsibility for regeneration, energy efficiency and environmental technology. In other areas, such as planning, environmental protection, and health and safety our concern is to ensure that regulation does not impose unnecessary burdens on business. Further details of my Department's activities in these areas can be found in "Your Business Matters: The Government's Response". the third competitiveness White Paper and the Department of the Environment's annual report; these documents are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give directions to the Housing Corporation to ensure that in the operation of sections 4 and 5, of schedule 1 to the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993, or any amending legislation, housing associations do not discriminate on the grounds of nationality, race or colour. [38911]

  Mr. Clappison
  We shall shortly be discussing with the Housing Corporation the guidance to be issued to housing associations about access to accommodation. We envisage that the guidance will continue to expect associations to comply with, and endorse, the Commission for Racial Equality's code of practice in rented housing. We also expect that guidance will cover the issue of discrimination when dealing with approaches from people whom they consider may be asylum seekers. Housing associations will be expected to comply with the corporation's guidance.

  Link Road Inquiry (Leicester)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional time Leicestershire county council asked for to enable it to respond to the exchange 308
  land problem raised by the Secretary of State in the Leicester A46-A47 link road public inquiry. [38990]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from private cars as a result of increasing fuel duty by 5 per cent. in real terms over the next 10 years. [38797]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government's long-term strategy of increasing road fuel duties by an average of at least 5 per cent. each year in real terms forms part of the United Kingdom's climate change programme and is expected to deliver annual savings of about 3 million tonnes of carbon by 2000 as a result of lower carbon dioxide emissions from all road transport. That is equivalent to about 2 per cent. of total 1990 UK carbon dioxide emissions. Estimates of the carbon savings attributable to private cars and forecasts beyond 2000 are not available.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when English Partnerships will publish its annual report and accounts for 1995–96. [38843]

  Mr. Curry
  I am today laying copies of English Partnerships' annual report and accounts in the House and copies will also be available in the Library.

  Rents
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average rent paid for a(a) council, (b) housing association and (c) privately rented home in (i) York and (ii) England in each year since 1979 in (1) cash terms and (2) current prices. [38927]

  Mr. Clappison
  the available information is given in the tables.

  In the private rented sector, comprehensive information on average rents is not available for individual local authority districts. Such information was first collected for housing associations in 1992.

  (i) Average rents in York, 1983–84 to 1994–95 (1) Cash

  £ per week

  Financial year

  :Local authority rents

  Year1

  Housing association rents

  1983–84

  10.19

  —

  —

  1984–85

  10.54

  —

  —

  1985–86

  11.32

  —

  —

  1986–87

  11.89

  —

  —

  1987–88

  13.28

  —

  —

  1988–89

  14.16

  —

  —

  1989–90

  15.23

  —

  —

  1990–91

  21.01

  —

  —

  1991–92

  23.36

  1992

  28.08

  1992–93

  26.52

  1993

  31.45

  1993–94

  29.52

  1994

  34.94

  1994–95

  32.42

  1995

  37.03

  309

  (2) Current prices (1994–95 prices)2

  £ per week

  Financial year

  Local authority rents

  Year1

  Housing association rents

  1983–84

  17.51

  —

  —

  1984–85

  17.24

  —

  —

  1985–86

  17.56

  —

  —

  1986–87

  17.90

  —

  —

  1987–88

  18.98

  —

  —

  1988–89

  18.97

  —

  —

  1989–90

  19.07

  —

  —

  1990–91

  24.36

  —

  —

  1991–92

  25.49

  1992

  30.64

  1992–93

  27.81

  1993

  32.98

  1993–94

  30.07

  1994

  35.60

  1994–95

  32.42

  1995

  37.03

  1 Housing association rents are at 31 March. First collected by the Housing Corporation 31 March 1992.

  2 Real terms figures are cash figures adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP market prices deflator.

  (ii) Average rents in England, 1979–1980 to 1994–95 (1) Cash

  £ per week

  Financial year

  Local authority rents

  Calendar year1

  Housing association rents2

  Private sector rents2

  1979–80

  6.49

  1979

  n/a

  n/a

  1980–81

  8.19

  1980

  n/a

  n/a

  1981–82

  11.53

  1981

  n/a

  n/a

  1982–83

  13.58

  1982

  n/a

  n/a

  1983–84

  14.03

  1983

  n/a

  n/a

  1984–85

  14.79

  1984

  16

  16

  1985–86

  15.63

  1985

  17

  18

  1986–87

  16.48

  1986

  20

  23

  1987–88

  17.4

  1987

  24

  26

  1988–89

  19.01

  1988

  23

  29

  1989–90

  20.86

  1989

  22

  31

  1990–91

  23.92

  1990

  27

  43

  1991–92

  27.59

  1991

  30

  51

  1992–93

  30.84

  1992

  37

  55

  1993–94

  33.70

  1993

  38

  68

  1994–95

  35.79

  1994–95

  43

  69

  1 The Family Expenditure Survey changed from a calendar to a financial year basis in 1994.

  2 These figures are from the Family Expenditure Survey and are subject to sampling variability. They cover all types of tenancy, i.e. both assured and non-assured tenancies.

