Written Answers of 24 July 1996

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Royal Visits
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official visits were made abroad by members of the royal family in 1995–96; on what dates; at what cost; and which visits were made by use of the royal squadron. [38520]

  Mr. Rifkind
  Official overseas visits made by members of the royal family in 1995–96 at the request of my Department together with expenditure authorised by my Department, based on bills presented to date, are as follows. Visits on which aircraft of the royal squadron were used are identified by an asterisk.

  £

  Princess Alexandra and Sir Angus Ogilvy to Botswana, Swaziland, and Senegal 14–24 October 1995*

  14,800

  The Duchess of Kent to The Netherlands 1 June 1995*

  1,000

  The Duchess of Kent to Belgium 16 June 1995*

  1,100

  The Duke of Edinburgh to France 8 May 1995*

  1,200

  The Duke of Gloucester to France 28 May 1995*

  600

  The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Mexico 20–23 May 1995

  25,100

  The Duke and Duchess of Kent to Norway 7–8 May 1995*

  2,200

  The Duke and Duchess of Kent to Germany 19–21 June 1995*

  7,800

  The Duke of Kent to Singapore 10–12 September 1995

  11,500

  The Duke of Kent to Portugal 8–9 March 1996*

  700

  The Duke of York to Gibraltar 13–14 July 1995*

  700

  The Prince Edward to Zimbabwe 30 August—2 September 1995

  13,100

  The Prince Edward to Luxembourg 15–16 September 1995*

  400

  The Prince of Wales to Germany 2–3 May 1995

  1,900

  The Prince of Wales to France 31 August 1995*

  400

  The Prince of Wales to Oman 1–3 October 1995

  9,100

  The Prince of Wales to Germany and Latvia 13–17 November 1995*

  18,300

  The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to New Zealand for CHOGM, 30 October to 11 November 1995

  79,000

  The Prince of Wales to France 11 January 1996*

  —

  The Prince of Wales to Bosnia 8–9 February 1996*

  800

  The Prince of Wales to Morocco 23–27 February 1996*

  5,500

  The Prince of Wales to Dublin, 31 May-1 June 1995*

  3,900

  The Princess Margaret to the USA 23–29 June 1995

  22,300

  The Prince of Wales to Tel Aviv, 6 November 1995*

  400

  The Princess Royal to Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, 12 to 17 November 1995*

  11,500

  The Princess Royal to the Republic of Ireland, 19 to 20 January 1996*

  700

  The Princess Royal to The Falkland Islands 28 January to 8 February 1996

  900

  State Visit to Poland and the Czech Republic 25–29 March 1996*

  126,900

  Sudan
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the different factional groups in southern Sudan; if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's communications with each group. [38917]

  Mr. Hanley
  There are a number of different groups of varying importance. The Sudan People's Liberation Army is the largest. Officials have frequent contacts with representatives of the main groups in London and Nairobi, as well as with those southern leaders resident in Sudan.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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 past 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. [39148]

  Mr. Hanley
  Small and medium-sized businesses are the main target of the chargeable services provided by the FCO's 218 commercial overseas posts. Users of these services are surveyed for their assessment of the help provided. We publish the results in the FCO's annual departmental report. In April 1996 the National Audit Office concluded that in four south-east Asian markets the assistance available to small firms provided by the FCO and DTI helped to stimulate extra exports worth almost 80 times the cost of providing the services. We also help open markets to small and large businesses alike by advocating the progressive liberalisation of world trade through forums such as the World Trade Organisation and by developing closer relations with major trading partners.

  Torture
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account he takes in diplomatic and trading relations with foreign countries of their record in relation to torture of individual citizens and if such countries are complying with the United Nations convention against torture. [38992]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We take full account of a country's human rights record in our bilateral relations, including the practice of torture, which we deplore. We urge all states to ratify the convention against torture and abide by its provisions.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (1) 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; [39366]

  (2) 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; [39432]
  323
  (3) what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media; [39350]

  (4) 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; [39418]

  (5) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39443]

  (6) what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full-time or part-time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39983]

  Mr. Hanley
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Middle East Visit (Aircraft Charter)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis he decided to charter an aircraft registered in the United States for his recent visit to the middle east; and what account he took of the approach of the United States authorities to applications for similar operations by United Kingdom airlines. [39458]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Our brokers informed us that the aircraft was the only suitable one available at the time. Had a British charter company been able to supply an alternative UK aircraft, we would have used it.

  We continue to urge the US Government to approve discretionary fifth freedom charters by UK companies. The decision on individual charter applications is a matter for the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards the forthcoming review conference of the biological and toxin weapons convention; and if he will make a statement. [38307]

  Mr. David Davis
  Our main aim at the biological and toxin weapons convention fourth review conference in November and December this year is the endorsement of work of the ad hoc group set up to consider measures to strengthen the convention. This should include endorsement of the key elements of a future compliance regime. The Government will also play a full part in the wider review of the biological weapons convention, which we believe makes an important contribution to restraining proliferation and enhancing international security. The United Kingdom will chair the conference.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards ensuring that the obligations under article X of the biological and toxin weapons convention are upheld; and what proposals his Department will present to the forthcoming review conference in relation to article X. [38308]

  Mr. Davis
  We expect states parties to the biological and toxin weapons convention to meet fully their obligations under all articles of the convention. Discussion of the implementation of article X is currently 324
  taking place in the ad hoc group on strengthening the convention established in 1994. The ad hoc group will present a report to the fourth review conference.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his Department will present to the forthcoming biological and toxin weapons convention review conference with regard to controlling dual-use technologies. [38309]

  Mr. Davis
  We do not intend to present any proposals to the conference in this area. The United Kingdom believes that national export licensing measures, harmonised multilaterally through our membership of the Australia Group, are a key tool in controlling the proliferating of biological weapons, and are necessary to implement article III of the convention in which states parties undertake not to transfer biological weapons to any recipient.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards strengthening the verification regime of the biological and toxin weapons convention; what activities his Department is already undertaking to that end; and what assistance the United Kingdom is receiving from other states in developing on-site inspection procedures. [38310]

  Mr. Davis
  We are working, through the ad hoc group set up in 1994 to examine measures to strengthen the biological weapons convention, for the establishment of a verification system for the convention in the form of a legally binding protocol. The Government believe that the protocol should at least include provisions on mandatory declarations, challenge inspection and the investigations of alleged use of biological weapons. The United Kingdom chairs the compliance measures sessions of the group, which deal specifically with these issues. The ad hoc group is open to participation by all states parties to the convention.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards the future of the Australia Group, and the controls therein, in relation(a) to the chemical weapons convention and (b) to the biological and toxin weapons convention. [38311]

  Mr. Davis
  The Australia Group makes an effective contribution to our overall efforts to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. It has stated that it will review, in the light of the implementation of the chemical weapons convention, the measures its members take to prevent the proliferation of chemical weapons. The UK believes that national export controls will remain an effective means of implementing article III of the biological and toxin weapons convention in which states parties undertake not to transfer biological weapons to any recipient.

  Kurdish People
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Turkey concerning the civil rights of the Kurdish people. [38517]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have taken a number of opportunities in the last few weeks to express, at a senior
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  level in Ankara, the depth of our on-going concern at Turkey's human rights performance. We will continue to urge the Turkish Government to act on their intention to develop religious, democratic and personal freedoms.

  Pitcairn Islands
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the letter from Dr. de Brooke of the Department of Zoology, Cambridge university, a copy of which has been supplied to him, on measures to eradicate rats in the Pitcairn Islands; what priority he is giving to the island of Oeno; and if he will make a statement. [38976]

  Mr. Hanley
  For both human health and biodiversity reasons we would welcome the elimination of the rats on Pitcairn. We are studying proposals to do this. No decision has yet been taken on the measures needed or on the priority to be given to each of the islands in the group.

  Overseas Visits (Royal Family)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the countries visited by Princess Alexandra at Her Majesty's Government's request since 1986–87; [39535]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 4 June, Official Report, columns 364–65, which of the listed overseas visits by members of the royal family were initiated (a) at Her Majesty's Government's request, (b) by overseas Governments and (c) by others, specifying whom; [39543]

  (3) if he will list the countries visited by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, both separately and together, at Her Majesty's Government's request since 1986–87; [39534]

  (4) what are the checking mechanisms for processing requests for clothing submitted by members of the royal family undertaking visits overseas at Her Majesty's Government's request; [39542]

  (5) pursuant to his answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 364, if he will give details of the engagements undertaken by the Prince of Wales on his visits to Los Angeles and Hong Kong on 31 October to 10 November 1994; if he will give a breakdown of the £53,300 costs; and how much was spent on clothing associated with the visit; [39540]

  (6) pursuant to his answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 364, if he will give details of the engagements undertaken by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on their visit to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan of 4 to 6 October 1994; and how much was spent on clothes in connection with the visit; [39536]

  (7) pursuant to his answer of 24 June, Official Report, column 26, if he will give details of the engagements undertaken by the Duke and Duchess of Kent on their visit to Hong Kong on 25 November to 2 December 1994; [39532]

  (8) pursuant to his answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 365, if he will give details of the engagements undertaken by the Duke of Kent on his visit to Singapore on 10 to 12 September 1995; and what was the cost to his Department for clothes; [39538]
  326
  (9) pursuant to his answer of 18 July 1996, Official Report, columns 607–610, what was the composition of the party accompanying Princess Margaret to San Francisco on 23 to 29 June 1995; [39362]

  (10) pursuant to his answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 363, if he will list the engagements undertaken by the Princess Alexandra on her visit to the United States of America on 31 October to 3 November 1993; if he will give a breakdown of the costs; and how much was spent on clothes associated with the visit; [39541]

  (11) pursuant to his answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 364, if he will give a breakdown of the costs arising from the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan on 4 to 6 October 1994; and how much was spent on clothing; [39537]

  (12) pursuant to his answer of 4 June, Official Report, column 364, if he will give details of the engagements undertaken by the Princess Alexandra on her visit to Hong Kong on 14 October 1994; [39339]

  (13) if he will list the countries visited by the Duke and Duchess of Kent, both separately, and together, at Her Majesty's Government request since 1986–87. [39363]

  Mr. Rifkind
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received and what action he has taken regarding human rights abuses in Kosovo. [39323]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have consistently expressed our concern about the treatment of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo in contacts at all levels with the Government of the Federal of Yugoslavia, FRY. The European Union declaration of 9 April 1996, on recognition by EU member states of the FRY, stated that the development of good relations between the EU and FRY, and the FRY's reintegration with the international community, would depend, inter alia, on full respect for human and minority rights and the granting of a large degree of autonomy for Kosovo within the FRY.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy in respect of opening a European Union office in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [39327]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We support a European Union presence in Kosovo. The form of any such presence would need to be agreed with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to ensure the return of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors to Kosovo. [39325]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We and our EU partners have stated publicly that an OSCE mission should be allowed to return to Kosovo. The Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are well aware that their participation in the OSCE is dependent on their co-operation in this matter.
  327
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by the European Council to act upon the declaration—conclusions of the presidency—of the European Council summit in Edinburgh on 10 to 12 December 1992 with regard to Kosovo. [39329]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We and other European Union member states have repeatedly expressed concern to Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities about the human rights position in Kosovo and urged them and the leaders of Albanian community in Kosovo to begin discussions about the restoration of the autonomy of Kosovo within the FRY. The EU declaration of 9 April 1996 made it clear that the development of good relations between the FRY and the EU, and the FRY's reintegration into the international community, were dependent on progress in these areas.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the consequences of Serbia's policy of resettling Serbian refugees in Kosovo. [39324]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We recognise that a resettlement of disproportionate numbers of Serbian refugees in Kosovo would add to tensions in the region. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees continues to monitor the situation closely.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (i) Slobodan Milosevic and (ii) representatives of his regime on(a) human rights in Kosovo and (b) restoration of Kosovo's autonomy. [39328]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We are in frequent contact with President Milosevic and members of his Government. We consistently express concern about the human rights situation in Kosovo, and our support for the restoration of the autonomy of Kosovo within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had recently with (i) Ibrahim Rugova and (ii) Dr. Bujar Bukoshi on the situation in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [39322]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  (i) My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary had a meeting with Dr. Rugova on 1 March during his visit to London.

  (ii) None.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to open an office in Pristina. [39326]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  This issue is under consideration. No decisions have been taken. Any official UK presence in Kosovo would need to be agreed with the Government the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  Spain (Holiday makers)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security arrangements being made to protect British holidaymakers in Spain. [39623]
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  Dr. Liam Fox
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative hon. Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39528]

  Mr. Hanley
  Nil.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39308]

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visits (i) he and (ii) his ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39866]

  Mr. Hanley
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Visa Status (Information)
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the guidelines provided by his Department to Her Majesty's permanent representatives abroad with respect to the access of potential immigrants to information on their denial of visa status. [40026]

  Mr. Hanley
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  European Movement
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grants his Department made to the European Movement in each year since 1985; and what plans he has to offer financial assistance in future years. [40081]

  Mr. David Davis
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Government Communications Headquarters (Recruitment)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recruitment at GCHQ covering the information that is required to be published under the provisions of the recruitment code of the civil service commissioners. [40087]
  329
  Mr. Rifkind
  It is GCHQ's policy that all recruitment to the Department is carried out on the basis of fair and open competition and selection on merit, subject to the exception permitted by the civil service commissioners and in accordance with the guidance issued by them. This policy is given force by the regulations in the staff handbook and on a more detailed level by the manual of recruitment produced by the recruitment office. The primary responsibility for ensuring that these

  Total

  Women

  Ethnic minorities

  Disabled

  Grade

  Applied

  Recruited

  Applied

  Recruited

  Applied

  Recruited

  Applied

  Recruited

  GC8 CS

  128

  2

  5

  1

  4

  0

  0

  0

  GC9 CS

  5

  0

  0

  0

  GC8 LB

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  GC9 LB

  20

  1

  16

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  GC9 IO

  562

  5

  98

  1

  20

  0

  7

  0

  GC10 CS

  403

  25

  55

  1

  25

  0

  l

  0

  GC10 AA

  202

  12

  112

  7

  13

  0

  0

  0

  GC10 LB

  61

  2

  34

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  GMT

  903

  4

  355

  4

  24

  0

  3

  0

  GC11 SY

  61

  1

  5

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  GC13 SY

  108

  0

  3

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  GC14 AA

  6

  1

  5

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  GC14 GS

  41

  5

  5

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  GC12 CE

  154

  8

  18

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Totals

  2,652

  72

  711

  19

  89

  2

  16

  0

  Percentage

  —

  3

  27

  3

  3

  2

  1

  0

  Explanations:

  GC14 GS is a former Industrial Grade;

  GC12 CE are student Scientist and Engineers;

  GC11 and 13 SY are Security Officer Grades;

  GC10 AA broadly equates to EO in the Home Civil Service;

  GC10 CS broadly equates to SO in the Home Civil Service;

  GC10 LB, GC9 LB and GC8 LB are Librarian Grades;

  GC9 10 are Investigating Officers;

  GC9 CS broadly equates to HSO in the Home Civil Service;

  GC8 CS broadly equates to SSO in the Home Civil Service;

  GMT = Graduate Management Trainee—GCHQ's Fast Stream.

  The only category of exceptions to the general recruitment policy permitted by the commissioners and used by GCHQ during the period, excluding appointments for less than 12 months, was the reappointment of former members of the Department. Reinstatement has been a long-standing feature of GCHQ's recruitment both because of the unique nature of many of the skills used in the Department and because it provides an opportunity for members of staff to return after informal career breaks. In 1995 there were two female reinstatements, at GC10 and GC11 level respectively. There were no applications for reinstatements by people from ethnic minorities or with a disability.

  Consular Fees
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase consular fees. [40088]

  Mr. Hanley
  An Order in Council was made on 23 July which provides for an overall average increase of 20 per cent. in consular fees with effect from 14 August 1996. It is Government policy that the cost of consular and entry clearance services should be borne by the users as far as possible.

  Foreign Land Ownership
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made during the Maastricht 330
  requirements are adhered to rests with the head of the recruitment branch. The recruitment process forms part of the regular programme of inspection by GCHQ's internal audit unit. The recruitment office was inspected by the civil service commissioners in 1993.

  The table gives details of the number of staff applying and recruited and the overall percentages at each grade during the calendar year 1995. Some candidates recruited in 1995 will be joining the Department within the calendar year 1996.

  negotiations concerning the opt-out which enables the Danish Government to restrict foreign land ownership; and if he will make a statement. [38040]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: Protocol No. 1 to the European Community treaty deals with an issue which is specific to Denmark. The UK Government had no objection to it.

  Beef Ban
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what legislative powers the Commission of the European Union has placed a ban on the export of British beef to any nation; what are the penalties for breaching such a ban; and how the decision of the Commission will be enforced. [24069]
  331
  Mrs. Browning
  [pursuant to her reply, 8 July 1996, c. 87–88]: I have been asked to reply and very much regret that my hon. Friend has had to wait so long for that to be done.

  Commission decision 96/239/EC of 27 March 1996, which prohibited both the dispatch to other member states and the export to third countries of British beef and beef products from the UK, and Commission decision 96/362/EC of 11 June, amending decision 96/239/EC and allowing the export of certain beef products from the UK under strictly controlled conditions were based on Council directive 90/425/EEC and 89/662/EEC. The treaty base of both these directives is article 43 EC. This treaty provision allows the Council to adopt proposals relating to implementation of the common agricultural policy.

  The decision is legally binding on the United Kingdom, and in the event of a failure to comply with the ban, the Commission or other member states would be able to take action in the European Court to require the UK to comply.

  As regards implementation of the Commission decision, so far as exports to other member states are concerned, it is an offence under the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 3298) to export or consign for export any product of animal origin unless it complies with Community rules as set out in schedule 3 to the regulations or, in their absence, the national rules of the importing member state. Directive 64/433/EEC governing trade in red meat provides for only two possibilities: consignments must be accompanied by commercial documents or an export health certificate. The issue of all such certificates has been suspended. It is an offence under the regulations to export a product without the documentation required. Penalties for the breach of the regulations are set out in regulation 28. The maximum penalty on conviction for export without the necessary certificate would be two years' imprisonment and a fine.

  Enforcement of the regulations is shared between the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the local authority concerned. In practice, local authorities generally take prosecutions under the regulations, but the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and in some circumstances the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Health, have powers to act where a local authority has failed to enforce.

  Exports to third countries are governed by the import conditions established by the authorities of the third countries concerned and enshrined in export health certificates. To give force to this aspect of the Commission decision the issue of all such certificates for meat and meat products has been suspended. Any attempt to import one of the prohibited products without the necessary health certification would be a transgression of the rules of the importing country.

  HM Custom and Excise is the enforcement authority for goods intended for export to third countries. Operational staff at all customs export stations have been informed of the terms of the EC ban and have been instructed to refuse to release for export to third countries any goods covered by the ban. Customs' legal powers in respect of properly declared goods of the descriptions covered by the Commission directive extend no further than refusing permission to export. In the case of wilful breach of customs controls, for example, by
  332
  misdescription of banned beef and beef products, powers in the Customs and Excise Management Act, provide for the prosecution of offenders and in some circumstances the forfeiture of goods. The commissioners of Customs and Excise will consider prosecution of such offences in individual cases using the criteria they apply in all prosecutions

ENVIRONMENT

  Non-domestic Rateable Value Prescriptions
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those industries for which he prescribes the non-domestic rateable value; and if he will make a statement. [39662]

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I currently prescribe the rateable values of the National Grid, National Power, PowerGen and other electricity generators, British Gas, British Rail, Railtrack, London Underground and all electricity distribution companies, water supply companies and certain statutory docks and harbours. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, under separate powers, prescribes the rateable values of utility undertakings in Scotland, including British Gas, water authorities, electricity companies, railways and certain docks and harbours.

  It is our intention that from the date of the next revaluation—1 April 2000—these industries should be conventionally assessed by the Valuation Office in England and Wales and the Scottish Assessors in Scotland.

  To this end, the Valuation Office is currently working with the industries to determine the feasibility of conventional assessment; and the Scottish Assessors Association has set up the public utilities co-ordination committee to work with the industries in Scotland.

  We are also setting up an advisory committee to examine how the plant and machinery of the industries should be treated under conventional assessment, and we are today inviting applications from people interested in chairing or serving on that committee. Its terms of reference will be:

  To consider:

  (i) the extent to which the plant and machinery of industries currently subject to prescribed assessments would be rateable under existing legislation; and,

  (ii) having regard to the financial and other considerations involved, to recommend any legislative changes required to ensure fairness of treatment and consistency with the principles that underlie present legislation governing the rating of plant and machinery in the UK.

  Further details can be obtained from my Department.

  I expect the committee to report by the end of September 1997.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 11 June,Official Report, column 116, how many of the 372,000 households registered for home energy efficiency grants at 1 April

  333
  have not had the work carried out, what estimate he has made of the time scale required to clear the backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement. [37918]

  Mr. Clappison
  At the end of June, 334,691 pre-registrations remained on the list. Not all of these will result in claims for grant; but if they were to do so, and the current pattern and rate were maintained, all the pre-registrations would be cleared in less than 10 months. Over 140,000 HEES grants were paid in the first quarter of this year, of which some 37,000 were to people who had pre-registered their interest.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households to date have taken up the 25 per cent. grant payable under the home energy efficiency scheme. [37919]

  Mr. Clappison
  By 30 June 1996, 129 such grants had been paid.

  Reference Rents (Bolton)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the current level of local reference rents applying to flats at(a) 76 Gilnow road and (b) 10 Columbia road, Bolton; and if he will make a statement on (i) delays relating to and (ii) levels of rent determinations in Bolton relative to (1) the north-west and (2) England. [38689]

  Mr. Clappison
  Rent officers are independent statutory officers. They are not accountable to the Secretary of State for their decisions on rent levels.

  The Department is aware of concerns about delays to rent determinations in the Greater Manchester rent registration area. This problem has now been addressed by the appointment of four additional rent officers to the area.

  Data on rents determined by rent officers since 2 January, including local reference rents, will be published in the Department's quarterly bulletin, Rent Officer Statistics. I will arrange for a copy of the bulletin covering the first quarter of 1996 to be sent to the hon. Member when published.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to allow those businesses whose rates are being kept up by the transitional arrangements to be reduced to the full amount applicable to their valuation at the next Budget. [37670]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I shall, before the start of the next financial year, review the limits on reductions in the rates bills of properties in downward transition. A commitment was given to this House to carry out such reviews before the start of each financial year,Official Report, 14 December 1994, column 950.

  If no change is made to the limits then, for 1997–98, the bills for properties still in downward transition and with a rateable value of less than £10,000 or less than £15,000 in Greater London, will fall by a further 20 per cent. in real terms. For larger properties this further reduction in bills will be 15 per cent. in real terms.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many HSE prosecutions there were in agriculture during 1995–96; and what was the(a) average, (b) highest and (c) lowest fine. [39124]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Proceedings instituted by HSE's field operations division inspectorates in the agricultural sector 1995–96 were:

  Informations laid: 177

  Convictions: 114

  (a) Average fine per conviction: £1,095

  (b) Highest fine £10,000 (on two occasions)

  (c) Lowest fine £50 (on one occasion).

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) improvement notices and (b) prohibition notices were issued by the HSE in agriculture for each of the past 10 years. [39126]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information is as follows:

  Notice type

  Year

  Improvement

  Deferred prohibition

  Immediate prohibition

  Total

  1986–87

  5,607.00

  172.00

  1,660.00

  7,439.00

  1987–88

  4,094.00

  153.00

  1,087.00

  5,334.00

  1988–89

  3,671.00

  56.00

  1,134.00

  4,861.00

  1989–90

  3,848.00

  58.00

  1,004.00

  4,910.00

  1990–91

  3,737.00

  99.00

  1,027.00

  4,863.00

  1991–92

  3,493.00

  122.00

  950.00

  4,565.00

  1992–93

  3,034.00

  98.00

  978.00

  4,110.00

  1993–94

  2,574.00

  35.00

  998.00

  3,607.00

  1994–95

  2,458.00

  37.00

  695.00

  3,190.00

  1995–961

  1,539.00

  21.00

  599.00

  2,159.00

  1 Provisional.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average fine for all industry in 1995–96 resulting from HSE prosecutions. [39125]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The provisional figure for the average fine per conviction arising from prosecutions by the HSE was £2,567 in 1995–96.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of how many of the recorded deaths in agriculture in 1995 mere were HSE prosecutions; and what was the(a) average, (b) highest and (c) lowest fine in those cases. [39123]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In the year commencing 1 January 1995, of the 42 deaths in the agriculture sector, five resulted in prosecutions. The average fine was £2,367.

  The highest fine was £5,000 and the lowest was £100.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average frequency of visits by HSE inspectors to a farm where there are(a) five or less, (b) six to 10, (c) 11 to 50 and (d) more than 50 employees. [39127]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Standard Spending Assessment (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the standard spending assessment for 1996–97 in terms of pounds per head for each district council in Leicestershire. [39070]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The standard spending assessments for 1996–97 were as follows:

  £

  Blaby

  64.32

  Charnwood

  78.02

  Harborough

  72.88

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  69.46

  Leicester

  136.42

  Melton

  80.76

  North West Leicestershire

  83.17

  Oadby and Wigston

  69.97

  Rutland

  79.25

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39514]

  Mr. Gummer
  None.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39309]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department does not currently own vehicles, following the transfer of the Security Facilities Executive to the Office of Public Service. Disproportionate cost would be incurred in researching the relevant records of the Crown Suppliers, which has been closed down, and of the Property Services Agency, which was privatised.

  Climate Change Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent conference of contracting parties to the global convention on climate change held in Geneva; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his address to the conference. [39763]

  Mr. Clappison
  In Geneva, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State urged others to follow the UK lead in meeting current commitments; strongly supported the view that the recent findings of the intergovernmental panel on climate change constituted a clear scientific basis for urgent further action at the widest possible level; and reiterated his call for developed countries to agree, at the third conference in Japan in 1997, to aim to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 10 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.
  336
  I have placed in the Library a copy of my right hon. Friend's address to the conference, together with a copy of the conference ministerial declaration, which addressed most of the same key issues.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what proportion of each Government office's bills were paid late in 1994–95; and what proportion this was of the total; [39857]

  (2) what percentage of each Government office's bills were paid late in 1994–95; and what proportion this was of the total. [39856]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information was not collected in this form in 1994–95 and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many visits (i) he and (ii) his Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39876]

  Mr. Gummer
  In the last 12 months I have made one visit to the Newbury constituency and the Minister for the Environment and Countryside has made two.

  I will write to the hon. Member giving the information requested on visits to other constituencies in the last 12 months.

  Metropolitan Authorities (Boundary Review)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the ward boundaries last were reviewed; and when they are due to be reviewed again in each of the metropolitan authorities. [39654]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The last reviews of the ward boundaries of the metropolitan districts took place in the following years:

  Last review

  Bolton

  1978

  Bury

  1978

  Manchester

  1980

  Oldham

  1977

  Rochdale

  1979

  Salford

  1979

  Stockport

  1979

  Tameside

  1977

  Trafford

  1978

  Wigan

  1979

  Knowsley

  1980

  Liverpool

  1979

  St. Helens

  1979

  Sefton

  1977

  Wirral

  1979

  Barnsley

  1977

  Doncaster

  1978

  Rotherham

  1978

  Sheffield

  1979

  Gateshead

  1979

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1979

  North Tyneside

  1979

  South Tyneside

  1979

  Sunderland

  1979

  337

  Last review

  Birmingham

  1979

  Coventry

  1979

  Dudley

  1979

  Sandwell

  1976

  Solihull

  1977

  Walsall

  1978

  Wolverhampton

  1979

  Bradford

  1979

  Calderdale

  1978

  Kirklees

  1979

  Leeds

  1979

  Wakefield

  1979

  The Local Government Act 1992 provides that the Local Government Commission should, as far as reasonably practicable, conduct its own first periodic electoral review not less than 10 or more than 15 years after the Local Government Boundary Commission's review of the county in which the area is comprised. This does not apply where the Boundary Commission did not carry out a review of the county.

  The Boundary Commission reviewed the electoral arrangements of West Midlands county council in 1981 and of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and West Yorkshire county councils in 1984. It did not review the electoral arrangements of South Yorkshire or Tyne and Wear county councils.

  Housing Allocations
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will be taking into account the research his Department has commissioned from the university of Wales on housing allocations in the drafting of the new code of guidance on allocation which will accompany part UI of the Housing Bill, allocation of housing accommodation. [39622]

  Mr. Clappison
  Yes.

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to commence the provisions on housing allocations and homelessness contained in the Housing Bill; and if he will make a statement. [39913]

  Mr. Curry
  We intend that the new legislation should have full effect from early January 1997. During the summer and autumn of this year my officials will be preparing the draft secondary legislation and preliminary guidance associated with these provisions, in liaison with the local authority associations, other housing providers, the housing profession and the voluntary sector. We intend to have all the essential provisions in place well before full commencement, so that local authorities will have the proper opportunity to establish the arrangements necessary to ensure the smooth implementation of this important new legislation.

  Cricket Stadium, Wakefield
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons his regional office in Leeds has issued an article 14 directive in respect of the outline 338
  planning application for a new stadium for Yorkshire county cricket in Wakefield; and if he will make a statement. [39653]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  An article 14 direction was issued to Wakefield metropolitan council on 23 July, preventing the council from granting planning permission for the proposed development at Denby Dale road, Wakefield, The Secretary of State is concerned that planning issues of more than local importance may arise from the proposal and he wishes to consider it having regard to his policy on calling in planning applications.

  EU Ministers Meeting (Dublin)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what matters were discussed at the EU Environment Ministers informal meeting in Dublin on 19 and 20 July; and if he will place in the Library copies of the papers tabled at the meeting. [39738]

  Mr. Clappison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment attended the recent meeting of Environment Ministers in Dublin. Their informal discussion concentrated on an exchange of views about waste management issues in the EU. With their agreement, I have placed in the Library a copy of the paper produced by the Irish presidency to inform that discussion.

  Rural Sub-post Offices
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent guidelines his Department has published in respect of the uniform business rate relating to rural sub-post offices. [39798]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  On Wednesday 8 May we published a consultation paper setting out proposals for a new rate relief scheme for village shops. The proposals would help certain small general stores and post offices in rural villages. Qualifying business would see a reduction of at least 50 per cent. in their rates bills. Local authorities would be able to top this up to 100 per cent. and, in addition, would be able to grant relief to other rural shops and businesses which are of benefit to the community.

  The consultation period has now ended. We shall consider carefully all comments received before reaching final decisions on the details of the scheme. We will then seek a suitable legislative opportunity to provide for the scheme.

  Standard Spending Assessments (Devon)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he is undertaking into the effect of standard spending assessments on the county of Devon; and if he will make a statement. [39880]

  Mr. Curry
  We have commissioned a number of studies on local government finance and will have their findings as we prepare for next year's local government settlement. These cover the following areas: the area cost adjustment; the effects on local authority costs of sparsity and density of population; and the costs of personal social services for children and for the elderly in residential care.
  339
  The findings are the subject of detailed discussions with interested parties, but the eventual decisions will necessarily apply to all local authorities.

  Advisory Group on Litter
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will respond to the recommendations of the advisory group on litter; and if he will make a statement. [39912]

  Mr. Clappison
  The advisory group made key recommendations on five areas of litter legislation in England and Wales: litter plans; litter problems on private land; litter problems on public land caused by commercial activity; dog fouling; and the fixed penalty notice system.

  We have carefully considered the recommendation that each district council should be statutorily required to publish information about how it plans to fulfil its litter duty. Local authorities are already required by the Audit Commission to publish information about their performance in street cleansing. It is doubtful what additional benefit would be gained from a statutory litter plan. However, when we republish the code of practice on litter and refuse, we intend to include examples of good practice about providing information to the public on local authority powers and duties in relation to litter.

  Primary legislation would be needed to fulfil the advisory group's recommendations about litter problems on private land and litter problems on public land caused by commercial activities. We are not convinced that this is appropriate. However, we shall look at the possibility of amending the Litter Control Areas Order 1991 and the Street Litter Notices Order 1991 to meet the main concerns of the advisory group.

  The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 carries forward the recommendations for national legislation to replace dog fouling byelaws and for the introduction of a fixed penalty scheme. We are currently consulting on the detailed arrangements with a view to full implementation of these new simpler arrangements by the end of the year.

  We agree that the fixed penalty for both littering and the new dog fouling offence should be set at £25. I propose that this should take effect in the autumn.

  We shall consult local authorities and other interested bodies later this year on the draft revision to the code of practice on litter and refuse and on any proposals to change the orders relating to litter control areas or street litter control notices.

  Automotive Air Conditioning Industry
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has reached agreement with the automotive air conditioning industry on their use of hydrofluorocarbons. [39948]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government have today concluded a voluntary agreement with the automotive air conditioning industry on the use of hydrofluorocarbons. This agreement, which takes the form of a declaration of intent by the industry, is the fifth to be concluded on the use of HFCs, and will help us to meet our commitment to reduce HFC emissions in accordance with the UK climate change programme. It also reflects the Government's340
  desire to achieve environmental objectives through voluntary action by industry, rather than regulation, wherever possible.

  The declaration recognises that, in certain applications, HFCs are important alternatives to ozone-depleting substances. However, HFCs are greenhouse gases, and the declaration, with its industry guidelines, sets out strategies whereby emissions to atmosphere can be minimised. It thus provides a framework for the responsible use of HFCs by the industry as replacements for ozone-depleting substances.

  The declaration is welcomed by the Government as a sign that the UK automotive air conditioning industry is contributing to the UK climate change programme.

  Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if evidence will be invited from outside organisations before the Government respond to the royal commission on environmental pollution's 19th report. [39949]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have invited the Peat Producers Association to submit its evidence to the Department so that it can be taken into account when the Government respond to the commission's report on the sustainable use of soil. The Government plan to respond by the end of the year.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39984]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her yesterday.

  War Memorials
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is her policy with respect to the removal of or change of site of war memorials(a) throughout the country and (b) in the district local authority area of Stafford district council. [40006]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  There is no national planning policy guidance expressly relating to the location of war memorials in general. This is normally a matter for the local planning authority to consider.

  Local Government Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans the Government have to review the local government superannuation scheme, with particular reference to the payment of a full spouse's pension to the person to whom the contributor was married at the date of death; [40027]

  (2) what is the estimated cost of extending the provisions of the 1978 amendments to the local government superannuation scheme to those who are currently receiving LGSS pensions and who retired prior to 1978. [40028]
  341
  Sir Paul Beresford
  As I announced to the House on 22 July,Official Report, column 27, we have decided to adopt the proposals for the future of the local government pension scheme on which we consulted earlier this year. Within the framework of these proposals, we are continuing to assess, including the cost implications, a number of possible scheme improvements, including the payment of pensions for post-retirement marriages. It is our intention to announce the outcome of these assessments as part of the proposed consultation on the new draft regulations to which I referred in my 22 July announcement.

  European Movement
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial assistance his Department made to the European Movement in each year since 1985(a) directly and (b) through local government; and what plans he has to offer financial assistance in future years. [40076]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department has made no direct financial assistance to the European Movement and has no plans to do so in future. Information relating to any financial assistance made through local government is not held centrally.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the total number of magistrates courts in each region, for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [39116]

  Mr. Streeter
  The information requested is not readily available; I will reply as soon as possible.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39531]

  Mr. Streeter
  None.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39305]

  Mr. Streeter
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals 342
  he has for capital schemes for the improvement of courts to be paid for by private sources; and if he will make a statement. [39074]

  Mr. Streeter
  There are proposals to provide new or improved facilities at 50 magistrates courts under the private finance initiative. In the Court Service, there are two major refurbishment schemes at early stages of planning which are possible candidates for PFI funding. They are the provision of a civil hearing centre in Bristol and the improvement of facilities at the Crown court at Knutsford.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidelines have been published concerning magistrates court committees and the private finance initiative; how many schemes have been started; and if he will make a statement. [39073]

  Mr. Streeter
  Guidelines are being issued this week to all magistrates court committees providing guidance on the private finance initiative. No schemes have yet been started.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [39408]

  Mr. Streeter
  The cost of staff employed full time and part time providing information and publicity and working on the press and media in 1995–96 was £207,994; in 1994–95 was £232,204; and in 1993–94 was £203,390.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [39467]

  Mr. Streeter
  Ten full-time staff and one part-time member of staff are assumed in my Department's budget employed to work on press and media, and to provide information and publicity in 1996–97.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [39422]

  Mr. Streeter
  Eight full-time and one part-time member of staff were employed to provide information and publicity and on press and media in 1995–96; the same number were employed in 1994–95 and in 1993–94.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39448]

  Mr. Streeter
  The cost budgeted for staff, employed full and part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97 is £292,779.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39346]
  343
  Mr. Streeter
  My Department has no budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39976]

  Mr. Streeter
  The cost assumed in the budget of people employed full time or part time, to work on press and media in 1996–97 is £279,779.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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 past 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. [39151]

  Mr. Streeter
  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, administrative and taxation burdens; and, where appropriate, providing direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  The Lord Chancellor's Department has a continuing programme to reduce the cost delay and complexity of civil litigation. This is of direct benefit to small firms. Measures undertaken in the past 12 months include an increase in the limit for automatic referral to the small claims procedure from £1,000 to £3,000; the publication of a plain English booklet to increase awareness of methods of resolving disputes without going to court; and a review to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the bailiff service, which should assist small firms in the enforcement of commercial debt. At present, statistical collection of data on court proceedings does not differentiate small firms from other classes of litigant.

  The Department is a signatory to the CBI's prompt payment code. As previously measured, its payment record improved from 93.5 per cent. to 93.7 per cent. of invoices paid on time. It is now pursuing the new targets devised by the Prime Minister and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in consultation with Departments following the "Your Business Matters" conferences.

  Solicitors (Costs)
  Sir Julian Critchley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 July,Official Report, column 402, what is the name, and firm, of the practising solicitor nominated by the president of the Law Society to assist the judge reviewing taxation of costs. [38914]

  Mr. Streeter
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked him to reply direct.
  344
  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Sir Julian Critchley, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the name of the practising solicitor nominated to assist with reviews of taxation of costs.
  Such reviews are governed by Order 62, rule 35 of the Rules of the Supreme Court which provides that, if he decides assistance from assessors is required, the judge shall appoint not less than two assessors, one of whom shall be a taxing officer and one a practising solicitor. When a solicitor assessor is required, the court asks the Law Society for a nomination. The Court Service does not maintain an independent list of solicitor assessors.

  Debt Judgments (York)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of households in York had one or more judgments in respect of debt made against them at York country court in each of the last five years. [39566]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Michael Meacher, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about debt judgments at York County Court.
  These figures are not held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many county court judgements in respect of debt were made against(a) persons resident in York and (b) all persons at York county court in each of the last five years. [39568]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Michael Meacher, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about judgments against people resident in York and at York County Court.
  It is not possible to give a figure for debt judgments but the total number of judgements made at York County Court in the last five years is:

  1991: 22,161

  1992: 19,500

  1993: 19,697

  1994: 10,768

  1995: 5,638

  Figures about where the people concerned live are not held centrally and could also only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Solicitors (Overcharging)
  Sir Julian Critchley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints of overcharging on the part of solicitors were received from the public and directed to the taxation
  345
  master in the years 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992; and what proportion of them resulted in a reduction of the original fees charged. [37857]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Sir Julian Critchley, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of complaints referred to the Taxation Master concerning solicitors overcharging.
  I am unable to provide the information because no details are kept of the reasons given for requesting taxation of solicitors' charges.

  Commonhold Property Ownership
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Government intend to implement their proposals for commonhold property ownership. [40022]

  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Government intend to implement their proposals for commonhold property ownership. [39911]

  Mr. Streeter
  The Government have today published a draft Bill and consultation paper to show in detail how they propose to implement their proposals. The draft Bill represents a thorough reworking of the principles on which commonhold is based and, subject to the results of the consultation, the Government intend to bring forward legislation in this form as soon as a suitable opportunity occurs.

  Juvenile Crime (Custodial Sentences)
  Mr. Bernard Jenkin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many juvenile cases in which guilty pleas were entered were dealt with by the Crown courts in 1995–96; and how many resulted in custodial sentences. [39105]

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information regarding 1995 plea data will not be available until the autumn.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of the £4.3 million paid out as legal aid in 1995–96 in respect of juvenile cases in the youth courts in which the defendant pleaded guilty(a) was paid out in respect of cases that resulted in custodial sentences and (b) was paid out in respect of cases that resulted in non-custodial sentences or some other non-custodial form of discharge. [39106]

  Mr. Streeter
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  Automated Train Protection
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budget his Department has allocated to the introduction of automated train protection. [38523]
  346
  Mr. Watts
  Since April 1994, Government support for the railway industry takes the form of grants paid by the franchising director. These grants enable the railway industries to meet their expenditure requirements, including those with safety benefits. Safety expenditure by the railway has not been separately identified since 1992–93, because the finance and resources to manage safety have been fully integrated with other management decisions.

  Trackworks (Advance Warning)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is his policy to put in place regulations to ensure that train drivers are given adequate warning of workers on or near the track in a similar way to which prior warning is given to motorists approaching roadworks. [38535]

  Mr. Watts
  I have no plans to make new regulations for the giving of warnings to train drivers. Railway operators are already required by the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to ensure the safety of their employees and others who might be affected by their undertakings, so far as is reasonably practicable.

  Guidance on securing safety on the track and meeting the legal obligations has been published by the Health and Safety Commission's Railway Industry Advisory Committee.

  Stafford and Ais Gill Rail Crashes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the report into the Stafford and Ais Gill rail crashes. [38531]

  Mr. Watts
  The report of the inquiry into Ais Gill is to be compiled by an inspecting officer of the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate, who has been appointed as an assessor to the coroner under the regulation of the Railways Act 1871 to assist with the inquest. The inspector's report will be completed and published as soon as the coroner has conducted the inquest. In the meantime, the recommendations made by the inspecting officer as a result of his investigations have been implemented by the railways.

  The publication of the report into the Stafford (Rickerscote) rail crash is a matter for the Health and Safety Commission. A report will be issued when the HSE's complex technical investigation into the crash is complete.

  Level Crossings (Fatalities)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities have occurred at railway level crossings during each of the last five years(a) on the west coast main line and (b) on the national railway network; and what action he is taking to prevent further fatalities. [38231]

  Mr. Watts
  Information on fatalities that have occurred at level crossings on the west coast main line is only available at disproportionate cost. Fatalities on the national railway network from 1990 to 1994–95 are as listed.
  347

  Pedestrian

  Occupant of road vehicle

  Total

  1990

  19

  3

  22

  1991–92

  11

  7

  18

  1992–93

  6

  4

  10

  1993–94

  9

  5

  14

  1994–95

  10

  3

  13

  Chapter 12 of the chief inspecting officer of railways annual report on the safety record of the railway in Great Britain in 1994–95 lists the initiatives under way to reduce the accident rate at level crossings. A copy of the report is held in the House of Commons Library.

  Track Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the red/green zone working group report from Her Majesty's railways inspectorate on track safety—recommendation 6(h)—with particular reference to the conflict between the safe system of work for track workers and penalty repayments for the delays to trains. [38537]

  Mr. Watts
  I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate is following up its report with Railtrack plc. I am confident that HSE and Railtrack will ensure that safety is not compromised.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on advertising in relation to railway privatisation. [38587]

  Mr. Watts
  The Government have spent some £2.9 million on advertising in relation to the flotation of Railtrack. The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising has spent some £23,000 on advertising in relation to franchising. Both these figures exclude VAT, which is not a net cost to the Exchequer. The British Railways Board is responsible for any expenditure on advertising the sales of its businesses.

  Clapham Rail Disaster (Inquiry Recommendations)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations of the inquiry into the Clapham rail disaster which have not been implemented in full and the target dates for implementation. [38530]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer to my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 16 October,Official Report, columns 86–87. Further to that reply, I understand that fitment of the national radio system of communication is now virtually complete.

  Rolling Stock
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the financial value of the railway rolling stock units ordered for each year since 1979. [38548]

  Mr. Watts
  Figures on a year-by-year basis are not available. However, since 1979 over £4 billion has been invested in railway rolling stock.

  Train Doors (Fatalities)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities due to passengers falling from train doors have occurred during each of the last five years(a) on the west coast main line and (b) on the national railway network; and what action he is taking to prevent further fatalities. [38232]

  Mr. Watts
  Information on fatalities involving passengers falling from train doors on the west coast main line is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Passenger fatalities on the national railway network involving falls from trains from 1991–92 to 1995–96 are as follows:

  1991–92: 19

  1992–93: 9

  1993–94: 8

  1994–95: 6

  1995–96: 3 (figures for 1995–96 are provisional)

  The statistics up to 1994–95 are taken from the 1994–95 chief inspecting officer of railways annual report on the safety record of the railways in Great Britain, a copy of which is held in the Library.

  In 1993 the Health and Safety Executive published its report into passenger falls from train doors. This raised passenger and staff awareness and maintenance standards. As a result the accident rate has fallen. Although much progress has been made by the railways, HSE's railway inspectorate continues to monitor maintenance standards of doors and locks and technical modifications. All InterCity trains now have a centralised locking system fitted, operated by the guard, who normally will free the doors to be opened only when trains are stationary at the platform.

  Rail Routes
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he has made for purchasers of land to be able to search for the proposed routes of railways to which his approval is required. [38913]

  Mr. Watts
  Promoters of new railways are required, by the statutory procedures under the Transport and Works Act 1992, to notify relevant local planning authorities of the intended application. This notice should provide sufficient evidence of intent to make an application for the authority to make the information available in response to searches. However, the authorities may decide to do so earlier or, possibly, as late as the date of the application, having regard to the particular circumstances of the case and all relevant information available to them.

  Manchester Airport
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the factors preventing a regular through train service from Birmingham to Manchester airport. [39401]
  349
  Mr. Watts
  None. The level of service on a particular routes is a matter for the train operating units and, where appropriate, the franchising director.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to support a bid for European funding for a multi-modal transport interchange at Manchester airport. [39400]

  Mr. Bowis
  Departmental and airport company officials will be meeting to discuss the company's plans and how they might best be packaged.

  Traffic Bottlenecks
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he expects to be made(a) this year and (b) over the next five years in eliminating the current bottlenecks on motorways and trunk roads, identified by the congestion maps published by his Department. [39495]

  Mr. Watts
  My Department's plans for eliminating bottlenecks over the current year were spelt out in November 1995 in "Managing the Trunk Road Programme" and in the Highways Agency's business plan, 1996–97. Progress over the next five years will include schemes to be taken from the design, build, finance and operate system and main programmes set out in tables 4 and 5 respectively of "Managing the Trunk Road Programme". We shall also continue to make improvements under the network enhancement programme and to introduce further measures for the better management of the network.