  (2) Current prices (1994–95 prices)1

  £ per week

  Financial year

  Local authority rents

  Calendar year2

  Housing association rents3

  Private sector rents3

  1979–80

  16.22

  1979

  n/a

  n/a

  1980–81

  17.30

  1980

  n/a

  n/a

  1981–82

  22.20

  1981

  n/a

  n/a

  1982–83

  24.41

  1982

  n/a

  n/a

  1983–84

  24.10

  1983

  n/a

  n/a

  1984–85

  24.19

  1984

  26

  27

  1985–86

  24.24

  1985

  26

  29

  1986–87

  24.81

  1986

  31

  34

  1987–88

  24.87

  1987

  35

  38

  1988–89

  25.47

  1988

  32

  40

  1989–90

  26.12

  1989

  29

  40

  1990–91

  27.73

  1990

  32

  50

  1991–92

  30.10

  1991

  33

  57

  310

  (2) Current prices (1994–95 prices)1

  £ per week

  Financial year

  Local authority rents

  Calendar year2

  Housing association rents3

  Private sector rents3

  1992–93

  32.34

  1992

  39

  58

  1993–94

  34.33

  1993

  39

  69

  1994–95

  35.79

  1994–95

  43

  69

  1 Real terms figures are cash figures adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP market prices deflator.

  2 The Family Expenditure Survey changed from a calendar to a financial year basis in 1994.

  3 These figures are from the Family Expenditure Survey and are subject to sampling variability. They over all types of tenancy, i.e. both assured and non-assured tenancies.

  Standard Spending Assessment (Tyne and Wear)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the standard spending assessment for 1996–97 in pounds per head for metropolitan councils within Tyne and Wear. [39065]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The standard spending assessments for 1996–97 were as follows:

  £

  Gateshead

  780.77

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  821.19

  North Tyneside

  749.40

  South Tyneside

  800.78

  Sunderland

  793.31

  Northumbria Police Authority

  65.32

  Tyne and Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  31.75

  Water Supplies
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what volume of water was(a) supplied to customers and (b) lost through evaporation and leakage by each of the privatised water companies in each year since privatisation; and if he will show (b) as a percentage of (a). [38940]

  Mr. Clappison
  Water delivered and leakage levels for each company are given in the Office of Water Services' reports on the cost of water delivered and sewage collected. Copies of these reports are in the House Library. Figures prior to 1992–93 are not available on a comparable basis.

  Estimates of the volume of public water supplied by each water service company prior to 1992–93 are available from the Water Services Association.

  Empty Housing
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) Government, (b) housing association and (c) council-owned homes there were in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England; and what percentage of these houses were empty, on 1 April of each year since 1979. [38999]

  Mr. Clappison
  I will write to the hon. Member.
  311

  Correspondence
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the appeals branch of the local government pensions unit intends to reply to correspondence from Mrs. J. E. Lambert of 13 Finchfield close, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees TS16 0EY. [39028]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  A reply, explaining that the Department was still awaiting information from Middlesbrough borough council, was sent to Mrs. Lambert on 3 July in response to her letter of 30 June.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports or advice he received from the Audit Commission in relation to his Department's proposals for a new framework for compulsory competitive tendering. [38949]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The proposals to change the CCT framework took account of discussions between officials in my Department and the Audit Commission about the interpretation of credits and allowances in CCT calculations. Since these proposals were published, we have received technical comments from Audit Commission officials.

  Mr. Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent to which officials in his Department, responsible for developing policy towards compulsory competitive tendering, visit local authorities to determine episodes of(a) good and (b) bad practices; and if he will make a statement on the value of national legislation and regulation to deal with weaknesses in some local authorities. [38950]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In the past 12 months, the relevant officials have made approximately 50 visits to local authorities to discuss compulsory competitive tendering matters, including good and bad practice. In addition, officials speak at and/or attend conferences and seminars on CCT which are designed for local authority staff.

  Overall, CCT legislation has proved effective in promoting greater efficiency in the provision of local authority services. The framework includes enforcement powers for the Secretary of State to use against authorities that act in an anti-competitive way and/or where an in-house team fails to meet prescribed financial targets.

  We have no plans to change the enforcement provisions, but we are currently considering whether changes need to be made to the CCT framework for professional services and housing management.

  Aircraft Investment
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the names of the chairman and directors of the Arrowcroft Investment Co. [39175]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information that the hon. Member requires is not held by the Department of the Environment.

  Pneumoconiosis and Asbestosis Claims
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cases were settled under the 312
  Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers Compensation) (Payment of Claims) Amendment Regulations in the last year for which figures are available; of those how many payments were for pneumoconiosis and how many were for asbestosis; what was the average age of those claimants who received a payment; and what was the average payment made. [38972]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In 1995–96, 363 cases were settled under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) (Payment of Claims) Amendment Regulations. Twenty-five per cent. of payments were for pneumoconiosis as defined in the Social Security Act 1975, which includes asbestosis. The average age of all claimants who received payments under the Act was 64 years and the average payment of all claimants who received a payment under the Act was £11,430.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff are assumed in his Department's budget, employed (i) full time and (ii) part time,(a) to work on the press and media and (b) to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39365]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  As at 1 July, there are 30 information officers—including one part time—employed by the Department of the Environment. All deal with a full range of information services including publicity, press and media handling.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff were employed full time or part time(a) to provide information and publicity and (b) on press and media in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1993–94. [39417]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The numbers of staff employed as Information Officers by the Department of the Environment as at 31 March for each of the years in question were:

  1995–96: 32 (including 1 part time and 1 employed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution).

  1994–95: 3 (including 1 employed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution).

  1993–94: 30.

  These staff dealt with a full range of information services including publicity, press and media handling.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39442]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  For 1996–97, the salary budget for staff employed as information officers is £1,039,145.00. This figure relates to 32.5 complemented posts for the year. However, as at 1 July the actual staff in post was 30—which includes one part time.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the cost of staff employed full time or part time (i) to provide information and publicity and (ii) to work on the press and media in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1993–94. [39433]
  313
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The outturn salary costs for staff employed as information officers by the Department of the Environment for the years in question were:

  1995–96: £976,477.00

  1994–95: £890,056.00

  1993–94: £902,002.00.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39351]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department does not employ consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media handling. This work is carried out by in-house information staff.

  Pre- and post-campaign research is carried out by external consultants in order to ensure value for money in our publicity campaigns. This research is funded as an integral part of a campaign and is not the subject of a separate budget.

  As a supplementary exercise, however a consultancy budget of £20,000 has been set aside in 1996–97 so that the various publicity and market research techniques available can be evaluated.

  Non-toxic Gunshot
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if safe and effective non-toxic shotgun cartridges are available for use over wetland sites; what assessment he has made of the extent to which the voluntary phase-out of lead gunshot in wetlands is being adhered to; and if he will make a statement. [38794]

  Mr. Clappison
  A number of non-toxic alternatives to lead shot are available, many of which have been tested at a ballistic testing facility partly funded by this Department. The Department is currently funding two relevant research projects, one aimed at assessing the sales of non-toxic shot and the other to monitor the levels of lead ingestion in waterfowl.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to provide shotgun licence holders, with special reference to wildfowlers, with guidance on the safety and efficacy of non-toxic gunshot before the next wildfowling season. [38792]

  Mr. Clappison
  Guidelines on the use of non-toxic shot in 12 bore shotguns are currently being prepared.

  Pleasure Boat Licensing
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to prevent duplication of pleasure boat licensing by public authorities on the same inland waterways. [39636]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I am today issuing a consultation paper. This sets out the Government's proposal to amend the law to provide that no licence from a local authority under section 94 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1970, as amended, is required in respect of pleasure craft on any waterway owned or managed by British Waterways or the Environment Agency. The legislative change would be made by an order under section 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.
  314

  European Spatial Development Perspective
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the current position on the development of the European spatial development perspective. [39642]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Committee for Spatial Development continues to work, under the direction of informal meetings of European Planning Ministers, on collecting and analysing the basic information required for the development of an ESDP. This will be a non-binding document prepared jointly by member states and the European Commission. It is intended to identify areas of Europe facing similar planning challenges and raise awareness of the European scale influences at work. The Netherlands' Minister has indicated that the process of drafting the document will start during its presidency next year. Bearing in mind the likely significance of any ESDP at local government level, consultation will be carried out once a draft document is available. In the Committee for Spatial Development, the UK continues to stress the importance of the informal intergovernmental approach and the non-binding nature of the ESDP.