  Rail Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that the existing controls on the hours of work of train drivers and safety critical staff are maintained. [39387]

  Mr. Watts
  Under the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994, employers have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that staff undertaking safety critical work do not work such number of hours as would be liable to cause fatigue which could endanger safety.

  The Health and Safety Commission has recently consulted on a draft approved code of practice which would give practical guidance to employers on their duty, including guidance on carrying out a risk assessment before making changes to existing working time patterns. The HSC expects to submit the draft ACOP to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport in the next few weeks for his consent prior to formal approval and issue.

  Traffic Statistics
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the annual growth in traffic on(a) all roads and (b) motorways and trunk roads for each of the last 10 years. [39496]

  Mr. Watts
  The annual growth in all motor vehicle traffic—measured in vehicle miles—on all roads and motorways and trunk roads for each of the last 10 years is given in the table.
  350

  Annual growth in all motor vehicle traffic

  Year

  All roads per cent.

  Motorways and Trunk Roads per cent.

  1985–86

  5.0

  7.5

  1986–87

  7.7

  13.2

  1987–88

  7.2

  7.1

  1988–89

  8.3

  9.1

  1989–90

  1.0

  2.5

  1990–91

  0.2

  -0.2

  1991–92

  0.1

  -0.2

  1992–93

  0

  1.8

  1993–94

  2.5

  2.9

  1994–95

  2.0

  3.5

  Source:

  National Traffic Census.

  Traffic Noise
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the number of households in Great Britain where the level of noise as a result of traffic is(a) between 55dB and 68dB, and (b) greater than 68dB. [39483]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning estimates of the number of households in Great Britain where the level of noise as a result of traffic is (a) between 55dB and 68dB and (b) greater than 68dB.
  In 1980 the Noise Advisory Council estimated that about 3 million households in England suffered a level of noise exceeding 68dB(A) as a result of road traffic. The Highways Agency has in hand a research project scheduled to finish in late 1997 which includes a review of the data on which this estimate was based.
  No estimate has been made of the number of households where the noise levels lie between 55 and 68dB(A).

  BAA Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the percentage of total United Kingdom air traffic currently handled at airports owned by BAA in terms of(a) passengers and (b) air transport movements. [39501]

  Mr. Bowis
  In 1995, 70 per cent. of all United Kingdom air passengers and 56 per cent. of air transport movements were handled by BAA airports.

  Trunk Road Programme
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current time scale for construction on each of the schemes listed under the main programme in the trunk road programme. [39485]

  Mr. Watts
  No. Decisions on which schemes will start in a particular financial year are taken in the light of the public expenditure settlement and are announced before the start of the year in question.

  Track Access Grants
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the individual track access grant payments made in each of the last five years. [39361]
  351
  Mr. Watts
  None as yet, but the first claim for payment in respect of Freightliner is imminent and offers of grant have been made in five other cases. The track access grant scheme was introduced in April 1994

  Bypasses
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received over the last six months in support of the building of bypasses. [39481]

  Mr. Watts
  I have received many positive representations from residents of towns and villages wanting bypasses and from representatives of motoring organisations and the road haulage industry.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new bypasses were constructed between(a) 1979 and 1991 and (b) 1991 and 1996. [39294]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about how many new bypasses were constructed between (a) 1979 and 1991 and (b) 1991 and 1996.
  The number of new bypasses opened between 1979 and 1991 was 120, and between 1991 and 1996, 53.

  Foreign Airlines
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require foreign airlines which base their aircraft in the United Kingdom to comply with the United Kingdom's normal operational and safety requirements. [39378]

  Mr. Bowis
  No. As a signatory to the Chicago convention the United Kingdom is obliged to accept certificates and licences issued in respect of foreign registered aircraft provided that the minimum safety standards laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation are being met. However, the new measures on fifth freedom charter flights, which my noble Friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping announced on 19 June, should discourage foreign airlines from basing passenger aircraft in the UK.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take action to prevent the selling of capacity on foreign registered aircraft in advance of their operators receiving authorisation to operate from the United Kingdom or obtaining flight slots. [39507]

  Mr. Bowis
  No. If tour operators were prevented from selling air holidays or air seats before entering a contract with an airline, this could severely affect their ability to respond to consumer demand, leading to restricted choice for customers and higher holiday prices.

  Noise Barriers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to extend the use of acoustically absorbent noise barriers alongside roads. [39484]
  352
  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning any plans for extending the use of acoustically absorbent noise barriers alongside roads.
  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.
  Decisions on the use of absorbent materials in noise barriers are made on a case by case basis on the grounds of technical merit and cost-effectiveness. They do provide a measure of relief from reverberation of traffic noise which reduces the effectiveness of conventional barriers in some circumstances.
  There are no forward plans to specifically extend the use of absorbent materials, except to the extent that circumstances may justify it.

  Air Traffic
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to update his Department's forecasts for air traffic for (i) passengers and (ii) air transport movements. [39389]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department intends to publish updated air traffic forecasts early next year. In common with previous forecasts these will cover passengers at United Kingdom airports, but not air transport movements.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of air traffic at United Kingdom airports is interlining (i) to United Kingdom destinations, (ii) to European destinations and (iii) intercontinental destinations. [39546]

  Mr. Bowis
  No estimates of the proportion of total UK traffic that is accounted for by interlining have been published, but the Civil Aviation Authority has produced estimates for Heathrow and Gatwick on the CAA's survey of passengers at London airports in 1991—CAP610, tables 25 and 26. This showed that 26 per cent. of passengers at Heathrow were interlining in that year. Of these, 37 per cent. were travelling either to or from UK destinations, 54 per cent. were travelling either to or from other European destinations and the remaining 9 per cent. were interlining between non-European destinations. At Gatwick, 9 per cent. of passengers were interlining in 1991. Of these, 38 per cent. were travelling either to or from UK destinations, 50 per cent. were travelling either to or from other European destinations and the remaining 12 per cent. were interlining between non-European destinations. Figures for Manchester and other regional airports are given in the CAA survey of passengers at central England airports, CAP 618, Table 67.

  Road Schemes
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by name those road schemes at the preferred route stage which will have an impact on(a) lowland heath, (b) Caledonian pine, (c) chalk grassland and (d) reedbeds, and if he will indicate in percentage terms the total area of the United Kingdom currently covered by these four habitats. [39498]
  353
  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 21 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking if he will list by name those road schemes at the preferred route state which will have an impact on (a) lowland heath, (b) Caledonian pine, (c) chalk grassland and (d) reedbeds, if he will indicate in percentage terms the total area of the United Kingdom currently covered by these four habitats.
  I have set out the schemes in the current programme which the Highways Agency expect to reach preferred route state during 1996/97.
  Information on the impact, if any, these schemes will have on the four habitats listed is being collected and I will write to the hon. Member separately as soon as it is available. My Department does not have information on the total area of the UK covered by these habitats.

  A1(M) Bramham—Wetherby

  A1(M) Wetherby Bypass

  A14 Rookery Crossroads Grade Separated Junction

  A36 Beckington—East of Bath Improvement

  A259 Guestling Thorn Bypass

  M1 Junction 10 to 15 Widening

  M5 Junction 17 to 21 Widening

  M6 Junction 11A to 16 Widening

  M6 Junction 16 to 19 Widening

  M11 Junction 8 to 9 Widening

  M40 Junctions 3 to 4 Widening and Junction 4 Improvement

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what projections he has made of the annual cost to public funds in the years beyond 1998–99 of the road schemes already let as design, build, finance and operate schemes and those schemes expected to start in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [39491]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about DBFOs.
  Tranche 1 contracts have been signed. Annual payments will be around £100m in 1999–2000 and will range up to £144m per year during the contract period. Negotiations on tranche 1A contracts are not all concluded, although they are expected to be completed during 1996/97. Tranche 2 has been announced but tenders have yet to be invited. At this stage any estimates of payments must be highly speculative but we expect the annual payments for both tranches together to range between £130m and £300m from 1999–2000 to the end of the contract period.

  Heathrow and Gatwick Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the channel tunnel on development of traffic at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. [39390]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Transport's 1994 air traffic forecasts estimated the number of passengers the channel tunnel will divert away from the London airports taken together. No estimates were made of the likely impact on individual airports. The forecasts found that in 2010 between 7.6 and 12.8 million air passengers will divert to the channel tunnel from London airports.
  354
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments he has made of the effect of the opening of a fast rail link between London and the channel tunnel on the number of (i) air passengers and (ii) air traffic movements at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. [39391]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Transport's 1994 air traffic forecasts estimate diversion from air to the channel tunnel of 7.6 million passengers a year under the low scenario assuming no high-speed rail link from London is in place and 12.8 million under the high scenario which includes a high-speed rail link in addition to a number of other more favourable assumptions. The Department has made no individual forecasts of the impact of the high-speed rail link on air transport movements at Heathrow and Gatwick.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last 10 years the average passengers per air traffic movement at Heathrow and Gatwick airports for(a) scheduled operations and (b) charter operations. [39511]

  Mr. Bowis
  The table gives the figures requested:

  Passengers per air traffic movement: 1986–1995

  Heathrow

  Gatwick

  Scheduled

  Non-scheduled

  Scheduled

  Non-scheduled

  1986

  110

  12

  80

  136

  1987

  116

  11

  87

  146

  1988

  116

  12

  89

  151

  1989

  116

  12

  91

  148

  1990

  118

  18

  94

  153

  1991

  113

  25

  96

  154

  1992

  117

  45

  92

  161

  1993

  122

  41

  92

  164

  1994

  127

  36

  92

  167

  1995

  130

  33

  92

  172

  British Rail Vendor Unit
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) statutory and (b) other procedures govern the activities of the British Rail vendor unit. [39261]

  Mr. Watts
  The board of British Railways, appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, prepares businesses for sale and sell them subject to the direction and consent of the Secretary of State whose objectives for such sales are set out in section 113 of the Railways Act 1993. The vendor unit carries out the day-to-day implementation of the board's sale strategy on certain disposals. The vendor unit follows procedures approved by the board and where appropriate agreed by the Department.

  Marine Safety Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by(a) classification society, (b) country of registration and (c) port in which they were detained, the number of ships detained by the MSA in each of the last two years. [39358]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.
  355
  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of ships detained by the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) in each of the last two years.
  The numbers of foreign flagged vessels detained by the MSA, listed by classification society, country of registration and port in which they were detained, in the calendar years 1994 and 1995 are given in the attached tables.
  A list containing information about the foreign flagged ships under detention in UK ports, including the ships' particulars and the reason for detention, is published monthly by the MSA.

  A27
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received the report of the inspector at the public inquiry into his Department's proposals for the development of the A27 in the Worthing area; and when he expects to announce a decision on the route. [39631]

  Mr. Watts
  The inspector's report was received on 2 February and is being considered by the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport. They will announce their decision as soon as possible.

  Motorway Service Areas
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorway service areas have been closed since the financial year 1991–92. [39289]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

  Departmental Staff
  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, broken down by grade, the number of(a) male staff and (b) female staff. [38138]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have placed the information obtained from my Department's personnel systems in the Library of the House.

  Traffic Area Office, Manchester
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals have been put to the traffic area network unit within his Department for reducing accommodation costs at the traffic area office in Manchester; and what action was taken to following up these proposals. [38139]

  Mr. Bowis
  The traffic area office in Manchester, in consultation with the local representatives of Property Holdings, put to the traffic area network unit three possible proposals in September 1994:Stay in Portcullis house until the lease expired and await re-location to Ashburner house.
  Give notice to Property Holdings and move to another property on the Government estate.
  Look for alternative accommodation within the commercial market.

  It was agreed between the traffic area office and the traffic area network unit that the third of these options was not viable due to vacant accommodation being available on the Government's own estate. No action was
  356
  taken to follow up the other two proposals and the second option was overtaken by the timetable for the transfer of Property Holdings responsibilities to Departments.

  Drivers' Hours
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to provide enforcement officers with powers to issue prohibition notices to United Kingdom drivers who have exceeded their drivers' hours regulations. [38147]

  Mr. Bowis
  None at present. We are keeping the situation under review but the change proposed would require primary legislation.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to carry out an annual survey into the unlicensed operation of heavy goods vehicles. [38144]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have no current plans to repeat the survey of illegal goods vehicle operators which was carried out in October last year.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of heavy goods vehicles divided by weight involved in road accidents which have resulted in(a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) slight injuries during 1995. [38202]

  Mr. Bowis
  The number of HGVs involved in injury road accidents, by gross weight and accident severity in Great Britain in 1995 was as follows:

  Vehicles

  Accident severity

  Gross weight

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  3,501–16,000

  126

  735

  3,164

  4.017

  16,001–24,000

  107

  495

  1,899

  2.501

  24,001–33,000

  134

  599

  2,256

  2,990

  33,001–38,000

  247

  883

  3,119

  4,258

  Total

  614

  2,713

  10,438

  13,765

  1. The weight distributions are estimated from road accidents data submitted by the police. Differences in totals are due to rounding.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budgets were allocated to the enforcement of heavy goods and public service safety regulations for each of the last 10 years. [38146]

  Mr. Bowis
  Figures for years before 1991–92 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Figures for the last five years are as follows:

  Year

  HGV traffic and roadworthiness enforcement budgets (£)

  PSV traffic and roadworthiness enforcement budgets (£)

  1991–92

  11,223,746

  2,268,680

  1992–93

  11,303,161

  2,347,610

  1993–94

  11,112,988

  2,116,650

  1994–95

  10,921,773

  2,186,787

  1995–96

  11,063,032

  2,281.217

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to commit further funds into
  357
  front-line enforcement of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles safety regulations by Vehicle Inspectorate enforcement officers. [38212]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have no such plans at present.

  Mrs. Dun woody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to use laden heavy goods vehicles in heavy goods vehicle driving tests. [38206]

  Mr. Bowis
  We are currently looking at the case for requiring learner lorry drivers to use ballasted vehicles when taking a lorry driving test. It could have significant implication for the cost of training and testing new lorry drivers, and there would need to be detailed consultation with the parties affected before the necessary regulations could be put before Parliament.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents(a) in total, (b) involving serious injuries and (c) involving fatalities involved heavy goods vehicles in each of the years 1979 to 1996. [39285]

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

  Accidents involving HGVs: by accident severity: GB: 1979–1995

  Accident severity

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1979

  940

  4,690

  16,471

  1980

  782

  4,051

  14,117

  1981

  761

  3,859

  13,283

  1982

  786

  3,808

  13,307

  1983

  722

  3,387

  12,328

  1984

  777

  3,570

  12,950

  1985

  728

  3,457

  13,073

  1986

  794

  3,503

  13,435

  1987

  776

  3,509

  13,642

  1988

  802

  3,737

  14,775

  1989

  878

  3,795

  16,107

  1990

  791

  3,387

  15,063

  1991

  683

  2,885

  13,616

  1992

  650

  2,706

  13,016

  1993

  608

  2,520

  13,173

  1994

  540

  2,598

  13,178

  1995

  530

  2.445

  12,613

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the amount of revenue lost due to the illegal operation of heavy goods and public service vehicles. [38143]

  Mr. Bowis
  No estimate of lost income has been made.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to apply the income raised from heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicle operator licences for the enforcement of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicle regulations. [38142]

  Mr. Bowis
  Income raised from both heavy goods and public service vehicle operators is part of general taxation and as such is paid into the central Exchequer funds and not ring fenced. The Department is, however, required to set fees at such a level as to recover from operators the total sums spent both on enforcement and on running the traffic area offices.

  Public Service Vehicles
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of public service vehicles involved in road accidents resulting in(a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) slight injuries during 1995. [38203]

  Mr. Bowis
  In 1995, there were 134 public service vehicles involved in fatal accidents, 1,487 serious accidents and 9,359 in slight injury accidents.

  British Rail
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was British Rail's external finance limit for 1992–93. [39295]

  Mr. Watts
  The British Railways Board's external finance limit for 1992–93 was set at £2,096 million. The outturn for the board's external finance requirement for that year was £2,064 million.

  New Roads and Rail
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of(a) new trunk roads were constructed and (b) new railway track were electrified between (i) 1979 and 1992 and (ii) 1992 and 1996. [39293]

  Mr. Watts
  The length of new trunk roads completed in England between 1979 and 1992 was 842.4 miles and between 1992 and 1996, 268.5 miles. The length of newly electrified railway track between 1979 and 1992 was 725.3 miles and between 1992 and March 1995, 52.2 miles. There are no figures yet for 1995–96.

  Staff Annual Reports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a table showing separately for each grade in the central transport group the numbers of staff who received(a) a fitted, (b) a well fitted and (c) not fitted marking in their 1995 annual staff report broken down by gender and ethnic grouping; [38134]

  (2) if he will list for each traffic area office the annual staff reporting performance and promotion markings received for the various grades in the offices, broken down by gender and ethnic grouping. [38135]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information cannot be provided in the form requested without identifying individual members of staff.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the annual staff performance and promotion markings obtained for grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the central transport group. [38136]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have placed a table containing the information requested in the Library of the House.

  Annual Leave
  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, broken down by grade and number, the(a) male staff and (b) female staff eligible for 30 days' annual leave. [38137]
  359
  Mr. Bowis
  I have placed a table containing the information requested in the Library of the House.

  Staff Statistics
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by(a) the Vehicle Inspectorate and (b) the Transport Research Laboratory in each year between 1979 and 1996. [39284]

  Mr. Bowis
  The average number of staff employed each year by the Vehicle Inspectorate in the period 1986–87 to 1995–96, and by the Transport Research Laboratory in the period 1992–93 to 1995–96, is as set out. Information on staff employed in prior years is not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  Transport Research Laboratory

  1986–87

  1,492

  —

  1987–88

  1,530

  —

  1988–89

  1,590

  —

  1989–90

  1,620

  —

  1990–91

  1,651

  —

  1991–92

  1,613

  —

  1992–931

  1,861

  625

  1993–94

  1,768

  600

  1994–95

  1,649

  487

  1995–96

  1,559

  432

  1 Responsibility for traffic examiners and some support staff transferred from the central Department to the Vehicle Inspectorate on 1 April 1992.

  Bridges
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many bridges are awaiting strengthening work to comply with the EU plan to permit 40 tonne trucks; [38152]

  (2) which bridges carrying motorways require strengthening work to comply with the EU plan to permit 40 tonne trucks; and in each case what is the target date for the work to be undertaken. [38153]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent questions asking how many bridges are awaiting strengthening work to comply with the EU plan to permit 40 tonne trucks; which bridges carrying motorways require strengthening work; and what is the target date for the work to be undertaken. This response relates only to the trunk road network; non-trunk roads are the responsibility of local highway authorities.
  Trunk road bridges are being assessed to ensure not only that they can carry heavier 40 tonne lorries from 1999 but also that they can continue to carry safely existing 38 tonne lorries. The Highways Agency's aim is to minimise the number of bridges requiring strengthening by putting maximum effort into the assessment process. If a bridge fails an initial assessment, using simple techniques, then an increasingly more sophisticated analysis will be undertaken to ensure that we do not strengthen any bridge unnecessarily. 1,756 trunk road bridges have not yet passed their assessment, but it is expected that only a proportion of these will ultimately require strengthening.
  360
  Where there is concern that a bridge may not have sufficient load-carrying capacity, temporary measures are put in place to ensure the safety of road users. The Agency's objective is to make certain that, from 1 January 1999, all vehicles up to and including the new 40 tonne maximum gross vehicle weight standard will be able to use all structures carrying trunk roads and other important routes over trunk roads. The attached list gives details of bridges carrying motorways which we are currently planning to strengthen. In other cases, temporary measures, such as propping, will remain in place until full strengthening can be undertaken.

  Motorway underbridges in strengthening programme

  Road

  Bridge name

  Target completion

  A2821

  Dartford Tunnel East, Kent

  September 1998

  A2821

  Essex Viaduct, Essex

  September 1998

  A1(M)

  Otterspool, Hertfordshire

  February 1998

  A1(M)

  Reservoir Railway, South Yorkshire

  Not decided

  M1

  Five Way Flyover North bound, Barnet

  June 1997

  M1

  Five Way Flyover South bound, Barnet

  June 1997

  M1

  Transport Farm Subway, Barnet

  1998–99

  M1

  Berrygrove interchange North Hertfordshire

  February 1998

  M1

  Berrygrove interchange South Hertfordshire

  February 1998

  M1

  Berrygrove interchange North A41, Hertfordshire

  February 1998

  M1

  Berrygrove Service Road South Herfordshire

  November 1998

  M1

  Berrygrove Service Road North Hertfordshire

  November 1998

  M1

  Berrygrove South A41, Hertfordshire

  November 1998

  M1

  Old Paul, South Yorkshire

  April 1998

  M2

  Medway Viaduct East, Kent

  March 1998

  M2

  Medway Viaduct West, Kent

  March 1998

  M2

  Medway River, Kent

  March 1998

  M4

  Grand Union Canal, Hounslow

  September 1996

  M4

  Thames Bray, Berkshire

  February 1997

  M5

  Huntspill River, Somerset

  February 1998

  M5

  River Brue, Somerset

  February 1998

  M5

  Huntworth Viaduct, Somerset

  February 1997

  MS

  River Tone, Somerset

  November 1998

  M6

  Ray Hall Viaduct Bents 12/0–13/10, West Midlands

  December 1997

  M6

  Ray Hall Viaduct Bents 11/0–12/10, West Midlands

  June 1998

  M11

  Woodford West Viaduct, Hertfordshire

  November 1998

  M40

  Tetsworth Pedestrian Underpass, Oxfordshire

  Not decided

  M40

  Stoke Talmage, Oxfordshire

  Not decided

  M40

  Nethercote Lane, Oxfordshire

  Not decided

  M62

  Gelderd Road, West Yorkshire

  Not decided

  M62

  Narrowbeck Railway, West Yorkshire

  Not decided

  M621

  South Leeds interchange 13 Railway

  Not decided

  M621

  Beeston interchange South, West Yorkshire

  Not decided

  M621

  Beeston Interchange North, West Yorkshire

  Not decided

  1 These structures are included because they are on the line of M25.

  Driver Offences
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask me Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there were for mechanical offences and for drivers' hours and tachograph offences in magistrates and sheriff courts for each of the last five years. [38205]
  361
  Mr. Bowis
  Information relating to numbers of prosecutions and convictions is contained in Home Office and Scottish Office statistics.

  The relevant figures are shown in the tables.

  Mechanical offences

  England and Wales1

  Scotland2

  Year

  Prosecutions in magistrates' courts

  Convictions

  Offences prosecuted in sheriffs' courts

  Offences proven

  1990

  89,419

  70,838

  5,629

  4,818

  1991

  91,809

  69,650

  5,119

  4,284

  1992

  93,504

  67,793

  4,772

  3,921

  1993

  87,354

  62,336

  3,844

  3,068

  1994

  89,643

  65,437

  3,688

  2,915

  1 These figures relate to prosecutions and convictions for offences where a vehicle or vehicle part has been found to be in a dangerous or defective condition including brakes, steering gear, tyres.

  2 These figures are the number of offences under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 and the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 prosecuted and proven. In addition, a significant number of offences are handled annually at Scottish District and Stipendiary Magistrates Courts.

  Drivers' hours and tachograph offences

  England and Wales1

  Scotland2

  Year

  Prosecutions in Magistrates' Courts

  Convictions

  Offences prosecuted in Sheriffs' Courts

  Offences proven

  1990

  11,557

  9,010

  1,971

  1,649

  1991

  12,283

  9,504

  2,115

  1,774

  1992

  12,282

  8,943

  2,519

  2,070

  1993

  9,817

  6,965

  1,866

  1,534

  1994

  9,506

  6,970

  2,301

  1,939

  1 These figures are for prosecutions and convictions relating to offences of failure to observe limits on hours of driving and duty or rest requirements.

  2 These figures are the number of offences relating to motor vehicle records of work including tachographs prosecuted and proven. In addition, a significant number of offences are handled annually at Scottish District and Stipendiary Magistrates Courts.

  Operators' Licence Fees
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the income raised from the operators' licence fees for each of the last 10 years. [38141]

  Mr. Bowis
  Allowing for the attribution to the year in question of the five-yearly element of the licence fee, the income generated is as follows:

  £

  Year

  HGV operator licensing

  PSV operator licensing

  Bus registration

  1986–87

  Not available

  Not available

  Not available

  1987–88

  Not available

  3,364,042

  582,887

  1988–89

  12,141,076

  4,460,042

  609,441

  1989–90

  14,585,408

  2,885,750

  715,585

  1990–91

  13,928,538

  3,901,241

  691,427

  1991–92

  14,588,537

  3,847,562

  673,826

  1992–93

  15,424,930

  3,758,355

  633,550

  1993–94

  19,093,817

  3,959,235

  668,594

  362

  £

  Year

  HGV operator licensing

  PSV operator licensing

  Bus registration

  1994–95

  21,442,222

  4,289,297

  779,667

  1995–96

  22,108,672

  4,796,730

  720,712

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the annual operator licensing fees for heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles in each of the last 10 years. [38140]

  Mr. Bowis
  Fees for operator licensing of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles are as listed.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles—Operator Licensing Fees (covering a five year period)

  Date

  Grant fee (£)

  Vehicle fee(£)

  From 1 May 1986

  20 (grant of licence) 15 (grant of major variation)

  100

  3 January 1989

  60 grant of licence or major variation

  100

  1 October 1991

  70 grant of licence or major variation

  140

  1 April 1993

  170 grant of licence or major variation

  140

  1 June 1994

  185 grant of licence or major variation

  160

  1 July 1995

  185 grant of licence or major variation

  170

  New Fee structure from 1 January 1996

  Application for a licence or major variation

  160 (one-off)

  Issue of licence

  250

  Continuation of licence

  250

  Vehicle fee (£34 per annum if paid annually)

  140

  Public service vehicle—operator licensing fees

  Effective date

  Fee type

  Fee

  Period

  26 October 1986

  Licence Grant

  £3.50 per month

  For validity of licence (normally 5 years)

  Vehicle discs

  £3.50 each

  For validity of licence per month (normally 5 years)

  Special licence (for holders of taxi licences)

  £40

  5 years

  Note: Fees to be paid five years in advance to cover period of validity of licence. 1 December 1993 Fees raised, but structure and payment system remained the same:

  1 December 1993

  Licence grant

  £4.50

  Vehicle discs

  £4.50

  1 January 1996 Fees structure changed with introduction of continuous licensing—some new fees introduced but vehicle disc fees unchanged for operators who elect to pay 5 years fees in advance. Operators paying disc fees on annual basis, pay an increased fee;

  1 January 1996

  Application for standard licence

  £150 one — off fee

  363

  Public service vehicle—operator licensing fees

  Effective date

  Fee type

  Fee

  Period

  Application for restricted licence Grant charge

  £100 one— off fee £100 First 5 years of licence

  Continuation in force of licence

  £100 subsequent 5 years

  Application to vary a licence Vehicle discs

  £75 one— off fee £4.50 each per month

  If paid 5 years in advance; or

  £5.25 each per month

  If paid one year in advance

  Special licence

  £40

  5 years

  Vehicle Inspectorate
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sums he expects to be spent on the computerisation of enforcement intelligence by the Vehicle Inspectorate and the traffic area offices during 1996–97. [38149]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have nothing to add to the answer given on 22 March 1996,Official Report, column 387.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what resources have been allocated to the Vehicle Inspectorate for roadworthiness enforcement spot checks in each of the last 10 years. [38148]

  Mr. Bowis
  Figures for years before 1991–92 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Figures for the last five years for all types of vehicles are as follows:

  Year

  Budgets for roadworthiness spot checks on GB and foreign vehicles (£)

  1991–92

  2,612,000

  1992–93

  3,673,000

  1993–94

  2,777,000

  1994–95

  3,011,000

  1995–96

  3,211,000

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39518]

  Sir George Young
  Nil.

  London Transport
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the levels of investment in London Transport in (i) 1992–293, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95. [39296]
  364
  Mr. Bowis
  The information requested is in the table, in both outturn and constant prices:

  Investment in London Transport 1992–93 to 1994–95

  Year

  Investment (£ million) outturn

  Investment(£ million)—1996–97 prices

  1992–93

  789

  873

  1993–94

  821

  883

  1994–95

  955

  1,008

  Catalytic Converters
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars in the United Kingdom are currently fitted with catalytic converters. [39290]

  Mr. Bowis
  It is estimated that there are some 5 million cars in the United Kingdom currently fitted with catalytic converters.

  Franchising Director
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the franchising director's annual report for 1995–96 made to him under section 75 of the Railways Act 1993. [39990]

  Sir George Young
  I have today laid before Parliament the franchising director's annual report for 1995–96, which records the very good progress achieved in franchising during that period. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further instructions he has issued to the franchising director. [40029]

  Sir George Young
  I have today written to the franchising director instructing him under section 5 of the Railways Act 1993 to take into account any Government policies which are relevant to the provision of passenger services insofar as they affect, or may be affected by, the fulfilment of his objectives. I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Harbour Order, Southampton
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has reached a decision after the public inquiry into the proposal by Associated British Ports for a harbour order to extend the limits of the port of Southampton to include the western Solent. [39938]

  Sir George Young
  I have agreed with the inspector that the order should not be made. I have considered the reasons for making it and taken careful note of the arguments put forward by the applicants and their supporters and by the objectors. I agreed with the inspector that the order is unnecessary, and that none of the concerns in the case for the order is so important, or incapable of resolution by current practices or regulations.

  Business Aviation
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for enhancing facilities for business aviation at RAF Northolt; and if he will make a statement. [39914]
  365
  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Transport has confirmed to the Transport Select Committee that it does not consider Northolt to be a suitable site for the development of a civil airport on the scale that would be necessary to provide significant relief to Heathrow, as the Committee had supported. However, RAF Northolt does have the potential to provide useful, if limited, facilities for business aviation.

  The Government have made clear their recognition that business aviation can bring economic and wider benefits to national competitiveness as well as to local and regional economies. Whilst they would not subsidise the necessary facilities, Government are keen to ensure that the industry is not unreasonably denied access to capacity.

  The pressure on runway capacity in the south-east of England has already led to RAF Northolt becoming an increasingly attractive option for business aviation seeking access to London. The Government have been considering how the needs of business aviation can best be accommodated alongside the continuing military requirements at the station. Last year the Government announced they would not proceed with the option of a separate civil enclave at RAF Northolt; consultation with interested parties had shown that the high capital costs and physical constraints would not make it commercially viable. Instead, the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Transport have been working jointly to identify possible changes to working arrangements at the station to improve the service offered to users and to businesses in the south-east more generally.

  The two Departments are now able to announce a package of practical measures which arise from further consultation with existing users of the aerodrome, but which also recognise the concerns of the local communities about the impact of aviation activities. We believe these measures respond to the needs of the business aviation industry while preserving RAF Northolt's operational effectiveness and safeguarding the interests of local people.

  The key element of the package is an extension to the station's operating hours of one hour each weekday morning, on a trial basis. From 1 October 1996 RAF Northolt will open for civil use at 0700, rather than 0800 as at present. There will be no change to the closing time of 2000, or to the standard closure at weekends, nor will the existing arrangements under which military operations take precedence be affected. This change will give business aviation extra flexibility, and in particular it will make it able to deliver its customers to European destinations early enough to meet continental business schedules. Air traffic control constraints will in any case limit the use that can be made of the extra hour.

  Over the coming months MOD and DOT will closely monitor the number of civil movements to assess the amount of flexibility provided by the existing movement limit; in the meantime, the station will continue to operate on the basis of a maximum of 7,000 civil movements per year. This figure includes business aviation and other civil operations, but excludes movements on MOD or other Government business. The station expects around 6,000 civil movements in the current financial year.
  366
  The extended opening hours will begin on a trial basis for six months. MOD and DOT will be assessing the practical impact of the change, on the industry and on local residents as well as on the station itself, before a decision on its continuation is taken.

  The other elements of the package, whose impact will largely be restricted to the users themselves, will not form part of that review. In addition to minor operational improvements at the station, there will be readiness on the part of the MOD to consider any proposals from private sector operators to utilise currently unused areas of the RAF Northolt site to establish their own hangars, subject to operational considerations. This would mean that civil users could in the long-term base some of their aircraft on site, thus reducing the need for positioning movements at the beginning and end of the day. Responsibility for taking forward any such development through the necessary planning procedures would of course rest with the civil promoter.

  Bom Rei Dredger
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the dredger, Bom Rei. [39287]

  Mr. Bowis
  None. The Bom Rei, formerly the Bowbelle, was registered under the Portuguese flag. The Portuguese authorities will be investigating the incident. The marine accident investigation branch has no jurisdiction to carry out an investigation into an incident involving a foreign flagged vessel sailing outside UK territorial waters. The MAIB has, however, provided the Portuguese authorities with a copy of the MAIB report into the Bowsprite, a sister ship, which was lost off the coast of Belgium in 1988.

  Trunk Roads
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contractors were subject to financial penalties for late completion of contracted works on the trunk road network; and what was the additional revenue raised from those penalties, in each year since 1991. [39291]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 24 July 1996:
  As you know, the Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many contractors were subject to financial penalties for late completion of contracted works on the trunk road network; and what was the additional revenue raised from those penalties, in each year since 1991.
  The information cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Rail Coaches
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger rail coaches were in service in each of the last five years. [39036]
  367
  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The number of passenger rail coaches 31 March in each of the last five years is as follows:

  1992: 12,925

  1993: 12,309

  1994: 11,802

  1995: 11,483

  1996: 9,928

  The declining trend is due mainly to the introduction of new rolling stock, which is of a higher seating capacity and is more efficient to use, permitting operators to replace older stock with fewer new units. The larger drop in 1996 arises because of changes to the statistical base. Prior to 1996, all British Rail vehicles were included in annual statistics. The 1996 figure includes only those currently in service with BR and franchise operators.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current provision of road signage on the road network marking the border between(a) England and Scotland and (b) England and Wales. [38631]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 24 July 1996:
  As you know, I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Transport to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the current provision of road signage on the road network marking the border between (a) England and Scotland and (b) England and Wales.
  The current provision of signs on the trunk road network marking the English border is as follows:

  Road

  Sign type

  Legend

  (a) Border between England and Scotland

  A1

  (i) White on brown

  English Border 1 mile

  (ii) White on brown

  English Border

  (iii) Stone

  England

  (iv) Black on white

  Welcome to Northumberland England's Border Country Borough of Berwick on Tweed

  A68

  (i) White on brown

  English Border 1 mile

  (ii) Stone

  England

  A7

  Blue on white

  England (with St. George's shield)

  A74

  White on brown

  Welcome to England. Cumbria and the Lake District (with county crest)

  (b) Border between England and Wales

  A5501

  Black on white

  England

  A55

  Cheshire

  A483

  (with St. George's shield and county crest)

  A5

  Black on white

  Welcome to Shropshire

  A483

  (i) Slate

  Welcome to Shropshire

  (ii) Black on white

  You are now entering Shropshire and Oswestry Borough Council

  A458

  Black on white

  Welcome to Shropshire(with county crest)

  368

  Road

  Sign type

  Legend

  A465

  Black on white

  The County of Hereford and Worcester Welcome to England (with red rose symbol and county crest)

  A40

  A48

  (i) Black on white, blue border

  The County of Gloucestershire Welcome to England (in English and Welsh) (with red rose symbol and county crest)

  (ii) White on blue

  Welcome to Gloucestershire (with county crest)

  M48

  Black on white

  Welcome to England

  M49

  (in English and Welsh)

  M4

  (with red rose symbol)

  1The sign on the A550 has been temporarily removed because of major roadworks.

  Dartford River Crossing Ltd.
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the level of interest payments required to service the capital for the Dartford River Crossing Ltd. using(a) the interest rate set out in schedule 10 to the agreement with Dartford River Crossing Ltd. and (b) the interest rate which the Government would reasonably expect to pay if they had raised the capital themselves showing in both cases the size of interest payments for (i) each year of the project and (ii) the whole life of the project. [39019]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the level of interest payments required to service the capital for the Dartford River Crossing Ltd.
  The likely level of interest payments necessary to finance Dartford River Crossing Ltd's proposals to design, build, finance and operate the new Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and to operate and maintain the existing Dartford Tunnels was considered as part of the overall financial and technical assessment undertaken in August 1986 when the decision was taken to procure this project in the private, rather than the public sector. For obvious commercial reasons, you will appreciate that the actual figures used in this assessment are confidential.

  Coastguard
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the reduction in the number of full-time coastguard officer posts from the implementation of "Focus for Change"; [39379]

  (2) what accommodation facilities are provided for the crew of the helicopter search and rescue centre at Portland; and if the crew are accommodated overnight; [39370]

  (3) how many (a) coastguard officers and (b) auxiliary coastguards were employed at each coastguard station in each of the last five years; [39480]
  369
  (4) if he will list by coastguard station the number of false alarms received by the global maritime distress safety system for each of the last 12 months; and what action he intends to take to reduce the number; [39372]

  (5) what training is (a) required for coastguard officers and (b) provided to auxiliary coastguards before they take up their post; [39476]

  (6) if he will list for each of the last 12 months, by coastguard station, the dates when the station was staffed below the recognised minimum staffing level and by how many staff the station was understaffed; [39357]

  (7) what assessment he has made of the savings to (a) the Coastguard agency and (b) his Department from implementation of the focus for change report into the Coastguard agency; [39477]

  (8) what estimate he has made of the effect on the take off times of search and rescue helicopters at Portland of the crew not being based at the search and rescue centre. [39371]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to a number of your recent Questions which are primarily matters for the Coastguard Agency.

  PQ 39379
  Focus for Change will, in fact, result in a net increase of approximately eight full time posts.

  PQ 39370
  The accommodation provided at the Coastguard helicopter unit at Portland consists of four modern portakabins comprising: kitchen; rest room (TV/Radio etc.); operations room; Senior Pilots office; Chief Engineers office; storage space for personal effects (flying suits/helmets etc.); aircraft Hangar; car parking spaces. The crew are not accommodated overnight.

  PQ 39480
  The number of Coastguard Officers employed by the Department of Transport and subsequently by the Coastguard Agency in the last five years are given below. The figures up to April 1993, pre-Agency, are only available on a Regional basis.

  Region

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  Dover

  81

  80

  Falmouth

  66

  68

  Swansea

  92

  89

  Clyde

  79

  76

  INMARSAT

  121.5MHz

  243MHz

  406MHz

  MFDSC

  Monthly total

  July 1995

  31

  8

  10

  31

  7

  87

  August 1995

  38

  13

  9

  25

  2

  87

  September 1995

  26

  10

  2

  28

  8

  74

  October 1995

  50

  8

  8

  22

  13

  101

  November 1995

  42

  22

  8

  16

  7

  95

  December 1995

  29

  8

  6

  18

  16

  77

  January 1996

  24

  14

  6

  24

  10

  78

  February 1996

  29

  13

  3

  23

  15

  83

  March 1996

  32

  6

  2

  23

  16

  79

  April 1996

  29

  6

  4

  22

  10

  71

  May 1996

  38

  7

  4

  20

  6

  75

  June 1996

  48

  15

  3

  19

  1

  86

  Totals

  416

  130

  65

  271

  111

  993

  370

  Region

  1 April 1992

  1 April 1993

  Aberdeen

  86

  82

  Yarmouth

  62

  64

  Total

  466

  459

  The figures for the next three years are available on a station by station basis.

  Station (MRSC)

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Dover

  31

  29

  27

  Thames

  21

  18

  20

  Solent

  27

  25

  23

  Portland

  21

  20

  21

  Brixham

  21

  18

  19

  Falmouth

  25

  25

  25

  Swansea

  25

  25

  24

  Milford Haven

  18

  19

  19

  Holyhead

  19

  17

  17

  Liverpool

  22

  21

  19

  Clyde

  19

  19

  19

  Oban

  16

  17

  16

  Belfast

  17

  18

  19

  Stornoway

  16

  17

  18

  Pentland

  18

  16

  17

  Shetland

  15

  16

  16

  Aberdeen

  29

  25

  28

  Forth

  19

  17

  18

  Tyne Tees

  20

  19

  19

  Humber

  23

  22

  21

  Yarmouth

  22

  22

  21

  Total

  444

  425

  426

  Figures for the regional coastguard stations

  Station (MRCC)

  1 April 1994

  1 April 1995

  1 April 1996

  Dover

  2

  2

  2

  Falmouth

  2

  2

  2

  Swansea

  2

  3

  2

  Clyde

  2

  2

  1

  Aberdeen

  2

  2

  2

  Yarmouth

  2

  2

  2

  Total

  12

  13

  11

  These figures include Regional and Deputy Regional Controllers only. The Agency does not employ any Auxiliary Coastguards, they are all volunteers.

  PQ 39372
  All GMDSS alerts received via INMARSAT, 121.5MHz, 243MHz and 406MHz are processed by the Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Falmouth. GMDSS alerts received via Medium Frequency Digital Selective Calling (MF DSC) may be picked up simultaneously by several stations. In order to ensure there is no duplication of alerts, MRCC Falmouth collate the alerts (including false alarms) from the 8 other MF DSC stations around the UK. The number of false alerts received in the last 12 months are as follows:

  371
  The Marine Safety Agency (MSA) are taking a number of measures to reduce the number of false alerts on GMDSS. These include:
  issuing an Merchant Shipping Notice detailing the measures to prevent false alerts and making it widely available to the marine community;
  contributing to the examiners panel for operator examinations and introducing the topic of preventing false alarms into the examination syllabus;
  taking an active role in the International Standardisation bodies which produce equipment specifications for marine radio and have introduced improved requirements to make the equipment more foolproof. MSA have also contributed to a national specification for a leisure market GMDSS radio which is based on simple, foolproof operation.

  PQ 39476
  All new entrant Coastguards undertake an initial training lasting approximately one year. After a short familiarisation period (usually six to eight weeks) at their parent station, they undertake six weeks intensive training at the Coastguard Training Centre. They then return to their parent station for about nine months, during which time, under the guidance of the District Management Team, they work through a taskbook compiled by the Training Centre. They return to the Training Centre for a two week revision and examination period at the end of the year. Subject to successful completion of the taskbook, the exams, an interview board and management reports, they are appointed Coastguard Watch Officers.
  Auxiliary Coastguard Operations Room Assistants receive up to 80 hours initial training locally during which time they are supernumery to the normal staff. They are required to pass examinations before being allowed to become a part of the watch. They receive 20 hours refresher training per annum thereafter.

  PQ 39357
  The information relating to dates when Coastguard stations were staffed below the recognised minimum staffing level is not readily available and will take time to compile. I will write separately when it is available.

  PQ 39477
  The financial effect of the introduction of Focus for Change will result in an overall reduction in costs as a result of more flexible shift patterns and reductions in overtime and payments to auxiliaries.

  PQ 39371
  The Portland SAR helicopter is on 15 minutes notice throughout the day, during which time the duty crew are permanently on station. There is no effect on take off times.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for the contracting out of Coastguard services. [39479]

  Mr. Bowis
  Coastguard has already contracted out much of its support services and its chief executive is considering the possibility of contracting out aspects of the agency's training services.

  Driver Fatigue
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the extent to which driver fatigue was a significant contributory factor among(a) heavy goods drivers and (b) public service vehicles in the cause of road accidents involving (i) fatal, (ii) serious and (iii) slight injuries. [38201]
  372
  Mr. Bowis
  A recent survey of heavy goods vehicle and car drivers found that tiredness was a principal factor in around 10 per cent. of accidents. The survey did not cover public service vehicle drivers. The survey included both damage-only and injury accidents. The number of fatal and serious accidents was too small to draw separate conclusions about.

  Air Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require air travel organisers' licence holders to ensure that all aircraft which they charter meet the United Kingdom standards of United Kingdom passenger liability insurance. [39360]

  Mr. Bowis
  No. My Department already requires evidence of adequate insurance to meet potential liabilities before granting permission for foreign aircraft to operate passenger services to and from the United Kingdom. However, the liability of air carriers in the event of loss or accident is a matter for each contracting state to determine in respect of its own carriers subject to minima, agreed internationally under the Warsaw convention.

  Ferry Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries that have signed the Stockholm agreement relating to ferry safety; and when the agreement comes into effect. [39392]

  Mr. Bowis
  As of 23 July 1996, the agreement had been signed by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The agreement will come into effect on 1 April 1997.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date he expects all the requirements of the Stockholm agreement relating to ferry safety to have been met. [39393]

  Mr. Bowis
  The requirements of the Stockholm agreement will be implemented on a progressive basis between 1 April 1997 and 1 October 2002, in accordance with the internationally agreed timetable.

  Fuel Consumption (New Cars)
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average mileage per gallon for new cars bought in Britain(a) in 1975, (b) in 1985 and (c) in 1995. [39841]

  Mr. Bowis
  The first year when average fuel consumption was calculated was 1978. The figure for 1995 is not yet available, but for 1978, 1985 and 1994, the figures are 30.91, 37.53 and 36.73 miles per gallon respectively.

  Port Waste Management Plans
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to establish a formal approval process for individual port waste management plans; if he will examine the need for additional resources for the Marine Safety Agency to carry out an approval process; and if he will make a statement. [39676]

  Mr. Bowis
  Guidelines issued by the Marine Safety Agency require local consultation between ports and their regular users in the preparation of port waste management
  373
  plans. We are currently consulting on proposed primary legislation which would enable the MSA to ensure that there is compliance with these guidelines.

  Accident Costs
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of an accident resulting in(a) fatal, (b) serious and (c) slight injury. [38204]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls) on 16 April 1996,Official Report, column 509.

  Wheel Loss
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 5 February,Official Report, column 5, when he intends to update the information leaflet outlining aspects of wheel loss and suggesting ways of dealing with the problem. [38213]

  Mr. Bowis
  The British standard code of practice for the selection and care of tyres and wheels for commercial vehicles, BS AU50 part 2 section 7a, was published on 15 December 1995. The Department's leaflet will be revised to reflect the guidance in the code of practice and it is intended to issue the leaflet by the end of October 1996.

  Vehicle Fuel Trials
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the results of the trials on the use of(a) liquefied petroleum gas, (b) compressed natural gas, (c) biodiesel, (d) city-diesel and (e) electric vehicles, were concluded; and when the plans to publish them. [39755]

  Mr. Bowis
  The alternative fuels trails are not due for
  completion until the end of this year. Results will be published in the spring of 1997.

  Diesel Vehicles
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many urban-based heavy and car diesel vehicles are currently licensed; and what was the figure 10 years ago. [39754]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Figures for registered keepers of diesel-powered vehicles in Great Britain for 1985 and 1995, with those in London boroughs and former metropolitan counties at the end of 1995, are as follows:

  Total diesel registered keepers (thousands)

  Private and light goods

  Heavy goods vehicles

  Others

  All

  End of 1985

  396

  497

  584

  1,477

  End of 1995

  3,094

  415

  564

  4,073

  End of 1995 data:

  London

  242

  33

  27

  301

  Manchester

  155

  26

  12

  193

  Merseyside

  48

  7

  8

  62

  374

  Total diesel registered keepers (thousands)

  Private and light goods

  Heavy goods vehicles

  Others

  All

  South Yorkshire

  67

  10

  11

  88

  Tyne and Wear

  42

  5

  7

  54

  West Midlands

  221

  29

  13

  263

  West Yorkshire

  106

  17

  12

  135

  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the length of time required after the introduction of European directives 1 and 2 concerning the reduction in emission from diesel vehicles for the entire United Kingdom fleet to comply with the lower limits. [39762]

  Mr. Bowis
  Departmental models used to estimate emissions from the diesel vehicle fleet assume that fewer than 2 per cent. of cars, heavy lorries and buses will fail to comply with the more stringent standards after 15, 16 and 19 years respectively. Since buses are commonly re-engined, the latter figure should be treated with caution.

  Passenger Aircraft
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger aircraft more than(a) 15, (b) 20 and (c) 25 years old are registered by the Civil Aviation Authority. [39025]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information, drawn from the UK register of civil aircraft as at 22 July 1996, is set out in the table:

  Aircraft over 5,700 kg maximum take-off weight with a Transport Category (Passenger) Certificate of Airworthiness

  Construction date

  Number on the UK register of civil aircraft

  1977 to 1981

  85

  1972 to 1976

  34

  Before 1972

  88

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passenger aircraft more than(a) 15, (b) 20 and (c) 25 years old are in service with (i) Air 2000, (ii) Air UK, (iii) Virgin, (iv) British Midland and (v) British Airways. [39024]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information, drawn from the UK register of civil aircraft as at 22 July 1996, is set out in the table:

  Aircraft over 5,700kg maximum take-off weight with a Transport Category (Passenger) Certificate of Airworthiness

  Airline

  Number of aircraft

  Constructed 1977 to 1981

  Constructed 1972 to 1976

  Constructed before 1972

  Air 2000

  0

  0

  0

  Air UK

  1

  0

  6

  British Airways

  38

  15

  7

  375

  Aircraft over 5,700kg maximum take-off weight with a Transport Category (Passenger) Certificate of Airworthiness

  Airline

  Number of aircraft

  Constructed 1977 to 1981

  Constructed 1972 to 1976

  Constructed before 1972

  British Midlands Airways

  0

  0

  0

  Virgin Atlantic Airways

  0

  3

  3

  Contractors (Financial Penalties)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contractors were subject to financial penalties for late completion of contracted works on the trunk road network; and what was the additional revenue raised from those penalties, in each year since 1991. [39291]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 24 July 1996:
  As you know, the Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many contractors were subject to financial penalties for late completion of contracted works on the trunk road network; and what was the additional revenue raised from those penalties, in each year since 1991.
  The information cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Search and Rescue
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the action his Department has taken for each of the recommendations made in (i) the Transport Committee's first report of Session 1994–95, on the future of the Coastguard Service (HC89) and (ii) the Transport Committee's first report of Session 1993–94 on the provision of search and rescue services (HC95). [39373]

  Mr. Bowis
  (i) The report made no specific recommendations.

  (ii) An interdepartmental review group was set up in July 1995 to examine the national requirement for search and rescue helicopters. The group has submitted its report and a copy has been placed in the Library. A formal consultation was undertaken on the conclusions of the report and on the future locations of search and rescue helicopters on the south coast. We are currently considering the results of that consultation.

  Flight Statistics
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the percentage of flights operated on scheduled services by British Airways and its franchises from(a) all United Kingdom airports, (b) London area airports and (c) Heathrow and Gatwick. [39500]

  Mr. Bowis
  In 1995, British Airways and its franchisees operated 38 per cent. of lights from all United Kingdom airports, 37 per cent. of those from London area airports and 42 per cent. of those at Heathrow or Gatwick taken together.

  Civil Aviation Authority
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require the Civil Aviation Authority to give greater representation on its board to passenger representatives. [39463]

  Mr. Bowis
  No. The board is not designed to represent specific groups. Passenger interests are safeguarded in other ways. For example, there exists the Air Transport Users Council which was set up by the CAA in 1973 to assist it in safeguarding the interests of airline users, as well as advising the CAA on matters of interest to air transport users.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent review he has conducted of the role, functions and structure of the non-ATC related parts of the Civil Aviation Authority; and if he will make a statement. [39461]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department is currently reviewing the role of the economic regulation group of the Civil Aviation Authority and its relations with the Department of Transport and other agencies. No decisions have yet been reached on the review's conclusions.

  Roads (Expenditure)
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that the reduction in planned expenditure on roads will not have an adverse effect on(a) routine maintenance of motorways and trunk roads, (b) road marking and traffic sign replacement, (c) grass cutting, litter collection and scavenging and (d) road safety measures; and if he will make a statement. [39266]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Simon Coombs, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question asking how he proposes to ensure that the reduction in planned expenditure on roads will not have an adverse effect on (a) routine maintenance of motorways and trunk roads, (b) road marking and traffic sign replacement, (c) grass cutting, litter collection and scavenging, and (d) road safety measures.
  The Highways Agency has reacted professionally and methodically to the reductions in funds available for trunk roads in the financial year 1996/97. As regards routine maintenance, we have identified and discussed with our Maintenance Agents areas of work where a temporary reduction in, or cessation of, activity would have least effect on safety and serviceability. For example, grass cutting will only be carried out where necessary to maintain safety and litter collecting and scavenging only as necessary for safety or to meet the requirements of environmental legislation.
  Programmes of capital maintenance works have been thoroughly examined, using value management and value engineering techniques, to ensure that the Agency's prime objectives of safety and serviceability are achieved as economically as possible. Some schemes, providing good value for money, have had to be postponed until next year.
  We have made a small contingency provision to ensure that all urgent safety problems will be investigated and work essential to maintaining safety will be carried out.

  Road Surfaces
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future use of porous asphalt and whisper concrete as surfaces on motorways and trunk roads. [39494]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question on the future use of porous asphalt and whisper concrete as surfaces on motorways and trunk roads.
  It is the Agency's standard practice to invite bids for road construction leaving the tenderers as many options to choose from as is technically possible. In the case of porous asphalt its use has been permitted since 1993. Its adoption is encouraged where conditions are technically suitable and where the benefits can be shown to outweigh the higher costs associated with its use.
  In the case of whisper concrete following the successful completion of trials its use was permitted from this Spring as an option for all trunk roads and motorways. Where flows exceed 75,000 vehicles per day whisper concrete is the only permitted concrete running surface.

  M6 and M1 (Congestion)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for congestion on the M6 and M1 of the use of Heathrow and Gatwick airports by passengers from northern England. [39402]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what assessment he has made of the implications for congestion on the M6 and M1 of the use of Heathrow and Gatwick Airports by passengers from northern England.
  We have made no such assessment.

  M6
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress made in the review to determine the practicality of small-scale improvements on the M6 between the west midlands and the north-west, announced in the document, "Managing the Trunk Road Programme;" and if these schemes are considered main programme or longer term schemes. [39493]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about M6 widening.
  We have made good progress with the reviews of the widening schemes between Junctions 11 and 16 in Staffordshire and Junctions 16 and 19 in Cheshire.
  378
  The reviews aim to reduce the scale and impact of the schemes, obtain best value for money and to protect the environment. All objections and comments on the published schemes are being taken into account as part of the review.
  The M6 in the West Midlands and the North West is a strategically important route in need of additional capacity. The widening schemes between these junctions are in the main programme.

  Road Programme
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of schemes in the current road programme which have had their route protection orders removed; and what effects this will have on their programmes for construction. [39492]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking if he will list the number of schemes in the current road programme which have had their route protection orders removed; and what effects this will have on their programmes for construction.
  For schemes in the current main programme no route protection notifications to local authorities have been removed. For schemes in the longer term programme, I have set out the schemes which have had their route protection withdrawn. Given current funding constraints, preparation work on all schemes in the longer term programme has been stopped and will be brought forward only after substantial progress has been made with the main programme.

  A2 Kidbrooke Park Road Interchange improvement

  A23 Handcross-Warninglid

  A40 Witney-Cassington

  A40 Witney-Stuart Farm

  A46 Upper Swainswick-Pennsylvania

  A46 Pennsylvania-Tormarton

  M27 Junction 4 to 11

  Air Travel (Staff)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the number of people employed by(a) airlines and (b) airports in the United Kingdom. [39509]

  Mr. Bowis
  Statistics on employment in air transport in the UK can be found in "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1995", table 1.26.

  Disabled Passengers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will encourage United Kingdom airports to spread charges for handling of disabled passengers across all passengers. [39506]

  Mr. Bowis
  This is a commercial matter for aiports and airlines to decide.

  Air Accidents Investigation Branch Report
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to publish the air accidents investigation branch report into the engine failure suffered by a Boeing 737, registration No. G-OBMM in 1995. [39369]
  379
  Mr. Bowis
  The report will be published on Thursday 25 July 1996.

  Commercial Airlines (Revenue)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total revenues received by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services from commercial airlines for the most recent year for which data are available. [39462]

  Mr. Bowis
  The CAA has assessed that, in 1995–96 £464.4 million was received, of which £428.3 million was received by NATS.

  Roadside Checks
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport(a) how many roadside spot checks are planned to be undertaken in Scotland by Vehicle Inspectorate officers during 1996–97; [38209]

  (2) how many (a) heavy goods vehicles and (b) public service vehicles were (i) examined at roadside spot checks and (ii) issued with immediate prohibition notices by Vehicle Inspectorate enforcement officers broken down by traffic area office in each of the last five years; [38150]

  (3) how many heavy goods vehicles were weighed by the Vehicle Inspectorate for each of the last five years; [38210]

  (4) if he will list the 10 most common mechanical defects found on (a) heavy goods vehicles and (b) public service vehicles at roadside spot checks; [38211]

  (5) what actions are available to enforcement officers when an unlicensed heavy goods vehicle is discovered at a roadside check. [38145]

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

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 July 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on:

  1 The 10 most common mechanical defects found at roadside spot checks;

  2 The number of HGVs weighed for the last 5 years';

  3 Action available to enforcement officers if an unlicensed HGV is discovered at a roadside check;

  4 The number of HGVs and PSVs issued with immediate prohibitions at roadside checks by traffic area for the last 5 years; and

  5 The number of roadside spot checks planned for Scotland in 1996/97.

  Information on the 10 most common mechanical defects at roadside spot checks for HGVs and PSVs can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  The number of HGVs weighed by VI for each of the last 5 years was:

  1991/92: 119,758

  1992/93: 124,004

  1993/94: 100,453

  1994/95: 120,297

  1995/96: 107,417

  380
  Details of the number of HGVs and PSVs i. examined at roadside spot checks and ii. issued with immediate prohibition notices in each of the last 5 years are shown in the attached table.
  If enforcement officers discover an unlicensed heavy goods vehicle at a roadside check they can report the operator for prosecution or for investigation. If the vehicle stopped has serious roadworthiness defects and the operator is unlicensed, the vehicle will be prohibited and the operator will be prosecuted for the mechanical defects and the unauthorised use of the vehicle.
  The number of roadside spot checks planned for Scotland is 587 (including special multi-agency checks). The numbers planned may vary, for example because of weather conditions or availability of the police. Checks in addition to these may also be arranged if police resources allow or if we are asked by the Department to carry out any particular special checks.

  (a) HGV

  (i) Spot checks

  (ii) Immediate prohibitions

  1995–96

  Scotland

  10,932

  977

  North West

  20,682

  1,785

  North East

  18,958

  1,672

  Western

  18,354

  1,550

  South Wales

  5,583

  357

  West Midlands

  13,201

  1,217

  East

  21,119

  1,235

  South East

  16,434

  1,416

  National

  125,286

  10,209

  1994–95

  Scotland

  13,278

  844

  North West

  22,565

  1,703

  North East

  18,577

  1,377

  Western

  19,395

  1,482

  South Wales

  5,571

  278

  West Midlands

  12,641

  1,161

  East

  19,961

  1,412

  South East

  18,047

  1,446

  National

  130,035

  9,703

  1993–94

  Scotland

  19,141

  1,330

  North West

  22,728

  1,377

  North East

  15,402

  1,279

  Western

  18,818

  1,404

  South Wales

  9,398

  473

  West Midlands

  15,348

  878

  East

  19,106

  1,358

  South East

  14,325

  852

  National

  134,266

  8,951

  1992–95

  Scotland

  13,588

  1,258

  North West

  24,313

  1,510

  North East

  20,291

  1,141

  Western

  16,472

  1,275

  South Wales

  5,889

  457

  West Midlands

  10,145

  740

  East

  25,593

  1,516

  South East

  18,090

  1,271

  National

  134,381

  9,168

  1991–92

  Scotland

  10,684

  1,020

  North West

  19.244

  1,504

  North East

  17,021

  1,214

  Western

  13,609

  1,072

  South Wales and West Midlands

  15,205

  1,281

  East

  28,315

  1,631

  South East

  13,403

  960

  National

  117,461

  8,682

  381

  (b) PSV

  (i) Spot checks

  (ii) Immediate prohibitions

  1995–96

  Scotland

  4,377

  288

  North West

  5,656

  455

  North East

  6,145

  285

  Western

  3,816

  197

  South Wales

  1,837

  59

  West Midlands

  3,003

  103

  East

  4,777

  169

  South East

  4,516

  174

  National

  34,127

  1,730

  1994–95

  Scotland

  4,020

  203

  North West

  6,261

  432

  North East

  6,006

  240

  Western

  2,933

  155

  South Wales

  1,821

  68

  West Midlands

  2,441

  96

  East

  3,768

  174

  South East

  5,576

  277

  National

  32,826

  1,645

  1993–94

  Scotland

  4,292

  234

  North West

  5,191

  316

  North East

  4,604

  277

  Western

  2,947

  89

  South Wales

  2,035

  81

  West Midlands

  3,491

  86

  East

  3,060

  150

  South East

  4,066

  164

  National

  29,686

  1,397

  1992–93

  Scotland

  4,059

  264

  North West

  4,813

  245

  North East

  4,237

  138

  Western

  2,883

  139

  South Wales

  1,853

  110

  West Midlands

  2,471

  68

  East

  2,995

  124

  South East

  6,231

  211

  National

  29,542

  1,299

  1991–92

  Scotland

  3,105

  304

  North West

  2,650

  257

  North East

  3,594

  163

  Western

  2,081

  144

  South Wales and West Midlands

  3,989

  182

  East

  2,698

  178

  South East

  2,989

  245

  National

  21,106

  1,473

  Bypasses and Service Stations
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the(a) road bypasses and (b) motorway service stations constructed in each financial year since 1991–92 together with their cost and location. [39288]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
  382
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question asking if he will list the (a) road bypasses and (b) motorway service stations constructed in each financial year since 1991–92 together with their cost and location.
  I have set out the bypasses and motorway service areas built since 1991–92 according to the financial year in which construction was completed. Since motorway service areas are built by private sector operators and the costs fall to them rather than the public purse, there is no comprehensive record of construction costs.

  Bypasses constructed in each financial year since 1991–92

  Title

  Location

  Works cost

  1991–92

  A11 Red Lodge Bypass

  Suffolk

  5.6

  A14 Kettering Southern Bypass

  Northamptonshire

  36.7

  A16 Louth Bypass

  Lincolnshire

  5.6

  A27 Brighton and Hove Bypass (Dyke Road-Patchem and Hangleton-Dyke Road)

  i East Sussex

  34.7

  A30 Zelah Bypass

  Cornwall

  3.9

  A35 Axminster Bypass

  Devon

  10.4

  A43 Blisworth and Milton Maisor Bypass

  Northamptonshire

  17.2

  A47 Castor—Ailsworth Bypass

  Cambridgeshire

  9.0

  A47 Eye Bypass

  Cambridgeshire

  7.2

  A518 Etwall Bypass

  Derbyshire

  3.5

  A59 Mellor Brook Bypass

  Lancashire

  2.6

  A595 Hensingham Bypass

  Cumbria

  7.4

  A6 Burton Latimer Bypass

  Northamptonshire

  2.3

  A6 Quorn—Mount Sorrel Bypass

  Leicestershire

  34.2

  A65 Draughton Bypass

  North Yorkshire

  3.0

  A650 Drighlington Bypass

  Leeds

  7.0

  A69 Brampton Bypass

  Cumbria

  5.8

  Total

  196.1

  1992–93

  A16 Ludborough Bypass

  Lincolnshire

  1.9

  A16 Stickford Bypass

  Lincolnshire

  1.3

  A27 Brighton and Hove Bypass (Patchem-Coldeen)

  East Sussex

  21.1

  A3 Liphook-Peterborough Bypasses

  Hampshire

  54.1

  A3 Milford Bypass

  Surrey

  9.4

  A41 Whitchurch Bypass

  Shropshire

  13.7

  A420 Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor Bypass

  Oxfordshire

  6.0

  A47 Narborough Bypass

  Norfolk

  2.8

  A47 Norwich Southern Bypass

  Norfolk

  11.5

  A5 Little Brickhill Bypass

  Buckinghamshire

  7.8

  A523 Macclesfield Relief Road (Bypass)

  Cheshire

  29.2

  A5A49 Telford-Shrewsbury Bypass

  Shropshire

  79.0

  A6 Market Harborough Bypass

  Leicestershire

  10.3

  Total

  248.0

  1993–94

  A14 Kettering Northern Bypass

  Northampton

  7.6

  A27 Crossbush Bypass

  West Sussex

  4.4

  A27 Westhampnett Bypass

  West Sussex

  10.6

  A39 Wadebridge Bypass

  Cornwall

  10.7

  A41 Berkhamsted Bypass

  Hertfordshire

  23.9

  A41 Kings Langley Bypass

  Hertfordshire

  27.2

  A41/A421 Bicester Bypass Stage 2 (A421 Bicester-Wendlebury (M40))

  Oxfordshire

  4.0

  A590 Dalton in Furness Bypass

  Cumbria

  9.0

  A595 Egremont Bypass

  Cumbria

  9.8

  A596 Wigton Bypass

  Cumbria

  6.9

  Total

  114.1

  1994–95

  M1 Leadenham Bypass

  Lincolnshire

  3.3

  A19 Easingwold Bypass

  North Yorkshire

  4.6

  A568 Widnes Eastern Bypass (North)

  Cheshire

  14.6

  A66 Stainmore-Banksgate Bypass

  Cumbria

  7.7

  Total

  30.2

  383

  Bypasses constructed in each financial year since 1991–92

  Title

  Location

  Works cost

  1995–96

  A17 Wigtoft—Sutterton Bypass

  Lincolnshire

  4.4

  A27 Brighton and Hove Bypass (Kingston-Hangleton)

  East Sussex

  19.5

  A30/A39 Indian Queens, Fraddon and

  Cornwall

  12.7

  St Columb Road Bypass

  A417 Brockworth Bypass

  Gloucestershire

  36.0

  A46 Leicester Western Bypass

  Leicestershire

  36.0

  A46 Norton—Lenchwick Bypass

  Warwickshire, Hereford and Worcestershire

  19.2

  A5 Fazeley, Two Gates and Wilnecote Bypass

  Staffordshire

  26.0

  A564 Foston, Hatton, Hilton Bypass

  Derbyshire

  19.4

  A65 Burley in Wharfedale Bypass

  Bradford MB

  5.5

  Total

  178.7

  MOTORWAY SERVICE AREAS CONSTRUCTED IN EACH FINANCIAL YEAR SINCE 1991–92

  1991–92: None

  1992–93: None

  1993–94: Strensham northbound replacement (M5 between Junctions 7 and 8)

  Tebay east (M6 between Junctions 38 and 39)

  Clacket Lane (M40 Junction 10)

  Cherwell Valley (M40 Junction 10)

  1994–95: Durham A1 (M)

  Warwick (M40 between Junctions 12 and 13)

  1995–96: Reading (M4 between Junctions 11 and 12)

  Strafford north (M6 between Junction 14 and 15)

  Birchanger Green (M11 Junction 8)

  1996–97: None.

WALES

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the animal welfare issues for which his Department has responsibility. [34284]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 25 June 1996]: The Welsh Office has responsibility for the welfare of livestock on farm, at market, at slaughter, for the welfare of all animals during transport and for domestic, wild and captive animals covered by the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and the Dangerous Dogs Acts of 1989 and 1991.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list(a) United Kingdom legislation, (b) EU legislation and (c) international treaties, conventions or other obligations concerning animal welfare for which his Department has responsibility. [34285]

  Mr. Evans
  [holding answer 25 June 1996]: The information requested is as follows:

  DOMESTIC LEGISLATION

  Welfare of animals on farm

  Docking and Nicking of Horses Act 1949 (Ch 70);

  The Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954 and 1964 (Ch 46 and Ch 39);

  Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 1962 (SI 1962 No. 2557);

  Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (1966 Ch 36);

  384

  Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 (1968 Ch 34);

  Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 1973 (SI 1973 No. 308);

  The Docking of Pigs (Use of Anaesthetics) Order 1974 (SI 1974 No. 798);

  The Welfare of Livestock Deer Order 1980 (SI 1980 No. 593);

  The Removal of Antlers in Velvet (Anaesthetics) Order 1980 (SI 1980 No. 685);

  The Welfare of Livestock (Prohibited Operations) Regulations 1982 (SI 1982 No. 1884);

  The Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) (Amendment) Order 1982 (1982 No. 1626);

  Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) (Amendment) Order 1982 (SI 1982 No. 1627);

  The Welfare of Livestock (Prohibited Operations) (Amendment) Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No. 114);

  Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (Schedule 3 Amendment) Order 1988 (SI 1988 No. 526);

  Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (Schedule 3 Amendment) Order 1991 (SI 1991 No. 1412);

  The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No. 2126).

  WELFARE OF ANIMALS AT MARKET

  The Welfare of Animals at Market Order 1990 (SI 1990 No. 2628);

  The Welfare of Animals at Market (Amendment) Order 1993 (SI 1993 No. 3085);

  The Welfare of Horses at Markets (and Other Places of Sale) Order 1990 (SI 1990 No. 2627).

  THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS DURING TRANSPORT

  The Transit of Animals Order 1927 (SI 1927 No. 289);

  The Transit of Animals (Amendment) Order 1927 (SI 1927 No. 399);

  The Animals (Sea Transport) Order 1930 (SI 1930 No. 923);

  The Transit of Animals (Amendment) Order 1931 No. 750);

  The Transit of Animals (Sea Transport) (Amendment) Order 1939 (SI 1939 No. 5842);

  The Horses (Sea Transport) Order 1952 (SI 1952 No. 1291);

  The Horses (Sea Transport) (Amendment) Order 1958 (SI 1958 No. 1272);

  The Export of Horses (Veterinary Examinations) Order 1966 (SI 1966 No. 507);

  The Export of Horses and (Excepted Cases) Order 1969 (SI 1969 No. 1784);

  The Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973 (SI 1973 No. 1377);

  The Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 (SI 1975 No. 1024);

  The Export of Horses and Ponies (Increase in Minimum Values) Order 1978 (SI 1978 No. 1748);

  The Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) (Amendment) Order 1979 (SI 1979 No. 1013);

  The Export of Animals (Protection) Order 1981 (SI 1981 No. 1051);

  The Transit of Animals (Amendment) Order 1988 (SI 1988 No. 815);

  The Welfare of Poultry (Transport) Order 1988 (SI 1988 No. 851);

  The Welfare of Poultry (Transport) (Amendment) Order 1989 (SI 1989 No. 52);

  The Welfare of Animals During Transport Order (SI 1994 No. 3249);

  The Welfare of Animals During Transport (Amendment) Order 1995 (SI 1995 No. 131).

  385

  Welfare of animals at slaughter

  The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995 No. 731).

  Other Legislation which has Welfare Implications

  The Animals (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 1927 (SI 1927 No. 290);

  The Animals (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 1938 (SI No. 5694);

  Animal Health Act 1981 (Ch 22);

  Animal Health Act 1981 (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 3293);

  Dangerous Dogs Acts 1989 and 1991;

  Protection of Badgers Act 1992;

  Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

  EC Legislation

  EC Directive 88/166 Laying Down Minimum Standards for the Protection of Laying Hens Kept in Battery Cages;

  EC Directive 91/628 on the Protection of Animals During Transport;

  EC Directive 91/629 Laying Down Minimum Standards for the Protection of Calves;

  EC Directive 91/630 Laying Down Minimum Standards for the Protection of Pigs;

  EC Direction 93/119 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Slaughter or Killing;

  EC Directive 95/29 Amending EC Directive 91/628 on the Protection of Animals During Transport.

  EUROPEAN CONVENTIONS

  European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes;

  European Convention for the Protection of Animals During International Transport;

  European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by group, division or other work unit the number of grades of staff working within his Department on animal welfare issues. [34286]

  Mr. Evans
  [holding answer 25 June 1996]: Animal welfare matters are part of the duties of a grade 7, a higher executive officer, an executive officer and an administrative officer in the Agriculture Department of the Welsh Office and of an HEO and an EO in the local government division. Senior officers and lawyers deal with animal welfare as necessary.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of Government money has gone to the assisted places scheme since its inception. [38227]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Total Government expenditure on the assisted places scheme in Wales, since inception in 1981, amounts to some £23.7 million. This has enabled almost 1,900 students from lower income households to lave access to good educational opportunities in the independent sector.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many public engagements he has carried out since his appointment. [38830]
  386
  Mr. Hague
  Since taking office I have undertaken at least 220 public engagements.

  Village Shops
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the consultation exercise undertaken on his proposals for rate relief for village shops. [39335]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Following the commitment given by my right hon. Friend in January this year, 325 copies of the consultation paper were issued to local authorities and to a wide range of organisations and many individuals who expressed an interest: 93 responses were received. Of these, 54 comment on the definition of a rural area for the purposes of the scheme and 18 suggest additional communities which should be included. We have carefully considered these responses and decided to include an additional 48 communities. The list will now comprise of all those communities which meet the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development definition of rurality, based on low population density, and all those communities which have a population in total of 3,000 or less and which border one or more communities which meet the OECD definition. This will bring in communities such as Llanrug in Gwynedd and Faenor in Ceredigion.

  A list of respondents to the consultation paper has been placed in the Library of the House, with the name of a person in the Welsh Office from whom copies of individual responses can be obtained. A list of communities to be covered by the rate of relief scheme, has also been placed in the Library of the House.

  Decisions on other aspects of the scheme will be announced in due course.

  Purchase Grant Scheme
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the consultation exercise undertaken on his proposals for exempting rural areas in Wales from the purchase grant scheme for housing association tenants. [39635]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Following the commitment given in January this year by my right hon. Friend, around 200 copies of the consultation paper were issued to local authorities, housing associations and other interested organisations: 12 responses were received. I have carefully considered these. I am confirming the proposals for the exemption which recognises the scattered population pattern which characterises much of rural Wales and provide protection to those sensitive areas which need it most. I am not making any changes to the list of exempted areas upon which we consulted.

  The deadline for responses to the final consultation paper giving detailed proposals for England is 29 July. My right, hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be announcing the outcome in due course.

  A list of respondents to the consultation paper has been placed in the Library of the House, and this contains a contact point in the Welsh Office for copies of individual responses.
  387
  List of Respondents to the Consultation Paper "Purchase Grant Scheme for Housing Association Tenants in Wales—Rural Exemption Proposals"

  The Countryside Council for Wales;

  The Country Landowners Association;

  Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association;

  Wrexham County Borough Council;

  Conwy County Borough Council;

  Monmouthshire County Council;

  City and County of Swansea;

  Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council;

  Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council;

  Vale of Glamorgan Council;

  Newport County Borough Council;

  The Chartered Institute of Housing.

  Copies of individual responses can be obtained from Mrs. K. M. Worsey on 01222 823903.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of how the proposed changes in the extra-contractual referral system reducing the prior notification and approval system will affect the access to treatment of patients of(a) fundholding and (b) non-fundholding general practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [39691]

  Mr. Hague
  Proposed changes in the extra-contractual referral system will not reduce the access to treatment of patients of either fundholding or non-fundholding general practitioners.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those making representations concerning the contents of the departmental letters of 12 and 20 June concerning extra-contractual referral administration. [39715]

  Mr. Hague
  In response to departmental letters of 12 and 20 June about extra-contractual referrals, commetns were received from the following:

  Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  Derwen NHS Trust

  Rhondda NHS Trust

  Carmarthen & District NHS Trust

  Nevill Hall & District NHS Trust

  Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimate he has made of the(a) number and (b) cost of treatments no longer requiring to be notified to purchasers in advance of treatment by virtue of the 2 July letter of guidance to health authorities, trusts and fundholders (i) between 1 August 1996 and 31 March 1997 and (b) in a typical year; and what is the estimated net annual administrative cost saving; [39739]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the level of extra-contractual referral activity in Wales in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what proportion of the total cost of extra-contractual referral was for (a) tertiary referral and (b) emergency reasons; what the total cost
  388
  was of administering the extra-contractual referral system for the latest available financial year; and if he will make a statement. [39710]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect of the abolition of the requirement for notification of extra-contractual referrals from 1 August on the explicit exclusions from current contracts with trusts for certain interventions(a) on grounds of clinical ineffectiveness and (b) on all other grounds. [39743]

  Mr. Hague
  It is not anticipated that the abolition of the requirement for notification of ECRs from 1 August will have any effect on explicit exclusions from current contracts either on grounds of clinical ineffectiveness or on any other grounds.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the current system for resolving disputed extra-contractual referral cases; and what proposals he has to revise the disputes procedure in the light of the new guidance letter of 2 July. [39705]

  Mr. Hague
  Disputed extra-contractual referral cases are referred to the Welsh Office for arbitration. Details were set out in guidance issued on 31 March 1995. It is not anticipated that these arrangements will be changed.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he is making to consult non-fundholding GPs on the proposed changes in the notification procedure on extra-contractual referrals which terminate the requirement for trusts to seek prior approval from health authorities before providing elective treatment to patients outside existing contracts. [39716]

  Mr. Hague
  Health authorities will be expected to work closely with all GPs in their area to agree suitable arrangements for dealing with extra-contractual referrals for elective treatments following the proposed abolition of the requirement for trusts to seek prior approval.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what arrangements he is making to publicise the changes in the extra-contractual referral system due on 1 August; [39712]

  (2) what provision he made for non-fundholding GPs to be notified of the proposed changes in the extra-contractual referral system as regards (a) the termination of the requirement to notify purchasers of emergency or tertiary extra-contractual referrals and(b) the exceptions to the changes. [39714]

  Mr. Hague
  Health authorities, NHS trusts and GP fundholders received formal notification of changes in the extra-contractual referral system in departmental guidance issued on 2 July. In the normal way, health authorities will be expected to ensure that the information is brought to the attention of all general practitioners in their area.
  389
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect of the abolition of requirement for notification of extra-contractual referrals from 1 August on the practice of general practitioner fundholder contracts with trusts requiring prior authorisation in advance of elective tertiary referrals; and if he will make a statement. [39744]

  Mr. Hague
  The abolition of the requirement for prior notification of elective tertiary referrals will apply equally to general practitioner fundholder contracts and those of health authorities.

  Emergency Hospital Beds
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Trust Executive Advisory Group in relation to the demand for medical emergency beds. [39674]

  Mr. Hague
  The chairman of the Trust Executive Advisory Group has written to my Department expressing a number of concerns about the allowance made for medical emergency care in health authority contracts for the present financial year.

  A joint action plan was agreed earlier this year between trusts and health authorities to minimise the risk of hospitals closing to emergency patients next winter. Health authorities have recently confirmed their commitment to this action plan and that this area of care is their top priority and the first call on the additional £55 million made available to them for 1996–97.

  Health authorities will shortly be sending my Department details of the allowance made for emergency admissions in their contracts for the present financial year. When this information is available, it will be possible to make an informed judgment of whether the concerns of trust chief executives are well based. If they are, health authorities will be asked to review their existing contracts and to adjust them accordingly.

  St. David's Hospital
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS trust and the Bro Taf health authority concerning the finalising of proposals for the replacement neighbourhood hospital on the St. David's hospital site. [39711]

  Mr. Hague
  None. My officials are in close touch with officers from both organistions who are responsible for preparing and agreeing the business case.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the fifth version of the Welsh ambulance policy and advisory group's proposals for Welsh ambulance trusts mergers; when it was received in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [39850]

  Mr. Hague
  I have not received any formal proposals. My Department would consult publicly on any formal 390
  application that was submitted and a copy would be placed in the Library of the House.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the introduction of a deficiency payments system for the under-30-month clean beef trade pending the return of normal market conditions; and if he will make a statement. [39713]

  Mr. Hague
  I have received representations from the Farmers Union of Wales asking for a deficiency payment system for the under-30-month clean beef trade.

  Resurgam Submarine Vessel
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will take steps to establish who(a) now owns the submarine vessel Resurgam and (b) has legal right of access to the vessel; and if he will make a statement; [39648]

  (2) if he will ensure that appropriate arrangements are made to salvage the submarine vessel Resurgam and to place it on public display in a suitable place; [39647]

  (3) what steps he is taking to protect against vandalism the British-powered submarine vessel Resurgam sunk off the north Wales coast in 1880 and found in October 1995. [39649]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Child Abuse
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his oral statement of 17 June,Official Report, columns 521–24, how long the tribunal of inquiry into north Wales child abuse is likely to sit. [40096]

  Mr. Hague
  I have discussed the question of a target date with Sir Ronald Waterhouse and have agreed with him that the aim should be for the tribunal to complete the taking of written and oral evidence by the end of 1997.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many parliamentary questions to his Department have been referred for answer to non-departmental public bodies for which he has responsibility, in each of the last six parliamentary sessions, and so far in the 1995–96 Session; and if he will make a statement. [38698]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The information requested is available only for the 1994–95 and current parliamentary Sessions.

  Parliamentary session

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Number of Parliamentary Questions referred to NDPBs

  38

  37

  391
  I have the discretion to decide whether, in answering a parliamentary question, I should ask the chief executive of the relevant NDPB to write direct to the hon. Member as an operational matter. Copies of all letters are placed in the Library of the House.

  Hospital Waiting Times
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients receiving(a) hip replacement, (b) cataract extraction, (c) kidney transplant and (d) hernia operations carried out by the NHS in Wales had to wait

  Percentage of cases1 admitted in 1995–96 who waited

  Operation

  More than 6 months

  More than 9 months

  More than 12 months

  More than 15 months

  More than 18 months

  Hip replacements

  27.9

  16.0

  8.0

  3.3

  0.8

  Cataract extraction

  30.2

  19.1

  10.3

  3.8

  1.5

  Hernia operations

  16.4

  8.3

  3.7

  1.4

  0.8

  1 Based on data available for 1,529 hip replacements, 8,551 cataract extractions and 3,502 hernia operations.

  NHS Staff
  Mr Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by family health services authority the number of(a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) midwives, (d) health visitors, (e) administration and clerical staff and (f) managers in (i) 1990, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995. [39201]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information is given in the following table. It relates to general medical practitioners, the staff they employed and the staff directly employed by the former family health services authorities but does not include staff employed by NHS trusts or the former health authorities.

  Staff in post at 1 October (whole-time equivalent numbers except for doctors)

  1990

  1992

  1994

  1995

  Clwyd

  Doctors1

  224

  226

  228

  230

  Practice nurses

  53

  37

  70

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  262

  281

  298

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  39

  54

  56

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  15

  15

  16

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  59

  59

  57

  Dyfed

  Doctors1

  212

  221

  225

  227

  Practice nurses

  69

  82

  87

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  217

  292

  291

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  34

  45

  55

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  12

  14

  11

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  52

  60

  61

  Gwent

  Doctors1

  243

  245

  249

  252

  Practice nurses

  77

  87

  85

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  292

  268

  271

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  44

  49

  49

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  7

  8

  8

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  60

  68

  64

  Gwvnedd

  Doctors1

  152

  157

  163

  167

  Practice nurses

  49

  55

  54

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  166

  177

  188

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  31

  32

  35

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  14

  16

  15

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  46

  49

  47

  392
  for (i) more than six months, (ii) more than nine months, (iii) more than 12 months, (iv) more than 15 months and (v) more than 18 months in the most recent year for which figures are available. [38850]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information is given in the following table. Not all hospitals provide the relevant data and therefore percentages are based only on cases where full data are available. There is no information on kidney transplant patients for 1995–96 but in the preceding year all such patients had their operations within six months.

  Staff in post at 1 October (whole-time equivalent numbers except for doctors)

  1990

  1992

  1994

  1995

  Mid Glamorgan

  Doctors1

  296

  306

  304

  296

  Practice nurses

  76

  99

  144

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  358

  364

  544

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  26

  41

  X4

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  13

  15

  17

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  69

  74

  68

  Powys

  Doctors1

  79

  78

  85

  87

  Practice nurses

  22

  21

  22

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  115

  101

  112

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  17

  18

  23

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  8

  10

  10

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  26

  30

  27

  South Glamorgan

  Doctors1

  234

  239

  245

  250

  Practice nurses

  56

  63

  69

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  272

  298

  324

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  48

  56

  57

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  7

  10

  10

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  60

  65

  66

  West Glamorgan

  Doctors1

  195

  204

  211

  210

  Practice nurses

  56

  75

  80

  n/a

  GP receptionist/secretarial2

  262

  274

  317

  n/a

  Practice management staff

  36

  56

  44

  n/a

  FHSA managers

  n/a

  6

  9

  9

  FHSA administrative and clerical staff3

  n/a

  48

  47

  48

  1 Numbers of unrestricted principals.

  2 Includes receptionists, secretarial/clerical staff and computer operators but excludes practice managers.

  3 Includes managers.

  n/a = Reliable information is not yet available.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the overall number of(a) administrative staff, (b) managerial staff, (c) nurses, (d) junior doctors and (e) other medical staff employed in each region for each of the last four years. [39202]
  393
  Mr. Jones
  The available information is given in the following table. The figures relate to staff directly employed by health authorities, NHS trusts, Welsh Health Common Services Authority and family health services authorities but excludes GPs and the staff they employ.

  Staff in post at 30 September (whole-time equivalent numbers)

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Administrative and clerical staff1

  9,498

  10,082

  9,905

  9,875

  Managers

  893

  1,159

  1,292

  1,350

  Nursing and midwifery staff2

  25,555

  25,422

  25,220

  24,728

  Junior doctors3

  1,472

  1,561

  1,604

  1,651

  Other medical staff4

  1,333

  1,371

  1,438

  1,493

  1 Including managers, some of whom have been reclassified from other staff groups in recent years.

  2 Excluding pre-registration learner nurses.

  3 House officers, senior house officers, registrars and senior registrars.

  4 Other grades in the hospital service and medical staff in the community service.

  Pupil Numbers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of(a) primary and (b) secondary pupils in each education authority in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [39192]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number of full time equivalent pupils as at January 1995 in local education authority maintained schools

  Primary

  Secondary

  Blaenau Gwent

  7,416

  3,949

  Bridgend

  12,729

  9,129

  Caerphilly

  17,807

  11,981

  Cardiff

  29,092

  19,450

  Carmarthenshire

  15,453

  11,845

  Ceredigion

  5,661

  4,949

  Conwy

  8,568

  3,098

  Denbighshire

  8,284

  6,580

  Flintshire

  13,875

  10,057

  Gwynedd

  9,904

  7,267

  Isle of Anglesey

  5,949

  4,938

  Merthyr Tydfil

  6,571

  4.551

  Monmouthshire

  6,646

  5,224

  Neath Port Talbot

  13,508

  9,120

  Newport

  14,302

  9,489

  Pembrokeshire

  10,702

  8,067

  Powys

  11,060

  8,071

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  25,404

  17,627

  Swansea

  21,774

  14,230

  Torfaen

  9,370

  6,492

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  11,796

  5,556

  Wrexham

  11,757

  6,796

  Wales

  277,628

  188,466

  Administration Costs
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total cost of administration for his Department, in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [39190]

  Mr. Hague
  This information is contained in my Department's annual report, which was published in March 1996, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Beaches
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what step the Welsh Office has taken to improve the standards of Welsh beaches; how much funding has been given to projects designed to improve the quality of Welsh beaches; and if he will make a statement. [39090]

  Mr. Hague
  Since privatisation of the water industry in 1989, water undertakers have been engaged in a programme of improvements to coastal discharges designed to achieve compliance with the mandatory standards of the EC bathing water directive (76/160/EEC) at all identified bathing waters. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water's programme of improvements approved in 1989 and costing over £200 million should be completed in 1997.

  In the five years to the year 2000 the company will invest a total of some £600 million on improvements to discharges affecting coastal waters. Together with the chairmen of the Wales tourist board and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, I launched the green sea initiative on 1 May. The objective of the collaborative environmental initiative, which is unique to Wales, is to achieve the more stringent guideline standards under the bathing water directive around the coast of Wales and to aim for 50 blue flag beaches by the year 2000.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many beaches in Wales failed to meet EU standards in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [39089]

  Mr. Hague
  The numbers of bathing waters in Wales identified under EC directive 76/160/EEC which passed and failed to meet the directive's mandatory bacteriological standards since 1990 are as follows:

  Year

  Number passing EC mandatory standards

  Number failing to meet EC mandatory standards

  1990

  35

  15

  1991

  45

  5

  1992

  39

  11

  1993

  42

  8

  1994

  38

  12

  1995

  49

  6

  Secretary of State (Work in Wales)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the percentage of his working time which he spends in Wales. [39078]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on Tuesday 4 June, column 369.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of 16-year-olds left school in Wales with no formal qualifications, for each education authority, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [39080]
  395
  Mr. Hague
  The readily available information for the years specified relates to those pupils, aged 16 and over, who left school without any GCSE, A or AS-level

  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

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Clwyd

  355

  7

  335

  8

  450

  10

  380

  9

  310

  7

  Dyfed

  565

  14

  570

  15

  335

  9

  405

  10

  350

  9

  Gwent

  815

  15

  900

  18

  645

  13

  635

  14

  620

  13

  Gwynedd

  325

  11

  280

  10

  235

  9

  205

  7

  145

  6

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,570

  24

  1,280

  20

  1,100

  19

  915

  16

  950

  17

  Powys

  105

  7

  45

  3

  75

  6

  65

  5

  70

  6

  South Glamorgan

  680

  15

  560

  13

  645

  14

  575

  14

  555

  13

  West Glamorgan

  650

  15

  385

  9

  500

  12

  470

  12

  375

  9

  Wales (including Independent Schools)

  5,080

  14

  4,400

  13

  4,030

  12

  3,695

  12

  3,395

  11

  1 From School Examinations Survey, of a sample of school leavers.

  2 From Intended Destinations of Pupils (RD1) Survey.

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Welsh schools which have sold playing fields to private companies; and if he will make a statement. [39082]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Number of full time equivalent qualified teachers in LEA maintained primary schools1

  School year

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Clwyd

  1,799

  1,745

  1,636

  1,579

  1,540

  1,521

  1,494

  1,466

  Dyfed

  1,765

  1,671

  1,592

  1,536

  1,522

  1,465

  1,402

  1,431

  Gwent

  2,001

  1,907

  1,830

  1,782

  1,732

  1,729

  1,739

  1,769

  Gwynedd

  1,166

  1,149

  1,127

  1,058

  1,033

  995

  971

  950

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,577

  2,467

  2,371

  2,264

  2,332

  2,252

  2,241

  2,200

  Powys

  599

  578

  541

  544

  546

  515

  603

  505

  South Glamorgan

  1,590

  1,559

  1,492

  1,430

  1,423

  1,425

  1,434

  1,450

  West Glamorgan

  1,753

  1,710

  1,616

  1,546

  1,522

  1,497

  1,501

  1,542

  Wales

  13,250

  12,786

  12,205

  11,739

  11,651

  11,399

  11,285

  11,313

  School year

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Clwyd

  1,488

  1,482

  1,510

  1,550

  1,563

  1,610

  1,569

  1,547

  Dyfed

  1,448

  1,554

  1,597

  1,599

  1,614

  1,625

  1,636

  1,599

  Gwent

  1,745

  1,756

  1,798

  1,801

  1,801

  1,843

  1,855

  1,870

  Gwynedd

  958

  951

  945

  926

  907

  926

  905

  941

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,279

  2,308

  2,347

  2,311

  2,355

  2,386

  2,416

  2,409

  Powys

  514

  518

  519

  508

  510

  513

  522

  531

  South Glamorgan

  1,498

  1,536

  1,607

  1,691

  1,716

  1,737

  1,747

  1,798

  West Glamorgan

  1,552

  1,566

  1,609

  1,615

  1,617

  1,646

  1,673

  1,668

  Wales

  11,482

  11,671

  11,932

  12,001

  12,083

  12,286

  12,323

  12,363

  1 At January each year. Excluding Grant Maintained schools.

  The Maximum weekly hours worked figure used to calculate the full time equivalent teacher numbers was changed in 1988–89 from 25 to 32.5, with the effect of reducing the overall number of full time equivalent teachers.

  396
  qualifications. Some of these pupils will have achieved other qualifications, such as the certificate of education. The information is contained in the following table.