  Green Belt (School Extensions)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if planning policy guidance note 2 rules out any extensions to schools in green belts; and if development plans may include policies for them. [39643]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  PPG2 does not rule out the extension of schools located in green belts if other considerations clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt, or if the development is for purposes specified in PPG2 such as essential facilities for outdoor sport.

  Very special circumstances are needed to justify development for purposes not specified in PPG2. Development plan policies should ensure that any application for such development would not be in accord with the plan. The plan's reasoned justification might, however, indicate the factors the local planning authority would take into account in considering an application for a school extension for purposes not specified in PPG2.

  An application would also need to be considered against other relevant planning policies, for example on the visual amenities of the green belt (see PPG2) and on transport (see PPG13). The suitable re-use of existing building would not require very special circumstances.

  The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants limited rights to erect small buildings in school grounds without the need to apply for planning permission.

  Special Waste Regulations 1996
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with the implementation of the Special Waste Regulations 1996. [39663]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Special Waste Regulations were made on 28 March 1996 and will come into effect on 1 September 1996. The regulations, which implement the EC hazardous waste directive—91/689/EEC—update provisions for supervising movements of the most difficult and dangerous waste and controlling its
  315
  management and disposal. In particular, the regulations provide for movements of such waste to be pre-notified to the environment agencies and to be tracked by a system of consignment notes. Guidance in the form of a circular to the environment agencies and local authorities was published on 13 June.

  Since the regulations were made, some technical problems have come to light and we plan to make amending regulations in order to correct these before the regulations enter into force. We hope to make amending regulations by the end of the month and to lay them before Parliament shortly thereafter.

  These are complex regulations and I believe that these changes will be welcomed by industry and regulators alike for the clarification and improvements which they will bring to the functioning of the new system.

  In addition to these technical changes, we have looked again at the exclusion which applies to household waste. The definition of household waste does not include waste oils, clinical waste or asbestos. We intend to make an amendment which will ensure that waste oils, and clinical waste from households are not subject to the regulations. These changes will ensure that the regulations do not interfere with arrangements for separate collections of clinical waste from domestic properties nor add to their cost.

  The definition of household waste includes waste from premises forming part of educational establishments. and hospitals. We plan to make an amendment to clarify that the exemption will not apply to waste from laboratories or to non domestic hospital waste. However, this amendment will not imply that all waste from such sources will be special waste.

  The technical changes will include an amendment to the schedule which has to be completed for movements of special waste collected during a daily round of consignments—referred to as a carrier's round. An amendment will clarify that a single consignment note and schedule can be used for more than one type of waste for which a single fee will be charged for each such round.

  The changes will also clarify and update cross references to the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations—SI 1994/3247—which are intended to assist industry in determining whether waste is special. They will introduce a simplified procedure for waste which is consigned by pipeline. Other amendments will set a time limit of two months on the payment of fees to the environment agencies, and will set the penalty for failure to pay at a level 3 fine.

  Household Projections
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish a discussion paper on the household projections. [39664]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have been delighted by the substantial response to the widened debate I initiated at Brighton in June and which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration and my hon. Friend the Minister for Planning, Construction and Energy Efficiency have been taking forward 316
  subsequently. I now wish to give careful consideration to the views and ideas that have emerged and to reflect these in the discussion paper. The paper and ensuing debate would also benefit from the outcome of a number of important research projects, being carried out both by this Department and by others, which have a significant bearing on this issue and some of which will not be complete or ready for consideration until the autumn. I therefore propose to publish the paper along with the main findings of the relevant research after Parliament resumes later this year.

  Government Office for Yorkshire and Humberside
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for a change in the Government office for Yorkshire and Humberside following the abolition of Humberside county council. [39669]

  Mr. Curry
  From 1 October the Government office will become "The Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber" to reflect the recent changes in local government structure. The regional boundaries will be unchanged and the new unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire will continue to be part of the Yorkshire and Humber region, reflecting the concerns of many interests in both private and public sectors that the Humber estuary and its hinterland is a key part of the economic fabric of the wider region.