  School Teachers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of(a) primary school and (b) secondary school teachers employed in each education authority in Wales in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [39084]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is as follows.
  397

  Number of full time equivalent qualified teachers in LEA maintained secondary schools1

  School year

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Clwyd

  1,945

  1,956

  1,930

  1,973

  1,973

  1,933

  1,871

  1,821

  Dyfed

  1,636

  1,646

  1,658

  1,660

  1,659

  1,636

  1,601

  1,573

  Gwent

  2,453

  2,375

  2,356

  2,343

  2,330

  2,245

  2,186

  2,115

  Gwynedd

  1,178

  1,192

  1,212

  1,244

  1,269

  1,261

  1,252

  1,200

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,856

  2,835

  2,689

  2,700

  2,784

  2,721

  2,624

  2,550

  Powys

  574

  575

  575

  570

  579

  591

  585

  577

  South Glamorgan

  1,985

  1,957

  1,929

  1,938

  1,895

  1,843

  1,801

  1,723

  West Glamorgan

  1,912

  1,904

  1,876

  1,845

  1,806

  1,739

  1,684

  1,640

  Wales

  14,539

  14,440

  14,225

  14,273

  14,295

  13,970

  13,604

  13,199

  School year

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Clwyd

  1,804

  1,718

  1,679

  1,676

  1,711

  1,680

  1,431

  1,376

  Dyfed

  1,539

  1,495

  1,469

  1,472

  1,480

  1,517

  1,535

  1,528

  Gwent

  2,035

  1,966

  1,889

  1,857

  1,817

  1,825

  1,761

  1,754

  Gwynedd

  1,170

  1,142

  1,110

  1,082

  1,074

  1,074

  1,035

  1,019

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,459

  2,380

  2,297

  2,271

  2,328

  2,378

  2,452

  2,500

  Powys

  567

  555

  544

  529

  537

  535

  544

  553

  South Glamorgan

  1,665

  1,606

  1,651

  1,641

  1,656

  1,675

  1,504

  1,502

  West Glamorgan

  1,618

  1,592

  1,531

  1,498

  1,421

  1,427

  1,451

  1,462

  Wales

  12,857

  12,454

  12,170

  12,026

  12,024

  12,111

  11,713

  11,694

  1 At January each year. Excluding Grant Maintained schools.

  The Maximum weekly hours worked figure used to calculate the full time equivalent teacher numbers was changed in 1988–89 from 25 to32.5, with the effect of reducing the overall number of full time equivalent teachers.

  EU Funding
  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the capital projects which have been funded by EU money in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [39086]

  Mr. Hague
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Wales how much(a) objective 2 and (b) objective 5b funding Wales received from the EU in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [39085]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Objective 21

  45.2

  24.2

  4.1

  Objective 5(a)2

  8.5

  7.3

  8.5

  EAGGF guidance fund

  Objective 5(b)1

  0.0

  21.2

  4.6

  1 Does not include ESF receipts which are the responsibility of DFEE.

  2 Does not include receipts that come to Wales via the Intervention Board Executive Agency (IBEA).

  Overall receipts of £241.3 million are anticipated for the programmes under objectives 2 and 5b which cover the years 1994–96 and 1994–99 respectively. The rules governing the drawdown of receipts from the European

  Average daily available beds

  Health Authority area

  Clwyd

  East Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Pembrokeshire

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  1979

  3,052

  2,098

  3,883

  1,570

  4,943

  466

  1,266

  3,584

  2,594

  1980

  3,015

  2,064

  3,923

  1,568

  4,864

  467

  1,180

  3,515

  2,607

  398
  Commission produce an uneven distribution across financial years. The first tranches were received during 1994–95, on approval of the programmes. Subsequent tranches can be drawn down only when certified eligible expenditure, declared in claims submitted by recipients of grant, reaches specific trigger levels. Payments under these programmes continue into the subsequent two financial years following the closure of the programme.

  Housing Waiting Lists
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of people currently on housing waiting lists in each local authority in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [39088]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of hospital beds available for use in each Welsh health authority in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [39092]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is given in the following table. Data for NHS trusts are included within the health authority area in which the trust was situated. The changes in bed numbers reflect shorter hospital stays and more patients requiring long-term care being treated in the community. Over the same period of time the number of in-patients and day cases admitted to hospitals in Wales has almost doubled.
  399

  Average daily available beds

  Health Authority area

  Clwyd

  East Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Pembrokeshire

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  1981

  2,991

  2,015

  3,836

  1,545

  4,793

  461

  1,161

  3,521

  2,618

  1982

  2,926

  1,800

  3,714

  1,529

  4,726

  473

  1,144

  3,523

  2,606

  1983–84

  2,946

  1,845

  3,697

  1,512

  4,725

  476

  1,072

  3,555

  2,584

  1984–85

  2,869

  1,796

  3,664

  1,564

  4,749

  465

  1,086

  3,553

  2,548

  1985–86

  2,792

  1,764

  3,595

  1,619

  4,585

  472

  1,049

  3,536

  2,587

  1986–87

  2,759

  1,737

  3,500

  1,628

  4,476

  472

  1,000

  3,434

  2,559

  1987–88

  2,669

  1,659

  3,477

  1,599

  4,364

  453

  998

  3,390

  2,494

  1988–89

  2,563

  1,623

  3,344

  1,594

  4,232

  470

  952

  3,357

  2,369

  1989–90

  2,443

  1,579

  3,208

  1,587

  4,047

  469

  908

  3,272

  2,343

  1990–91

  2,362

  1,562

  3,120

  1,552

  3,959

  460

  896

  3,203

  2,300

  1991–92

  2,304

  1,507

  2,889

  1,426

  3,826

  443

  848

  3,110

  2,288

  1992–93

  2,252

  1,491

  2,778

  1,434

  3,646

  437

  854

  2,940

  2,244

  1993–94

  2,168

  1,454

  2,630

  1,420

  3,499

  438

  815

  2,834

  2,217

  1994–95

  2,083

  1,369

  2,421

  1,431

  3,302

  424

  773

  2,808

  2,224

  NHS Managers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of(a) managers and (b) senior managers employed by each (i) Welsh health authority and (ii) Welsh health trust, and in total, in each applicable year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [39075]

  Mr. Hague
  Information on staff classified as managers as a separate group is available from 1987 but

  Managers in post (whole-time equivalent numbers) at 30 September

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Health authorities including staff in directly managed units and staff directly employed by FHSAs

  Clwyd

  6

  10

  27

  49

  99

  136

  40

  35

  37

  Dyfed

  4

  7

  22

  50

  83

  70

  48

  39

  36

  Gwent

  3

  6

  7

  54

  77

  90

  48

  30

  30

  Gwynedd

  5

  8

  8

  21

  32

  66

  74

  28

  27

  Mid Glamorgan

  6

  10

  12

  32

  90

  103

  119

  81

  77

  Powys

  2

  3

  8

  26

  39

  39

  15

  16

  16

  South Glamorgan

  4

  8

  61

  92

  142

  194

  159

  178

  43

  West Glamorgan

  5

  7

  29

  67

  80

  89

  78

  59

  54

  WHCSA1

  1

  5

  13

  46

  71

  86

  128

  153

  141

  NHS Trusts

  Bridgend and District

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  29

  35

  36

  Cardiff Community Healthcare

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  45

  Carmarthen and District

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  21

  22

  24

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  16

  20

  21

  Clwydian Community Care

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  53

  54

  52

  Derwen

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  19

  20

  East Glamorgan

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  20

  23

  Glan Clwyd Hospital

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  27

  29

  28

  Glan Hafren

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  40

  53

  52

  Gwent Community

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  49

  58

  69

  Gwynedd Community Health

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  23

  25

  Gwynedd Hospitals

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  14

  9

  Llandough

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  72

  72

  78

  Lanelli/Dinefwr

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  17

  19

  22

  Mid Glamorgan Ambulance

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  32

  36

  Morriston

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  22

  38

  Nevill Hall and District

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  18

  20

  North Wales Ambulance

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  6

  11

  Pembrokeshire

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  21

  21

  17

  17

  Powys Health Care

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  37

  37

  31

  Rhondda Health Care

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  20

  29

  South and East Wales Ambulance

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  27

  25

  25

  400
  data for managers and senior managers cannot be split reliably. The figures are given in the following table but data are not comparable from year to year. Later years' figures include staff who have been reclassified as managers following the extension of senior managers terms and conditions of service to allow inclusion of other staff. Information on the number of administrative and clerical staff, including managers, in Wales since 1979 is also shown in a following table.
  401

  Managers in post (whole-time equivalent numbers) at 30 September

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Swansea

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  15

  17

  17

  University Hospital of Wales Healthcare

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  108

  University Dental Hospital

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4

  Velindre

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  11

  12

  West Wales Ambulance

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  6

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  27

  30

  32

  Wales

  36

  64

  187

  436

  711

  893

  1,159

  1,292

  1,350

  1Welsh Health Common Services Authority including Health Promotion Wales.

  n/a = not applicable.

  Administrative and clerical staff (including managers) in post (whole-time equivalent numbers) at 30 September

  Number

  1979

  6,229

  1980

  6,287

  1981

  6,398

  1982

  6,446

  1983

  6,530

  1984

  6,675

  1985

  6,837

  1986

  6,969

  1987

  7,136

  1988

  7,326

  1989

  7,667

  1990

  8,185

  1991

  8,865

  1992

  9,498

  1993

  10,082

  1994

  9,905

  1995

  9,875

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the number of(a) three-year-old and (b) four-year-old children currently receiving nursery education in Wales; what is his estimate of the change in the number of three and four-year-olds who would receive nursery education under the nursery voucher scheme; and what evidence this estimate is based on. [39096]

  Mr. Hague
  At January 1995, an estimated 19,625 three-year-olds and 35,031 four-year-olds were in maintained and independent schools1. The voucher scheme will enable the parents of all four-year-olds to seek nursery education for their children for a full three terms in the setting of their choice, which is not always available under current arrangements. Take-up will depend on parental choice and the availability of places. The voucher scheme need not affect provision for three-year-olds, which remains at the discretion of local education authorities.
  1Statistics of Education and Training in Wales: Schools No. 4 1996; Table 2.2.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many 11 to 16-year-old pupils are 402
  (a) permanently excluded from (i) local education authority secondary schools and (ii) grant-maintained secondary schools, for the most recent year for which figures are available and (b) have been admitted following permanent exclusion from another school to (1) local education authority secondary schools and (2) grant-maintained secondary schools; and if he will make a statement. [39079]

  Mr. Hague
  The information available is in respect of pupils of all ages. In the 1994–95 academic year (i) 367 pupils were permanently excluded from local education authority secondary schools and (ii) 31 pupils were permanently excluded from grant-maintained secondary schools. Information on the numbers admitted to schools following permanent exclusion from another school is not currently available centrally.

  Empty Council Properties
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many empty local authority properties there are in each local authority in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [39118]

  Mr. Hague
  The information the hon. and learned Member has requested is not yet available by unitary authority as the figures are gathered on an annual basis. However, the following table shows the numbers of vacant properties in the areas of the old district councils.

  Vacant local authority dwellings1

  Number of vacant dwellings

  Aberconwy

  16

  Alyn and Deeside*

  88

  Arfon

  84

  Blaenau Gwent

  140

  Brecknock

  7

  Cardiff

  284

  Carmarthen

  8

  Ceredigion

  23

  Colwyn

  40

  Cynon Valley

  75

  Delyn*

  33

  Dinefwr

  33

  Dwyfor

  23

  Glyndwr

  26

  Islwyn

  61

  Llanelli

  160

  Lliw Valley

  60

  Meirionnydd*

  22

  Merthyr Tydfil

  203

  403

  Vacant local authority dwellings1

  Number of vacant dwellings

  Monmouth

  33

  Montgomeryshire

  20

  Neath

  118

  Newport

  140

  Ogwr

  325

  Port Talbot

  136

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  63

  Radnorshire

  22

  Rhondda

  140

  Rhuddlan

  11

  Rhymney Valley

  99

  South Pembrokeshire

  15

  Swansea

  320

  Taff-Ely

  67

  Torfaen

  281

  Vale of Glamorgan

  97

  Number of people statutorily recognised as homeless

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Aberconwy

  137

  104

  151

  148

  187

  195

  Alyn and Deeside

  474

  499

  633

  471

  476

  536

  Arfon

  77

  93

  103

  87

  56

  85

  Blaenau Gwent

  841

  761

  417

  668

  591

  584

  Brecknock

  269

  318

  318

  281

  359

  226

  Cardiff

  2,483

  4,052

  4,555

  5,649

  4,638

  2,052

  Carmarthen

  189

  227

  363

  301

  282

  259

  Ceredigion

  331

  373

  340

  359

  269

  288

  Colwyn

  103

  178

  176

  274

  241

  210

  Cynon Valley

  623

  1,017

  543

  434

  241

  243

  Delyn

  825

  683

  503

  384

  414

  281

  Dinefwr

  181

  410

  542

  626

  519

  375

  Dwyfor

  162

  127

  104

  97

  65

  87

  Glyndwr

  46

  87

  70

  86

  58

  91

  Islwyn

  370

  399

  414

  442

  807

  332

  Llanelli

  297

  383

  284

  259

  241

  156

  Lliw Valley

  379

  369

  192

  169

  190

  111

  Meirionnydd

  250

  257

  174

  141

  145

  174

  Merthyr Tydfil

  496

  365

  238

  355

  296

  385

  Monmouth

  281

  388

  286

  338

  278

  247

  Montgomeryshire

  188

  259

  296

  273

  251

  316

  Neath

  610

  656

  757

  652

  526

  514

  Newport

  2,696

  2,936

  2,283

  1,819

  1,540

  1,414

  Ogwr

  1,332

  1,809

  2,095

  2,520

  2,260

  2,693

  Port Talbot

  303

  340

  369

  363

  308

  269

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  209

  255

  359

  311

  269

  312

  Radnorshire

  64

  45

  82

  55

  100

  98

  Rhondda

  166

  358

  374

  240

  192

  212

  Rhuddlan

  293

  177

  91

  162

  111

  143

  Rhymney Valley

  439

  395

  335

  424

  340

  333

  South Pembrokeshire

  248

  205

  171

  214

  192

  231

  Swansea

  450

  1,779

  1,622

  1,864

  3,072

  2,506

  Taff-Ely

  568

  743

  770

  845

  612

  584

  Torfaen

  1,216

  1,038

  952

  818

  737

  410

  Vale of Glamorgan

  1,160

  1,184

  1,139

  458

  391

  553

  Wrexham Maelor

  863

  730

  864

  613

  692

  660

  Ynys Mon

  97

  111

  204

  294

  176

  197

  Wales

  19,716

  24,110

  23,169

  23,494

  22,122

  18,362

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the percentage of(a) primary school children and (b) secondary school children, who are taught in classes of 30 or more in Wales, and if he will make a statement. [39193]
  404

  Vacant local authority dwellings1

  Number of vacant dwellings

  Wrexham Maelor

  177

  Ynys Mon

  71

  Wales

  3,521

  1The data relate to the position on 1 April 1996 except when marked* where they relate to 1 April 1995.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were statutorily recognised as homeless in each Welsh local authority in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [39191]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the following table:

  Mr. Hague
  Information about primary school class sizes is collected centrally only in respect of the number of classes, not the number of pupils in the classes. Twenty-two per cent. of ordinary classes in primary schools had more than 30 pupils at January 1995. The information requested in respect of secondary school class sizes is not collected centrally.
  405
  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what research he has evaluated on the effect of class size on(a) primary and (b) secondary school children's education; and if he will make a statement; [39076]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the average size of classes in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Wales. [39117]

  Mr. Hague
  Average class sizes in 1994–95—the latest year for which figures are available—were 20.2 in secondary schools and 25.9 in primary schools.

  It is for individual schools to determine class sizes according to their own circumstances and priorities.

  I have made no evaluations of research in this area. Good education depends on good planning and effective teaching.

  In-patient Admissions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of ordinary in-patient admissions by region in each of the last four years. [39203]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is given in the following table. Data for NHS trusts are included within the health authority area in which the trust was situated.

  Number of in-patient cases1

  Health authority area

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–962

  Clwyd

  73,209

  72,527

  73,906

  69,876

  East Dyfed

  40,606

  42,353

  41,033

  39,747

  Gwent

  74,455

  75,450

  74,423

  73,381

  Gwynedd

  39,567

  40,123

  40,421

  40,180

  Mid Glamorgan

  96,152

  97,597

  98,766

  101,283

  Pembrokeshire

  17,613

  17,131

  17,437

  17,714

  Powys

  9,180

  8,962

  9,736

  9,718

  South Glamorgan

  83,940

  84,105

  84,268

  86,732

  West Glamorgan

  69,625

  69,907

  73,427

  75,177

  Total

  504,347

  508,155

  513,417

  513,808

  1Discharges and deaths.

  2Provisional.

  MRSA
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the hospitals in Wales that have recorded incidents of MRSA—methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus—since 1990; and how many patients suffered in each incident. [39020]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 22 January,Official Report, column 102. Data available from the MRSA surveillance project under way in Wales need to be addressed with caution. Data from this project are shown in the following table:

  Laboratory confirmed cases of MRSA in Wales

  Laboratory

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Bangor Public Health Laboratory

  92

  132

  113

  Bridgend Princess of Wales

  0

  0

  12

  Bronglais Hospital

  9

  25

  28

  406

  Laboratory confirmed cases of MRSA in Wales

  Laboratory

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Caerphilly Hospital

  18

  29

  55

  Cardiff Public Health Laboratory

  5

  29

  55

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  179

  0

  0

  Carmarthen Public Health Laboratory

  18

  36

  49

  East Glamorgan Hospital

  0

  0

  0

  Llandough Hospital

  104

  19

  204

  Llanelli Prince Phillip

  18

  0

  0

  Merthyr Prince Charles

  80

  93

  50

  Nevill Hall

  1

  0

  145

  Newport Royal Gwent

  2

  2

  53

  Rhyl Public Health Laboratory

  3

  4

  31

  Swansea Morriston

  9

  0

  0

  Swansea Singleton

  2

  65

  219

  Withybush Hospital

  1

  0

  13

  Wrexham

  0

  8

  149

  Wales

  541

  442

  1,176

  Source:

  CDSC Welsh Unit MRSA Surveillance Programme in Wales.

  Notes:

  Data on MRSA collected during the period 1994 to 22 July 1996.

  Completeness of reporting by laboratory is variable.

  Increased emphasis was placed on reporting in 1996 and additional features requested.

  Data may include some GP referrals.

  The numbers indicated are patients identified with MRSA. Only a proportion of these will have clinical illness, (estimated at 50 per cent.) due to MRSA infection. The remainder will be carriers of the organism.

  Cottage Hospitals
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cottage hospitals which have been closed in Wales since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [39091]

  Mr. Hague
  Hospitals which have been closed since 1979 and were not district general or psychiatric hospitals are given in the following list. The list excludes St. Lawrence hospital, Chepstow and Talgarn miners rehabilitation hospital which were not classed as cottage hospitals. During the same period six cottage hospitals have opened.

  The NHS in Wales is treating more patients than ever. Since 1979 the number of in-patients and day cases admitted to hospitals has nearly doubled and the number of new out-patients seen has increased by about 50 per cent.

  Adelina Patti

  Allt-yr-yn

  Blackmill

  Bridgend and District

  Caernarfon Cottage

  Catherine Gladstone

  Chatsworth House

  Cefn Hirgoed

  Cefn Mably

  Children's ENT, Cardiff

  Cilymaenllwyd

  Colwyn Bat Maternity

  Cwmdonkin

  Druid

  Energlyn

  Fedw Hir

  Galltysil

  407

  Glan Ely

  Glyncornel

  Gors Maternity

  Groesynyd

  LLangwyfan

  Llwynderw

  Madoc Memorial

  Merthyr General

  Mount Pleasant, West Glamorgan

  Neale Kent

  Neath Annexe

  Pentwyn Cottage

  Pontypool and District

  Pontypridd Cottage

  Port Talbot1

  Prince Edward's War Memorial

  Rhiwfelin

  Snatchwood

  St. David's, Brecon

  St. David's Cardiff

  St. David's, Gwynedd

  Stanley Sailors

  Tyntyla

  1As no in-patients are treated the building is no longer classed as a hospital.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the expenditure by his Department on crime prevention, in each of the last five years for which the figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [39077]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department has no formal policy responsibility for crime prevention, although some expenditure within Welsh Office programmes is for crime prevention activity.

  Identifiable Welsh Office expenditure on crime prevention in each of the last three years is listed as follows:

  1994–95: £1,083,000

  1995–96: £1,729,000

  1996–97: £1,832,000

  Comparable figures are not available for previous years.

  Other schemes funded by the Welsh Office also include elements of crime prevention, but it is impossible to quantify the amounts specific to it.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh language schemes as set out in the Welsh Language Act 1994 have been(a) submitted to and (b) approved by the Welsh Office; and if he will make a statement. [39081]

  Mr. Hague
  This is an operational matter for the Welsh Language Board, established by the Welsh Language Act 1993, the responsibilities of which include the receipt and 408
  approval of schemes. I have asked the chief executive to write directly to the hon. Member and will place a copy of his letter in the Library of the House.

  Education Authority Grants
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Welsh Office grant for each education authority in Wales in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [39083]

  Mr. Hague
  Support for local government spending through revenue support grant and redistributed non-domestic rates is not hypothecated to specific services. Allocations of education related specific grants paid to local authorities are shown in the following table: Details of grant allocations to unitary authorities for 1996–97 are not available.

  Specific and supplementary grants relating to education1

  £ Million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Clwyd

  15.1

  21.9

  25.5

  25.9

  22.0

  20.1

  Dyfed

  15.7

  21.6

  25.8

  26.1

  22.9

  21.5

  Gwent

  16.3

  23.5

  28.6

  28.5

  23.8

  23.4

  Gwynedd

  11.0

  15.8

  17.1

  17.6

  15.3

  14.3

  Mid Glamorgan

  15.9

  24.2

  27.5

  28.9

  17.8

  22.5

  Powys

  4.5

  6.7

  8.0

  7.8

  6.7

  6.1

  South Glamorgan

  16.0

  23.1

  28.2

  28.9

  24.6

  20.9

  WestGlamorgan

  14.9

  20.7

  23.5

  23.2

  20.0

  18.0

  1Includes grants for Education Support and Training (GEST), Welsh language education, education of children of travellers and displaced persons, mandatory student awards, training agency (TVEI) and Work Related Further Education (WRFE).

  Forestry
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hectares of forest have been cut down and built on since 1979; what percentage of the total area of forest in Wales this represents; and if he will make a statement. [39087]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Housing
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many housing association houses were built in each Welsh local authority in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [39093]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is given in the following table. The numbers shown are based on local authority returns which may underestimate the level of activity.

  New housing association dwellings completed, by district 1993 to 1995

  District

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Aberconwy

  82

  72

  87

  Alyn and Deeside

  50

  23

  107

  Arfon

  74

  70

  29

  Blaenau Gwent

  0

  3

  71

  Brecknock

  21

  71

  54

  Cardiff

  420

  385

  356

  Carmarthen

  45

  24

  23

  409

  New housing association dwellings completed, by district 1993 to 1995

  District

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Ceredigion

  0

  12

  32

  Colwyn

  12

  36

  52

  Cynon Valley

  66

  36

  50

  Delyn

  131

  46

  49

  Dinefwr

  107

  7

  16

  Dwyfor

  49

  17

  4

  Glyndwr

  22

  25

  0

  Islwyn

  54

  0

  9

  Llanelli

  0

  6

  27

  Lliw Valley

  0

  71

  27

  Meirionnydd

  27

  32

  51

  Merthyr Tydfil

  30

  51

  51

  Monmouth

  124

  39

  89

  Montgomeryshire

  130

  203

  56

  Neath

  43

  60

  69

  Newport

  67

  10

  49

  Ogwr

  268

  234

  55

  Port Talbot

  22

  72

  11

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  66

  72

  73

  Radnorshire

  63

  38

  50

  Rhondda

  58

  79

  40

  Rhuddlan

  24

  108

  30

  Rhymney Valley

  87

  38

  69

  South Pembrokeshire

  22

  95

  39

  Swansea

  347

  369

  356

  Taff Ely

  31

  82

  67

  Torfaen

  222

  105

  79

  Vale of Glamorgan

  32

  41

  0

  Wrexham Maelor

  56

  200

  17

  Ynys Mon

  1

  0

  14

  Wales

  2,721

  2,746

  2,064

  Source:

  Local authority and NHBC returns.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the numbers of council houses(a) newly built and (b) restored to use in each local authority in Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [39102]

  Mr. Hague
  The number of council houses completed in the last five years is given in the following table. Information on the number of council houses restored to use is not collected centrally.

  New local authority dwellings completed, by district

  District

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Aberconwy

  0

  0

  0

  20

  0

  Alyn and Deeside

  67

  22

  0

  16

  0

  Arfon

  1

  20

  0

  0

  0

  Blaenau Gwent

  2

  0

  0

  0

  26

  Brecknock

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cardiff

  35

  6

  0

  0

  1

  Carmarthen

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ceredigion

  37

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Colwyn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cynon Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Delyn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dinefwr

  0

  0

  6

  0

  0

  Dwyfor

  8

  0

  3

  0

  0

  Glyndwr

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Islwyn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Llanelli

  98

  0

  31

  45

  78

  Lliw Valley

  0

  0

  5

  0

  29

  Meirionnydd

  12

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  410

  New local authority dwellings completed, by district

  District

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Monmouth

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Montgomeryshire

  31

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Neath

  33

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Newport

  0

  0

  6

  108

  4

  Ogwr

  0

  13

  0

  0

  0

  Port Talbot

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  18

  8

  14

  12

  0

  Radnorshire

  0

  28

  0

  6

  0

  Rhondda

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Rhuddlan

  26

  20

  25

  0

  6

  Rhymney Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Pembrokeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Swansea

  0

  0

  58

  20

  6

  Taff Ely

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Torfaen

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  Vale of Glamorgan

  29

  16

  24

  0

  0

  Wrexham Maelor

  21

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ynys Mon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wales

  418

  133

  172

  227

  176

  Source:

  Local authority and NHBC returns.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total number of civil servants employed by his Department(a) broken down by category and (b) in total, in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [39119]

  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.

  Public Bodies (Women Appointees)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 11 June,Official Report, column 84, what was, in each year since 1990, (a) the percentage of women holding appointments on public bodies and (b) the percentage of women appointees to public bodies by the year of appointment. [39545]

  Mr. Hague
  The information for the years 1993 to 1996 on women holding appointments is contained in "Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  For previous years, the available information is contained in the annual publication "Public Bodies", available in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39298]

  Mr. Hague
  There have been three violations since 1986:

  1986: Speeding offence—No cost to the Department (paid by driver);

  411

  1990: Parking offence—£16;

  1990: Speeding offence—No cost to the Department (paid by driver).

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative hon. Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39526]

  Mr. Hague
  Nil.

SCOTLAND

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 343, about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested; [37520]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 28 March, Official Report, columns 671–72, about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested. [37523]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The examination of more than 20,000 files dating back to 1987–88.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current provision of road signage on the road network marking the border between Scotland and England. [38633]

  Lord James-Douglas Hamilton
  The Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible for signing on the motorway and trunk road network in Scotland which includes the border routes of A7, A68, Al and A74(M). There are currently signs on all these routes to mark the border crossings. Discussions are in progress with the Scottish tourist board to upgrade the existing signs to complement the new tourist signposts which have recently been approved throughout the rest of the trunk road network.

  Basking Sharks
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy in respect of proposals to give basking sharks endangered species protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Acts; and if he will make a statement. [38810]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This matter is being considered as part of the current quinquennial review of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee has already consulted widely over its proposals for additional species which should receive protection as part of the current reviews. The committee's412
  recommendations are expected to be put to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for State for the Environment in the autumn. Full consideration will be given to the committee's recommendations before a decision is taken as to which species should be afforded protection.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [39137]

  Mr. Kynoch
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many staff are assumed in his Department's budget as 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; [39471]

  (2) what is the cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time to provide information and publicity in 1996–97, specifying the law officers separately; [39453]

  (3) 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; [39427]

  (4) what was the cost of staff employed full time and part time (a) to provide information and publicity and (b) to work on the press and media in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1994–95, and (iii) 1993–94, specifying separately staff of the law officers; [39403]

  (5) what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media, specifying separately staff of the Law Officers. [39344]

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

  Examination Subjects (Pre-testing)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those examination subjects at(a) standard grade, (b) higher grade and (c) certificate of sixth year studies in which the pre-testing of questions by the Scottish Examination Board has been discontinued since 1992. [37870]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  There are no subjects in which pre-testing of examinations has been discontinued since 1992. For operational reasons higher English interpretation was not pre-tested in 1996. Pre-testing will take place as usual in 1997.

  Hospital Waiting Times
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients receiving(a) hip replacements, (b) cataract extraction, (c) kidney transplants and (d) hernia operations were carried out by the NHS in Scotland had to wait for (i) more than six months, (ii) more than nine months, (iii) more than 12

  Year ended 31 December 1995

  Number of patients waiting

  Operation

  Total number of operations

  Greater than six months

  Greater than nine months

  Greater than 12 months

  Greater than 15 months

  Greater than 18 months

  Cataract extraction

  15,010

  2,951

  957

  226

  109

  37

  Kidney transplants

  43

  18

  11

  6

  4

  2

  Hernia operation

  9,045

  1,296

  552

  171

  74

  36

  Hip replacements

  3,975

  916

  387

  103

  31

  12

  All figures are provisional.

  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the consortiums bidding to develop the new Edinburgh royal infirmary under the private finance initiative; and when he expects to announce the preferred bidder. [38800]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are two consortiums currently under consideration by the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS trust for the development of the new facility. These are:

  Consort (consisting of Royal Bank of Scotland, BICC and others).

  Alliance (consisting of John Laing, the British Linen Bank and others).

  The selection and announcement of preferred bidder is entirely a matter for the trust, which is currently indicating a decision in September.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his current estimate of the cost of the new Edinburgh royal infirmary(a) under the private finance initiative scheme and (b) as a conventional public sector development; and if he will publish an analysis of the differences between those alternatives. [38802]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The current conventional public sector option estimate of capital cost of the new royal infirmary building is £178 million. Fees, on-costs and equipment may add approximately £60 million to this figure.

  The private finance costs are currently subject to a competitive process and figures are not yet known.

  The preferred private sector bid will be compared to the public option in a full business case, to be approved by Scottish Office Ministers, who will be accountable to Parliament for the decision process outlined in the document.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations are being undertaken with 414
  months, (iv) more than 15 months and (v) more than 18 months in the most recent year for which figures are available. [38853]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table. The main factor in waiting times for kidney transplants is the availability of organs and not hospital resources.

  NHS trusts and local authorities in the Lothian area about reductions in existing hospital services in anticipation of the development of the new Edinburgh royal infirmary; what is the timetable for those consultations; and if he will make a statement. [38799]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Clinical activity is expected to rise in the Lothian health board area in future years. The new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh will play a key part in providing the services needed to meet this increased activity. Lothian health board consulted widely on its plans for acute hospital services before its acute services strategy was approved.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds are being planned for the new Edinburgh royal infirmary; and if he will make a statement on changes from the original proposal. [38801]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of beds at the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh will be determined in the light of forecast numbers of patients to be treated and developments in patterns of treatment. These are matters for the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS trust to discuss with the consortiums tendering for the project.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the health service projects in Scotland in respect of which unsuccessful efforts have been made to pursue funding under the private finance initiative since 1 January 1995. [38814]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The following projects have actively explored PFI options in that they have openly advertised inviting proposals, and have been unsuccessful in these explorations.
  415

  Borders General Hospital NHS Trust (Day Case Unit)

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust (Child and Family Psychiatry Unit)

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust (Challenging Behaviour Unit)

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust (Infectious Diseases Unit)

  Yorkhill NHS Trust (Theatres Complex)

  West Lothian NHS Trust (Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit)

  Southern General Hospitals NHS Trust ('Westmarc' Centre)

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has collated regarding expenditure incurred by each health board and NHS hospital trust in Scotland in unsuccessfully pursuing funding for projects through the private finance initiative since 1 January 1995; and if he will make a statement. [38815]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The projects which have unsuccessfully pursued PFI options have been listed previously. Expenditure incurred during these explorations is not recorded and held centrally. However, expenditure will be minimal as each project discovered that PFI was not a viable option at an early stage, shortly after advertising the scheme. Only internal management time can be attributed to this exploration. Each scheme is now proceeding as a publicly funded project.

  The NHS executive operates a capital investment panel which advises trusts on the capital investment process. All capital schemes should normally explore PFI options. However, where a PFI option is not realistic, Government guidance allows that a full exploration need not take place. Based on the evidence of precedents, experience and informal soundings, the capital investment panel is able to indicate to a trust or board that a PFI exploration is likely to be fruitless and that a full exploration is not expected.

  In-patient Admissions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of ordinary in-patient admissions by region in each of the last four years. [39200]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the following table:

  Health board of residence

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Argyll and Clyde

  80,883

  83,740

  86,547

  87,814

  Ayrshire and Arran

  68,557

  70,219

  76,128

  75,154

  Borders

  18,274

  19,109

  19,633

  19,836

  Dumfries and Galloway

  26,808

  27,533

  29,800

  30,139

  Fife

  56,348

  57,967

  57,128

  58,964

  Forth Valley

  45,934

  47,979

  47,909

  47,438

  Grampian

  91,121

  92,807

  94,934

  95,101

  Greater Glasgow

  180,740

  179,048

  188,255

  188,190

  Highland

  34,960

  36,673

  37,320

  38,711

  Lanarkshire

  95,097

  96,623

  102,722

  102,524

  Lothian

  127,082

  134,493

  140,267

  141,913

  Orkney

  3,082

  3,196

  3,332

  3,267

  Shetland

  3,682

  3,933

  4,035

  4,241

  Tayside

  74,864

  75,794

  75,149

  74,776

  Western Isles

  5,654

  5,989

  6,421

  6,729

  Scotland Total

  913,086

  935,103

  969,580

  974,797

  Health Service Staff
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list by health board the number of(a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) midwives, (d) health visitors, (e) administration and clerical staff and (f) managers in (i) 1990, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995; [39198]

  (2) if he will list the overall number of (a) administrative staff, (b) managerial staff, (c) nurses, (d) junior doctors and (e) other medical staff employed in each region for each of the last four years. [39199]

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) managers, (b) nurses and (c) nurses in training there were in the Scottish NHS in (i) 1989 and (ii) 1995. [39321]

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

  Speech Therapy
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial resources he made available to local authorities in Scotland in each of the last three financial years to make provision for speech therapy for recorded children; and what level of resources has been made available for 1996–97. [38980]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Under arrangements which came into force in 1992, education authorities contract with health boards or other providers for the provision of speech therapy services to meet the needs of recorded children. The following sums have been included in the annual local government settlement for this purpose: in 1993–94, £2 million; in 1994–95, £3 million; in 1995–96, £3 million; and in 1996–97, £3 million.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many recorded children in each local authority area received speech therapy as a direct result of the funding made available by him for that purpose in each of the last three financial years. [38982]

  Mr. Robertson
  This information is not held centrally.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are taken to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of expenditure incurred for the provision of speech therapy for recorded children. [38981]

  Mr. Robertson
  The discharge of the statutory duty to make adequate provision of speech and language therapy for a recorded child, where this has been identified as one of the child's special educational needs, is the responsibility of the education authority. This is achieved by the education authority contracting with health boards and other providers of speech and language therapy services, and it is for the education authority to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this expenditure.

  School Placements
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the target period within which a parent should receive a decision, by a local authority, on a requested school placement. [38977]
  417
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Section 28 A(l) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, as amended, requires education authorities to respond to requests for a place at school at the start of the school year in August by 30 April of that year if the request was lodged before 15 March in the same year, or within two months of receipt if the request was made after that date. Education authorities must also respond within two months of receipt of placing requests made in-year. Where an education authority fails to respond within the time limit it is deemed to have refused the request.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statutory duty a local authority has in relation to considering a school placement request by a parent. [38978]

  Mr. Robertson
  Where the parents of a child make a written request to an eduation authority to place that child in a specified school, section 28A(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 places a duty on the education authority to place that child accordingly unless one or more of a number of grounds of exception set out in section 28A(3) applies. Those grounds are as follows:

  (a) If placing the child in the specified school would

  i. make it necessary for the authority to take an additional teacher into i employment;

  ii. give rise to significant expenditure on extending or otherwise altering the accommodation at or facilities provided in connection with the school;

  iii. be seriously detrimental to the continuity of the child's education; or

  iv. be likely to be seriously detrimental to order and discipline in the school or the educational well-being of the pupils there;

  (b) if the education normally provided at the specified school is not suited to the age, ability or aptitude of the child;

  (c) if the education authority has already required the child to discontinue his attendance at the specified school;

  (d) if, where the specified school is a special school, the child does not have special educational needs requiring the education or facilities normally provided at that school;

  (e) if the specified school is a single sex school (within the meaning givne to that expression by section 26 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975) and the child is not of the sex admitted or taken (under that section) to be admitted to the school.

  A change in the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 which will come into force shortly introduces a further ground which will enable an education authority to refuse a placing request. That further ground is where the acceptance of a placing request in respect of a child who is resident outwith the catchment area of the school specified in the request would prevent the education authority from retaining reserved places at the school for children moving into the area.

  Under the 1980 Act authorities are also obliged to formulate guidelines to be followed in respect of placing in schools generally, or in the event of there being more placing requests than there are places available at a particular school.

  Records of Needs
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the target period for completion of an appeal to the Secretary of State on a record of needs; how many appeals on records of needs he has received in each of the 418
  last three financial years; and what was the average time taken in each of the last three financial years to finalise Secretary of State appeals on record of needs. [38979]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The number of appeals to the Secretary of State under section 64 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 in each of the last three financial years was seven in 1993–94, nine in 1994–95 and 14 in 1995–96. There is no target period set for completion of an appeal to the Secretary of State. Appeals determined in each of the last three financial years took on average 54 weeks in 1993–94, 93 weeks in 1994–95 and 85 weeks in 1995–96.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of traffic violations involving Departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39302]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is not held centrally; traffic violations are dealt with between the individual concerned and the police.

  Private Hospital Beds
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many private beds there were in(a) NHS hospitals and (b) private hospitals in 1989 and 1995. [39316]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There were 113 private beds available in NHS hospitals in 1989. Data on private beds in the NHS are no longer collected. Information on private hospitals is not held centrally.

  Elective Surgery
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of elective surgery operations carried out(a) under the NHS and (b) privately in (i) 1989 and (ii) 1995. [39318]

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

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what account measures to reduce hospital waiting lists take of medical priority; and if he will make a statement. [39283]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Health boards and NHS trusts must always give priority to medical considerations when undertaking measures to reduce the time patients wait for treatment.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were covered by private medical insurance in 1989 and 1995. [39317]

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

  Health Service Waiting Lists
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to reduce waiting lists in the NHS; and what estimate he has made of the costs of these plans. [39282]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The national health service in Scotland has successfully reduced the time patients wait for treatment. The Government expect health boards to increase and improve the guarantees on waiting times that they give to their resident population, and provide appropriate funding through the revenue allocation formula.

  MEP for Strathclyde, West
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received in the last year from the Member of the European Parliament for Strathclyde, West concerning constituents of the hon. Member for Eastwood; and if he will send copies of these representations to the hon. Member for Eastwood. [39646]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Member of the European Parliament for Strathclyde, West wrote to my right hon. Friend on 13 June making representations about press reports on the alleged distribution of material relating to Reid Kerr college by a political party. I replied on 8 July indicating that the matter was being investigated. These inquiries are continuing.

  Reid Kerr College, Paisley
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the members of staff of Reid Kerr college, Paisley, who are elected representatives of the Labour party. [39658]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will examine all contracts for roofing and re-roofing allocated by Reid Kerr college, Paisley, since it came under Scottish Office control, with special reference to ensuring these contracts conformed to the Government's announced policy on competitive tendering. [39645]

  Mr. Robertson
  As the House is rising today for the summer recess, I shall make the necessary inquiries and write to my hon. Friend when these are complete.

  Crofting Land (Allocation)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria he uses for the allocation of crofting land to new tenants; and if he will make a statement. [39576]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and the Environment will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Clyde Port Authority
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the years in which the Clyde port authority has failed to make annual reports to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [39563]

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

  Residential Care Home Registration (Report)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report from the working group on residential care home registration procedures; and if he will make a statement. [39973]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The working group recently submitted its report to my right hon. Friend and copies will be placed in the Library of the House and distributed widely among interested bodies. The report makes a large number of recommendations for change under three main groups: guidance and administrative action, subordinate legislation and primary legislation. The Government have a duty to ensure that people in residential care are properly looked after and that high standards of care prevail and we therefore propose that work be put in hand now to take forward a substantial number of these recommendations straight away.

  We accept and have already begun work on the guidance recommendations. These cover closer working arrangements between local authorities and health boards, particularly the development of joint inspection units, training, pre-registration activity and registration criteria including those for supported housing and, subject to further consideration, cancellation procedures and the removal of residents from homes. In addition, we propose to take forward the recommendations for setting up a national consultative group to devise and promote nationally recommended guidelines and quality of care standards and for a national list of persons whose registration has been refused or cancelled. The recommendations requiring subordinate legislation will also be taken forward, notably reviewing the prescribed form of application for registration, Scottish Criminal Record Office checks, notification of change of key personnel and maintenance of residents' records. These changes, taken together, will help clarify local authority procedures and promote good practice.

  The usual consultations with the appropriate bodies will be undertaken on all of these matters. We will also consider very carefully those recommendations which are dependent on primary legislation. Some are quite far-reaching such as the recommendation that the manager of a care home should not also be a resident's GP or professional adviser. Others are designed to simplify and streamline existing procedures. We intend to consult fully on these proposals before reaching a firm view.

  Finally, I would like to acknowledge the commitment of the members of the working group and the helpful and co-operative way which they went about their task.

  Fishing Vessels (Transfers)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instigate a joint policy with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to implement the option available under article 8 of Council regulation EC No. 3699/93 of allowing vessels to be permanently transferred to a third country and permanently re-assigned for uses other than fishing in Community waters; and if he will make a statement. [40099]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Scottish Water Authorities
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reduction has been made to the external financing limits of the Scottish water authorities consequent upon the commutation of debt announced on 8 February 1996. [39972]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Local authority debt of £0.7 billion was commuted before being transferred to the new water authorities on 1 April this year.

  As a consequence, a reduction has been made in the authorities' external financing limits to reflect the reduced debt servicing charges. The table shows the external financing limits for 1996–97, pre- and post-commutation, of the three authorities:

  £ million

  Pre-commutation

  Post-commutation

  North of Scotland Water Authority

  82

  65.9

  East of Scotland Water Authority

  87

  70

  West of Scotland Water Authority

  105.3

  83.9

  Total

  274.3

  219.8

  These reductions ensure that there is no increase or decrease in public expenditure provision for the water authorities as a result of the debt commutation.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of the other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative hon. Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39515]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Meetings at which hon. Members of only one party are present are not the responsibility of my Department.

  Knab Graveyard Extension
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes to issue a consent notice under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, in response to a request from Shetland Islands Council relating to an alleged statutory nuisance at the Knab Graveyard extension, Lerwick. [37864]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: No. On the basis of the information available at the time of the request from Shetland Islands council, it was not considered appropriate to use the consent power in section 79(10) of the Act. I understand that the matter has been referred to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency which is considering the terms of an authorisation under part I of the Act. The agency has received no complaints about dust nuisance at the site since 4 June.

  Rural Land Use
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what strategic powers he has over development on private landed estates in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [37994]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: The cornerstone of the legislative framework governing development on private landed estates in Scotland is the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 as amended. This provides the basis for development plans—structure and local plans—and for development control and other related matters.

  Structure plans provide the strategic land use planning framework for 10 to 15 years ahead and are prepared by planning authorities. They must be approved by the Secretary of State before they come into force. He may approve structure plans with or without modification, or reject them.

  The vast majority of decisions on planning applications are taken by planning authorities. However, the Secretary of State has powers to call in any planning application or appeal for his own determination.

  Mortality Statistics
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many deaths have been recorded in Scotland for each of the past 10 years in the period December to March; [38051]

  (2) what estimate he has made of (a) the number and (b) the percentage rate of excess winter mortalities in each of the last 10 years. [38053]

  Mr. Michael Forysth
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: There is no universally accepted definition of excess winter deaths and it would not be possible to calculate a rate for these. The total number of deaths in the period December to March for each of the past 10 years are as follows:

  Winter

  December-March

  1985–86

  24,762

  1986–87

  22,577

  1987–88

  22,317

  1988–89

  22,079

  1989–90

  25,497

  1990–91

  21,859

  1991–92

  22,217

  1992–93

  22,416

  1993–94

  22,504

  1994–95

  21,510

  Beaufort's Dyke
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on the Scottish Office Marine Laboratory survey in and around Beaufort's dyke; when and how he expects the results to be published; and if he will make a statement. [38974]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The survey is in progress and will, on present plans, conclude at the end of July 1996. The results will thereafter be published in full as soon as they have been collated and analysed.

DEFENCE

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United States Government have since 1966 requested the United Kingdom to provide reactor grade plutonium for the purpose of conducting a nuclear test explosion under the provisions of the US-UK mutual defence agreement on atomic energy co-operation. [38500]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No such requests have been made by the United States.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [39141]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  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 administrative and taxation burdens; and where appropriate provide direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  My Department supports the DTI's small business measures and initiatives. I am the Minister within this Department for small businesses and I attend or am represented at the DTI's regular meetings.

  The Defence Suppliers Service assists companies, including small businesses, in making contact with appropriate contracts branches. It also arranges for details of many forthcoming tenders to be published in the fortnightly MOD Contracts Bulletin which is available to any interested party on subscription. This enables small businesses either to seek to tender directly for specific requirements or, more commonly, to become sub-contractors to larger companies.

  Since the Procurement Executive of the Ministry of Defence moved to the new procurement headquarters at Abbey Wood near Bristol earlier this year, the Defence Suppliers Service is in contact with the Bristol chamber of commerce and DTI's business links, whose south-west regional supply network office has become their national focal point for the defence industry. Other areas of the country can reach my Department, and be reached by us, through the business links network.

  As much of the assistance provided by my Department to small businesses tends to be in the sub-contractor sector, it is not possible to establish suitable performance parameters and therefore no statistics are available.

  Rendlesham Forest (Incident)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what response his Department made to the report submitted by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt 424
  relating to events in Rendlesham forest in December 1980; what interviews were held; and if he will make a statement; [39247]

  (2) who assessed that the events around RAF Woodbridge and RAF Bentwaters in December 1980, which were reported to his Department by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt were of no defence significance; on what evidence the assessment was made; what analysis of events was carried out; and if he will make a statement. [39249]

  Mr. Soames
  The report was assessed by the staff in my Department responsible for air defence matters. Since the judgment was that it contained nothing of defence significance no further action was taken.

  Uncorrelated Radar Tracks (Investigations)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions RAF aircraft have been(a) scrambled and (b) diverted from task to investigate uncorrelated targets picked up on radar; and if he will make a statement. [39218]

  Mr. Soames
  In the past five years RAF aircraft have been scrambled or diverted from task on two occasions to intercept and identify uncorrelated radar tracks entering the United Kingdom air defence region.

  Unidentified Craft
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his Department's assessment of the incident that occurred on 5 November 1990 when a patrol of RAF Tornado aircraft flying over the North sea were overtaken at high speed by an unidentified craft; and if he will make a statement; [39245]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the unidentified flying object sighting reported to his Department by the meteorological officer at RAF Shawbury in the early hours of 31 March 1993. [39246]

  Mr. Soames
  Reports of sightings on these dates are recorded on file and were examined by staff responsible for air defence matters. No firm conclusions were drawn about the nature of the phenomena reported but the events were not judged to be of defence significance.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department made of the photograph of an unidentified craft at Calvine on 4 August 1990; who removed it from an office in secretariat (air staff) 2a; for what reasons; and if he will make a statement. [39248]

  Mr. Soames
  A number of negatives associated with the sighting were examined by staff responsible for air defence matters. Since it was judged that they contained nothing of defence significance the negatives were not retained and we have no record of any photographs having been taken from them.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39353]
  425
  Mr. Soames
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) 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; [39436]

  (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. [39415]

  Mr. Soames
  In 1995–96 we employed a combination of 170 military and civilian staff to cover both the MOD and the armed forces press and public relations activities worldwide. They include staff working on the major service and civilian in-house newspapers and magazines. Of the total number of staff employed 69 were service personnel.

  As at March 1995—for 1994–95—the figure was 160. For 1993–94 the figure was 175.

  The total annual salary bill for these personnel for 1995–96 is estimated at £6.6 million. Actual outturn is spread across many budgets and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 1994–95 and 1993–94 are not available.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many staff employed (i) full time and (ii) part time, are budgeted to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39380]

  (2) 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; [39364]

  (3) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39440]

  (4) what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and media in 1996–97. [39974]

  Mr. Soames
  We employ a combination of 174 military and civilian staff to cover both the MOD and the armed forces press and public relations activities worldwide. They include staff working on the major Service and civilian in-house newspapers and magazines. Of the total number of staff employed, 59 are service personnel.

  The total annual salary budgeted for these personnel in 1996–97 is £6.6 million.

  It is not practical to differentiate between work on press and media, and information and publicity.

  Recruitment and Retention
  Sir Jim Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve recruitment and retention in the armed forces. [39640]

  Mr. Portillo
  A number of measures are being taken to encourage recruiting and retention in the armed forces. These include targeted recruitment advertising campaigns; payment of a recruiting bounty to marines and soldiers 426
  who persuade others to enlist; and payment of a retention bonus to those who serve beyond the three-year commitment in the Royal Marines and the Army where most shortages occur.

  There was a much improved level of recruitment in the final quarter of 1995–96 and that has continued into the current year. In the first quarter of this year there was a 53 per cent. increase in Army enlistments compared with the same period last year; enlistments into the infantry have almost doubled. In addition, over a similar period, there has been a 35 per cent. increase in applications for Royal Marines, general duties.

  The Government have also been considering the proposals made by Sir Michael Bett's independent review of the services' manpower, career and remuneration structure.

  My guiding principle is to seek to develop terms and conditions that will enable the services to recruit and retain people of the right calibre and with the mix of skills required for our armed forces in the future.

  More work is still required on detailed options. It is likely that those will be set out in a report later this year which would provide the basis for an information exercise within the forces.

  Medical Reservists (Bosnia)
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical reservists are currently serving in Bosnia, broken down by medical specialty. [38688]

  Mr. Soames
  There are 58 medical reservists currently serving in Bosnia, 52 of whom are attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps. They comprise 48 combat medical technicians, three medical officers and one anaesthetist. The remaining six reservists are nursing officers with the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

  Defence Sales
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) of 9 July,Official Report, column 130, (1) if he will publish a similar table covering the sale of Government-to-Government warlike platforms; and if he will define the term warlike platform; [38208]

  (2) if he will state if the sales included (a) special clothing and (b) laundry or decontamination equipment for biological and chemical protection. [38207]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  These are matters for the Disposal Sales Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Keith Ellender to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 24 July 1996:
  I am replying to your Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence, asked in response to the Answer given to the Honourable Member for Pendle on 9th July, Official Report, Column 130. These matters fall within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Disposal Sales Agency.
  The question to which my answer of 9 July referred, related to surplus uniforms, other clothing and non-combat equipment. In order to respond to the question, the term non-combat equipment was deemed to exclude Government to Government sales of ships, aircraft, armoured vehicles, artillery, missiles, ammunition and other armaments. The figures requested for these sales are as follows:
  427

  Financial year

  £ million

  1990–91

  16.8

  1991–92

  8.2

  1992–93

  21.6

  1993–94

  39.1

  1994–95

  23.3

  1995–96

  38.6

  The figures given in my earlier answer did not include sales of laundry or decontamination equipment for biological and chemical protection. Nor did they include sales of special clothing, if special clothing is to be interpreted as Nuclear Biological and Chemical clothing.

  Military Provost Guard Service
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will include a psychological testing programme as part of selection procedures used for military provost guard service personnel to be employed in the policing of his Department's establishments before the commencement of the pilot study in April 1997. [38151]

  Mr. Soames
  Military provost guard service personnel will be trained soldiers, employed on guarding duties at Army establishments, not policing duties. There are no plans to include a psychological testing programme in the selection procedures for military provost guard service personnel.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the proposed procedures of independently investigating complaints against personnel of the military provost guard service; [38125]

  (2) if he will set up an independent investigation authority to investigate complaints against personnel of the military provost guard service, before the commencement of the pilot study of the policing of his Department's establishments in April 1997. [38126]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department will not be setting up an independent investigation authority to investigate complaints against personnel of the military provost guard service. All military provost guard service soldiers will be subject to military law and Queen's Regulations for the Army and are answerable to their commanding officers, like any other soldier, on all discipline issues. Any complaints by members of the public against military provost guard service will be investigated fully by the relevant authorities. Offences by service personnel in the United Kingdom affecting the persons or property of civilians must, except in some minor cases, be reported to the civil police so that a decision can be taken by the appropriate prosecuting authority on jurisdiction.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what types of checks are proposed for the military provost guard service personnel before they are able to carry and use the 5.56 mm SA80 high velocity rifle; and how frequently these checks are made; [38119]

  (2) what type of assessment is proposed for the military provost guard service personnel's ability to carry and use arms; what checks will exist for different types of arms; and how frequently these checks will be made before the commencement of the pilot study of the policing of Ministry of Defence establishments in April 1997. [38128]
  428
  Mr. Soames
  Military provost guard service soldiers will be recruited to Army training directive standards. All soldiers complete an annual personal weapons test (trained soldier)—valid for one year—on their personal weapon each year. MPGS soldiers will make periodic practices with their personal weapon at the direction of their commanding officer as a routine part of their soldiers' continuation training.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has held over the suitability of the 5.56 mm SA80 high velocity rifle, for the policing, guarding and security of Ministry of Defence establishments. [38120]

  Mr. Soames
  Consultation has taken place with specialist departments within Government on the suitability of the 5.56 mm SA80 high velocity rifle to meet the policing, guarding and security requirements of my Department's establishments.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the length and type of training which will be required of military provost guard service for the policing of his Department's establishments, before the commencement of the pilot study of the policing of his Department's establishments in April 1997. [38122]

  Mr. Soames
  Military provost guard service personnel will be employed on guarding duties at Army establishments. They will not undertake any policing duties. The training requirements for military provost guard service soldiers were set out in a consultative document, "Defence Policing and Guarding Structures", issued by my Department in December 1995, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the selection procedures proposed for selection of military provost guard service personnel. [38124]

  Mr. Soames
  The main source of recruits for the military provost guard service is expected to be full engagement regular soldiers who have served six years in the armed forces. Their suitability for employment in the military provost guard service will be based on their service confidential reports and an interview. Any recruits without previous military experience will first be required to undergo and pass the Army common military syllabus (recruits) course. All military provost guard service recruits will be expected to meet physical standards which enable them to pass the Army bi-annual basic fitness test for their age group.

  MOD Police
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the selection procedures currently used for Ministry of Defence police personnel employed in policing his Department's establishments. [38123]

  Mr. Soames
  The Ministry of Defence police apply recruitment criteria similar to those in general use in the police service. These include the national police initial recruitment test, a medical examination and a physical fitness test. There is also a group discussion exercise, two written exercises and a structured interview, evaluated by
  429
  trainee assessors. The process accords with procedures set out by the Bramshill police staff college. The assessment also includes consideration of the suitability of the applicant to be trained in the use of and to handle firearms.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what type of assessment is currently made on the Ministry of Defence police personnel's ability to carry and use arms; what checks exist for different types of arms; and how frequently these checks are made; [38127]

  (2) what checks are currently made on Ministry of Defence police personnel before they are able to carry and use the 5.56 mm SA 80 high velocity rifle; and how frequently these checks are made. [38129]

  Mr. Soames
  All potential recruits to the Ministry of Defence police prior to recruitment are assessed over a three-day period for their suitability for police training. This includes an assessment of their suitability for firearms training, made by experienced trainers qualified to Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines standards. Those who are successful and join the MDP receive a 15-week recruit course which contains 20 days' training on two types of firearms, the 5.56 mm SA80 high velocity rifle and the 9 mm Browning pistol. Failure to achieve a satisfactory and safe standard on both weapons leads to failure of the course and termination of employment with MDP. The recruits are assessed on their skills, attitude, accuracy and safe handling of the weapons. Dependent on the role of the police officer, the qualities are re-checked, and the individual officers required to re-qualify on the weapons, every three or four months throughout their careers.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the length and type of training required of Ministry of Defence police for the policing of his Department's establishments. [38121]

  Mr. Soames
  Recruits to the Ministry of Defence police undertake a 15-week residential probationer's foundation training course at the police training centre, MDP Wethersfield. Its purpose is to help officers develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes to act competently, with confidence and integrity and to provide a high quality service to my Department and the community. It includes training in essential skills and knowledge of the law through written, oral and practical exercises. Further training in supervisory and specialist skills, and refresher courses, is given during an MDP officer's career.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39519]

  Mr. Portillo
  So far as I am aware, no bookings have been made in my name or those of my departmental ministerial colleagues. But it is my practice to meet Conservative Members who have an interest in defence 430
  matters, on the day of defence questions, usually in a ministerial conference room.

  Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. [38985]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the hon. Members for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) and for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 10 July 1996,Official Report, column 216.

  Married Quarters Estate
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the areas of land involved in his Department's sale of the married quarters estate which were acquired or requisitioned under the Defence Acts of 1842 and 1873 and the Land Powers (Defence Act) 1958; [39331]

  (2) if land compulsorily purchased or requisitioned will be first offered back to the original owners involved in his Department's sale of the married quarters estate; [39332]

  (3) what assessment he made of the Crichel Down regulations in the formulation of his Department's plans to sell the married quarters housing stock; [38780]

  (4) if he will place in the Library a copy of the legal advice he has received on the implications of the Crichel Down regulations for his Department's plans to sell the married quarters housing stock; [38782]

  (5) if he will list the properties which his Department proposes to include in the sale of married quarters housing stock which are currently being considered in relation to the Crichel Down regulations; and what is the estimated retail value of these properties. [38781]

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

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of traffic violations involving Departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39311]

  Mr. Soames
  This information is not held centrally.

  Radiation (Greenham)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the 1997 report by W. N. Saxby into radiation levels around Greenham. [39699]

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

  Hospital Beds
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hospital beds were managed by his Department in each of the last five years. [39767]

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

  Parliamentary Questions (Arms Sales)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to report to Parliament on his review of the criteria adopted to judge whether to provide substantive answers to parliamentary questions tabled on arms sales. [39735]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Spring) yesterday Official Report, columns 212–13.

  Greenham Airbase (Accident)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where the remains of the B47 bomber which was destroyed by fire at Greenham airbase on 28 February 1958 are; and when and how they were put there; [39695]

  (2) how many (a) British and (b) United States reports were produced concerning the accident at Greenham airbase which was referred to in the report by Cripps and Stimson; how many of the reports have been made public; and if he will place a copy of each of these reports in the Library; [39697]

  (3) if (a) the hangar and (b) the B47 bomber, referred to in the report by Cripps and Stimson, contained uranium. [39700]

  (4) where the remains of the hangar which was destroyed by fire at Greenham airbase on 28 February 1958 are; and when and how they were put there; [39696]

  (5) what reports there have been into accidents at Greenham airbase involving uranium since 1966; and if he will place a copy of each in the Library; [39766]

  (6) where, in relation to the main runway at Greenham airbase, was the B47 bomber which was referred to in the report by Cripps and Stimson which he placed in the Library; [39694]

  (7) for what reasons the report by Cripps and Stimson which he placed in the Library last week was not released in accordance with the normal 30-year rule. [39698]

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the official service inquiry report of the accident at Greenham common on 28 February 1958 involving a B47 bomber. [39790]

  Mr. Soames
  I will write to the hon. Members.

  Housing Stock
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are his Department's current plans for the construction of accommodation at RAF Boulmer; and what is the cost to his Department; [39787]

  (2) if accommodation currently being constructed by his Department at (a) Catterick garrison, (b) RAF Boulmer and (c) Albemarle barracks is included in his plans for the sale of his Department's housing stock; [39789]

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 15 July, Official Report, column 359, what is the total cost of his Department's current accommodation construction projects. [39786]

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

  Radiation (Newbury)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what further tests of radiation levels in the Newbury district he proposes should be carried out; [39801]

  (2) what tests of radiation levels in the Newbury district, other than those reported in the Cripps and Stimson 1961 report, and the Boocock and Marriage 1986 report, have been conducted since 1958. [39802]

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

  Uranium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's 1991 report "Kuwait—Depleted Uranium Contamination"; [39737]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a list of all reports prepared or commissioned by his Department since August 1990, on the potential hazards to human health and the environment posed by the use of depleted uranium shells; and what discussions Ministers or officials of his Department have had with Kuwaiti Ministers or officials regarding the use of depleted uranium shells by allied forces during Operation Granby. [39764]

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

  Reserve Forces (Doctors and Nurses)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many doctors and nurses there were(a) in the forces and (b) in the reserve forces in each of the last five years. [39768]

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

  Defence Statistics
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under which sub-heads in tables 1.2 and 1.8 inclusive of the UK Defence Statistics 1996 his Department's nuclear weapons and nuclear submarine propulsion costs are subsumed. [39734]

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

  Albemarle Barracks
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his Department's current plans for the construction of accommodation at Albemarle barracks; and what is the cost to his Department. [39788]

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

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visits (i) he and (ii) his Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39872]

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

  Postal and Courier Services Agency
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency in 1996–97. [39882]
  433
  Mr. Soames
  The chief executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency has been set the following key targets for 1996–97:

  (a) Under "Competing for Quality", expose £2 million of agency business to competition by 31 March 1998.

  (b) Under the private fiance initiative, pursue the automation fo FPO counters worldwide with Post Office Counters Ltd., ICL. IBM and the Benefits Agency, by 31 March 2001.

  (c) Implement the triennial review recommendations by 31 March 1999.

  (d) Identify the ratio of overheads to outputs (year 1) and establish savings targets (year 2) and achieve targets (year 3), by 31 March 1999.

  (e) Achieve the quality mark BS EN ISO 9002 for the Defence Courier Service by 31 March 1997.

  (f) Achieve "Investors in People" standard for DPCSA by December 1996.

  (g) Update military core capability to respond to the armed forces requirements for peace, international tension and war, ratify and implement the force requirement table by 31 March 1998.

  (h) Rationalise funding, technical responsibility and reorganisation of PCS assets currently operating under other TLBs after the triennial review by 31 March 1998.

  (j) Benchmark unit costs of output with the Post Office over a three-year period ending 31 March 1999.

  Procurement Announcements
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement on(a) the replacement maritime aircraft, (b) the conventionally armed stand-off missile and (c) the air-launched anti-armour missile; and if he will make a statement. [39176]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: Announcements will be made at the earliest convenient time after our decisions have been made.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Lord President of the Council 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. [39146]

  Mr. Newton
  The functions of the Privy Council Office do not include the provision of assistance to small businesses.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39517]
  434
  Mr. Newton
  I have meetings with hon. Members as and when necessary to discuss a wide variety of matters. Records are not kept which would enable the distinction on the type of meeting to be drawn.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (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; [39425]

  (2) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39450]

  (3) 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; [39405]

  (4) 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; [39469]

  (5) what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and the media. [39383]

  Mr. Newton
  No Privy Council staff have been employed full time or part time for duties exclusively concerned with information and publicity or the press and the media in any of the years 1995–96, 1994–95 and 1993–94, and none is so employed during the current financial year. There is no provision in my Department's budget for the current financial year for consultants to assist with these matters.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what account the Government's tackling drugs strategy has taken of the use of(a) Khat, (b) GHB and (c) Cake in the United Kingdom. [38969]

  Mr. Newton
  The Government's "Tackling Drugs Together" strategy focuses on controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ministerial sub-committee of the Cabinet on the misuse of drugs, which I chair, keeps under review the position on all other drugs.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Schools (Security)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what extra resources she is making available for security in schools. [37285]

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the security of children in schools. [37296]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Spring).

  Sensory Impairment
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she has taken to monitor the levels of employment and unemployment among young people with sensory impairments after they leave full-time education or training. [37286]

  Mr. Paice
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone).

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she intends to take to improve access to mainstream education for children with sensory impairments. [37301]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Local education authorities have a duty to secure, subject to certain conditions, education of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. Governing bodies of such schools are under a duty to use their best endeavours to secure the special educational provision needed for a pupil with SEN. Some 800 mainstream schools will benefit from schools access initiative projects in 1996–97 to improve access to the curriculum for disabled pupils, including those with sensory impairments.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the take-up of nursery vouchers in the designated pilot areas. [37287]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Applications for nursery education vouchers have been made in respect of 91 per cent. of the estimated number of eligible four-year-olds in the four areas in the first phase of the scheme.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 736, what research has been commissioned to evaluate the operation of the nursery voucher scheme, by organisations other than her Department, including voluntary organisations and non-governmental agencies; and in each case, what was (a) the objective of the research project, (b) the cost, (c) the time frame and (d) the expected date of the publication of the findings. [38851]

  Mr. Squire
  I understand that the Audit Commission, the National Children's Bureau, the Pre-school Learning Alliance and the Day Care Trust have plans to evaluate or have already evaluated aspects of the nursery education voucher scheme. Detailed information on their studies is a matter for these bodies.

  The scheme comes within the ambit of the Department's internal audit division and will be reviewed by them, working with the National Audit Office, in the usual way.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the total costs of the nursery voucher initiative to her Department, separately identifying(a) staffing costs and (b) consultancy and outside agency fees (i) to date and (ii) projected up to 31 March 1997. [38852]
  436
  Mr. Squire
  The estimated cost of the nursery voucher scheme from April 1995 is £26,950,000 to 31 March 1997. Of this, payments in respect of vouchers account for by far the largest proportion; departmental staffing costs are estimated at £340,000 to date, and £950,000 to March 1997. Figures exclude consultancy and outside agency fees which remain commercially confidential.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimates she has made of the capital programme required for each of the education authorities operating the pre-school voucher scheme for the year 1997–98 that will enable them to provide sufficient accommodation for pupils eligible to receive pre-school education and not able to attend additional settings provided by the voluntary sector. [39684]

  Mr. Squire
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she is taking to monitor standards in the grant-maintained sector. [37289]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady Olga Maitland).

  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each local education authority in England and Wales the number of children aged five to 16 years attending grant-maintained schools as a percentage of all children aged five to 16 years resident in the authority's area. [39560]

  Mr. Squire
  I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Universities (Standards)
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she is taking to monitor standards in universities. [37291]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright).

  Television and Video Violence
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans her Department has to carry out research into the possibility that behavioural changes in school children may be caused by the viewing of excessive television and video violence. [37292]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has no plans to carry out research in this area.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures she has taken to monitor the impact of the new employer contributions on support for disabled people through the access to work scheme. [37293]
  437
  Mr. Paice
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker).

  Examination Results
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the 10 worst performing local authorities with regard to examination results, and place a full list in the Library. [37295]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The 10 local education authority areas with the lowest percentage of 15-year-old pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE last year were Islington, Knowsley, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Manchester, Lambeth, Newham, Hackney, Liverpool and Sandwell. A full list has been placed in the Library.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her policy with regard to the monitoring of the quality of jobs on offer in jobcentres. [37297]

  Mr. Forth
  A wide range of vacancies is notified to jobcentres and there is no single definition of quality which could be used for monitoring purposes. Jobcentres can refuse vacancies only where there are strong reasons for doing so, for example where the vacancy may put jobseekers at risk or there is evidence that the employer is not genuine.

  Educational Structures (European Union)
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she next plans to meet her European Union counterparts to discuss matters of mutual interest in secondary and higher educational structures. [37298]

  Mr. Forth
  I hope to meet my European Union counterparts at the next Education Council on 21 November 1996.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement about the criteria for funding training and enterprise councils. [37299]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department negotiates funding locally with training and enterprise councils for the activities in their business plan, according to the criteria set out in their contract with Government.

  Graduates
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her projection of the number of(a) medical, (b) dental, (c) nursing and (d) veterinary students who will graduate in each of the next five academic years. [37303]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department has not published projections in precisely this form. The most recent projections were published in the Department's annual report in 1994 and covered the period to 1996–97. They showed, in figures rounded to the nearest thousand, a projection of 4,000 graduates in medicine and dentistry, combined, and 2,000 graduates in veterinary, agriculture 438
  and related subjects, combined in Britain for each year. Projections of the number of nurses who will graduate are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement about employment rates for new graduates. [39686]

  Mr. Forth
  I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Hearing Impaired People
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the proportion of people with hearing impairments reaching national educational and training targets. [37304]

  Mrs Gillan
  The proportion of people in the United Kingdom with a long-term hearing impairment which affects the kind of work that they can do who have reached the lifetime target 1 standard is 38 per cent. For the lifetime target 2 standard it is 16 per cent.

  Disabled People (Employment Schemes)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations she has received about the performance of supported employment schemes for disabled people. [37302]

  Mrs. Gillan
  In the last three months representations have been made to the Secretary of State, and to my noble Friend the Minister of State, about the following supported employment programme issues:

  the future for the Blindcraft supported workshop in Aberdeen;

  the number of Section 1 and Section 2 registered disabled people employed in Remploy factories; and

  the level of grant-in-aid allocated to Remploy for 1996–97.

  GCSE Passes
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each local education authority with more than 30 per cent. of secondary pupils in grant-maintained schools the percentage of 15-year-old pupils achieving five or more GCSE passes at grades A to C in(a) grant-maintained and comprehensives and (b) local education authority comprehensives banded by the proportion of pupils taking or entitled to free school meals being (i) less than 5 per cent., (ii) 5 to 9 per cent., (iii) 10 to 19 per cent., (iv) 20 to 29 per cent., (v) 30 to 39 per cent. and (vi) more than 40 per cent., stating in each case how many schools contribute to the figures given. [38022]

  Mr. Paice
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Bradford Breakthrough Ltd.
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter, dated 20 May from the chief executive of Bradford Breakthrough Ltd.,
  439
  addressed to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan), and her reply. [38095]

  Mrs. Gillan
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of the letter of 20 May 1996 from the chief executive of Bradford Breakthrough Ltd., and my reply of 12 June.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of(a) primary and (b) secondary school staff receive an extra pay allowance for responsibility in physical education or sport using the data collated in her Department's survey into physical education in schools. [38506]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Results of the survey of PE and sport in schools 1996 show that 2.1 per cent. of school staff in maintained primary schools in England are receiving an extra pay allowance for responsibility in physical education and/or sport. The equivalent figure for maintained secondary schools is 3 per cent.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list by gender the average percentage of pupils participating in extra-curricular sport in each of the school years 1 to 12 using the data collated in her Department's survey into physical education in schools. [38502]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The information is shown in the following table:

  Average percentage of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England participating in extra-curricular sport by year group and gender

  Year group

  Boys

  Girls

  1

  3.6

  3.0

  2

  6.7

  5.1

  3

  20.0

  16.5

  4

  27.6

  23.3

  Table 1: Time spent per week by maintained primary and secondary schools in England on national curriculum PE by year group

  Year group:

  Percentage of schools1

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  Two hours or less

  88.4

  88.0

  81.3

  78.6

  70.7

  72.0

  57.4

  64.3

  74.5

  89.9

  91.5

  94.4

  90 minutes or less

  63.5

  61.1

  48.2

  43.0

  33.6

  33.8

  8.0

  11.2

  20.0

  61.2

  60.3

  76.1

  60 minutes or less

  21.0

  19.9

  12.4

  10.1

  7.5

  7.3

  1.3

  2.7

  4.4

  29.8

  30.1

  50.0

  1 Total number of schools with the relevant year group doing 2 hours or less, 90 minutes or less and 60 minutes or less per week on national curriculum PE, expressed as a proportion of all schools with the relevant year group which responded to the question.

  Table 2: Time spent per week by maintained primary and secondary schools in England on traditional sports by year group

  Percentage of schools1

  Year group:

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  Boys

  2 hours or less

  98.0

  97.3

  96.2

  95.2

  92.9

  94.6

  95.7

  96.0

  96.1

  96.8

  97.3

  97.8

  90 minutes or less

  95.6

  94.0

  90.4

  88.7

  83.3

  84.4

  71.9

  73.5

  78.3

  87.3

  87.2

  92.2

  60 minutes or less

  90.0

  87.4

  77.0

  73.5

  61.8

  61.1

  35.1

  36.6

  42.1

  62.2

  67.7

  76.7

  Girls

  2 hours or less

  98.2

  97.5

  96.2

  95.2

  92.9

  94.6

  95.5

  96.1

  96.5

  97.1

  97.7

  98.9

  90 minutes or less

  95.7

  94.2

  90.3

  88.4

  83.3

  84.4

  74.5

  77.9

  82.4

  90.5

  91.0

  95.5

  60 minutes or less

  90.2

  87.5

  76.9

  73.3

  61.8

  61.1

  38.3

  41.6

  48.0

  68.3

  72.8

  79.9

  1 Total number of schools with the relevant year group doing 2 hours or less, 90 minutes or less and 60 minutes or less per week on traditional sports, expressed as a proportion of all schools with the relevant year group which responded to the question.

  440

  Average percentage of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England participating in extra-curricular sport by year group and gender

  Year group

  Boys

  Girls

  5

  43.4

  38.2

  6

  47.6

  42.1

  7

  42.2

  36.7

  8

  40.9

  35.4

  9

  38.3

  31.4

  10

  32.9

  24.9

  11

  28.9

  20.8

  12

  18.9

  11.6

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list for each of the school years 1 to 12 the percentage of schools(a) timetabling two hours or less physical education in the school week, (b) devoting two hours or less to national curriculum physical education and (c) timetabling two hours or less to traditional sports using the data collected in her Department's survey into physical education in schools; [38509]

  (2) if she will list for each of the school years 1 to 12 the percentage of schools (a) timetabling one hour or less physical education in the school week, (b) devoting one hour or less to national curriculum physical education and (c) timetabling one hour or less to traditional sports using the data collected in her Department's survey into physical education in schools; [38512]

  (3) if she will list for each of school years 1 to 12 the percentage of schools (a) timetabling 90 minutes or less physical education in the school week, (b) devoting 90 minutes or less to national curriculum physical education and (c) timetabling 90 minutes or less to traditional sports using the data collated in her Department's survey in physical education in schools. [38510]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The available information is shown in the following tables:
  441
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the average amount of physical education to the nearest minute for each of school years 1 to 12(a) timetabled in the school week, (b) devoted to national curriculum physical education and (c) timetabled to traditional sports using the data collated in her Department's survey into physical education in schools. [38508]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The available information is shown in the following table:

  Average time devoted to national curriculum physical education, and to traditional sports in maintained primary and secondary schools in England

  Year group

  Average minutes per week devoted to: National curriculum PE Traditional sports

  Boys

  Girls

  1

  96

  36

  36

  2

  97

  40

  40

  3

  104

  58

  58

  4

  108

  63

  63

  5

  115

  73

  72

  6

  113

  72

  72

  7

  134

  98

  97

  8

  127

  95

  93

  9

  122

  91

  89

  10

  97

  74

  70

  11

  95

  65

  61

  12

  69

  39

  34

  Percentage of maintained primary and secondary schools in England offering extra-curricular sport by activity, gender and year group

  Football

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary-Boys

  9.0

  13.5

  45.8

  64.0

  87.5

  89.5

  100.0

  Primary-Girls

  8.3

  11.6

  38.9

  52.0

  69.9

  71.0

  60.0

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  88.9

  87.3

  88.5

  88.1

  88.3

  87.7

  86.3

  64.5

  Secondary—Girls

  50.0

  49.1

  43.0

  44.7

  39.9

  34.7

  29.9

  14.8

  Cricket

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary—Boys

  3.1

  3.5

  16.4

  24.3

  45.5

  48.3

  80.0

  Primary—Girls

  2.8

  3.3

  14.9

  20.5

  36.1

  39.3

  46.7

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  66.7

  76.4

  80.7

  82.6

  80.6

  79.5

  54.0

  33.5

  Secondary—Girls

  27.8

  34.5

  18.0

  16.4

  12.6

  10.4

  8.5

  3.0

  Hockey

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary—Boys

  1.7

  2.0

  9.8

  11.9

  17.1

  19.0

  40.0

  Primary—Girls

  1.5

  2.0

  9.8

  11.9

  17.3

  19.8

  33.3

  442
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average amount of time to the nearest minute that(a) primary school staff, (b) physical education staff in secondary schools, (c) non-physical education staff in secondary schools, (d) volunteers devote to extra-curricular sport using the data collated in her Department's survey into physical education in schools. [38504]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The available information is shown in the following table:

  Average time devoted to extra-curricular sport per week in maintained primary and secondary schools in England

  Hours (to nearest half hour)

  By all primary school staff

  2.0

  By secondary school PE teaching staff

  18.5

  By secondary school non-PE teaching staff

  4.5

  By volunteers

  1.5

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list by gender the percentage of schools offering extra-curricular(a) football, (b) cricket, (c) hockey, (d) netball, (e) rugby, (f) tennis, (g) athletics and (h) swimming in each of the school years 1 to 12 using the data collated in her Department's survey into physical education in schools. [38507]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The available information is shown in the following tables:
  443

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  22.2

  27.3

  37.5

  40.7

  42.6

  42.3

  37.5

  28.1

  Secondary—Girls

  29.6

  38.2

  72.7

  74.2

  73.5

  68.6

  63.6

  43.8

  Netball

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary—Boys

  2.6

  3.9

  21.6

  32.9

  50.8

  52.9

  46.7

  Primary—Girls

  2.8

  4.4

  28.6

  42.6

  69.7

  70.7

  2.8

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  18.5

  20.0

  10.4

  8.7

  7.4

  7.1

  6.0

  1.5

  Secondary—Girls

  66.7

  76.4

  92.2

  91.3

  89.3

  87.4

  80.5

  46.8

  Rugby

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary—Boys

  0.9

  1.1

  8.0

  9.7

  17.6

  20.5

  33.3

  Primary—Girls

  0.9

  0.9

  6.9

  8.6

  15.7

  18.0

  26.7

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  42.6

  49.1

  62.5

  62.3

  60.9

  50.8

  46.0

  32.5

  Secondary—Girls

  16.7

  21.8

  7.3

  8.2

  7.7

  7.4

  6.6

  3.0

  Tennis

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary—Boys

  2.8

  4.4

  10.9

  11.9

  15.9

  16.6

  26.7

  Primary—Girls

  2.8

  4.4

  10.4

  11.5

  15.7

  16.6

  26.7

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  38.9

  43.6

  55.2

  59.6

  62.6

  60.1

  49.0

  32.0

  Secondary—Girls

  40.7

  47.3

  65.4

  67.2

  69.7

  67.5

  55.3

  36.0

  Athletics

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary—Boys

  7.2

  8.5

  30.2

  38.1

  49.4

  50.2

  60.0

  Primary—Girls

  6.8

  8.1

  30.4

  38.1

  49.9

  50.5

  60.0

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  79.6

  81.8

  86.7

  88.1

  88.3

  82.2

  63.8

  35.0

  Secondary—Girls

  74.1

  78.2

  90.1

  90.8

  90.4

  83.9

  66.8

  32.5

  Swimming

  Percentage of schools

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Year 3

  Year 4

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Primary—Boys

  4.8

  5.5

  14.0

  18.2

  23.4

  22.2

  33.3

  Primary—Girls

  4.8

  5.7

  14.2

  18.0

  22.9

  21.5

  20.0

  Percentage of schools

  Year 5

  Year 6

  Year 7

  Year 8

  Year 9

  Year 10

  Year 11

  Year 12

  Secondary—Boys

  35.2

  20.0

  27.3

  25.8

  26.2

  26.0

  24.7

  18.7

  Secondary—Girls

  37.0

  23.6

  29.9

  28.3

  27.9

  27.0

  24.9

  20.2

  444 445
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of(a) secondary schools and (b) primary schools offer extra-curricular sport (i) every lunchtime and (ii) after school every day using the data collated in her Department's survey into physical education in schools. [38505]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The information is shown in the following table:

  Percentage of maintained primary and secondary schools in England offering extra-curricular sport every lunch-time and everyday after school

  Primary

  Secondary

  Every lunch-time

  6.2

  67.0

  Every day after school

  2.4

  39.2

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of(a) primary' and (b) secondary schools give swimming tuition at (i) a local swimming pool, (ii) an on-site pool used only by that school, (iii) an on-site pool used also for community provision and (iv) an on-site pool of a neighbouring school using the data collated in her Department's survey into physical education in schools. [38513]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The available information is shown in the following table:

  Percentage of maintained primary and secondary schools in England providing swimming tuition.

  Primary

  Secondary

  Percentage of schools providing swimming tuition

  85.4

  59.2

  Of the schools providing swimming tuition the percentage giving tuition at1:

  A local swimming pool

  77.5

  51.6

  On-site pool used only by that school

  10.7

  13.2

  On-site pool also used for the community

  4.2

  29.2

  On-site pool of a neighbour primary school

  5.9

  2.0

  On-site pool of a neighbour secondary school

  9.8

  5.6

  Other site

  2.6

  2.4

  1 Figures add up to more than 100 per cent. because some schools use more than one location.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the impact of(a) her policies and (b) the work of her Department in helping small businesses in the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if she will publish the performance indicators by which her Department monitors the impact and the statistical results of such monitoring. [39142]

  Mr. Paice
  I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Free School Meals, North Yorkshire
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of(a) primary and (b) secondary school children in North Yorkshire received free school meals in each year since 1979. [38928]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The available information is shown in the following table. Comparable information prior to 1989 is not available, but figures from earlier school meals censuses were published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in its "School Meal Statistics" volumes, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Day-pupils taking free school meals in maintained primary and secondary schools in North Yorkshire Local Education Authority area: 1989–1995

  Position in January each year

  Primary

  Secondary

  Pupils

  Percentage1

  Pupils

  Percentage1

  1989

  3,403

  6

  1,880

  4

  1990

  3,566

  6

  1,642

  4

  1991

  4,033

  7

  1,682

  4

  1992

  4,938

  9

  1,987

  5

  1993

  5,513

  9

  2,288

  5

  1994

  6,073

  10

  2,591

  6

  1995

  6,336

  10

  2,803

  6

  1 The number of day pupils who took a free meal on the census day expressed as a percentage of the number of day pupils on roll.

  Skill Centres (Sales)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which skill centres formerly belonging to the skills training agency have now been sold; what is the total amount so far received from the sales; and what has been the expenditure since 1993 on the administration of the sales. [39066]

  Mr. Paice
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39352]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has no budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff are assumed in her 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. [39340]

  Mr. Squire
  The number of departmental staff allocated for this purpose in 1996–97 is as follows:

  (a) Press and media

  (i) Full-time 21

  (ii) Part-time 2

  (b) Information and publicity

  (i) Full-time 46

  (ii) Part-time 6

  447
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [39416]

  Mr. Squire
  The Department for Education and Employment was formed in July 1995, following the merger of the Department for Education and the Employment Department. With regard to information and publicity and press and media work, the merged Department was treated for accounting purposes as separate units throughout 1995–96.

  The number of staff employed, full time or part time, in the two former departments was as follows:

  Information and publicity

  Press and media

  Department for Education

  1993–94

  16

  11

  1994–95

  17.5

  13

  1995–96

  16

  13

  Employment Department

  1993–94

  37

  12.5

  1994–95

  35

  12.5

  1995–96

  34.5

  10

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39441]

  Mr. Squire
  The cost budgeted by the Department for staff, full time and part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97 is £1,341,000.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [39435]

  Mr. Squire
  The Department for Education and Employment was formed in July 1995, following the merger of the Department for Education and the Employment Department. With regard to information and publicity and press and media work, the merged Department was treated for accounting purposes as separate units throughout 1995–96.

  The cost of staff employed, full time and part time, in the two former departments is shown in the table.

  £thousand

  Information and publicity

  Press and media

  Department for Education

  1993–94

  400

  363

  1994–95

  544

  439

  1995–96

  551

  442

  Employment Department

  1993–94

  830

  276

  1994–95

  891

  319

  1995–96

  864

  267

  448
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39986]

  Mr. Squire
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Secondary Modern Schools
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to reintroduce secondary modern schools in areas currently served by comprehensive schools. [37728]

  Mrs. Gillan
  None.

  Back-to-Work Schemes
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many people participated in work trials during 1995–96; and how many of these subsequently(a) obtained employment, (b) signed on as unemployed and (c) claimed an incapacity benefit; [39097]

  (2) how many employers were contracted with the Employment Service to run work trials during 1995–96. [39098]

  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 Robert Horne to Mr. Alan Howarth, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked Mike Fogden to reply to your questions about the operation of Work Trials. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to him as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am answering in his absence as Finance Director of the Agency.
  During the 1995/96 operational year 29,434 people participated in a Work Trial. Of these, 17,416 obtained employment following the trial. Work Trial participants remain registered unemployed and in receipt of benefit during their trial; participants whose trials do not lead to employment may consequently continue to be unemployed. Information is not collected about people participating in Work Trials whilst on an incapacity benefit.
  We do not collect information on the number of individual employers participating in Work Trials.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unemployed people have taken part in workstart schemes; and what assessment she has made of their effectiveness. [39101]

  Mr. Forth
  Various workstart schemes have been piloted during the last three years. In total, almost 2,900 people have been placed into work. Assessment of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of workstart is getting very long-term unemployed people into work is continuing.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated cost to her Department of running(a) the work trials scheme, (b) the jobmatch scheme and (c) workstart. [39099]
  449
  Mr. Forth
  In this financial year, £6,435,000 has been allocated for running work trials, £5,104,000 for jobmatch and £2,350,000 for workstart. This includes expenditure by both the Employment Service, and the training and enterprise councils involved in the jobmatch pilots.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people participated in the jobmatch schemes during 1995–96; what was the average amount payable to each participant; and how many participants subsequently(a) obtained employment, (b) signed on as unemployed or (c) claimed an incapacity benefit. [39100]

  Mr. Forth
  Between April 1995 and March 1996, 3,361 people started the jobmatch programme. The estimated average amount paid to participants in allowances during this period was around £1,200. Jobmatch participants are in employment. Information is not yet available on the employment status of participants after the jobmatch allowance ceases. A follow-up survey of people who started jobmatch during 1995–96 is being conducted.

  Castle Hall School, Mirfield
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what legal advice she has received on the consultation process following the application by Castle Hall grant-maintained schools' Mirfield to admit pupils over the age of 16 years. [39319]

  Mr. Paice
  I wrote on 18 July to the head teacher in reply to his letter regarding the status of their application. As a result of legal advice I informed him that the application could not be considered due to inadequate consultation. I therefore invited the governors to withdraw their proposals and resubmit them in compliance with the regulations. The governors have now written withdrawing their proposals.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39310]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The driver is responsible for any fines and penalties incurred while driving a DFEE vehicle. Not all traffic violations are notified to the Department. Where violations have been notified, details are kept on vehicle specific files and no central records are maintained.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in her name, or that of other Ministers in her Department, for meetings with Conservative hon. Members immediately preceding questions to her Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39520]
  450
  Mr. Robin Squire
  Ministers have meetings with honourable Members as and when necessary to discuss a wide variety of matters. Records are not kept which would enable the distinction on the type of meeting to be drawn.

  Asthma
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school days were lost by children as a result of asthma in the last year for which figures are available. [39558]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not collected centrally. Information on levels of authorised and unauthorised absence is collected annually in respect of all day pupils of compulsory school age, but schools are not required to break their authorised absence totals down by cause of absence.

  Schools Renewal Challenge Fund
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will publish her decisions regarding the bids entered by local education authorities for the schools renewal challenge fund. [39784]

  Mrs. Gillan
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Schools Pupils (London)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Eduation and Employment if she will list, by local authority, the number of(a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils resident in London boroughs and the City of London, who attend schools in local authorities other than the one they live in; for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [39626]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Degree Courses
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will discourage universities from providing degree courses in vocational disciplines where job opportunities are limited. [39687]

  Mr. Forth
  I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Small Firms
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will state the proportion of their budgets which each training and enterprise council spent on small firms last year. [39851]

  Mr. Paice
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Professors (Medicine)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many professors there are(a) of general practice, (b) related to hospital specialties and (c) in total in medical schools. [39824]
  451
  Mr. Forth
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Universities (Career Guidance)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will take measures to improve career guidance provided at or by universities. [39688]

  Mr. Forth
  I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Technology Colleges
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list, by parliamentary constituency, those schools which have been awarded technology college status in the last two bidding rounds. [39657]

  Mrs. Gillan
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many visits (i) she and (ii) her Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39871]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Employment Code of Practice
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she proposes to publish the employment code of practice under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if she will make a statement. [40008]

  Mr. Paice
  We will be publishing the employment code of practice tomorrow and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  The code of practice, which has now been approved by Parliament, will come into force on 2 December, the same day that the employment provisions will be commenced. The code gives practical guidance through a wide range of examples to illustrate how employers and others can comply with the employment provisions, although the action required in any given situation will depend on the particular circumstances. By publishing the code now we are giving employers, and others affected by the employment provisions time to familiarise themselves with its guidance and take whatever action they wish in order to prepare for implementation of the new duties and rights.

  As well as the printed version, the code will also be available in braille and on audio cassette tape. All formats will be available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office outlets.

  Higher Education (Inquiry Evidence)
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place in the Library the Government's evidence to the national committee of inquiry into higher education. [40002]

  Mr. Forth
  Yes. Copies of papers submitted so far to the committee have been placed in the Library.

  European Movement
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial assistance the European Movement has given to(a) the Liberal European Action Group, (b) the Labour Committee for Europe, (c) the Conservative Group for Europe, (d) the Association for a Social Democratic Europe, (e) trade union activities and (f) the Youth Group for Europe in the last 10 years. [40077]

  Mr. Forth
  The matters raised by my hon. Friend are not the responsibility of the Department.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the recent representations made to her about capital funding of higher education and the role of the PFI. [37288]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about capital funding in higher education and the role of the PFI. She has set up two working groups to consider the issues, and they are expected to report soon.

  Statistical Forms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the statistical forms issued to businesses by her Department, indicating the number of each sent out. [38680]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Name or purpose of form

  Number issued

  A. Forms completed by training providers1

  TfW2 (Training for Work)

  Approximately 500,000

  YT2 (Youth Training)

  Approximately 500,000

  MA1 (Modem Apprenticeships)

  Approximately 500,000

  B. Forms completed by independent schools2

  Annual schools' census

  Approximately 2,250

  Annual survey of absences

  3see below

  Annual survey of assisted places

  Approximately 300

  Annual survey of examination results in the assisted places scheme

  Approximately 300

  1 These forms are completed in part by trainees and in part by training providers, some of which are businesses. The information obtained is used for both statistical and financial control purposes.

  2 For purposes of deregulation the Department regards independent schools as businesses. Some of the information obtained from independent schools is used for both statistical and administrative purposes.

  3 Completed by all schools, including independent schools, with day pupils of compulsory school age.

  Training Schemes (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of people leaving Government supported training schools in North Yorkshire between September 1994 and August 1995 obtained a full-time job in a field closely related to that in which they received training. [38936]

  Mr. Paice
  I will write to the hon. Member with the information and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [39152]

  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [39154]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  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 administration and taxation burdens; and where appropriate provide direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  The Office of Public Service is responsible for taking forward the competitiveness agenda across Government, promoting deregulation and promoting best practice in all aspects of the Government's relationship with the private sector. Helping small business is a key part of these activities. The third competitiveness White Paper, "Creating the enterprise centre of Europe", provides a summary of these activities. A copy of the document is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (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; [39426]

  (2) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39452]

  (3) what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media; [39343]
  454
  (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; [39404]

  (5) 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; [39470]

  (6) what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39987]

  Mr. Willetts
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore be writing to the hon. Member and will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will name the members and terms of reference of the exhibition committee of the Millennium Commission chaired by Robert Ayling Esq. and the financial resources now available to it to fulfil its remit; [39915]

  (2) pursuant to his oral answer of 22 July, Official Report, column 6, concerning the millennium exhibition if he will list the financial commitment made by each of the institutions. [39946]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore be writing to the hon. Member and will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39315]

  Mr. Freeman
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore be writing to the hon. Member and will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Ministerial Car Fleet
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number of traffic violations involving cars of the ministerial fleet, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39297]

  Mr. Freeman
  Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated under the terms of the framework document to the Security Facilities Executive. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. John King, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. C. King to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to respond to your Questions about the Government Car Service (GCS). As Chief Executive of the Security Facilities Executive, I have operational responsibility for the GCS.

  455
  GCS Drivers are responsible for driving safely and responsibly. With the exception of parking offences, they meet the cost of any fines for motoring offences from their own pockets, and we do not keep details.
  Our records show that the Government Car Service covered the cost of the following parking violations from 1986:

  Year

  Total

  Total cost (£)

  1986

  282

  2,820

  1987

  98

  1,116

  1988

  238

  2,856

  1989

  90

  1,080

  1990

  125

  1,500

  1991

  37

  666

  1992

  43

  1.075

  1993

  33

  990

  1994

  17

  510

  1995

  35

  1,050

  1996 (to date)

  8

  240

  These costs cover the whole of the Government Car Service, including the Ministerial vehicles. It would, however, be disproportionately costly to disaggregate this information by customer.