  Leghold Traps
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government will respond to the eighth report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Leghold Traps, HL 73 of Session 1995–96. [39679]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government have today published their response to the Select Committee and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Trade Effluent Treatment Plants
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the requirements on operators of trade effluent treatment plants to obtain a waste management licence. [39724]

  Mr. Clappison
  On 25 July 1995, the Government announced the extension to 31 March 1996 of a transitional exemption from waste management licensing for certain operations which involve the biological or physio-chemical treatment of waste. In so doing, we confirmed that we would be prepared to consider whether a case could be made for some waste treatment plant to be exempted from licensing under article 11 of the amended EC framework directive on waste, and we invited representations from anyone with an interest in such plant.

  Following that announcement, the Government decided that it would be appropriate also to review the application of article 2 of the framework directive. The transitional arrangements were therefore extended to 30 September 1996 in order to enable this to be done. We are now in a position to announce our conclusions.
  317
  The Government's conclusions are that the requirements of the framework directive on waste do not apply:

  (a) to discharges of effluent which are covered by national legislation transposing the requirements of the urban waste water treatment directive; or

  (b) to discharges of effluent which are covered by national rules in force at the time of the framework directive's adoption in March 1991 which lay down regimes for discharges of effluent which provide an effective means of pursuing the aims of the directive, and which provide for rules and authorisations of the kind provided for in the urban waste water treatment directive. In the Government's view, national rules of this kind are discharge consents under chapter II of part III of the Water Resources Act 1991 or part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 in Scotland (pollution of controlled waters); and consents under chapter III of part IV of the Water Industry Act 1991 (consent for discharge of trade effluent into a public sewer).

  It follows that, where effluent is being subjected to biological or physio-chemical treatment in circumstances where these criteria are met, the operation of the treatment plant does not require a waste management licence under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

  Conservation Sites
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the Lappel bank judgment at the European Court of Justice on other development proposals on sites of conservation interest excluded from special protection areas on economic grounds; if he will list all such sites and proposals in the United Kingdom and their status; and if he will make a statement. [37986]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: The European Court of Justice's judgment has clarified that member states are not permitted to take account of economic requirements in classifying special protection areas under article 4(1) and 4(2) of Council directive 79/409 and in defining their boundaries. The specific case of Lappel bank is referred back to the House of Lords.

  The judgment effectively means that the proposals for economic development must be considered after designation, in the terms of article 6 of the habitats directive.

  There are no other unimplemented development proposals for which permission has been granted on sites of conservation interest excluded from special protection areas on economic grounds.

  Water Metering
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the water companies which maintain a policy of compulsory metering of properties built since 1989. [38462]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Most water companies have a policy of metering new properties built since 31 March 1990, for which a rateable value is not available. Of these, Yorkshire Water meters new properties, but provides an alternative method of charging based on the company's assessment of "notional rateable value" and Sutton Water provides the alternative of a flat rate fee. Four companies do not meter properties built since 31 March 1990. Dwr Cymru, Hartlepool Water and
  318
  Portsmouth Water charge a flat rate fee for the annual service; and York Waterworks levy a charge based on the floor area of the property.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the water companies which offer(a) free and (b) subsidised meter installation.[38464]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Where water companies have a programme of meter installation, the meters are installed free of charge. In addition, the following companies offer free installation where a customer requests a meter under their meter option schemes:

  Anglian Water

  Severn Trent Water

  Wessex Water

  Folkestone and Dover Water

  Mid-Southern Water

  South East Water

  Sutton and East Surrey Water

  Wrexham and East Denbighshire Water

  The remaining water companies charge for installation under their meter option schemes. The level of the charge is a matter for each company.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list water companies where all customers who live in properties built since 1989 have an option of paying metered bills or charges based on their property value. [38463]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Yorkshire water fits meters to all new properties first occupied from 31 March 1990, but gives the first occupant the opportunity to choose payment by an unmeasured, notional rateable value charge, provided that the first occupant exercises that right within 12 months of the date of occupation.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his oral statement on 9 July,Official Report, column 200, what proposals he has to ensure that those companies which continue to install compulsory meters in properties built since 1989 take steps to give their customers an option not to have a meter installed. [38487]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: It is for each water company to decide the most appropriate method of charging for water in its area. I have no powers to require a water company to provide a particular charging option.