  Civil Servants (Secondments)
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants have been seconded to the European Commission and to which directorates in each of the last five years. [38690]

  Mr. Freeman
  For the past five years around 100 United Kingdom and Northern Ireland civil servants have been on secondment to the European Commission as national experts at any given time. The total number of secondees in post at the end of each of the last four years, together with the current figures, broken down by directorates general, are as follows:

  Detached national experts

  As at 31 December 1992

  As at 31 December 1993

  As at 31 December 1994

  As at 31 December 1995

  As at 22 July 1996

  DGI

  11

  13

  15

  8

  6

  DGIA

  —

  —

  1

  3

  5

  DGIB

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  DGII

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  DGIII

  11

  10

  10

  6

  7

  DGIV

  5

  5

  5

  4

  4

  DGV

  17

  12

  4

  8

  8

  DGVI

  15

  15

  11

  8

  4

  DGVII

  2

  1

  5

  4

  4

  DGVIII

  1

  2

  3

  4

  6

  DGIX

  2

  2

  1

  2

  1

  DGX

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  DGXI

  10

  11

  12

  15

  14

  DGXII

  3

  3

  4

  4

  5

  DGXIII

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  DGXIV

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  DGXV

  1

  3

  5

  6

  4

  DGXVI

  7

  5

  5

  4

  4

  DGXVII

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  DGXVIII

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  DGXIX

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  DGXX

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  DGXXI

  4

  8

  3

  7

  7

  DGXXII

  2

  0

  2

  3

  2

  DGXXIII

  2

  3

  1

  0

  0

  DGXXIV

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Sec General

  2

  4

  2

  2

  4

  456

  Detached national experts

  As at 31 December 1992

  As at 31 December 1993

  As at 31 December 1994

  As at 31 December 1995

  As at 22 July 1996

  Legal Service

  2

  2

  3

  1

  1

  Eurostat

  4

  8

  9

  8

  8

  Cabinet

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Total

  109

  115

  109

  103

  102

  HMSO
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who will hold archives of parliamentary papers(a) in paper form and (b) in electronic form, currently held by HMSO following the proposed privatisation; and what estimate he has made of their value. [39624]

  Mr. Freeman
  The national archive of parliamentary papers in paper form is held by the British Library and not HMSO. This archive will be unaffected by the privatisation. HMSO's own archive of parliamentary papers is held as a mixture of paper and microfilm. It is extensive but not comprehensive. HMSO has only a limited archive of material in electronic formats.

  The draft contract between the House and the privatised stationery office sets out the periods for which the Official Report and other papers must be kept in print by the stationery office.
  No valuation of this material has been made.

  Central Office of Information
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what performance targets he has set for the Central Office of Information for the current year. [39939]

  Mr. Freeman
  My primary objective for the Central Office of Information is to complete the implementation of changes announced on 23 November last year that will refocus the work of the agency and increase its efficiency.

  The key performance targets for COI in 1996–97 will be:

  Finanicial

  To break even before exceptional items in modified historical cost terms, after recovering all costs, including interest on borrowings.

  Efficiency

  To achieve a 3 per cent. reduction in unit cost of output in real terms, before exceptional costs, while maintaining suitable levels of quality.

  Quality

  To equal or better the proportion of work delivered in accordance with specification during 1995–96.

  To equal or better the proportion of work delivered on time during 1995–96.

  To achieve an average score of 8.2 out of 10 for the COI customer satisfaction index.

  Security Facilities Executive
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has set the performance targets for the Security Facilities Executive; and if he will make a statement. [39940]
  457
  Mr. Freeman
  I have set the following performance targets for SAFE for the financial year 1996–97. I recognise that the income and expenditure of the agency will be affected by the proposed sale of the custody service in early 1997. I will take this into account in due course.

  Financial

  Achieve:

  100 per cent. full cost recovery in accruals terms including 6 per cent. cost of capital but excluding restructuring costs

  91 per cent. full recovery in accruals terms including 6 per cent. cost of capital and restructuring costs

  The 100 per cent. full cost recovery target was achieved for 1995–96.

  Produce a surplus of £1 million (excluding restructuring costs). This target was not achieved in 1995–96.

  Sales

  Achieve a sales turnover of £40 million. This target was achieved in 1995–96.

  Efficiency

  Achieve no less than 4 per cent. efficiency gain in running costs.

  Quality of Service

  Achieve a weighted 91 per cent. satisfaction rating in customer satisfaction surveys. The target of 90 per cent. was achieved in 1995–96.

  Achieve for GCS and IDS operations and maintain for all other businesses the standards of ISO 9000 on quality management systems. This target was achieved for GCS/IDS workshop, custody services and special services group in 1995–96.

  Prepare statement of intent and begin programme leading to Investors in People accreditation in 1998. This is a new target.

  Environment

  Achieve an annual average of 25.5 miles per gallon for the GCS/IDS fleet. The target—of 25 miles per gallon—was achieved in 1995–96.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Bowbelle
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to make a decision on whether to prosecute the master of the Bowbelle. [39455]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer to the written answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes),Official Report, column 206.

  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 have being received on Friday 15 December 1995. The Crown 458
  Prosecution Service has sought the advice of senior counsel. The matter is complex but the Director of Public Prosecutions expects to issue her decision very shortly.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of the Solicitor-General, for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39525]

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the number of traffic violations involving Departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39314]

  The Solicitor-General
  The following information relates to vehicles operated by the Crown Prosecution Service under arrangements which began in 1991. It does not include vehicles provided to the Law Officers' departments by the Government car service:

  Year

  Number of violations

  Nature

  Total fines(£)

  1991

  1

  Parking offence

  16

  1992

  4

  Parking offences

  135

  1993

  2

  Parking offences

  90

  1994

  5

  Parking offences

  300

  1995

  3

  Parking offences

  80

  1

  Failure to comply with traffic lights

  nil

  Crown Prosecutors
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Attorney-General what guidance the director of Public Prosecutions has issued to Crown prosecutors on the application for the code of Crown prosecutors. [40012]

  The Attorney-General
  An explanatory memorandum was issued to all Crown prosecutors in June 1994, giving guidance on how the code for Crown prosecutors should be applied in individual cases. That explanatory memorandum has recently been revised and will also be made available to other prosecuting authorities, the police and other interested agencies.

  The revisions focus on the evidential sufficiency test and amount to a shift in emphasis in three principal ways. First, Crown prosecutors are encouraged to try to secure further evidence when they do not think there is sufficient to prosecute and, in cases of doubt, to ask themselves whether there is no realistic prospect of conviction rather than conclude that the case is too evenly balanced to prosecute. Secondly, Crown prosecutors are urged to focus their attention only on specific identifiable lines of defence which the prosecution must seek to overcome from the outset, and to ignore speculative defences.

  459
  Thirdly, guidance is given on the distinction between those cases that are evidentially complex or difficult and those that are simply weak. Confusing the two types of case may cause some prosecutors to conclude that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction, when a more experienced prosecutor would explore and find ways of overcoming what are difficulties, than inherent weaknesses. The guidance should increase the ability of Crown prosecutors to identify and then overcome what might otherwise be perceived as insurperable obstacle to a successful prosecution.

  The revised explanatory memorandum is being printed and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses as soon as they are available.

  ISC-Ferranti
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Attorney-General on what date the offices of ISC in West London were sealed by agents of Her Majesty's Government. [36698]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: The offices of ISC in west London were never sealed by officials of the Serious Fraud Office or by the police who worked in conjunction with them.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Attorney-General when his office was advised of evidence of fraud related to ISC-Ferranti committed within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom; and what subsequent action was taken. [36696]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: In September 1989 the Serious Fraud Office commenced an investigation into suspected fraud relating to ISC-Ferranti, and my office was informed. The investigation was carried out in close co-operation with the United States prosecuting authorities, because they had already commenced a separate investigation and it was apparent that all the potential defendants were United States citizens residing in the United States.

  At the conclusion of the investigation, 17 individuals and three corporations were indicted in the United States on charges of fraud.

  In December 1991, James Guerin, the former deputy chairman of Ferranti International Signals plc—the company which resulted from the merger of Ferranti and ISC in 1987—pleaded guilty before the federal court in Philadelphia to offences involving fraud in respect of the merged company, committed both in the United Kingdom and in the USA. All offences which might have been the subject of a United Kingdom trial were encompassed in the US indictment, and thus no proceedings were taken in the United Kingdom. James Guerin was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list each instance in which he exercised the power of the nolle prosegui in relation to the collapse of ISC-Ferranti. [36697]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: No nolle prosequi was issued in relation to the collapse of ISC-Ferranti. James Guerin, the former deputy chairman of Ferranti International Signals plc, and Robert
  460
  Shireman, former financial director of ISC (Technologies) Ltd., who had entered into plea agreements with the United States Attorney were granted limited immunity from prosecution by the then director of the Serious Fraud Office. The Serious Fraud Office undertook, in return for their co-operation with the investigation, not to prosecute Mr. Guerin and Mr. Shireman here for any offence in respect of which they were to be prosecuted in the United States. Mr. Geurin was subsequently sentenced to the United States to 15 years' imprisonment.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Attorney-General when his office was advised that there was evidence of fraud related to the merger of ISC and Ferranti; and which agency or agencies so advised. [36695]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: My office was first advised on the inquiry by the Serious Fraud Office in September 1989, and was thereafter kept informed of the progress of the inquiry.

PRIME MINISTER

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Prime Minister 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. [39473]

  The Prime Minister
  Ten people are employed in press, media, information and publicity.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Prime Minister 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. [39413]

  The Prime Minister
  Ten people were employed, on a full-time basis, to work in information publicity press and media, in each of the years 1995–96, 1994–95 and 1993–94.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Prime Minister 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. [39437]

  The Prime Minister
  The cost for staff employed in the No. 10 press office for each year since 1993–94 is as follows:

  1993–94: £450,000

  1994–95: £450,000

  1995–96: £480,000

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39439]

  The Prime Minister
  The expenditure on staff in the No. 10 press office in 1995–96 was £480,00. The outturn expenditure in 1996–97 will be published after the end of the financial year.
  461
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the cost assumed in the budget of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39991]

  The Prime Minister
  The expenditure on staff in the No. 10 press office in 1995–96 was £480,000. The outturn expenditure in 1996–97 will be published after the end of the financial year.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39355]

  The Prime Minister
  My office does not use consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media.

  Honours Awards (Health Service)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Prime Minister what percentage of honours awarded in each of the last five years were awarded to people working in the health service. [39765]

  The Prime Minister
  The percentages are as follows:

  Year

  Percentage

  1992

  7.1

  1993

  6.1

  1994

  6.5

  1995

  6.1

  1996

  6.1

  Independent Tribunal Service
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government Department is responsible for the operation of the independent tribunal service. [39629]

  The Prime Minister
  The independent tribunal service is an independent statutory body, sponsored by the Department of Social Security. The President is responsible for its operation. He and its full and part-time chairmen are appointed by the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Ministers' Pay
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Prime Minister how many Ministers(a) will be and (b) will not be accepting the pay increases recommended by the senior salaries review body and approved by the House. [39675]

  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many Ministers(a) will be and (b) will not be accepting the pay increases recommended by the senior salaries review body and approved by the House. [40015]

  The Prime Minister
  These are private matters for the individuals concerned.

  European Movement
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Prime Minister what financial assistance the Government made to the European 462
  Movement in 1985; and what plans he has to offer financial assistance in future years. [40078]

  The Prime Minister
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Government Statistics
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make it his policy to require Ministers within his Government to read and initial answers to parliamentary questions which relate directly to the work of their Departments when those answers are prepared by the Chancellor of the Exchequer following his assumption of responsibility for the preparation of Government statistics; and if he will make a statement; [37742]

  (2) what specific steps he has taken to ensure that individual Ministers within his Government are made aware of each of the answers being given to parliamentary questions relating directly to the work of their Department in those cases where the answers to those questions are givne by the Chancellor of the Exchequer following his assumption of responsibility for the preparation of Government statistics; what steps he is taking to ensure that those Ministers are required to record their awareness of such questions on each occasion upon which they arise; and if he will make a statement; [37741]

  (3) what public policy objectives are served by having the Chancellor of the Exchequer respond to written parliamentary questions dealing with abortion statistics; [37745]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the handling by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Government statistics relating to the work of other Government Departments is consistent with the enhancement of the constitutional role of the House in scrutinising the actions of the Executive; [37743]

  (5) what consultation he had with right hon. and hon. Members prior to the decision that questions in respect of certain Government statistics were to be handled in future by the Chancellor of the Exchequer rather than by the Minister to whose actions and policies they refer. [37744]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: The arrangements for answering parliamentary questions relating to the work of the Office for National Statistics have been reviewed, the aim being to enhance the accountability of Ministers to Parliament for the policies for which they are responsible and to emphasise that the statistics themselves are the responsibility of the director of the ONS, thereby improving public confidence in them.

  With effect from the start of the 1996–97 Session the following procedures will apply:

  all oral questions, and written questions which have some policy aspect, will be answered by the relevant Minister in whichever Department has responsibility for the subject concerned;

  written questions simply seeking statistics that are the responsibility of the director of the ONS, will be delegated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the director of the ONS for answer, which will also be printed in the Official Report; and

  463
  the director of the ONS will routinely copy his answers to whichever Ministers he considers may have an interest.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Pay and Allowances
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is his estimate of the annual saving to public funds(a) gross and (b) net arising from the reduction of the top rate of car mileage allowance for hon. Members from 74.lp per mile to 47.2p per mile. [37848]

  Mr. Newton
  The single rate of car mileage allowance, 47.2p per mile for the first 20,000 miles and 21.7p thereafter, will come into effect from 1 April 1997, uprated by the percentage increase, if any, by which the retail prices index for March 1997 has increased compared with March 1996. The supply estimate for the Members vote for the financial year 1997–98, the first year of the single mileage rate, has not yet been compiled. I have therefore taken the year 1995–96, the most recent complete year for which data are available, as the base upon which to estimate an order of savings. On that basis I would anticipate an annual overall saving of around £2 million. It is not possible at this stage to calculate net savings.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the annual cost to public funds, gross and net, arising from the increase in the salary rate of hon. Members to £43,000. [37849]

  Mr. Newton
  The estimated annual cost to public funds arising from the increase in the salary rate of hon. Members from £34,000 to £43,000 is £7.6 million. The cost in 1996–97 is estimated to be £5.7 million.

  Ministers
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members who were elected at each of the 1966, 1970 and 1979 general elections have been at some time Ministers in the Government, in receipt of ministerial salaries; and in each case what percentage of the total membership of the House this constituted. [37893]

  Mr. Newton
  I regret that this information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  EU Memoranda
  Sir John Cope
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many explanatory memoranda on European Union matters have been submitted to Parliament by Ministers in each of the last three years. [38807]

  Mr. Newton
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. However, the table gives the numbers of European Community documents deposited in Parliament in the last three years for consideration by the House of Commons Select Committee on European 464
  Legislation and the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities. Explanatory memoranda will have been produced on all but a small number of these documents and many will also have been the subject of supplementary memoranda updating Parliament on developments in negotiations or answering specific questions raised by either Select Committee. In addition, unnumbered explanatory memoranda are sometimes submitted to Parliament when a formal Community document is not available.

  European Community documents deposited in Parliament

  Year

  Documents

  1993

  732

  1994

  769

  1995

  727

  Water Consumption
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) what steps have been taken to promote water efficiency in phase 2 of the new parliamentary building; what will be the capacity of lavatory cisterns in the new building; and what is the projected average daily water use per regular occupant of the building; [39884]

  (2) what were the figures for overall water consumption on the parliamentary estate over the last five years; what are the figures for average daily water use per regular occupant of the estate; what water conservation devices are in place on the estate; and what plans there are (a) to improve the efficiency of and (b) to reduce water use; [39885]

  (3) what steps have been taken to investigate the feasibility, costs and benefits of (a) reducing the flush volume of lavatories and (b) fitting automatic timers to urinal flushing systems on the parliamentary estate; [39886]

  (4) what is the estimated annual volume of water use on lawns, plants and flowers on the parliamentary estate; and what studies have been made of the potential for using trickle or drop feed irrigation for such watering; [39887]

  (5) what steps have been taken to investigate the feasibility, costs and benefits of fitting spray taps to basins on the parliamentary estate. [39888]

  Sir Raymond Powell
  I will ask the Director of Parliamentary Works to write to the hon. Member.

  President Mandela (Brass Plaque)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans he has to instal a brass plaque on the steps of Westminster Hall to commemorate the visit of President Mandela. [39731]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I have seen my hon. Friend's early-day motion 1155 on President Mandela's speech in Westminster Hall which I note has attracted the support of hon. Members from many of the parties represented in the House.

  The final decision on whether such a plaque should be installed is, of course, a matter for the authorities controlling Westminster Hall. I propose to put the matter

  465
  before the Administration Committee at its first meeting in the new Session, with a view to formulating a possible recommendation to Madam Speaker.

  Members' Pay Increase
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many hon. Members have informed the Fees Office that they will be approving payment to a charity of the whole or part of the increases payable on the decisions taken by the House on 10 July. [39673]

  Mr. Newton
  I am advised by the Fees Office that five "Give As You Earn" amendment forms have been issued since 10 July, but I am unable to say whether these forms have been requested as a result of the decision of the House that day.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each occasion in the last two months in which his Department has consulted farmers directly about policy development concerning BSE and the beef crisis; and if he will make a statement. [37362]

  Mr. Ancram
  My noble Friend Baroness Denton will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Banned Feed
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how his Department plans to enforce legislation making it illegal for farmers to have outstanding stocks of banned feed on their premises; when that legislation comes into force; and if he will make a statement. [37355]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on 19 July,Official Report column 699.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC officers arrived by helicopter in a field adjacent to Stonebridge roundabout, Rickhill on 9 July at approximately 1500 hours; how many of these officers had their services number openly displayed on their uniforms; how many plastic bullets were fired at the crowd at the roundabout; what warning was giving by the RUC offices that they intended to fire plastic bullets; what factors underlay the decision to use plastic bullets; if the principle of the use of minimum force was applied; and if he will make a statement. [373790]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Operational matters are issues for the Chief Constable of the RUC. However, plastic bullets are not in use in Northern Ireland.
  466
  In general terms, during the very grave incidents of the 10-day period between 7 and 16 July the RUC undertook many security duties which put them in danger. At different times it became necessary to use plastic baton rounds against identified targets actively involved in attacking police officers.

  Demonstration (Comber)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons he estimates were involved in a protest at Bridge street, Comber on 10 July; if he will list the recorded incidents of attacks on(a) people and (b) property; how many Royal Ulster Constabulary officers arrived at the location by 2300 hours; what warnings the RUC issued to the protesters; what factors underlay the decisions of the RUC to use batons against protesters; and if he will make a statement. [37890]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the right hon. Gentleman.

  Medical Equipment
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of arrangements for replacing X-ray and nuclear medicine equipment in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the provision of such equipment. [38228]

  Mr. Moss
  The replacement of X-ray and nuclear equipment in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of health service providers. Annual allocations of general capital made to these providers enables them to set their own local priorities and make any arrangements for the replacement of equipment including X-ray and nuclear medical.

  Since October 1991 the contracting and purchase of diagnostic imaging equipment have been arranged centrally through the regional supplies service. The effectiveness of these procedures is demonstrated by the substantial discounts in excess of 20 per cent. which have been achieved since their introduction. Increasingly in the future I will be looking to the private finance initiative to help tackle some of the problems in equipment replacement.

  Anglo-Irish Secretariat
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary visited the Anglo-Irish secretariat at Maryfield, Belfast between 1 June and 6 July; and if he will make a statement on discussions between RUC officers and members of the Anglo-Irish secretariat. [38920]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the right hon. Gentleman.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39449]

  (2) what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media; [39342]

  (3) 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; [39384]

  (4) 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; [39424]

  (5) what was the cost of staff employed full time or part time (i) to provide nformation and publicity and (ii) to work on the press and media in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1993–94; [39406]

  (6) what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39978]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Drugs
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of(a) men and (b) women, convicted by courts, of drug offences in Northern Ireland during 1995. [39222]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39527]

  Sir John Wheeler
  None.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39303]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Northern Ireland Forum
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Northern Ireland Forum have submitted their resignations; and if he will make a statement. [39330]

  Mr. Ancram
  I will write to the right hon. Gentleman.

  Housing Benefit (Abbeyfield Society)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from the Abbeyfield Society regarding recent changes in housing benefit. [39592]

  Mr. Moss
  I have received six letters from elected representatives on behalf of the Abbeyfield Society.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed changes to housing benefit on residents of Abbeyfield homes with particular reference to the increases in fees for residents; and if he will make a statement. [39593]

  Mr. Moss
  The Government have carefully considered all representations on this matter and have concluded that the sudden removal of this source of income may cause significant difficulties for many vulnerable people in supported accommodation.

  On 8 July my right hon. and learned Friend withdrew the proposed draft regulations and has commissioned a review of the arrangements for funding supported accommodation.

  No decision to proceed with the proposed legislation will be taken in Great Britain or Northern Ireland until the Government have considered the findings of the review and taken account of all matters raised by interested organisations.

  School Transport
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to abolish the three-for-two rule on Ulsterbus buses used for the transport of school children. [39597]

  Mr. Moss
  There are no plans to abolish the rule. However, under the Public Service Vehicle (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995, which came into operation on 24 January of this year, the three-for-two concession for buses no longer applies where seat belts are fitted.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to ensure that Ulsterbus is paid by the education and library boards only for passes which are used; and what plans he has to ensure that Ulsterbus is paid for each journey undertaken by schoolchildren with passes. [39598]

  Mr. Ancram
  The current contractual arrangements whereby boards pay to Ulsterbus Ltd. an average sessional ticket price for pupils incorporates a reduction in the actual cost to reflect non usage. There are no plans to alter these arrangements.

  Training Schools
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much Government funding has been provided in total to Rathgael training centre in each of the last 20 years; and what is the breakdown of this funding under care and justice functions; [39564]

  (2) how much Government funding has been provided in total to St. Patrick's training school in each of the last 20 years. [39565]
  469
  Sir John Wheeler
  Records readily available of Government funding at St. Patrick's or Rathgael training schools date only from 1987–88. Funding provided to the two training schools was as follows:

  Rathgael £000

  St. Patrick's £000

  1987–88

  3,200

  1,852

  1988–89

  2,907

  2,247

  1989–90

  3,511

  1,931

  1990–91

  3,314

  2,237

  1991–92

  3,996

  2,558

  1992–93

  3,874

  3,077

  1993–94

  3,971

  3,835

  1994–95

  4,209

  4,015

  1995–96

  6,154

  3,225

  Funding levels are primarily based on average occupancy levels at the training schools. It is not readily possible to distinguish between care and justice functions.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many applications for dumps in the Ballygowan area have been(a) approved and (b) rejected in the last five years; [39590]

  (2) how many objections have been received in respect of planning application 0408 relating to 35 Magherascouse road, Ballygowan; and what is the current status of this application. [39589]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subjects in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 24 July 1996:
  Mr Moss has asked me to reply to your questions about how many applications for dumps in the Ballygowan area had been approved or rejected in the last 5 years, and how many objections had been received in respect of Planning Application 0408 relating to 35 Magherascouse Road, Ballygowan.
  During the last 5 years, The Planning Service has approved 4 and rejected no applications for dumps in the Ballygowan area. As regards Planning Application 0408, the application was received on 22 May 1996 and is at an early stage in the consultation process. To date, 23 letters and 1 petition have been received objecting to the proposal.

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations he has received regarding the proposed fluoridation of water in Northern Ireland; and how many have been(a) in favour and (b) against. [39594]

  Mr. Moss
  I have to date received a total of 158 representations, of which 30 have been in favour and 128 against the proposal.

  Anglo-Irish Secretariat (Protests)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the formal protests lodged by the Irish Government with the Anglo-Irish secretariat since November 1985, with the subject matter in each case; [39577]
  470
  (2) if he will list the protests lodged with the Irish side of the Anglo-Irish secretariat since 1985 and the subject matter. [39580]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I will write to the hon. and learned Gentleman.

  Indecency Convictions
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many males(a) were convicted and (b) were cautioned in respect of the offences of gross indecency, indecent behaviour and indecent assault in 1995 which involved only males separately identifying those involving minors. [39578]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I will write to the hon. and learned Gentleman.

  Belfast International Airport
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria will be used to decide(a) the price and (b) the buyer in the sale of Belfast international airport; and if he will make a statement. [39579]

  Mr. Moss
  The price offered for Belfast international airport is a matter for the commercial judgment of the existing owners and the proposed purchaser.

  The Government retained a reversionary interest in BIAL the principal purpose of which was to enable it to retain, for security reasons, an element of control over the identity of the owners of the property. The control mechanisms can be exercised by means of a special share and a 999-year lease. The current management of BIAL, has complied with the requirements of the special share in consulting the department with regard to the identity of the proposed purchasers.

  The Government welcome this important vote of confidence in the strength and potential of the Northern Ireland economy.

  Phoenix Criminal Record System
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what access the Royal Ulster Constabulary has to the Phoenix criminal record system used in Great Britain; and what is the Northern Ireland equivalent of that system. [39581]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary, through designated offices, can access the Phoenix criminal record system to:

  (i) search and extract conviction details; and

  (ii) enter and extract details of wanted or missing persons.

  Criminal records within the RUC are retained on computer; the system is called CIRS—criminal information retrieval system.

  Border Markers (Discussions)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to enter into discussions with the Irish Government with a view to the authorities
  471
  in the Republic of Ireland marking clearly on every cross-border road where British territory ends and Irish territory begins. [39671]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government will consider raising the issue via the intergovernmental conference arrangements, but essentially the way in which roads are marked in the Republic of Ireland is a matter for the Irish Government.

  Car Park Charges
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the average increase in car park charges in Department of Environment car parks in 1996; and what was the increase in car parks in Newtownards. [39655]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question about car park charges in Department of Environment car parks.
  The average increase in car parking charges across Northern Ireland is 30%. The average increase in Newtownards is approximately 39%.

  Civilian Disturbances (Deaths)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Great Britain and (c) the Republic of Ireland have been killed by (i) loyalist terrorists, (ii) republican terrorists, (iii) the police and (iv) the Army since 1968 in civil disturbances in Northern Ireland; and how many in (i) to (iv) are assessed to have been (1) Protestant and (2) Roman Catholic. [39591]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I will write to the right hon. Gentleman.

  Ulsterbus (Overcrowding)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to prevent overcrowding of buses operated by Ulsterbus. [39595]

  Mr. Moss
  Each bus is certified as to the number of seats and the level of standing by the public service vehicle authorities and the company adheres to these regulations. Enforcement of the regulations is carried out by the bus driver. Periodic checks, involving a physical count of passengers, are carried out by inspectors. The maximum carrying capacity is displayed on each bus.

  Business Development Service
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in establishing the business development service of the 472
  Department of Finance and Personnel as a next steps agency. [39935]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The business development service of the Department of Finance and Personnel will be established as an executive agency on 1 October 1996. It will continue to be known as the business development service.

  I have set a number of key performances targets for the agency to achieve by April 1997, as follows:
  at least 80 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the services that they have received;
  at least 80 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the way in which services were assessed and provided;
  an efficiency saving of 5 per cent. to be achieved in running costs over 1995–96 along with an improvement of 4 per cent. in unit costs across all services; and
  the agency to be positioned to recover the costs of its services of Telecommunications, Information Systems Services, Information Systems Personnel and Training, Thinklink, the Human Resource Management System, Forms Design and the Central Print Unit commencing on 1 April 1997, and to continue to develop mechanisms for charging for all other services.

  Copies of the framework document which sets out the terms within which the agency will operate will be placed in the Library prior to the agency's launch along with its first corporate and business plan.

  Parades and Marches
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the terms of reference for the proposed review of parades and marches in Northern Ireland. [39936]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The review of parades and marches in Northern Ireland which I announced in the House on 15 July will have the following terms of reference:"To review, in the light of evidence received from any interested party and having regard to the particular experience of 1996, the current arrangements for handling public processions and open-air public meetings and associated public order issues in Northern Ireland, including
  the adequacy of the current legal provisions, and in particular the adequacy of the statutory criteria used in making decisions on public processions and open-air public meetings
  the powers and responsibilities of the Secretary of State, police and others
  the possible need for new machinery, both formal and informal, to play a part in determining whether and how certain public processions and open-air public meetings should take place
  the possible role for and composition of Codes of Practice for organisers of and participants in public processions and open-air public meetings
  and to make recommendations by the end of January 1997."

  The review will begin as soon as possible. I hope to announce the names of those conducting the review shortly.

  Health and Safety Division
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the prior options study of the health and safety division of the Department of Economic Development has been completed; and what was the outcome. [39937]

  Mr. Moss
  This study, which was undertaken by independent consultants, has been completed and Ministers have concluded that a new executive non-departmental public body, operating along next steps lines, should be established to carry out the functions presently exercisable by both the division and the existing Health and Safety Agency in Northern Ireland.

  An Order in Council will be required to implement the recommendations and the timetable will therefore be governed by progress in the making of that order.

  Public Order (Review)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the handling of public order situations and the use of plastic baton rounds in Northern Ireland. [40013]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, as part of this year's formal inspection process, will conduct a review of the RUC 's procedures and training for handling public order situations including those relating to the use of plastic baton rounds. That review will take account of the disorders associated with recent marches, including the need to ensure adequate protection of RUC officers faced with determined assaults and petrol bombs. HMI's inspection report will be publicly available later this year.

  Pre-school Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to have a pilot scheme in Northern Ireland to introduce the voucher system for pre-school education; and if he will make a statement. [40095]

  Mr. Ancram
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the licences currently issued by his Department, indicating their function and the annual administrative costs for each. [37816]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 19 July 1996]: The information requested has been placed in the Library. Other than where indicated, to provide the administrative costs of the licences would incur disproportionate cost.

  Ulster Hospital (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been waiting more than two years for initial appointments with consultants at the Ulster hospital; in what specialties; and what is the longest waiting time currently outstanding. [36663]

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Information is not held centrally for waiting times at individual hospitals. The figure given shows the total for the Ulster
  474
  North Down and Ards health and social services trust of out-patients who are waiting 24 months and over for their first out-patient appointment at the end of March 1996:
  Plastic Surgery—1

  Information held centrally relates only to those people waiting 24 months and over. The longest waiting time currently outstanding is not therefore readily available.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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 past 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. [39143]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Assistance towards small firms in Northern Ireland is delivered for the Department of Economic Development by its agency the local enterprise development unit— LEDU.

  LEDU's strategy forms an integral part of the Government's approach to encourage competitiveness and growth among small businesses and I am extremely encouraged that LEDU continues to build upon its excellent performance over past years. The recent study by the Northern Ireland Economic Research Council on LEDU's impact on small firm performance in Northern Ireland from 1989 to 1994, concluded that the agency is making a considerable impact on the small business population, with a 54 per cent. employment increase amongst LEDU-assisted firms over the period. In addition, turnover amongst LEDU "growth" clients increased by 40 per cent. in real terms and external sales by these companies increased by 63 per cent.

  LEDU launched its new corporate plan for the period 1995 to 1998 on 29 June 1995 and it includes a revised range of performance indicators, the key ones being:

  Performance indicators

  1995–96 Targets

  1995–96 Actual

  Contracts with growth companies

  150

  218

  Contracts with established companies

  200

  228

  Companies participating in export development programmes

  12

  12

  Companies participating in market awareness programmes

  120

  67

  Startups with export potential

  90

  127

  LEDU's end of year results for 1995–96 will be announced in September with the publication of its annual report. These will include the NIERC survey results for 1995–96.

  Non-fossil Fuel Generation Targets
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the generation targets for Northern Ireland from non-fossil fuel sources for the 15 years following inception of the scheme; what amount of that generation has been installed to date; what was the original target; what amount of electricity is generated from
  475
  each source at present; what is the forecast for generation until 2011; how much electricity has been available on average to date and what percentage of installed capacity this represents from each source; and what is the cost per unit of such electricity to (a) the customer and (b) Northern Ireland Electricity. [38622]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Government established in 1993 a target of 45 MW of renewable plant by the year 2005. The first non-fossil fuel obligation order was made on 31 March 1994 requiring NTE to purchase 15.6 MW of renewable energy. Three renewable technologies; wind (12.6 MW), water (hydro) (2.4 MW) and sewage gas (0.5 MW) were for inclusion in the order. An announcement on the size and composition of a second NFFO order is expected to be made within the next few weeks.

  To date, schemes with a declared net capacity of 10.8 MW—wind 10.5 MW and hydro 0.3 MW—have been installed. The wind schemes are currently generating 57 GWh per month; and the hydro schemes 0.1 GWh per month. These figures can vary significantly from month to month. The average monthly power produced by wind schemes since commissioning has been 47.0 GWh and by hydro schemes 0.06 GWh.

  There will be 45 MW of electricity generated from renewable schemes by 2005. All such schemes will still be operational in 2011. It is not possible to predict the level of additional renewables capacity which may come on line between 2005 and 2011.

  The installed capacity currently available from NFFP 1 is 24.7 MW—wind 98.8 per cent. and hydro 1.2 per cent.

  The average cost of electricity contracted to NIE under the first NFFO order is approximately 6.0p/kWh. For consumers, when all schemes are commissioned, this will represent an increase of under 1 per cent. in electricity prices.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review the use of plastic bullets in Northern Ireland; what disciplinary action has been taken against Royal Ulster Constabulary over the firing of plastic bullets; and if he will undertake a review of the numbers of people who have received injuries from plastic bullets, and the occasions on which the RUC has fired in breach of the existing rules relating to the use of baton rounds. [38960]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: Plastic bullets are not used in Northern Ireland.

  On the question of a review of the use of plastic baton rounds, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. Maginnis).

  Allegations of breaches of the existing rules in respect of the use of baton rounds are treated as complaints against the police and are subject to thorough investigation. Statistics show that since 1990 no RUC officer has been the subject of disciplinary action as a result of the firing of a plastic baton round.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Industrial Development Boards
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the publication date of the code of practice for industrial development boards. [36250]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance on appointments to executive non-departmental public bodies and NHS bodies applies to the regional industrial development boards. No additional code of practice is to be published.

  Missile Exports
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times since 1979 his Department has approved export licences for missiles which are capable of conversion to nuclear use; and for each occasion if he will give the date of approval and the end user specified in the licence. [36763]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  An initial sweep of computer data— which reliably extends back only to March 1990—has shown that, even for that period, the exercise would involve the manual examination and individual technical assessment of several hundred separate licensing records. That in itself would involve disproportionate cost.

  To cover the whole period would multiply that resource requirement several times, involving considerably more time-consuming manual searches.

  However, the UK has been, since its inception in 1987, a full and active member of the missile technology control regime and views every application for export licences for missiles, missile systems and associated technology with care.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with leaders of industry to discuss the effect of the century date change on computer systems. [37491]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I held a meeting on 9 July with representatives of industry and the Bank of England to discuss the impact of the century date change on computer systems in the private sector. The common assessment was that the problem was serious and that reaction by senior management was inadequate. Many companies are not aware of the issue. Others are aware but have yet to audit their own systems, or to tackle the problem with the necessary urgency. Those who are furthest advanced in taking action are reporting very significant costs to put it right.

  I therefore asked the Confederation of British Industry, representing users, and the Computer Services and Software Association, representing suppliers, to set up a joint task force to take stock of activities already under way, and to co-ordinate action across the UK. The objectives are to ensure that senior management in all companies are aware of the issue and that they have access to appropriate help. The Federation of the Electronic Industry will support the task force, the DTI will work closely with it and links will be made with the

  477
  central IT unit and CCTA to share experience and address issues across the public/private sector boundary. The task force will report on progress in September.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [39147]

  Mr. Page
  The DTI report "Small Firms in Britain 1996" was published at the beginning of July and a copy was sent to all Members. The report sets out current Government policy for small businesses and includes key statistical indicators.

  "Your Business Matters—Government Response" was published as a companion document to the third competitiveness White Paper. The response outlines 30 measures aimed at helping small businesses to prosper and grow. The progress in implementing these measures will be monitored closely.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative hon. Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39523]

  Mr. Lang
  Meeting rooms have been booked on five occasions this Session.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many visits(a) the Secretary of State and (b) other Ministers in his Department have made to (i) the Newbury constituency and (ii) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39778]

  Mr. Lang
  According to our records, four visits have been made by DTI Ministers to the Newbury constituency during the last 12 months.

  It would not be possible to answer the second part of the question except at disproportionate cost.

  Domestic Telephone Bills
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the average domestic telephone bill in the year before the privatisation of British Telecom; and what is the current equivalent. [37668]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Prices for a basket of BT's commonly used services have fallen by 40 per cent. in real terms since 1984. I understand from BT that the median quarterly bill of a typical residential customer in the year prior to privatisation was £25.82—excluding connection charges. This represents £45.59 in 1995–96 terms— adjusted for inflation. Since then, residential phone users on average have increased their use of the telephone, and this is reflected in the median quarterly BT residential 478
  bill in 1995–96 being £46.31. Over this period, residential phone users have benefited from significant reductions in the real price of individual services, and innovative improvements in quality.

  Universities
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what his Department is doing to help increase the flow of resources from industry to the university sector. [37281]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My Department's support for technology foresight, Link and the industrial units scheme and our funding of relevant and collaborative research through the research councils are examples of support which encourages companies to work with the university sector to improve national competitiveness and quality of life. Other schemes such as the realising our potential award and foresight challenge have brought industrial funds into academia. Further information is given in our annual report, which is available in the Library of the House.

  Companies House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints of(a) victimisation, (b) unfairness and (c) discrimination have been made in respect of Companies House in each of the last two years; how many have gone to (a) appeal and (b) tribunal; how many have been settled; and in each case what was the cost involved. [39533]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have asked the chief executive of Companies House executive agency to reply to the hon. Member directly.

  Letter from John S. Holden to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 24 My 1996:
  In response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade, I trust the following information is helpful.
  The table summaries formal complaints made during the last two years (to July 1996) at Companies House.

  Year 1

  Year 2

  Appeal

  Tribunal

  Settled

  Victimisation

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  Unfairness

  1

  1

  2

  —

  2

  Discrimination

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  Apart from internal management time and costs associated with investigation, appeal and legal advice no other costs have been incurred to date. Two cases remain to be settled and any potential cost involved in settlement has not yet been finalised.

  Working Time Directive
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next expects to meet his European Union counterparts to discuss the working time directive. [37290]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has no such plans at present. If the judgment of the European Court of Justice follows the opinion of the Advocate General, we will raise the question of treaty changes in the intergovernmental conference.
  479
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the numbers of people likely to be affected by the working time directive; and what percentage he estimates would refuse to agree in any circumstances to work more than 48 hours. [37300]

  Mr. Taylor
  My Department estimates that some 2.1 million employees do not conform with the daily and weekly rest provisions in the working time directive; 2.7 million regularly work more than 48 hours a week; and about 0.2 million work over the directive's night work limit. Up to 3.8 million workers could be affected by the directive's paid holiday provisions. There is no information about how many of those who currently work more than 48 hours a week might refuse to do so.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the financing implications for the United Kingdom's economy of a maximum 48-hour working week. [37683]

  Mr. Taylor
  My Department has received a wide range of representations about the working time directive. Many of these have been from organisations concerned about its potential cost implications.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action the Government proposes to prevent the application of the working time directive in the United Kingdom from 23 November. [37283]

  Mr. Taylor
  The Government have challenged the legal basis of the working time directive in the European Court of Justice, and will be pursuing their fundamental concerns in the intergovernmental conference.

  Power Stations (Bovine Wastes)
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made with the proposals for burning bovine wastes in power stations; what further regulatory clearances will be required for such disposal; and how environmental costs will be addressed. [40101]

  Mr. Lang
  The Government are exploring all practical options for the disposal, after rendering, of wastes arising from the over 30-month slaughter scheme, that is, tallow and meat and bone meal. Among other steps, it has asked the power generators to consider the possibility of burning such wastes in power stations. National Power and PowerGen are currently conducting combustion testing on the materials at combustion test facilities at Didcot, Oxfordshire and Ratcliffe on Soar, Nottinghamshire, respectively. These tests are being monitoring by the Environment Agency.

  It is too early to say whether burning of these materials in power stations will be feasible. If it is, however, authorisation by the Environment Agency—or in Scotland by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency—under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 would be required for any variations in the authorised process at any station proposed to be used. The relevant agency would have to consider whether any proposed variations were substantial. If it so concludes, the proposals must be advertised, and 28 days allowed for representations before the agency decides whether to authorise the proposed variations.
  480
  There might also be a need to vary the consents which have been given to the operation of power stations under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Alternatively, it may be appropriate to disapply section 36 as provided for in section 36(4), in which case normal planning rules would apply in respect of any proposed changes to any station for this purpose. In either case, an environmental impact assessment may be required if the proposed changes were likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

  British Coal (Recreational Land)
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are in place to ensure that British Coal's recreational land is safeguarded for future recreational use. [40102]

  Mr. Page
  The Government have consistently made clear their intention that British Coal land currently in active use for sport and recreation should be retained for those purposes. To that end, the Prime Minister announced today, at the launch of the first annual report for "Sport Raising the Game", that it has now been agreed by British Coal and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation that British Coal's freehold interest in its recreational land should be transferred to CISWO. This transfer will be on the basis that existing tenants will, generally, be offered new, long-term leases requiring that the land continues to be used for recreational purposes.

  Medical Research Council
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the forthcoming prior options reviews of units sponsored by the Medical Research Council. [40103]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government announced on 29 September 1995 that all public sector research establishments would be subject to prior options reviews.

  Reviews are now beginning of the MRC's arrangements for sponsoring the Dunn nutrition unit, virology unit, toxicology unit, reproductive biology unit, radiation and genome stability unit and mammalian genetics unit.

  These reviews will take place alongside those of establishments parented or sponsored by other Government Departments which are carrying out work in similar or related fields. The reviews will build on any relevant recent studies.

  I should welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 15 September 1996 to:
  Dr. Declan Mulkeen, Corporate Affairs Group, MRC Head Office, 20 Park Crescent. London WIN 4AL.

  Management Information System for Ministers
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he plans to publish his Department's annual MINIS return. [40105]

  Mr. Lang
  The MINIS 96 returns for the Department, including its efficiency plan, were published on 24 July 1996. A set has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Radiocommunications Agency
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the revised framework document for the Radiocommunications Agency is to be published. [40100]

  Mr. Lang
  The Radiocommunications Agency's revised framework document has been published today. A copy of the revised framework document and a copy of an evaluation report on the performance of the Radiocommunications Agency since its inception as an executive agency in April 1990 have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action the Government have taken to follow up Sir Richard Scott's recommendation for a review of export controls. [40104]

  Mr. Lang
  In line with Sir Richard's recommendation at chapter K3.6 of his report, I am today publishing a consultative document on strategic export controls, Cm 3349, which will be available via HMSO, and am placing copies in the Libraries of both Houses. I have asked for responses to be made to my Department by 31 October. After this consultation, and depending on what decisions are taken, the Government may need to undertake further more detailed consultation with directly interested parties as proposals for change are worked up in detail.

  Industrial Relations
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the current state of industrial relations; and if he will make a statement. [37276]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Industrial relations have improved immensely since the 1960s and 1970s. Strikes in Britain remain at historically very low levels, with only 0.42 million working days lost in the 12 months to April 1996 compared with annual averages of 7.2 million in the 1980s and 12.9 million in the 1970s.

  Royal Mail
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of his letter of last week to the chairman of Royal Mail concerning a suspension of Royal Mail's monopoly on letters costing less than £1 to send. [38489]

  Mr. Lang
  I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of my letter dated 12 July to Sir Michael Heron, the chairman of the Post Office, which initiated consultations with the Post Office about the implications of a suspension of the statutory monopoly on the delivery of letters for under £1.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39300]
  482
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Any driver of a DTI vehicle is personally accountable for any traffic violations when in charge of the vehicle and for any costs incurred as a result. The Department's records are, therefore, very limited. We are aware of three tickets for speeding between 1990 and 1994 and six parking tickets between 1993 and 1996. We do not know the amount of the fines that were paid.

  The vehicles currently owned by the Department are not used and are in the process of being sold. There is no intention to replace them.

  Low Pay
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to combat low pay; and if he will make a statement. [37294]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The improved performance of the British economy since 1979, particularly the huge increase in productivity and low inflation, has allowed for significant increases in real wages at all levels, including the lower paid. This is in direct contrast to the late 1970s when low productivity meant that increases in earnings fed through to higher prices and increased inflation.

  South West Industrial Development Board
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the occasions between January 1980 and December 1984 on which members of his Department's south-west industrial office have absented themselves from board meetings because of potential conflicts of interest, indicating(a) the date, (b) the board members, (c) the company, (d) the value of the financial assistance applied for, (e) the value of the assistance subsequently offered and (f) the potential conflict of interest; [35244]

  (2) if he will list the occasions between January 1985 and December 1989 on which members of his Department's south-west industrial office have absented themselves from board meetings because of potential conflicts of interest, indicating (a) the date, (b) the board members, (c) the company, (d) the value of the financial assistance applied for, (e) the value of the assistance subsequently offered and (f) the potential conflict of interest. [35245]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answers 1 July 1996]: Listed in the table are the occasions when members of the South West industrial development board are known to have absented themselves—because of potential conflicts of interest— from discussions between 1980 and 1989 of cases which subsequently resulted in offers of regional selective assistance.

  Unfortunately, this list may be incomplete. The files containing the full minutes of the board before early 1988 were destroyed after a set period in accordance with the records management procedures then in place in the Department's south-west regional office—now absorbed in the Government office for the south-west. We have, however, been able to establish some earlier abstentions from other sources.

  I should make it clear that, throughout this period, board members declared directorships and similar substantial interests in companies both on appointment and when lists of forthcoming cases were regularly

  483
  circulated. Where such declarations had been made, the members concerned would neither have seen the papers relating to applications from those companies nor have attended relevant discussions of the board.

  Date

  Board member

  Cases

  Grant applied for £

  Grant offered £

  13 December 1983

  K. Holmes

  Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd.

  76,000

  1110,000

  29 October 1985

  V. Parsons

  Wandel and Goltermann Ltd.

  400,000

  400,000

  28 October 1986

  K. Holmes

  Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd.

  300,000

  300,000

  22 March 1988

  G. Hoare

  J and F Pool Ltd.

  250,000

  75,000

  28 February 1989

  K. Holmes

  Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd.

  1,000,000

  800,000

  25 July 1989

  R. Harris

  Ranco Controls Ltd.

  400,000

  400,000

  1 For expanded project.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 18 June,Official Report, columns 458–59, in what circumstances the financial assistance schemes mentioned go before the industrial development board for scrutiny and approval; and what other procedures are followed. [37713]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: Offers of regional selective assistance cases involving potential grant above a set level—which in the case of the south-west was until recently £100,000 but is now £250,000—but not exceeding £2 million are considered by a regional industrial development board—or, exceptionally, by the national industrial development advisory board. Offers of grant below the set level may be approved by officials without reference to the boards but officials have discretion to seek board advice in any case where they consider it desirable to do so. Offers of regional selective assistance above £2 million are normally appraised in headquarters and considered by the industrial development advisory board. All offers of £1 million or more are subject to ministerial approval.