  Redundant Coalfield Sites
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy that English Partnerships may break up the portfolio of redundant coalfield sites it is seeking to transfer from British Coal in cases where prospective developers of new industry and jobs are otherwise seriously delayed. [38664]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The transfer of the portfolio depends upon the creation of

  319
  a balanced package of assets and liabilities. Singling out individual sites could disturb such a balance.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors have led to the delays in transferring 80 sites from British Coal to English Partnerships; how many of these are in enterprise zones in Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire; what is the approximate total value of the sites; and when he expects these transfers to be completed. [38665]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Acquisition of a complete package totalling 2,700 hectares must be based on an independent assessment of the values and all associated liabilities. English Partnerships has, rightly, been concerned to satisfy itself that the assumptions made by British Coal were sound. Two of the individual sites are located in the Nottingham and Yorkshire enterprise zones. The value of individual sites depends on the terms of an overall transfer.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his letter of July if he will make it his policy to ensure that English Partnerships agency has enough resources to transfer and process the priority sites at Manton Wood, Worksop, Nottinghamshire from British Coal to prospective factory developers. [38663]
  320
  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The use of English Partnerships' resources is a matter for the agency. It would not agree to take on the British Coal portfolio unless it was confident that it had the resources to tackle the priority sites.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the 10-year benefits of enterprise zone status in coal mining areas to 11 years in cases where there have been serious delays by British Coal in transferring sites to English Partnerships. [38662]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: All enterprise zones have been designated for a period of 10 years.

  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he gives to prospective factory developers who wish to move to enterprise zones and consequently sell their existing premises but find that enterprise zones cannot operate because British Coal and English Partnerships have not agreed on the transfer of the land. [38661]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: I would advise prospective developers to ensure that suitable premises to relocate are identified before existing premises are sold.

  Security and Intelligence Services: Staff Access to Industrial Tribunals
  Security and Intelligence Services: Staff Access to Industrial Tribunals
  Entry Clearance Refusal: Independent Monitor's Report
  Entry Clearance Refusal: Independent Monitor's Report
  Wassenaar Arrangement
  Wassenaar Arrangement
  Countries receiving Military Training Assistance
  Countries receiving Military Training Assistance
  President Chirac: Speech to Both Houses of Parliament
  President Chirac: Speech to Both Houses of Parliament
  Cambodia
  Cambodia
  NATO Enlargement: Costs
  NATO Enlargement: Costs
  Russian and US Foreign Bases
  Russian and US Foreign Bases
  Balfour Declaration
  Balfour Declaration
  US Policy and UN Charter
  US Policy and UN Charter
  US Counter-proliferation Equipment: Use for Pre-emptive Action
  US Counter-proliferation Equipment: Use for Pre-emptive Action
  Her Majesty's Birthday Honours List: Awards to Women
  Her Majesty's Birthday Honours List: Awards to Women
  Special Waste Regulations 1996
  Special Waste Regulations 1996
  Schools in Green Belts: Extensions
  Schools in Green Belts: Extensions
  Waste Treatment Plant: Licensing
  Waste Treatment Plant: Licensing
  Leghold Traps
  Leghold Traps
  Underground Strike: City of London Parking Arrangements
  Underground Strike: City of London Parking Arrangements
  Helios-2 Reconnaissance Satellite
  Helios-2 Reconnaissance Satellite
  Defence Equipment Development: Collaboration with France and Germany
  Defence Equipment Development: Collaboration with France and Germany
  Tornado GR4 Aircraft: Logistic Support Contract
  Tornado GR4 Aircraft: Logistic Support Contract
  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Public Record Office
  Public Record Office
  BSE
  BSE
  Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Bovine Encephalopathy Order 1988: Breaches
  Bovine Encephalopathy Order 1988: Breaches
  EU Tobacco Subsidy Statistics
  EU Tobacco Subsidy Statistics
  Fish Landings: Records
  Fish Landings: Records
  EU Tobacco Regime
  EU Tobacco Regime
  ADAS: Targets
  ADAS: Targets
  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Central Science Laboratory
  Central Science Laboratory
  ADAS: Privatisation of R&D Functions
  ADAS: Privatisation of R&D Functions
  House of Lords: Painting
  House of Lords: Painting
  British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990: Governor's Report
  British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990: Governor's Report
  Immigration Appeals: Adjudicators' Recommendations
  Immigration Appeals: Adjudicators' Recommendations
  Extra-territorial Jurisdiction: Policy Review
  Extra-territorial Jurisdiction: Policy Review
  HM Prison Eastwood Park: Women's Cubicles
  HM Prison Eastwood Park: Women's Cubicles
  Prisoners Detained During Her Majesty's Pleasure
  Prisoners Detained During Her Majesty's Pleasure
  Firearms Amnesty
  Firearms Amnesty
  Prisoners: Time Spent in Cells
  Prisoners: Time Spent in Cells