  Offers of assistance under the other schemes referred to in my earlier answer have been considered by officials within guidelines and against criteria approved by Ministers, without reference to external advisory boards but subject to ministerial approval above certain thresholds.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial assistance has been given by his Department since 1980 to Company A, the identity having been supplied to him, by(a) type of grant, (b) date offered, including month and (c) date of payment, including month. [37644]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: Company A was offered regional selective assistance of £2 million in October 1989. Payment was made in four instalments as follows:

  January 1991: £400,000

  December 1991: £800,000

  December 1992: £400,000

  December 1993: £400,000

  484
  No other assistance has been offered under the Department's principal regional, enterprise and technology schemes; nor has any loan to the company been covered under the small firms loan guarantee scheme.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 18 June,Official Report, columns 461–64, under what terms the financial assistance to Magrathea (Pendennis) Ltd. was granted; what is the company's current status; what assessment he has made of the productiveness of the grant; and if he will make a statement. [37647]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: Magrathea (Pendennis) Ltd. was offered regional selective assistance of £400,000 on 31 May 1994 to enable the company to establish a facility for the manufacture of marine components at Pendennis shipyard, Falmouth. The project had created 13 full-time jobs out of a total expected of 32 when the company suffered a major fire at the yard in October 1994 and subsequently went into receivership. A liquidator was appointed in February this year, and the Government office for the south-west has sought recovery of the total grant paid—£320,000. It is possible that Magrathea 2000 Ltd., which has bought the assets of Magrathea (Pendennis) Ltd. will continue the project.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if Mr. D was a member of his Department's South West industrial development board at the time of(a) the application and (b) the offer of any financial assistance since 1985 to company A, the identities having been supplied to him; [37642]

  (2) if, during his tenure on his Department's South West industrial development board, Mr. D was obliged to absent himself from any meetings due to a potential conflict of interest arising from his directorship and shareholding in company A, the identities having been supplied to him; [37645]

  (3) what role Mr. D has played in the granting of financial assistance by his Department to company A, the identities having been supplied to him. [37646]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answers 17 July 1996]: Mr. D was a member of the industrial development board when regional selective assistance was applied for, and offered to, company A in 1989. Because of the size of the application, the case was—in accordance with normal procedures—appraised centrally and not considered by the regional board; nor did Mr. D play any other role in the granting of the assistance. The Department is unaware of any instance where Mr. D's interests in company A necessitated his abstention from discussion by the board of applications by other companies.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board if Mr. B of his Department's South West industrial development board absented himself from board meetings discussing grant applications from company A due to a potential conflict of interest as a senior partner of the firm advising this company on its grant application; and if he will make a statement. [37643]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 July 1996]: As explained in my answer to a previous question, the board did not discuss the regional selective assistance application from company A.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the 10 largest industrial or commercial developments in England which resulted from inward 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 for each of these jobs. [37637]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: A full answer can be given only at disproportionate cost. Inward investment includes takeovers, expansions and joint ventures as well as new greenfield projects. Not all these will be eligible for public assistance.

  Sellafleld (Plutonium Store)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings have been held under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency or other relevant bodies concerning the establishment of an international regional plutonium store at Sellafield since his answer of 13 July 1993,Official Report, columns 430–31. [38242]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 19 July 1996]: None.

  Non-toxic Gunshot
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to amend the international proof convention on small arms to permit and facilitate the use of non-toxic gunshot. [38793]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: No steps are necessary. There is no current rule either domestic or made under the Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms—CIP—which restricts the use of non-toxic shot in guns. However, in certain situations, steel shot can damage gun barrels with implications for consumer safety. CIP has now produced regulations to avoid the sale of steel shot cartridges above a certain size and velocity.

  Exports
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the 10 largest manufactured exports from the United Kingdom at the eight digit standard international trade classification level. [38970]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information is given in the following table:

  UK top ten exports—1995

  Rank

  Commodity code

  Description

  £ million

  1

  84719180

  Digital processing units other than for use in civil aircraft

  3,398

  2

  71023100

  Diamonds, sorted

  2,410

  3

  87032319

  Motor vehicles, new, with an engine exceeding 1,500 cc not exceeding 3,000 cc

  2,397

  4

  30049019

  Medicaments (including veterinary) other than containing iodine, packaged for retail sale

  2,054

  5

  87032410

  Motor vehicles, new, with an engine exceeding 3,000 cc

  1,733

  6

  84733010

  Electronic assemblies of automatic data processing machines

  1,642

  486

  UK top ten exports—1995

  Rank

  Commodity code

  Description

  £ million

  7

  84733090

  Other parts and accessories of automatic data processing machines

  1,638

  8

  85252090

  Radio transmitters-receivers, other than for use in civil aircraft

  1,467

  9

  88033010

  Other parts of civil aircraft, other than propellers, undercarriage, tyres, electrical parts

  1,353

  10

  87089998

  Parts and accessories for motor vehicles chassis without engines

  1,327

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK.

  Space Policy
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was discussed, and what conclusions were reached, at his seminar on space policy with industry on 25 June; and what date has been set for the next one. [38891]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The space policy forum I held on 25 June was extremely successful and was attended by representatives from across the space community. The forum considered the whole range of issues affecting the sector and made an invaluable contribution to the forward plan for UK space activities, which I am publishing today. This process forms an essential part of UK space policy. I look forward to further regular consultation with the space community within the framework set by the plan.

  Export Guarantees Advisory Council
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Export Guarantees Advisory Council(a) publishes its advice to Government and (b) publishes an annual report; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [37903]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: The Export Guarantees Advisory Council is a purely advisory body appointed under the terms of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991. Its function is to advise the Secretary of State, at his request, in respect of any matter relating to the exercise of his functions under the Act. Its members receive no remuneration.

  The answers to both the specific questions are no.

  Enterprise Zones
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the enterprise zones created in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [39559]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  In the last three years, the enterprise zones created have been east midlands, Dearne Valley and east Durham—all designated in 1995—and Tyne riverside which is in the process of being designated this year.

  Since the enterprise zone scheme was introduced in 1981, the Government have developed a range of alternative schemes to promote regeneration and growth. These are generally better targeted and can be

  487
  implemented more rapidly than the enterprise zones scheme which, in part as a result of EC regulations, can take up to three years to designate. Enterprise zones can affect economic activity over wide areas through displacement effects and are not the appropriate regeneration measure in most circumstances. In December 1987, the Government announced that the enterprise zone scheme would not be extended other than in exceptional circumstances.

  Considerate Constructors Scheme
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department has taken to support and promote the building industry's considerate constructors scheme; and if he will make a statement. [39797]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  The considerate constructors scheme is an initiative being piloted by the Construction Industry Board, chaired by Sir Michael Latham. Both the board and the scheme have the full support of the Government.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is her Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39341]

  Mr. Sproat
  None. My Department does not employ consultants within these areas.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many staff are assumed in her 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. [39468]

  Mr. Sproat
  Staff in the information division work on publicity and press projects. There are currently 12 full-time information grade posts, and no part-time posts.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many staff were employed full time or part time(a) to provide information and publicity and (bj on press and media in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1993–94. [39423]

  Mr. Sproat
  Staff in the information division work on publicity and press projects. The number of information grade posts in each of the past three years has been:

  1995–96: 10

  1994–95: 11

  1993–94: 11

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [39407]
  488
  Mr. Sproat
  Staff in information division of the Department of National Heritage work on press and publicity projects. The total cost for both (i) and (ii) of staff employed full time or part time was:

  (a) £390,864

  (b) £435,818

  (c) £428,685

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97; [39977]

  (2) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39447]

  Mr. Sproat
  The total cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time in the Department of National Heritage, to provide information and publicity and to work on the press and the media in 1996–97 is £455,380.

  Staff in information division of the Department of National Heritage work on both press and publicity projects.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to receive the report from the Middleton committee on the future financing of the film industry; and if she will make a statement. [39693]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend expects to receive the report on 31 July.

  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to receive the report from the Advisory Committee on Film Finance on the future financing of the United Kingdom film industry. [39584]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend expects to receive the report on 31 July.

  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are the levels of investment in United Kingdom film production in 1996–97. [39586]

  Mr. Sproat
  Figures for 1996–97 are not available, but the total investment in UK-linked films going into production in the first half of the calendar year 1996 was reported to be £333 million.

  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the agencies which have made representations to the Middleton committee on the film industry. [39585]

  Mr. Sproat
  The following organisations have made representations to the advisory committee:

  Premier Media Ltd.

  British Film Institute

  British Screen Advisory Council

  Candover Services Ltd.

  Cinema Exhibitors Association

  Durlacher and Co., Plc

  European Film Finance and Insurers Association

  Film Financing Ltd

  Film Investment and Loan Management Services Ltd.

  489

  Guardian Royal Exchange

  Heath Martens Horner Ltd.

  Hydra Associates Ltd.

  KPMG

  Legal and General Investment Management

  Mercury Asset Management

  Midland Bank Plc

  Nat West Markets

  National Film and Television School

  Pearson Television

  Rank Organisation

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  Rutherford Asset Management

  Shepperton Studios

  Society of Film Distributors

  United International Pictures (UK)

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in her name, or that of other Ministers in her Department, for meetings with Conservative hon. Members immediately preceding questions to her Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39530]

  Mr. Sproat
  On no occasions.

  National Heritage Memorial Fund
  Mr. Patten
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many applications for support from the national heritage memorial fund have been received for projects(a) of a specifically Christian nature and (b) which recognise the millennium as marking 2,000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ; of those how many have been approved; and at what COSt. [39583]

  Mr. Sproat
  The heritage lottery fund does not categorise by religious denomination. However, to date 566 applications have been received from religious organisations 31 per cent. of total—asking for grants amounting to £57,505,362. Eighty-seven grants have been awarded to religious organisations, 23 per cent. of total grants awarded amounting to £8,024,510.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the total national lottery funding allocated for distribution through the heritage commission in 1995–96; what sum is planned for 1996–97; what was the total sum allocated and paid through the commission in 1995–96; and what sum has been allocated and paid to date in 1996–97. [40039]

  Mr. Sproat
  The total national lottery funding allocated for distribution through the national heritage memorial fund in 1995–96 was £305 million; of this, £40.4 million was drawn down in that year. A total of £33.6 million has been drawn down in 1996–97 out of a planned expenditure of £197 million. Estimated income for the NHMF in 1996–97 is £250 million.

  Loan Indemnification
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total value of contingent liabilities arising from her indemnification, under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980, of loans from the Gilbert collection to the Victoria and Albert museum. [40030]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend made a written statement to the House on 5 June 1996 at columns 499–500 setting out the total value of statutory contingent liabilities arising from all section 16 indemnities that remained outstanding at 31 March 1996. Since making that report, we have indemnified, under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980, a number of loans by the Gilbert Public Arts Foundation to the Victoria and Albert museum. The current total value of statutory contingent liabilities arising from these particular undertakings is £33,140,563. The Gilbert loans comprise an outstanding collection of more than 600 pieces of historic English and continental gold and silversmiths' work from about 1500 to 1830 and the definitive group of micromosaics and pietra dura furniture. The objects will be with the V and A for about three years and a number of them will be on display to the public.

  British Academy of Sport
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress has been made in establishing the British academy of sport. [40021]

  Mr. Sproat
  Details of the Government's proposals for the British academy of sport, as the pinnacle of a regional network of centres of sporting excellence and academies for particular sports, are set out in the bid prospectus, which is published today. Bidders have until 31 October to submit their bids, and it is hoped that a final decision will be reached by the end of January 1997.

  I have placed copies of the prospectus in the Libraries of the House.

  "Sport: Raising the Game"
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress has been made on implementing the initiatives set out in "Sport: Raising the Game". [40086]

  Mr. Sproat
  We have today published "Sport: Raising the Game—The First Year Report", which reports progress on all 38 action points set out in the sports policy statement published last July.

  The report shows that real progress has been made in the past year, but it also emphasises our determination to sustain the momentum in the coming year.

  In schools, a revised physical education curriculum, with greater emphasis on team games, was introduced in August 1995.

  From the 1996–97 academic year, schools' annual reports and prospectuses will include information on sporting aims, provision and achievements.

  In October, secondary schools, which have particularly good policies for sport, will be able to apply for a sportsmark award. The first awards will be made in April 1997.
  491
  From this summer, games that are offered as part of the formal PE curriculum will be inspected and reported on by Ofsted. Inspectors will also report on extra-curricular sporting provision made by the school.

  The Ofsted survey of good practice in school PE was published in December 1995, and a summary was sent to all schools in January 1996.

  For the first time, Her Majesty's chief inspector's annual report in February 1996 addressed the state of both curriculum PE and extra-curricular activities and sport in schools.

  Pilot "Coaching Weeks for Teachers" are under way, involving 300 to 500 teachers and trainee teachers. The aim is to mount a nationwide programme in 1997–98.

  Schools can claim up to 80 per cent. of the costs of a new facility from the lottery sports fund for projects linked with their communities and sports clubs.

  A £2 million challenge fund, to promote links between schools and clubs, has been established by the Sports Council. Applications will be invited from schools, clubs and governing bodies of sport this October.

  From 5 August, following concern that too many school, and other, playing fields had been sold off, the Sports Council will be a statutory consultee for planning applications affecting playing fields.

  Under the Sports Council's priority areas initiative, announced earlier this year, up to 90 per cent. lottery funding is now available for projects in defined areas of recreational and social deprivation.

  The Further Education Funding Council published a report last month focusing on good sporting practice in further education colleges.

  The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Standing Conference of Principals will be publishing an audit of higher education sports facilities and provision in the autumn.

  The report of the working group on university sports scholarships, chaired by Sir Roger Bannister, was published last month. The report highlights the increasing importance of the higher education sector in providing opportunities for the development of sporting excellence. Its main recommendation is that increased investment in talented sports men and women attending university, through lottery-funded sports scholarships, is an essential step in ensuring the development of our sporting elite.

  Details of the Government's proposals for the British academy of sport, as the pinnacle of a regional network of centres of sporting excellence and academies of particular sports, are included in the bid prospectus which is published today. Bidders have until 31 October to submit their bids, and it is hoped that a final decision will be reached by the end of January 1997.

  The first year report also reports on the restructuring of the sports councils, the very successful first year of the lottery sports fund, the launch in March 1996 of the national junior sport programme, and on initiatives taken
  492
  by governing bodies of sport and local authorities relating to school sport.

  I have today placed copies of "Sport: Raising the Game—The First Year Report" in the Libraries of the House.

  BBC Transmitter Network
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the proposals for the privatisation of the BBC's transmitter network; and what assessment she has made of the impact this will have on the provision of NICAM broadcasting facilities throughout the BBC s transmitter network. [38643]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: As we announced last November, the BBC is handling the arrangements for the sale of its transmission assets. I understand that the BBC remains committed to an extension of NICAM stereo sound coverage as part of its continuing programme of investment in its transmitter network. It is for the BBC to determine the rate and order of this programme in the light of its resources and other engineering priorities. This position will not be affected by the privatisation of the transmission network.

  Lottery Funding (Wales)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list under each head through which money is available from the national lottery the organisations in Wales which have been allocated money; and what assessment she has made of the take-up rate of the allocations. [38840]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: To date, 767 awards in Wales totalling £152,278,948 have been made. I will write to the hon. Member with a full list of these awards. National lottery awards are made in response to applications.

  Millennium Fund
  Mr. Patten
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how many projects supported by the millennium fund(a) recognise the millennium as marking 2,000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ and (b) otherwise have a specifically Christian character; [39582]

  (2) how many schemes have been approved and of what value from the millennium fund; how many of these and at what value (a) specifically recognise that the year 2,000 as marking the birth of Jesus Christ and (b) are of a Christian nature; and what percentage of the total approved schemes by number and value these represent. [39652]

  Mr. Sproat
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage will reply to the hon. Member in her capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of her reply in the Libraries of the House.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Dixon
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the grants awarded by the national lottery organisations in(a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) the South Tyneside district council area and (c) the Tyne and Wear area. [38014]

  Awards made in the Jarrow Constituency to date

  Body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title/description

  Award amount £

  Arts

  24 January 1996

  Groundwork South Tyneside

  Groundwork Eco Office proposal

  95,000.00

  NLCB

  11 June 1996

  The Jazzmanelles

  Purchase of new uniforms for 35 members, including musical equipment to encourage self respect and participation

  5,500.00

  Sports

  5 June 1995

  Whitburn Cricket Club

  Purchase of Cricket Pitch and Clubhouse

  78,000.00

  Sports

  7 November 1995

  Whitburn Community Association

  Extend existing changing block

  22,948.00

  4 Awards

  Total

  201,448.00

  Awards to date in the South Tyneside District Council area

  Body

  Award date

  Recipient

  Project title/description

  Award amount £

  Arts

  24 January 1996

  Groundwork South Tyneside

  Groundwork Eco Office proposal

  95,000.00

  NLCB

  11 June 1996

  The Jazzmanelles

  Purchase of new uniforms for 35 members, including musical equipment to encourage self respect and participation

  5,500.00

  Sports

  5 June 1995

  Whitburn Cricket Club

  Purchase of Cricket Pitch and Clubhouse

  78,000.00

  Sports

  7 November 1995

  Whitburn Community Association

  Extend existing changing block

  22,948.00

  Arts

  15 May 1996

  The Customs House

  Feasibility study

  61,450.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Apna Ghar Women's Centre

  Technology Training for Ethnic Minority Women

  193,500.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  South Tyneside Womens Aid

  Improve Safety and Surroundings for Distressed Women and Children

  9,176.00

  NLCB

  11 June 1996

  South Tyneside Training and Enterprise Network (Ten)

  50% contribution to TEN's core funding enabling further economic regeneration at grass-roots. Salary and office costs.

  96,662.00

  NLCB

  11 June 1996

  Simonside Youth Centre

  Outdoor clothing, camping and sports equipment for 10 disadvantaged youth for Duke of Ed.Award South Shields

  8,000,00

  NLCB

  11 June 1996

  South Tyneside Citizens Advice Bureau

  Refurbishment 2 offices, employment 1 full time, 2 part time and support for tribunal representation and housebound South Shields

  197,710.00

  NLCB

  11 June 1996

  John Wright Centre Social Club

  The acquisition of a replacement ambulance for a social club for people with physical and/or learning disabilities.

  29,360.00

  NLCB

  11 June 1996

  Womens Hath in South Tyneside

  The provision of health information, counselling and support for women

  336,845.00

  Sports

  7 July 1995

  South Shields Sports Club

  New Hardcourts

  29,420.00

  13 Awards

  Total

  1,163,571.00

  British Cycling Federation
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what monitoring she conducts of the extent to which sports governing bodies let contracts in receipt of Sports Council grants to suppliers of goods and services in ways which are open and transparent and which comply with proper codes of accounting practice, with particular reference to the British Cycling Federation. [38695]

  Mr. Sproat
  Government support to individual governing bodies of sport is primarily channelled through the Sports Council, an independent body set up by royal charter. All sports governing bodies in receipt of Sports Council grants are required to have their annual accounts audited and to supply a copy of these audited accounts to the Sports Council. The Sports Council's liaison officers have regular informal meetings with officials of the governing bodies and have the right to attend meetings of relevant committees. This applies to the British Cycling Federation. The Comptroller and Auditor General may
  494
  Mr. Sproat
  Lottery grants to the Jarrow constituency and South Tyneside district council are listed. It is not possible to generate figures for Tyne and Wear because it does not have precisely defined boundaries. To date, there have been 346 awards in the north-east region for a total of £91,646,291. I will write to the hon. Member with a full list of these awards.

  conduct more detailed audits. The Sports Council also has the right to conduct more detailed audits and the council's management audit programme includes a review of the operations of a sample of governing bodies in receipt of Sports Council grants. The British Cycling Federation has a formal tendering process for contracts which is administered by the directors of the British Cycling Federation/British Cycling Federation Promotions Ltd. It is established custom and practice for members of the Executive to declare any conflict of interest.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reports he has received from the auditors of the British Cycling Federation in relation to contractual links between the federation and(a) Impsport Ltd., (b) Fletcher Marketing and (c) Sports Ambassador Ltd. [38636]

  Mr. Sproat
  Government support to the individual governing bodies of sport is primarily channelled through the Sports Council, an independent body set up by royal charter. All sports governing bodies in receipt of Sports
  495
  Council grants are required to have their annual accounts audited and to supply a copy of these audited accounts to the Sports Council. I understand from the Sports Council that no report has been received, nor has one been requested, from the auditors of the British Cycling Federation in relation to contractual links between the Federation and (a) Impsport Ltd. (b) Fletcher Marketing and (c) Sports Ambassador Ltd.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she will take to protect public funds given to the British Cycling Federation by the Sports Council in respect of the legal proceedings between the British Cycling Federation and its former president. [39135]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Sports Council has advised the British Cycling Federation formally that the grant it receives cannot be used to pay any legal fees or costs associated with the legal proceedings between the British Cycling Federation and its former president. The Sports Council's liaison officers have regular informal meetings with officials of the governing bodies and have the right to attend meetings of relevant committees. The Sports Council also has the right to conduct detailed audits and review the operations of governing bodies in receipt of Sports Council grants. The Sports Council will continue to monitor the position closely to ensure that the British Cycling Federation honours the terms of its agreement with the council.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the impact of(a) her policies and (b) the work of her Department in helping small businesses in the past 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if she will publish the performance indicators by which her Department monitors the impact and the statistical results of such monitoring. [39153]

  Mr. Sproat
  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, administrative and taxation burdens; and where appropriate providing direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support, and easing access to finance.

  My Department has particular interest in the tourism industry. The overwhelming majority of tourism-related businesses are small firms, so the Department's sponsorship support for the industry mainly helps the small firms sector.

  My Department has continued to pursue an active sponsorship role in relation to the tourism industry and develop its strategy to assist the industry in improving its competitiveness.

  In November 1995, the Department and the English tourist board published "Hotels: The Consumer View", which summarised findings from research into consumer expectations of hotel accommodation. In March 1996, we published "Benchmarking for Smaller Hotels", the outcome of an innovative project to help small hoteliers improve quality, value for money and profitability. Some 50,000 copies of the report and a user-friendly
  496
  self-assessment test have been disseminated. We will publish the findings of a wide-ranging review of the use of human resources in the tourism industry in the autumn, and with the ETB we have commissioned a study of the domestic tourism market designed to help us determine how the Department and tourist boards can most productively intervene in the future.

  The Department has continued to work within the Government to ease the burden of regulation and red tape on the tourism industry. There has been significant progress in this area, with many measures that we have taken benefiting the industry. For example, new risk assessment-based food hygiene regulations came into effect on 15 September 1995. Liquor licensing and Sunday trading restrictions have been relaxed. Revised regulations, significantly widening eligibility for white-on-brown directional road signs to tourist attractions and facilities, came into effect in January 1996. The industry was able to voice its current concerns on regulatory issues at the tourism and hospitality deregulation seminar in Brighton on 15 May 1996. The tourism industry is represented on the permanent deregulation task force. On 14 June 1996, the Department announced the formation of a group of tourism and hospitality experts to complement the work of the Department and the tourist boards in helping to improve the industry's international competitiveness.

  The national lottery, which began in November 1994, has also benefited many small businesses; in particular, the thousands of small retailers who sell tickets, and businesses offering ancillary services to the lottery operator. Camelot Group plc's 1995–96 results revealed that a total of £265 million had been paid to retailers in the financial year, an average of £8,750 per outlet.

  My Department will continue to work within Government to set the right climate within which small tourism-related businesses can flourish. The Department is represented on the ministerial group on small firms.

  Manchester Velodrome
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the financial future of the Manchester velodrome following the threat of legal action between the British Cycling Federation and its former president; and what contingency plans the Government have in place to protect the future of the velodrome. [39136]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Manchester velodrome is protected by being operated by a separate legal entity—Manchester Velodrome Ltd. This company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Cycling Federation. The Sports Council has entered into a formal agreement with Manchester Velodrome Ltd. which requires the operational and accounting records of the company to be kept clearly separate from the records of any other activities of the British Cycling Federation and its associated companies and any related organisations, and that all transactions between these parties is to be on a full commercial basis.

  Sports Council
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about the appointment of ministerial nominees to the new English Sports Council. [40020]

  Mr. Sproat
  I am pleased to announce that, at a meeting of the Privy Council on 23 July, Her Majesty the Queen approved the grant of charters establishing the English and United Kingdom sports councils. The new charters will come into effect later in the summer and the sports councils will be fully operational on the new basis after the summer break.

  The Secretary of State for National Heritage intends to appoint up to five ministerial nominees in each region of the English Sports Council to promote the development and practice of sport in those regions. Further nominees will be announced in due course, drawing on suggestions from the sector. For the present the Secretary of State proposes to appoint the following persons and designate them under provision in the new charter to work alongside the English Sports Council:
  Ministerial Nominees to the Regions of the English Sports Council

  North

  Sam Stoker

  John O'Connor

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  David Oxley

  John Walsh

  North West

  Jim Cochrane

  Professor John Last

  Rick Parry

  Philip Marsden

  West Midlands

  Jim Munn

  Eastern

  Patrick Whittingdale

  Andrew Chance

  William Bleakley

  London

  Ramon Subba Row

  Dane Rawlins

  Richard Nunneley

  Nicholas True

  South East

  Robbie Brown-Clayton

  Kay Burley

  Southern

  Phyllis Avery

  Ralph Dellor

  Jacqueline Smithson

  Bob Phillis

  David Collier

  South West

  Dennis Silk

  National Lottery (Interest Receipts)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what interest was received in 1995 by the Treasury for national lottery funds it holds for distribution to each of the commissions with responsibilities for the allocation of funds to individual projects. [40041]

  Mr. Sproat
  None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is responsible for the national lottery distribution fund and interest on funds not yet drawn down by the distributing bodies accrue to the NLDF itself for the benefit of the good causes.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what interest was received in 1995–96 by Camelot for national lottery funds it holds for distribution to each of the commissions with responsibilities for the allocation of funds to individual projects. [40040]

  Mr. Sproat
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the interest received in 1995– 96 on funds held prior to such allocation and payment in respect of each of the commissions set up for the distribution of national lottery funds allocated to individual projects. [40042]

  Mr. Sproat
  Interest gains on moneys held in the national lottery distribution fund were £66,416,000 for 1995–96.

  War Memorials
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is her policy with respect to the removal of or change of site of war memorials(a) throughout the country and (b) in the district local authority area of Stafford district council. [40005]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department's interest in war memorials relates to whether they are statutorily protected as scheduled ancient monuments or listed buildings. In such cases, under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, scheduled monument or listed building consent would be required for their resiling or removal. Applications for scheduled monument and listed building consent are made to the Secretary of State for National Heritage and the local planning authority respectively. Any such applications would be considered in the light of the policies set out in planning policy guidance notes 15 and 16.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the constituencies she has visited in the past three months on official business and the constituencies she intends to visit in the next three months; and if she will make a statement. [34358]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  In the three months to 20 June, I visited the following constituencies on official business: Battersea; Brent, North; Brighton, Kemptown;
  499
  Brighton, Pavilion; Cambridge; City of London and Westminster, South; Croydon, North-West; Ellesmere Port and Neston; Guildford; Hackney, South and Shoreditch; Hampstead and Highgate; Islington, South and Finsbury; Islington, North; Kensington; Liverpool Riverside; Southwark and Bermondsey; Staffordshire Moorlands; Stratford-on-Avon; Twickenham; Vauxhall; Watford; Westbury; and Worthing.

  It is not normal practice to make public details of forward diaries.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many visits (i) she and (ii) her Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39873]

  Mr. Sproat
  No Minister in the Department of National Heritage has visited the Newbury constituency in the last 12 months.

  A full breakdown of visits that Ministers in the Department of National Heritage have made to other constituencies could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Channel 5
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the parliamentary constituencies in which(a) no reception and (b) partial reception of the channel 5 television service will be available. [39741]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39304]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department owns no vehicles. Of my two agencies a departmental vehicle of Historic Royal Palaces was issued with a parking ticket in 1993. The fine was £20.

  Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a progress report on the plans for the millennium exhibition funding. [39785]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Millennium Commission, which is responsible for the organisation and funding of the millennium exhibition, is making satisfactory progress. My right hon. Friend will reply to the hon. Member in her capacity as chairman of the commission setting out the current position in more detail, placing copies of her response in the Libraries of the House.

  Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the licences issued by her Department; for what purpose they are issued; and what are the administrative costs for each. [38676]
  500
  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: My Department issues only one licence. This is used to permit the legal export of cultural objects from the UK. The administrative costs are not available.

HEALTH

  Nurses (Cheshire)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of nurses employed by the health authorities in Cheshire for each of the last five years; and what was the national average number of nurses employed by health authorities in each of those years. [36492]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is shown in the table. Figures in the table represent nursing and midwifery staff employed by district health authorities and, therefore, do not include staff employed by national health service trusts.

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) Nursing and Midwifery Staff (excluding Agency) employed by District Health Authorities (DHAs) in Cheshire and the Average Number of Nursing and Midwifery Staff employed by Health Authorities in England at 30 September 1990 to 1994

  Whole-time equivalents

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Chester DHA

  2,050

  1,720

  1,570

  760

  150

  Crewe DHA

  1,950

  1,100

  810

  1—

  n/a

  Halton DHA

  560

  360

  320

  1—

  n/a

  Macclesfield DHA

  1,360

  1,270

  1,240

  1—

  n/a

  Warrington DHA

  2,110

  1,810

  1,930

  1—

  n/a

  South-east Cheshire DHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  North Cheshire DHA

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1—

  Average number (wte) of nursing and midwifery staff in English district health authorities

  2.050

  1,820

  1,430

  850

  170

  Notes:

  Nursing and midwifery staff working in directly managed units are employees of DHAs. Nurses employed by Trusts are not included. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, consequently totals may not equal sum of components due to rounding.

  1 Denotes 5 or less.

  n/a = not applicable.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Negligence
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information the national health service litigation authority has compiled or is compiling on medical negligence cases and claims. [37332]

  Mr. Horam
  The national health service litigation authority compiles such information as it deems to be necessary to carry out its delegated functions.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of trusts in each region which(a) have and (b) have not subscribed to the clinical negligence scheme for trusts, indicating the cost of each annual premium. [37331]
  501
  Mr. Horam
  An updated list of members and non-members of the clinical negligence scheme for trusts will be placed in the Library. The scheme is voluntary and is open to all national health service trusts in England. The clinical negligence scheme for trusts represents a pooling arrangement between trusts which is in its first year of operation. Until the scheme has had an opportunity to mature it would not be appropriate to give details of the contribution of individual trusts.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 4 December,Official Report, column 44, if he will publish the latest information on clinical negligence claims settled by individual trusts. [37442]

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

  Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list showing the number, nature and value of contracts awarded by his Department to Coopers and Lybrand, KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young, Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Andersen, Grant Thornton, BDO Stoy Hayward, Pannell Kerr Forster, and Robson Rhodes and their subsidiaries and associates, during 1995 and 1996. [37327]

  Mr. Horam
  Information regarding the number of contracts awarded by this Department is not available centrally. The total sums paid those firms listed in 1995–96 are as follows:

  1995–96 £

  Coopers and Lybrand

  nil

  KPMG

  620,110

  Price Waterhouse

  97,932

  Ernst and Young

  nil

  Deloitte and Touche

  63,150

  Arthur Andersen

  nil

  Grant Thornton

  nil

  BDO Stoy Hayward

  42,000

  Pannell Kerr Forster

  nil

  Robson Rhodes

  nil

  NHS Litigation Authority
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members and occupations of the litigation authority and place in the Library all declarations of interests they have made. [37333]

  Mr. Horam
  The national health service litigation authority currently has two members: the chairman, Sir Bruce Martin QC, who is a company chairman, and Mr. Ron Bradshaw, a solicitor. An exercise to appoint additional members is currently under way. Declarations of interests for all members will be available from the litigation authority.

  HIV (Drug Therapy)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether two or three drug combination therapy for those with HIV is approved for support within(a) the GP prescribing scheme and (b) hospital trust pharmacies, and if he will make a statement. [37564]
  502
  Mr. Horam
  Where different drug regimes are available, it is a matter for general practitioners to discuss with patients and decide on the best form of treatment. Likewise, hospital clinicians prescribe medicines to meet patients' clinical needs, and these are supplied by the hospital pharmacy. Unlicensed drugs can be prescribed on a named patient basis. No specific instructions have been issued on drug combination therapies for HIV, but the Department recommends developing local strategies for the managed entry of new medicines into the national health service, making use of evidence of their clinical and cost effectiveness.

  Pharmaceutical Services
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy for the future of independent community pharmacists. [38013]

  Mr. Malone
  Community pharmacists play an important part in the primary care team. We are committed to using their skills more effectively in a wider role.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list those dispensing companies with more than 10 outlets and the number of prescriptions each of those companies dispensed in each year since 1990; [38011]

  (2) what proportion of prescriptions were dispensed by independent pharmacists or companies with fewer than 10 outlets in each year since 1990. [38012]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Hospitals (Joint Ventures)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many joint ventures are currently established between the NHS and the private sector in hospitals covering the Greater London area; and if he will list each project and hospital involved. [37858]

  Mr. Horam
  There are eight schemes currently completed or under way in the Greater London area— London boroughs included—that have gone forward under the private finance initiative. A number of other joint ventures are established for schemes which have not yet had full business case approval. Information is shown in the table.

  PFI schemes with a capital value of £1 million or more in the Greater London Area

  Trust

  Scheme

  Status

  Brent and Harrow Health Authority

  Residential accommodation for elderly mentally ill

  Complete

  Central Middlesex NHS Trust

  Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Centre

  FBC approved

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow Health Agency

  Office accommodation

  Complete

  Enfield and Haringey Health Authority

  Office accommodation

  Complete

  Havering Hospitals NHS Trust

  Estates services

  Under way

  Hillingdon Health Agency

  Office accommodation

  Complete

  King's Healthcare NHS Trust

  Clinical waste incinerator

  Complete

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority

  Office accommodation

  Complete

  West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

  Endoscopy Unit

  Complete

  503

  PFI schemes with a capital value of £1 million or more in the Greater London Area

  Trust

  Scheme

  Status

  Barking, Havering and

  Reprovision of acute

  ITN issued

  Brentwood Community NHS Trust

  psychiatric services

  Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust

  Rationalisation onto Farnborough Hospital site

  ITN issued

  Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  Development/conversion of QEII Hospital

  ITN issued

  Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust

  Consolidation of specialist acute services

  ITN issued

  King's Healthcare NHS Trust

  Centralisation onto Denmark Hill Site

  ITN issued

  Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  Redevelopment of City and East London acute services

  ITN issued

  University College London

  Consolidation of acute

  ITN issued

  Hospitals NHS Trust

  services onto University site

  Wellhouse NHS Trust

  Bamet General Hospital

  ITN issued

  Key:

  FBC = full business case.

  ITN = invitation to negotiate.

  Disease Research
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what public funds were spent in the last financial year on research to find a treatment or cure for(a) AIDS, (b) cancer, (c) heart disease and (d) Alzheimer's disease per victim of that disease. [37891]

  Mr. Horam
  Information is not available to produce comparable estimates of research expenditure per individual.

  Hospital Building Projects
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new NHS hospital building projects are currently being carried out in England and Wales; and for how many funding has been allocated. [37859]

  Mr. Horam
  There are currently 70 major national health service building projects under construction in England. Information on minor schemes is not available centrally.

  Funding must be secured prior to any project being approved.

  Doctors (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each of the last 10 years the number of NHS doctors who (i) applied for retirement on grounds of ill health, (ii) were successful in such applications without resorting to appeal, (iii) were unsuccessful and(a) appealed and (b) were successful on appeal and (iv) retired early by staff grade; if he will estimate the annual cost of these early retirements in terms of payments made to former NHS doctors prior to their normal retirement age; and if he will make a statement on the retirement rate for NHS doctors on grounds of ill health relative to other similar professionals. [38029]

  Mr. Malone
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the National Health Service Pensions Agency under its chief executive, Mr. A. F. Cowan. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.
  504
  Letter from A. F. Cowan to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 22 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as it falls within my area of responsibility.
  The only information readily available on ill-health retirement for specific categories of NHS employees is derived from the Government Actuary's Department quinquennial valuation of the Pension Scheme. Unfortunately it does not provide a yearly breakdown.
  Figures in respect of doctors retiring on the grounds of ill-health are:

  Doctors—early retirement due to ill-health

  1985–1989

  1990–1994

  554

  748

  These statistics relate to successful applications where ill-health retirement was granted. No information is gathered about unsuccessful applications by employment type.

  Water Tower Mental Hospitals
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 June,Official Report, column 111, whether the national survey by the NHS executive of the water tower mental hospitals in England will provide the same information as the previous surveys conducted for the mental health task force. [38434]

  Mr. Malone
  The survey will be conducted by the national health service executive regional offices. It will provide information on water tower hospitals in the context of health authority plans whereas the review commissioned by the mental health task force collected information on a trust-by-trust basis.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [39140]

  Mr. Horam
  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 provide direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  In October 1995 the Department appointed a small business Minister who continues to be actively involved in the various measures being taken forward across government by the small business Ministers' initiative.

  The Department has created a new sponsorship branch to deal with the health care medical systems industry, which is dominated by small businesses, and has begun a regular series of meetings with the lead trade association to identify those issues which need to be addressed if the industry is to maintain its competitive performance.

  The Department is particularly sensitive to the effect of new regulations on business, especially small businesses. It is taking action to stem the flow of new regulations and to make sure that those that are

  505
  introduced are better regulations. We have promoted a sensitive approach to small businesses on food safety enforcement matters. This has included issuing guidance to local authorities and, recently, making an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to provide new rights of representation and a period of notice before certain enforcement action is taken. On 15 September 1995, 12 sets of regulations were replaced with two for general food hygiene and temperature controls. Temperature controls provide for significant potential savings in the food industry, which includes many small businesses. Two regional small business panels have been set up to act as sounding board for small food businesses.

  Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the total number of persons, (b) persons aged under 16, (c) persons aged 16 to 64, (d) persons aged 65 to 74 and (e) persons aged over 65 years who were provided with (i) telephones and attachments, (ii) telephone rentals and (iii) other services by local authorities for the year ended 31 March 1995 under the terms of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will provide this information by (1) county councils, (2) metropolitan districts, (3) inner London boroughs, (4) outer London boroughs and (5) in total. [38910]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Smoke Alarms
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will encourage the free distribution of smoke alarms by health visitors and community care organisations. [38912]

  Mr. Malone
  Safety in the home is something v/hich all agencies concerned with community care seek to promote. Fire precautions specifically, however, are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Accident Survivors
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into factors affecting help-seeking behaviour in survivors of accidents with psychological trauma symptoms; and if he will make a statement. [39228]

  Mr. Malone
  No. The factors affecting help-seeking behaviour by survivors of trauma are many and varied. In each individual case, referral for specialist help is a matter for each patient and his or her general practitioner. Many non-national health service and other organisations provide valuable assistance in this area and complement that which is provided in the NHS.

  Tamoxifen
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into adjuvant Tamoxifen treatment; and if he will make a statement. [39206]
  506
  Mr. Horam
  The Department has no such plans. At least 20 studies have been undertaken into adjuvant Tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer in this country and abroad since 1994.

  ALFINN Study
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission research into an ALFINN study; and if he will make a statement. [39207]

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

  Drugs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into an extended access programme for 3TC1; and if he will make a statement. [39208]

  Mr. Horam
  We do not run extended access programmes in the United Kingdom but clinicians can approach manufacturers of unlicensed drugs, such as 3TC—lamivudine—to request permission to prescribe the drug for named patients.

  Commissioned Research
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will commission double-blind, multi-centre, randomised, parallel group study on the effect of varying dosages and frequency of the use of Colofac; and if he will make a statement; [39209]

  (2) if he will commission a study into a double-blind, randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled, multi-centre to evaluate the efficacy of Lexipafant (BB-882) in patients with acute pancreatitis; and if he will make a statement; [39220]

  (3) if he will commission a study into Famotidine as a treatment for nocturnal heartburn; and if he will make a statement; [39211]

  (4) if he will commission a randomised, double-blind, parallel group multi-centre study to compare Ranitidine Bismuth CXitrate (GC311) 400 mg bd in combination with either (a) clarithromycin 250 mg qds or (b) 500 mg bd for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori with duodenal ulcer; and if he will make a statement; [39213]

  (5) if he will commission a study, into the relationship biochemical properties, biochemical composition and the ultrastructural organisation of human articular cartilage; and if he will make a statement. [39219]

  Mr. Malone
  There are no plans at present to commission these studies. Research commissioned within the Department's policy research programme is set out in "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme" and "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme: Commissions 1994/95", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Pressure Ulcers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into the effects of IodoflexR versus IntraSiteR gel in the treatment of pressure ulcers; and if he will make a statement. [39210]
  507
  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health, and the Medical Research Council, which is the main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research, normally commission studies which compare the effectiveness of a broad range of possible treatments and interventions. The Department and the MRC are, however, always willing to consider soundly based scientific proposals in competition with other applications.

  St. Ann's Hospital
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports he has received about patients sleeping on the floor at St. Ann's hospital in north London. [39258]

  Mr. Malone
  A recent Mental Health Act Commission report on a visit to St. Ann's hospital criticised Haringey Healthcare NHS trust for the inappropriate use of seclusion rooms. The trust has now addressed this problem and patients no longer use the seclusion rooms as temporary bedrooms.

  General Practice
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extension of the NHS performance guide to include general practices. [39268]

  Mr. Malone
  The 1995–96 NHS performance guide includes information on four primary care indicators at health authority level. We have no plans to extend the NHS performance guide to include figures for individual practices.

  NHS Board Members
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are on the board of(a) the NHS executive and (b) the NHS policy board. [39272]

  Mr. Malone
  The national health service director of nursing, Mrs. Yvonne Moores, is a member of both the NHS executive and the NHS policy boards.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many executive and non-executive directors of health authorities are qualified nurses. [39271]

  Mr. Malone
  Information about the executive membership of health authorities is not available centrally. Our records show that 13 non-executive members of health authorities have a background in nursing.

  Road Accidents (Children)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (i) proposals he has and (ii) targets he set for reducing death and injuries to children on the road. [39280]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Transport on 23 July,Official Report, columns 139–40.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a multi-centre trial to assess the effect of a once-daily Epilim Chrono regimen in epileptic patients established on a twice-daily enteric-coated tablet regimen; and if he will make a statement. [39212]
  508
  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health, and the Medical Research Council, which is the main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research, normally commission studies which compare the effectiveness of a broad range of possible treatments and interventions. The Department and the MRC are, however, always willing to consider soundly based scientific proposals in competition with other applications.

  The Department's health technology assessment programme intends to call for proposals for research comparing the effectiveness of new anti-epileptic drugs and existing therapies.

  Blood Pressure
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study into(a) a comparison of patient self-measurement of blood pressure using automatic sphygmomanometers with general practitioner measurements and its relevance to therapeutics decision making and (b) general practitioner use of Coversyl as standard treatment; and if he will make a statement. [39214]

  Mr. Horam
  Clinical studies are normally matters for the Medical Research Council which receives it grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and other bodies which fund clinical research.

  Nurse Prescribing Scheme
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about progress on the nurse prescribing scheme. [39274]

  Mr. Malone
  The nurse prescribing trial was extended on 1 April 1996 to a further 60 general practitioner sites in Bolton. The evaluation of the original eight pilot sites will be published in the autumn. The extended pilot will be evaluated separately, with a report due in late 1997.

  Consultant Psychiatrists
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of consultant psychiatrist vacancies. [39260]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is contained in the Department of Health annual medical and dental work force census, 30 September 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Teenage Mothers
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the proportion of teenagers having babies in each EU country. [39259]

  Mr. Horam
  The fertility rates per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 for 1990, the most recent year for which comparable data are available, are shown in the table.

  Fertility rate

  England and Wales

  33.3

  Scotland

  31.9

  Northern Ireland

  29.3

  509

  Fertility rate

  Portugal

  24.6

  Greece

  21.8

  Austria

  21.3

  Republic of Ireland

  16.2

  Sweden

  14.1

  Spain

  13.4

  Finland

  12.4

  West Germany

  11.6

  Italy

  9.8

  Belgium

  9.3

  Denmark

  9.1

  France

  8.8

  Netherlands

  6.4

  Luxembourg

  no data

  Source:

  Population Trends No. 74.

  Hospital Bedside Televisions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average charge to patients for bedside televisions in NHS hospitals. [39269]

  Mr. Horam
  Arrangements and charges for optional personal bedside television are a local management matter on which information is not available centrally.

  Nurses (Redundancies)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses have been made redundant under his initiative to reduce management levels. [39273]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is not available centrally.

  Emergency Bed Service (London)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of the London emergency bed service in each of the last five years; and what were the sources of its budget. [39279]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Assaults on NHS Staff
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS staff have been assaulted on NHS premises in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [39267]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission an open-label, multi-centre study to determine the efficacy and safety of a 24-day regimen of monophasic oral contraceptive preparation of gestodene 6µg and ethinyl estradion 15µg; and if he will make a statement. [39217]

  Mr. Malone
  We have no plans to do so.

  Mental Health Tribunals
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken since March with regard to the constitution of mental health tribunals. [39244]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  NHS Doctors
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) GPs and (b) hospital doctors are currently in post in the NHS. [39823]

  Mr. Malone
  There were 26,702 unrestricted principals in England on 1 October 1995 and there were 44,660 whole-time equivalent hospital doctors on 30 September 1994.

  Pisces Project
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what arrangements were made to advertise the Pisces project in the contract supplement of the Official Journal of the EU; [39807]

  (2) if he will list the cost of the Track software acquired for the Pisces project from the Intelligent Office Company Ltd. of Hammersmith and the process by which it was selected; [39799]

  (3) what was the original estimated cost of the Pisces project; and what is his latest estimate of the outturn cost; [39809]

  (4) if he will list the methods used to select the project manager for Pisces; [39808]

  (5) if he will list the principal expected benefits from the Pisces project and the years in which they were expected to arise. [39810]

  Mr. Horam
  The Pisces project is an initiative of Liverpool health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman for details.

  Airborne Particulates
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the link between airborne particulates and premature death; [39553]

  (2) what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the potential beneficial effects of reducing airborne particulate levels in urban areas;[39554]

  (3) what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the link between airborne particulate levels and asthma. [39556]

  Mr. Horam
  In November 1995 the Department of Health published a report of the expert advisory Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, "Non-Biological Particles and Health", copies of which are in the Library.

  Further research has been commissioned under the joint Department of Health, Department of the Environment and Medical Research Council research strategy on air pollution and respiratory disease.
  511
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of airborne particulates his Department currently assesses to be safe. [39555]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of the Environment's expert panel on air quality standards, to which this Department contributes, has made a recommendation for an air quality standard for particulates (PM10) in the United Kingdom of 50 µg/m3, measured as a 24-hour running average. The panel considered that very few individuals in the population will react adversely to this concentration of particles.

  Health Authorities (Invoices)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average number of invoices sent out by health authorities in the last year. [39747]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not held centrally.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many dental practices in each South Yorkshire metropolitan borough council accepted NHS patients in 1995; [39791]

  (2) how many dental practices in each North Yorkshire borough council accepted NHS patients in 1995; [39793]

  (3) how many dental practices in each Humberside borough council accepted NHS patients in 1995; [39792]

  (4) how many dental practices in each West Yorkshire borough council accepted NHS patients in 1995. [39794]

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists claimed NHS fees in each of the last five years nationally and by region. [39826]

  Mr. Malone
  I will write to the hon. Members.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new NHS registrations with a dental practitioner occurred in each six-monthly period between January 1990 and January 1994 and in each month since January 1994; and how many of these are estimated to have been duplicate registrations. [38848]

  Mr. Malone
  The information available is shown in the table. It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of how many of the additions to dentists' registers were duplicate registrations.

  General Dental Service: additions to dentists' registers 1990–1996

  England

  Adults

  Children

  Total

  July-December 1990

  6,465,031

  2,263,895

  8,728,926

  January-June 1991

  7,831,462

  3,241,789

  11,073,251

  July-December 1991

  5,183,990

  1,746,359

  6,930,349

  January-June 1992

  5,237,498

  2,074,727

  7,312,225

  July-December 1992

  4,440,845

  1,465,821

  5,906,666

  January-June 1993

  4,522,199

  1,795,765

  6,317,964

  July-December 1993

  4,111,603

  1,344,462

  5,456,065

  1994

  January

  870,893

  383,089

  1,253,982

  February

  801,985

  352,813

  1,154,798

  March

  733,962

  295,643

  1,029,605

  April

  794,696

  305,957

  1,100,653

  512

  General Dental Service: additions to dentists' registers 1990–1996

  England

  Adults

  Children

  Total

  May

  789,391

  288,878

  1,078,269

  June

  706,418

  255,740

  962,158

  July

  713,735

  239,208

  952,943

  August

  743,716

  269,302

  1,013,018

  September

  799,398

  265,990

  1,065,388

  October

  781,429

  268,198

  1,049,627

  November

  667,813

  223,276

  891,089

  December

  620,948

  169,663

  790,611

  1995

  January

  877,115

  384,094

  1,261,209

  February

  760,316

  335,200

  1,095,516

  March

  726,532

  311,851

  1,038,383

  April

  712,238

  279,152

  991,390

  May

  757,928

  286,419

  1,044,347

  June

  679,884

  249,911

  929,795

  July

  703,433

  248,729

  952,162

  August

  738,928

  272,790

  1,011,718

  September

  749,902

  256,289

  1,006,191

  October

  712,630

  248,142

  960,772

  November

  620,966

  221,928

  842,894

  December

  693,125

  197,632

  890,757

  1996

  January

  786,674

  357,550

  1,144,224

  February

  661,091

  328,154

  989,245

  March

  702,332

  308,334

  1,010,666

  April

  674,820

  285,726

  960,546

  May

  696,760

  271,527

  968,287

  Formal registration system came into operation in October 1990 with the beginning of the new dental contract.

  Additions to registers include registration of patients after a break in attendance and reinstatement of registrations that have been cancelled in error. Additions also include transfers from one dentists to another, changes of surname, and patients being transferred from capitation to continuing care arrangements.

  The date refers to the month in which the addition would have first appeared in the registration statistics. Payment is made a month in arrears.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients were registered with a dental practitioner in(a) April 1994, (b) April 1995 and (c) April 1996. [38847]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is set out in the table.

  Number of patients registered with a National Health Service dentist at the end of April, 1994–96

  Number of patients registered

  Adults

  Children

  Total

  April 1994

  21,447,217

  6,916,912

  28,364,129

  April 1995

  20,463,447

  6,746,544

  27,209,991

  April 1996

  19,782,487

  6,786,617

  26,569,104

  1. Excludes patients registered with salaried dentists.

  2. Since May 1994 the Dental Practice Board has improved procedures for eliminating duplicate registrations. This has produced downward pressure on the levels of registrations over this period.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of dentists in(a) Wiltshire and (b) Salisbury parliamentary constituency, in each of the last five years, who will treat (i) NHS patients only, (ii) NHS and private patients and (ii) private patients only; and if he will make a statement. [38984]
  513
  Mr. Malone
  The information available in set out in the table.

  General Dental Service: Number of dentists practising in Wiltshire Family Health Services Authority at 30 September

  Number of dentists at 30 September

  1991

  158

  1992

  173

  1993

  170

  1994

  175

  1995

  178

  Includes principals on the Family Health Services Authority list for Wiltshire together with assistants and vocational trainees. Some principals may be on more than one Family Health Services Authority list; these dentists have been included where Wiltshire was the FHSA in which the dentist's fee income was greatest. Salaried dentists are excluded.

  Single Tender Contracts
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to civil servants regarding(a) their dealings with applicants for single tender contracts and (b) the provision of written advice to such applicants. [39815]

  Mr. Horam
  Guidance on single tender action is contained in two internal Department of Health publications, "Purchasing and Supply Manual" and "Guidance Notes on the use of Management Consultants".

  The Department's policy is generally to avoid single tender action, but accepts that it may be justifiable in very limited circumstances, for example, where the work is an extension of a recently completed contract and it can be clearly demonstrated that this achieves better value for money or where the expertise required is available only from one source. Applicants are not advised that they are providing the sole tender.

  NHS Number Programme
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the initial cost of the new NHS number programme; and what is the estimated cost to date and his latest estimated full outturn cost. [39771]

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

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements were made to advertise the new NHS number programme in the contract supplement of the Official Journal of the EU. [39769]

  Mr. Horam
  The new national health service number programme has complied with the European Union regulations on procurement where these were applicable. The following contracts were advertised in the contract supplement of the Official Journal of the EU:
  The contract for development of a new NHS central register
  The contract for provision of a service to trace new NHS numbers

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the new NHS number programme was submitted for Treasury approval; on what date such approval was granted; and on what date the project commenced. [39770]
  514
  Mr. Horam
  The business case for the new NHS number was submitted for Treasury approval in March 1994. Approval was granted in April 1994, and the terms of reference for the programme were agreed by the new NHS number programme board in August 1994.

  Hospitality Budgets
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the hospitality budget of his Department, the NHS executive and the regional offices hospitality budget for(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1995–96. [39832]

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

  PIMS Project
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements were made to advertise the PIMS— performance indicators for management systems—project in the contract supplement of the Official Journal of the EU. [39811]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department has framework agreements with a number of companies covering various categories of information technology work, which were awarded after an EC/GATT procurement. The contracts for the performance information management system were awarded following competitions between companies with framework agreements in appropriate categories.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the performance indicators for the management systems project was submitted for Treasury approval; on what date such approval was granted; on what date the project commenced; and at what estimated cost. [39813]

  Mr. Horam
  Performance indicators for management systems commenced in November 1994 at an estimated cost within departmental delegated limits. Treasury approval has not therefore been necessary.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what independent evaluation there has been of the expected benefits of the PIMS project as to volume standard and time scale. [39812]

  Mr. Horam
  These topics are covered in post-implementation reviews, which are carried out at the end of major information technology projects. They are conducted by independent companies drawn from those with which the Department has framework agreements. PIMS is still under development and a PIR is not yet appropriate.

  Mental Health
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the NHS budget was spent on mental health care in each of the last five years, nationally and by region. [39727]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is not available in the form requested.
  515
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 are currently residing in hospitals for the mentally handicapped. [39733]

  Mr. Malone
  In 1994–95, the latest year for which information is currently available, there were 304 formal admissions of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 and classified as mentally impaired or severely mentally impaired.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if patients compulsorily detained on hospital sites under the Mental Health Act 1983 are allowed to mix with mentally handicapped patients residing in the same hospital. [39732]

  Mr. Malone
  The Mental Health Act 1983 does not prescribe such matters for those detained under its powers.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many formal admissions of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 there were by health authority in each year between 1990–91 and 1994–95. [39761]

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

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health beds there were in the NHS in each of the last five years. [39728]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis), gave the hon. Member of Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 29 February,Official Report, columns 687–89.

  Prescribed Drugs
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost to the NHS of prescribed drugs dispensed(a) through a general practitioner dispensary and (b) in a pharmacy. [39751]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Average net ingredient cost per prescription, 1995 England

  Prescriptions dispensed by

  Average net ingredient cost per prescription fee£

  Dispensing doctors

  7.38

  Community pharmacists and appliance contractors

  7.65

  1. The data are from the Prescription Pricing Authority PD1 series of forms and prescriptions are based on fees.

  2. The net ingredient cost refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees.

  Lung Cancer
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued on the maximum waiting time for treatment of lung cancer. [39828]

  Mr. Horam
  It is not appropriate to have a maximum waiting time for treatment of lung cancer. Each case is different and it must be for doctors to decide when 516
  treatment should be provided. Patients are placed on a waiting list only if, in the opinion of a clinician at the time of assessment, their condition is judged to be stable.

  Extra-contractual Referrals
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of administering the extra-contractual referrals system in each of the last 10 years. [39845]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health

  (1) how many extra-contractual referrals there have been in each of the last 10 years; [39844]

  (2) how many extra-contractual referrals were made in the last year (a) by trust, (b) regionally and (c) nationally. [39746]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the numbers of extra-contractual referrals is not available centrally. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 11 July,Official Report, column 274, for information on the value of extra-contractual referrals for all available years.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those trusts in South Yorkshire which have not to date signed contracts with their local authorities. [39795]

  Mr. Horam
  All health authorities in South Yorkshire have signed health care contracts with national health service trusts in South Yorkshire.

  Hospital Services
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) hospital units and (b) accident and emergency units there were in each year since 1979. [39819]

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

  "Primary Care—The Future"
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners, managers and nurses he has consulted in the course of the listening exercise "Primary Care—The Future". [39759]

  Mr. Malone
  The range and variety of consultation are outlined in the annexe to "Primary Care: The Future", published on 10 June 1996, copies of which were placed in the Library.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the newspaper article sent to him by the right hon. Member for Worthing in respect of the waiting lists for patients of(a) fundholding general practitioners and (b) non-fundholding general practitioners. [39630]

  Mr. Malone
  I will write to my right hon. Friend.

  GP Pharmacies
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the practice of general practitioners converting their dispensaries into pharmacies. [39749]

  Mr. Malone
  It is open to a dispensing doctor to apply to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain to register his premises as a pharmacy. He would need to meet legal and ethical requirements such as the availability of a pharmacist whenever pharmaceutical services were being provided.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dispensing general practices there were in each of the last five years. [39750]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Dispensing General Practices 1992–95 in England

  Number of dispensing general practices

  1995

  1,214

  1994

  1,212

  1993

  1,202

  1992

  1,197

  Source:

  Derived from General Medical Services Census October 1992–1995.

  Note:

  Data on number of dispensing practices for 1991 are incomplete and unreliable.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on patients' preferences in relation to the dispensing of NHS prescriptions from (i) a general practitioner dispensary and (ii) a pharmacy. [39752]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Memphis Project
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the Memphis project was submitted for Treasury approval; on what date such approval was granted; and on what date the project commenced and at what estimated cost. [39817]

  Mr. Horam
  The Memphis project commenced in 1994 and was completed in August 1995. The cost was within departmental delegated limits. Treasury approval was therefore unnecessary.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of the Track software and acquired for the Memphis project from the Intelligent Office Company Ltd. of Hammersmith; and if he will give details of the competitive tendering procedure used in the acquisition of the Track software for the Memphis project. [39800]

  Mr. Horam
  The cost of the software is subject to commercial confidentiality. It was procured from a company through one of the Department's EC/GATT contracts.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements were made to advertise the Memphis 518
  project in the contract supplement of the Official Journal of the EU. [39816]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department has framework agreements with a number of companies covering various categories of information technology work, which were awarded after an EC/GATT procurement. The contracts for Memphis were awarded following competitions between companies with framework agreements in appropriate categories.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what independent evaluation there has been of the expected benefits of the Memphis project as to volume, standard and time scale. [39814]

  Mr. Horam
  These topics are covered in post-implementation reviews, which are carried out at the end of major information technology projects. They are conducted by independent companies drawn from those with which the Department has framework agreements. A PIR was carried out at the end of the Memphis project.

  Leukaemia (Newbury)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies(a) are taking place and (b) he proposes into levels of leukaemia and related disorders in the Newbury district. [39717]

  Mr. Horam
  The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment—COMARE—has considered allegations of increased incidence of childhood cancer around a number of nuclear establishments. Its third report considered whether there was any association in local childhood cancer incidence in west Berkshire and north Hampshire and exposure to radioactivity from the nuclear establishments which were then known as the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, the Royal Ordnance factory, Burghfield, and the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell. The report did not include RAF Greenham Common.

  In this report COMARE recommended that a study on the geographical distribution of childhood cancer incidence on a nationwide basis should be carried out. This study is currently under way and COMARE will consider all new data now available in assessing whether there is an association between local levels of contamination and cancer incidence.

  Breast Lumps
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the setting up of one-stop clinics for the treatment of breast lumps. [39834]

  Mr. Horam
  Guidance for purchasers on improving outcomes in breast cancer will be issued shortly. It will be for health authorities in consultation with their provider units to agree assessment, treatment and care arrangements for women with breast symptoms.

  GP Fundholders
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total savings of GP fundholders in the last year. [39729]
  519
  Mr. Malone
  Final audited information for 1995–96 is not yet available.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total cost of staff, equipment, computing and management costs in respect of GP fundholding practices in the last year. [39730]

  Mr. Malone
  Audited information is not available.

  NHS Expenditure
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the amount of money reported by each health authority in England to his Department as its outturn spend for 1995–96 and its planned spend for 1996–97 in respect of(a) in-patient case for mental illness, (b) out-patient care for mental illness, (c) residential care for mental illness, (d) day care for mental illness, (e) community nursing care for mental illness, (f) in-patient care for learning disability, (g) out-patient care for learning disability, (h) residential care for learning disability, (i) day care for learning disability and (j) community nursing care for learning disability. [39830]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not yet available.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 367, how many highly suspect cases of the new strain of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have been reported to the national surveillance unit in Edinburgh (a) up to the end of 1995, (b) in the quarter ending 31 March 1996 and (c) in the quarter ending 30 June 1996. [39846]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 23 July,Official Report, column 215, which explained that the term "highly suspect case" is not used in respect of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. There are now 12 confirmed cases of the new variant of CJD. Of these, three died in 1995, five in the first quarter of 1996 and three in the second; one patient is still alive.

  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the incubation period for(a) the normal strain as reported conventionally world wide, (b) the strain accidentally caused by pituitary hormone treatment and (c) the new strain reported on 20 March of CJD. [39843]

  Mr. Horam
  The vast majority of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are sporadic and occur spontaneously. It is not possible to ascertain how long a patient may have been incubating the disease before the clinical signs become evident. Studies of the Kuru epidemic in New Guinea showed incubation periods of between five and 30 years. In cases of iatrogenic infection incubation periods have varied from 18 months for central exposures to 25 years for peripheral exposures. The incubation time for the new variant of CJD is uncertain but is likely to be in the range of five to 20 years.

  Single-sex Wards
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of single-sex wards as a percentage of the total in each of the last six years. [39821]
  520
  Mr. Horam
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Trust Hospitals (Invoices)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average number of invoices sent out by trust hospitals in the last year. [39745]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not held centrally.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits (i) he and (ii) his Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39870]

  Mr. Horam
  Since October 1995 no visits have been made to the Newbury constituency by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State or his ministerial colleagues. There have been 29 visits to other constituencies by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and 199 visits by his ministerial colleagues.

  General Practice Audit
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers the Audit Commission have to audit general practice. [39748]

  Mr. Horam
  Auditors appointed by the Audit Commission have powers to examine all general practice records necessary to validate national health service income and expenditure.

  Community Pharmacists
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS community pharmacists there were in each of the last five years. [39825]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Littleborough and Saddleworth (Mr. Davies) on 17 June,Official Report, columns 352–53.

  Young Runaways
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Centrepoint National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children report "Nowhere to Hide: Giving Young Runaways a Voice", a copy of which has been sent to him; and what proposals he has to address the problem for young runaways. [39651]

  Mr. Malone
  A copy of the published report has not yet been received. I shall consider the recommendations when I receive them.

  Health Authority Programme
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what business case and option appraisal was carried out prior to the decision to commence the new health authority programme; and what is the estimated outturn cost of the new health authority programme. [39772]
  521
  Mr. Horam
  Family Health Systems supplies the software to which modifications are needed in order for existing family health services authority based databases to operate effectively within new health authority boundaries. This work can be carried out only by the supplier; therefore no business case is required. The maximum estimated cost of this work is £1.4 million.

  Modifications to the national health service central register will be needed in order for it to handle realigned databases. This work has yet to commence but a preliminary estimate of costs is that £300,000 will be required. The project initiation process will include more detailed consideration of costs and options.

  Abortions
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a breakdown by the procedure adopted of the number of abortions performed in the NHS South Thames region in the latest year for which figures are available. [39777]

  Mr. Horam
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Hospital Emergency Admissions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency admissions to hospitals there were in each of the last four quarters. [39833]

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

  Diabetes (Syringes)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the availability on prescription of needles for pen-type syringes for diabetes; and what consultations he has had recently concerning their inclusion on the prescription list. [39849]

  Mr. Malone
  We are considering representations on this matter which have been made by the British Diabetic Association.

  Breast Cancer
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the waiting time for breast cancer surgery at St. Bartholomew's hospital, London. [39828]

  Mr. Malone
  This is a matter for the Royal Hospitals national health service trust.

  Trent RHA (Compensation)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful claims for compensation have been made against the Trent regional health authority during each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [39796]

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

  Practice Managers
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) practice managers and (b) practice administrative staff there were in each of the last five years. [39820]
  522
  Mr. Malone
  The available information is contained in "Statistics for General Medical Practitioners in England 1985–1995 Bulletin 96/6 May 1996", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Medical Audit
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) his Department's and (b) the NHS executive's budget for medical audit in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97. [39760]

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

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the reasons for the delay in publishing the health technology assessment project on cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging in the district general hospital; when he plans to publish it; and if he will make a statement. [39628]

  Mr. Horam
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Computer Projects
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the computer projects currently being(a) developed and (b) administered by the NHS executive and the cost to date of each and the latest estimated final outturn cost. [39818]

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

  Greenham Common (Radiation)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the investigation by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment into the incidence of childhood cancer in the West Berkshire and North Hampshire area was informed of the 1961 report by Cripps and Stimson into radiation around the Greenham air base. [39877]

  Mr. Horam
  The Cripps and Stimson report of July 1961 was not included in the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment investigation into the incidence of childhood cancer in the west Berkshire and north Hampshire area. This investigation, the results of which were published in COMARE's third report in 1989, was specifically related to the nuclear installations which were then known as the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, the Royal Ordnance factory, Burghfield, and the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell.

  South Manchester University Hospital
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 727, for what reasons he was unable to specify the fees paid by South Manchester University Hospital NHS trust to the Audit Commission; and if he will make a statement. [39625]

  Mr. Horam
  The trust has paid no fees to the Audit Commission.

  Birth Rate
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the causes of current birth rate levels. [39831]

  Mr. Horam
  Birth data for 1996 are currently being processed by the Office for National Statistics and will not be published until later next year.

  Smoking-related Diseases
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died from smoking-related diseases in each of the last five years. [39822]

  Mr. Horam
  It is estimated that in the United Kingdom about 110,000 deaths each year are smoking related.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39975]

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

  Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the membership of the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee. [40009]

  Mr. Horam
  The committee is chaired by Professor James McKillop, Muirhead Professor of Medicine at the University Department of Medicine, Glasgow. The 19 members are:

  Dr. Paul Abram, N. Ireland Centre for Clinical Oncology, Belfast (Clinical Oncology);

  Dr. Muriel Buxton-Thomas, King's College Hospital, London (Nuclear Medicine);

  Dr. Helen Carty, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital (Clinical Radiology);

  Dr. Susan Clarke, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, London (Nuclear Medicine);

  Dr. Tony Coakley, Kent and Canterbury Hospital (Nuclear Medicine);

  Dr. Malcolm Frier, University Hospital, Nottingham (Radiopharmacy);

  Dr. Chris Gibson, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyll (Physics);

  Dr. Gerry Gillen, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow (Physics);

  Dr. Michael Henk, Royal Marsden Hospital, London (Clinical Oncology);

  Dr. Stuart Hesselwood, City Hospital, Birmingham (Radiopharmacy);

  Dr. Stephen Mather, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London (Radiopharmacy);

  Professor Ralph McCready, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton (Nuclear Medicine);

  Dr. Peter Mountford, Royal Infirmary, Stoke on Trent (Physics);

  Dr. Tom Nunan, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, London (Nuclear Medicine);

  524

  Dr. Mary Prescott, Manchester Royal Infirmary (Nuclear Medicine);

  Dr. John Stather, National Radiological Protection Board (Radiobiology);

  Dr. Wendy Tindale, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield (Physics);

  Dr. Derek Waller, Southampton General Hospital (Clinical Pharmacology);

  Mr. John Watkinson, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham (Surgery).

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to advertise for membership of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [40010]

  Mr. Horam
  There will be a number of vacancies in membership of the authority later this year. We are considering how best to ensure that applications for these vacancies are invited from as wide a field as possible of suitable people. This is likely to include advertising in the national press.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to make available the management statement agreed with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [40011]

  Mr. Horam
  Copies of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's management statement have today been placed in the Library.

  Bristol Royal Infirmary
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up an inquiry into the delivery of paediatric cardiac surgical services at Bristol royal infirmary between 1990 and 1995. [40018]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I am aware of the concerns surrounding the provision of paediatric cardiac surgery at the United Bristol hospital trust. A number of steps have been taken at local level to address those concerns.

  I understand that the General Medical Council is now considering whether to take formal proceedings in this case. In the light of its decision I shall consider whether any further action is justified.

  Professions Supplementary to Medicine
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the review of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. [40019]

  Mr. Horam
  We have received a report of an independent review of the 1960 Act, copies of which have been placed in the Library. We welcome the report, and support its conclusion that new legislation is needed to streamline existing arrangements. We intend to prepare and consult widely on draft legislation based on the broad principles it establishes.

  HIV Prevention
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring is in place to ensure that HIV prevention money is being targeted at those communities most affected throughout the United Kingdom. [38312]

  Mr. Horam
  In England monitoring of health authorities' HIV prevention funding is carried out by means of half-yearly reports on planned expenditure, with an outturn report at the end of the financial year for inclusion in each health authority's AIDS (Control) Act Report.

  Guidance was issued to health authorities in March advising them of the need to allocate approximately 50 per cent. of the funds they receive for HIV prevention towards work with those populations most at risk from HIV.

  Questions relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Terminally Ill Patients
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of(a) in-patient palliative care hospices and (b) Macmillan services in each region. [38844]

  Mr. Horam
  The total number of in-patient palliative care hospices and Macmillan services in each region is given in the table:

  In-patient palliative care services as at January 1996

  Region

  Number of units

  Anglia and Oxford

  21

  Northern and Yorkshire

  26

  North Thames

  19

  South Thames

  26

  North West

  28

  South and West

  28

  West Midlands

  12

  Trent

  11

  Figures obtained from Hospice Information Service at St. Christopher's hospice.

  Cancer Relief Macmillan Service as at January 1996

  Region

  Number of services

  Anglia and Oxford

  54

  Northern and Yorkshire

  88

  North Thames

  100

  South Thames

  63

  North West

  88

  South and West

  72

  West Midlands

  57

  Trent

  58

  Figures obtained from Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund (CRMF) and show the number of services employing CRMF staff (this includes those funded as well as those no longer funded by CRMF).

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities which have no in-patient palliative care hospice within their boundaries. [38845]
  526
  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Gender Dysphoria
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the population in England and Wales he estimates suffers from gender dysphoria.[40023]

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

  Disabled Persons (Carers)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the public expenditure implications of implementing the Disabled Persons and Carers (Short Term Breaks) Bill [Lords]. [38846]

  Mr. Malone
  Any Bill which places a duty on a local authority to assess and provide for services will have significant cost implications.

  Operation Waiting Times
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients receiving(a) hip replacements, (b) cataract extraction, (c) kidney transplants and (d) hernia operations carried out on the NHS in Great Britain and Northern Ireland had to wait for (i) more than six months, (ii) more than nine months, (iii) more than 12 months, (iv) more than 15 months and (v) more than 18 months in the most recent year for which figures are available. [38849]

  Mr. Horam
  Information for England is contained in "Hospital Episode Statistics, Volume 2", copies of which are available in the Library. The most recent year for which figures have been published is 1993–94. Questions relating to the rest of the United Kingdom are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Health Service Staff
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by family health services authority or equivalent body the number of(a) doctors, (b) nurses,(c) midwives, (d) health visitors, (e) administration and clerical staff and (f) managers in (i) 1990, (ii) 1992 and (iii) 1994. [39128]

  Mr. Malone
  The number of general medical services general practitioners and their staff by family health services authority are published in "General Medical Services Statistics" at October and April for the years requested; copies are available in the Library.

  Data for the hospital and community health services non-medical staff cannot be listed by FHSA and could be provided in a different breakdown only at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the overall number of(a) administrative staff, (b) managerial staff, (c) nurses, (d) junior doctors and (e) other medical staff employed in each region for each of the last four years. [39129]

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

  In-patient Admissions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of ordinary in-patient admissions by region in each of the last four years. [39130]

  Mr. Horam
  The latest information is in the publication "ordinary and Day Case Admissions for England: Financial Year 1994–95", copies of which are available in the Library.

  MRSA
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in England and Wales were affected by MRSA—methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus—in each year since 1990. [39021]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 28 February,Official Report, columns 569–70.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when an actuarial report was carried out on the effect on the NHS pension scheme's overall liabilities of including GP staff in the scheme, and if he will make a statement on the conclusions. [39131]

  Mr. Malone
  No actuarial report has been carried out. We last consulted the Government Actuary's Department in February this year.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39306]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not held by the Department. Fines and other penalties are the responsibility of each driver to settle personally, and we would trace the driver only if there was a delay in paying the fine. Our management company, PHH, has records dated from 1994, which state the offence date and the vehicle in question, but does not state the nature of the violation.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative. Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39524]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Yorkshire RHA
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 528, how much was spent on the former Yorkshire regional health authority headquarters at Park
  528
  parade, Harrogate, on (a) refurbishment, repairs, maintenance and improvement, and (b) on furnishings, fixtures and fittings in each year since 1981. [39281]

  Mr. Horam
  Total spending on refurbishment, repairs, maintenance, improvement, furnishings, fixtures and fittings of the former Yorkshire regional health authority headquarters at Park parade, Harrogate for the financial years from 1981–82 onwards is shown in the table.

  Financial year

  Expenditure£

  1981–82

  21,000

  1982–83

  672,000

  1983–84

  646,000

  1984–85

  462,000

  1985–86

  243,000

  1986–87

  54,000

  1987–88

  30,000

  1988–89

  1,400,000

  1989–90

  1,400,000

  1990–91

  46,000

  1991–92

  371,000

  1992–93

  88,000

  1993–94

  56,000

  The definitions of fixtures, fittings and building fabric are not distinct and expenditure was not collected separately under these headings at the time the work was carried out.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 1 July,Official Report, column 334, regarding employment records for regional health authority staff, if he will provide the information requested on 7 June relating to the former Yorkshire regional health authority from the records held in the regional offices. [39189]

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

  Care Homes
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if it is his policy that a local authority should not place people in its own directly managed residential care homes at a price, in real terms, higher than that obtainable for comparable quality care in the independent sector; [39879]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that the wish of an individual to be placed in a private residential home of his choice rather than a local authority home so long as the cost is no greater and the service provided is as thorough as the local authority establishment is respected. [39883]

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is for local authorities to manage their substantial community care resources efficiently and effectively taking full account of their statutory responsibilities. One of these is the responsibility to obtain value for money and we expect them to secure adequate and appropriate care for their clients and the most competitive services regardless of sector. The Government have also issued a statutory direction on choice to make sure that, within certain limits of cost and suitability, people are able to exercise real choice when selecting a care home.

  In addition, the Audit (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1996 will enable the Audit Commission and the Department's social services inspectorate to undertake

  529
  joint reviews of local authorities' social service departments. The reviews will cover every authority in the country on a cyclical programme with about 20 authorities being reviewed each year. Reviews will focus on the three aspects of performance—cost-effectiveness, quality of service and sensitivity to the wishes and needs of users and carers.

  Licences
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the licences currently issued by his Department, indicating their function and the annual administrative costs for each. [37814]

  Mr. Horam
  [holding answer 19 July 1996:]: The Department is responsible for issuing six types of licence. Their function is to protect public health by setting standards—and controls where appropriate—of safety, quality, efficacy and service. It is not possible to show the administrative costs for each licence.

  The types of licence are:

  Department of Health:

  Approval of private sector places for abortion.

  Medicines Control Agency:

  Marketing authorisations

  Clinical trials certificates

  Manufacturers' licences

  Wholesale dealers' licences

  Homoeopathic registration certificates.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the proportion of minority ethnic applicants for NHS management training schemes; and what proportion obtained a place in 1995. [37092]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 12 July 1996]: In 1995, 19 per cent. of applicants to the national health service financial management training scheme and 12 per cent. of those who successfully obtained a place on the scheme were from ethnic minorities. Figures for the NHS management training scheme in the same period were 9 per cent.—of applicants—and 3.3 per cent.—of successful applicants—respectively.

  Edgware General Hospital
  Sir John Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further developments have taken place to enable a casualty and emergency unit to replace the existing accident and emergency department at Edgware hospital; when he expects further arrangements to be proposed; and when he will write to the hon. Member for Hendon, North with full details. [38983]

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further developments have taken place to enable a casualty and emergency unit to replace the existing accident and emergency arrangements at Edgware general hospital; when he expects further new arrangements to be proposed; and when he will write to the hon. Member for Harrow, East with full details. [38986]

  Sir Rhodes Boyson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further developments have taken place to enable the casualty and emergency unit to replace the 530
  existing accident and emergency arrangements at Edgware general hospital; when he expects the new arrangements to be proposed; and when he will write to the hon. Member for Brent, North. [39602]

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of Edgware hospital. [39601]

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of Edgware general hospital and its casualty department. [39827]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Barnet health authority has today sent papers to members in advance of its next meeting on 31 July. The health authority will consider the following recommendations from its officers:(a) that, in line with the recommendation of the working group which reported to the health authority earlier this month, there should be a medical presence within the casualty service;
  (b) that a further working group should be established to explore the development of a GP type admissions unit or the elderly as a demonstration project for which central funding could be sought;
  (c) that the opening hours of the casualty service should be considered further in conjunction with the proposal for a demonstration project.

  In addition, the health authority will discuss progress on the possible development of a low-risk maternity unit, on which decisions will be made in September.

  The health authority will take a decision on these recommendations at its meeting next week. I will write to the local Members immediately after the meeting with further details.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the numbers(a) employed and (b) in training as (i) health visitors, (ii) school nurses, (iii) district nurses and (iv) community psychiatric nurses; [36711]

  (2)how many whole-time equivalent (a) health visitors, (b) school nurses, (c) district nurses and (d) community psychiatric nurses were in training in each region in September of each year since 1990 broken down by (i) gender and (ii) ethnic origin; [36710]

  (3) how many whole-time equivalent (a) health visitors, (b) school nurses, (c) district nurses and (d) community psychiatric nurses were employed in each region in September of each year since 1990 broken down by (i) gender and (ii) ethnic origin. [36705]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 11 July 1996]: Information on numbers of health visitors, school nurses, district nurses, and community psychiatric nurses employed by region and gender will be placed in the Library. Information about their ethnic origin is not available centrally.

  Such information as is available on the numbers in training is contained in the English National Board for

  531
  Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting's annual report for 1995–96 which was presented to Parliament on 22 July.

TREASURY

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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 past 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. [39150]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  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.

  Particular Budget measures aimed to boost small businesses include: cutting the small companies rate of corporate tax and the basic rate of income tax; reducing employers' national insurance contributions from April 1997; reducing the qualifying age for capital gains tax retirement relief; improving transitional relief for smaller properties whose rates bill are rising following the 1995 revaluation; reducing class 4 national insurance contributions by the self-employed and withdrawing the 50 per cent. tax relief from these contributions; increasing the VAT threshold; introducing a deregulation package; and introducing a tax code rewritten in simple user-friendly language.

  These measures build on last year's package to costs job cuts and ease access to finance.

  Transport Workers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average working weeks per year for a transport worker in(a) the road transport industry, (b) the rail industry, (c) the aviation industry and (d) the maritime industry currently and 10 years ago. [39396]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Available information on average weekly hours worked by industry is given in the new earnings survey, part C, tables 54 and 57, for 1986 and 1995, a copy of which is in the House Library.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (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; [39412]

  (2) 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. [39385]
  532
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Economic Performance
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he will take to improve the United Kingdom's economic performance relative to other OECD countries. [37661]

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he will take to improve the United Kingdom's economic performance relative to other OECD countries. [37686]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Government's policies will continue to deliver a stable macro-economic environment and efficient markets. These policies have been very successful. The UK is now performing better against its main competitors. We have enjoyed a stronger recovery since 1992 than any other major European economy, and the OECD expects us to grow significantly faster than Germany, France and Italy in both 1996 and 1997.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's economic performance in 1995. [37662]

  Mrs. Knight
  Last year, the UK economy continued its run of healthy growth, low inflation, falling unemployment and declining Government borrowing, and we were able to reduce taxes in the 1995 Budget, thanks to firm control of public spending.

  Cattle Slaughter Compensation Scheme
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 27 June to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks),Official Report, columns 234–35, if he will list the cost for each financial year from 1996–97 to 1998–99 of (a) the compensation arrangements to farmers for cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (b) the payments to slaughterhouses for handling cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (c) payments to renderers for handling cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (d) the cost of storage, prior to incineration, of the rendered remains of cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (e) the cost of incineration of the remains of cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (f) the calf slaughter premium, (g) the package of aid for the renderers, (h) the package of aid for the abattoirs, (i) the package of aid to the cutting industries, (j) the feed recall scheme and (k) the additional running costs for the agriculture departments; and if he will list where applicable the net EU contribution for each measure, taking account of both the UK's contribution to additional EU spending and the effect of additional receipts on the UK abatement. [38803]
  533
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The figures are given to the nearest million pounds in the table. Where applicable, the net EU contribution is given between parentheses.

  Measure

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  (a) compensation arrangements to farmers for cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain

  455 (153)

  455 (213)

  455 (47)

  (b) payments to slaughterhouses for handling cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (c) payments to renderers for handling cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (d) the cost of storage, prior to incineration of the remains of cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain, (e) cost of incineration of the remains of cattle over 30 months of age which cannot now enter the food chain1

  120

  120

  120

  (f) calf slaughter premium

  50 (36)

  50 (18)

  50 (14)

  (g) package of aid for the renderers

  118

  59

  0

  (h) package of aid for the abattoirs, (i) package of aid to the cutting industries2

  120

  0

  0

  (j) feed recall scheme

  6

  0

  0

  (k) additional running costs for the agriculture departments

  60

  61

  60

  (l) other miscellaneous BSE expenditure including top up payments on prime beef, beef stocks disposal schemes and compensation and destruction of young bulls in Northern Ireland

  108

  3

  0

  Total cost

  1,037

  748

  685

  These figures and the figures for the net EU contribution and the net cost to the UK taxpayer are unchanged from those given on 27 June (Official Report, columns 234–235).

  1 A break down of the costs of slaughter, rendering, storage and disposal of animals under the over 30 month scheme could only be carried out at present at disproportionate cost.

  2 A breakdown of the two costs could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what role his Department is playing in improving the United Kingdom's competitiveness. [37665]

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the policies of his Department can make on the competitiveness of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [37675]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  As the third competitiveness White Paper shows, the Government have created a climate where competitiveness can flourish based on an economy where interest rates are now at historically low levels, inflation has been below 4 per cent. for the longest period for nearly 50 years, corporation tax is among the lowest for major industrialised countries and public finances are under tight control.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress with the PFI in Yorkshire. [37664]

  Mr. Jack
  Detailed information on the progress of the PFI by region is not held centrally. However, Yorkshire has a successful track record of agreed PFI deals. The Royal Armouries in Leeds was one of the first PFI projects and makes an important contribution to the success and prosperity of the city. the £50 million project for St. James's hospital in Leeds was announced on 29 January 1996 and is a pioneering project in the health sector. The region will also benefit from deals in the transport sector such as the M1-A1 link road. Other PFI projects for the region, including transport and office accommodation projects, are currently being developed.

  EU Contribution
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the aggregate of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Union for the past four years; what average annual percentage increase this represents; what is the estimated aggregate net British contribution for the next four years; and what is his estimate of the average annual percentage increase for this period. [37677]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The UK's net contribution over the four years from 1992–93 to 1995–96 amounted to nearly £10 billion, excluding private sector receipts of perhaps £1 billion or more. Estimates covering the whole of the next four-year period are not yet available. Percentage variations fluctuate enormously from year to year depending both on which years are chosen and on the method of calculation.

  Graduates
  Ms Church
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of people who are economically active and who have a degree, in each ethnic group, are unemployed; [38758]

  (2) what percentage that is of the total unemployed; and if he will provide a breakdown by ethnic origin; [38768]

  (3) how many people, broken down by ethnic origin, who did not gain a higher education qualification are currently unemployed; and what is that figure as a percentage of the total unemployed; [38760]

  (4) what percentage of the total unemployed in each ethnic group (a) have a degree and (b) do not have a higher education qualification; [38702]

  (5) what percentage of people who are economically active and who do not have a higher education qualification, in each ethnic group, are unemployed.[38703]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The available information from the winter 1995–96—December 1995 to February 1996—labour force survey for Great Britain is given in the table.
  535

  Economic status of people of working age by highest qualification and ethnic origin winter 1995–96 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Great Britain, thousands and per cent.

  All origins

  White

  Ethnic minority groups

  Black

  Indian

  Pakistani/Bangladeshi

  Mixed/other origins

  Percentage of ILO unemployed

  —with degree

  7.2

  7.1

  7.4

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  —with higher education qualification

  11.7

  11.6

  12.6

  17.7

  1—

  1—

  1—

  —without higher education qualification

  88.3

  88.4

  87.4

  82.3

  88.8

  94.9

  85.7

  ILO unemployment rate (per cent.)

  —with degree

  4.3

  4.0

  8.0

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  —with higher education qualification

  4.2

  4.0

  8.4

  12.9

  1—

  1—

  1—

  —without higher education qualification

  9.6

  9.1

  19.8

  21.9

  14.7

  27.9

  17.8

  ILO unemployed (thousands)

  —with degree

  163

  146

  16

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  —with higher education qualification

  265

  237

  28

  14

  1—

  1—

  1—

  —without higher education qualification

  1,999

  1,809

  191

  63

  45

  48

  34

  Note:

  1 Less than 10,000 in cell: estimate not shown.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Ms Church
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the total employed under 25-year-olds in each ethnic group are economically active graduates who completed their degree in 1995. [38756]

  Mrs. Knight
  The labour force survey does not ask people in which year they obtained their qualification.

  Ms Church
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of the total under 25 years of age population in each ethnic group is unemployed; and what percentage of the total unemployed in each ethnic group is under 25 years of age; [38759]

  ILO unemployed of 16–24 year olds by ethnic origin in winter 1995–96 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Great Britain, thousands and per cent.

  All origins

  White

  Ethnic minority groups

  Black

  Indian

  Pakistani/Bangladeshi

  Mixed/other origins

  Numbers of ILO unemployed 16–24 year olds (thousands)

  656

  596

  61

  16

  14

  17

  14

  As a percentage of all 16–24 year olds

  10.4

  10.2

  12.4

  17.2

  10.3

  12.5

  11.0

  As a percentage of all ILO unemployed aged 16 and over

  28.5

  28.7

  27.3

  20.2

  26.3

  34.2

  33.8

  ILO unemployed rates for 16–24 year olds

  14.6

  14.0

  25.1

  31.4

  18.9

  30.1

  22.8

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Ms Church
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current figures for unemployment among the under 25-year-olds in terms of(a) actual numbers, (b) percentage of total unemployment, (c) percentage of the under 25-year-old work force and (d) percentage of the under 25-year-old population. [38763]

  Mrs. Knight
  Latest information available from the labour force survey shows that in Great Britain in spring—March to May—1996, 658,000 people aged 16 to
  536
  (2) how many and what percentage of the economically active under 25-year-olds in each ethnic group are unemployed. [38764]

  Mrs. Knight
  The latest information available from the winter 1995–96—December 1995 to February 1996— labour force survey for Great Britain is given in the table.

  24 were ILO unemployed. This represents 29.1 per cent. of total ILO unemployment, 14.8 per cent. of those aged 16 to 24 who were economically active—the ILO unemployment rate—and 10.5 per cent. of the 16 to 24-year-old population.

  Ms Church
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of the total unemployed under 25 years old in each ethnic group are economically active
  537
  people who did not have a higher education qualification and who had been a full-time student or pupil the previous year; [38755]

  (2) what are the current unemployment figures for economically active people aged under 25 years who did not have a higher education qualification and who had been a full-time student or pupil the previous year in terms of ethnic origin; [38761]

  (3) how many economically active people aged under 25 years who did not have a higher education qualification and who had been a full-time student or pupil the previous year are currently unemployed; and what is this figure as a percentage of (a) total unemployment, (b) total unemployment among under 25-year-olds and (c) the total work force of under 25-year-olds who did not have a higher education qualification and who had been a full-time student or pupil the previous year; [38766]

  (4) what percentage of the work force in each ethnic group, who are economically active, aged under 25 years without a higher education qualification and had been a full-time student or pupil the previous year, are currently unemployed. [38767]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The available information from the labour force survey is given in the table:

  ILO unemployed 16–24 year olds without higher education qualifications who were full-time students 1 year previously Spring 1996 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Great Britain, thousands and per cent.

  All persons

  White

  All ethnic minorities

  Numbers (thousands)

  160

  138

  22

  (a) as percentage of all ILO unemployed of working age

  6.6

  6.6

  8.8

  (b) as percentage of all ILO unemployed 16–24 year olds

  23.4

  22.7

  28.6

  (c) as percentage of all economically active 16–24 year olds without higher qualifications who were FT students 1 year previously full time

  21.2

  19.6

  43.6

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Ms Church
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of the work force in each ethnic group, who are economically active people aged under 25 years whose highest qualification was a degree and who had been a full-time student the previous year, are currently unemployed; [38757]

  (2) what are the current unemployment figures for economically active people aged under 25 years whose highest qualification was a degree and who had been a full-time student the previous year, in terms of ethnic origin; [38762]

  (3) what are the current unemployment figures for economically active people aged under 25 years whose highest qualification was a degree and who had been a full-time student the previous year in terns of (a) actual numbers, (b) percentage of total unemployment,
  538
  (c) percentage of total unemployment among the under 25-year-olds and (d) percentage of the total work force of under 25-year-olds whose highest qualification was a degree and who had been in full-time education in the previous year. [38765]

  Mrs. Knight
  This information is not available.

  Public Sector Debt
  Mr. Bernard Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received regarding public sector debt. [37659]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The UK has the third lowest debt to GDP ratio in the European Union, and unlike every other G7 economy our debt to GDP ratio is lower now than in 1979.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current estimate of receipts to the Treasury from privatisation sales in 1996–97. [37660]

  Mr. Jack
  The current estimate, as published in the summer economic forecast, is £4½ billion.

  Company Taxation
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the tax burden on companies in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other major European countries. [37663]

  Mr. Jack
  Britain's tax burden compares very favourably with other major European countries, as the most recent OECD survey confirms.

  Direct Taxation
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the level of direct taxation. [37666]

  Mr. Jack
  We have received a number of representations from the public on the level of direct taxation, many of which welcomed the steps towards a 20p basic rate taken in the last Budget.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlay the lower than projected yield of value added tax in 1995–96. [37667]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The matter is currently being looked at by a working group comprised of officials from HM Treasury and HM Customs and Excise. The probability is that there is no single explanation, but a range of contributory factors. Receipts for the first quarter of 1996–97 are showing healthy growth.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to ensure the consistency of his proposals with EU law for a retrospective limitation on claims for recovery of value added tax as a result of a customs mistake; [39604]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure the legitimate expectations of taxpayers in respect of repayment of VAT are met; and if he will make a statement; [39605]
  539
  (3) what considerations led to the setting of (a) the statutory limitation period for customs recovery of value added tax and (b) the proposal for the period regarding taxpayers recovery; and if he will make a statement. [39603]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  There are no harmonised European Community rules applying to recovery of overpaid VAT. Member states are free to determine their own procedures for claims provided that they respect Community law principles. National time limits for VAT—which operate within an EC framework—cannot be less favourable than those applying for similar domestic taxes, and procedures must not make it excessively difficult for a taxpayer to exercise his Community rights.

  The new three-year cap on retrospective refunds of VAT will apply to all the indirect taxes and duties administered by customs. EC law already imposes a three-year limit in respect of repayment of customs duty.

  A three-year time limit on refunds achieves a proper balance between the rights of individual taxpayers and the public interest. The Government have become concerned at the increasing amounts of revenue at risk in taxation boundary disputes, in some cases back to the introduction of VAT in 1973. A three-year limit will introduce certainty both for taxpayers and the Exchequer, and is proportionate in effect because, at the time of the relevant transactions, both taxpayers and their customers will normally have worked on the assumption that the tax was due.

  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new registrations for VAT there were in South Derbyshire in each of the last five years. [39758]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Customs does not have information concerning the number of new registrations in South Derbyshire alone. The local VAT office at Derby covers, in addition to South Derbyshire, parts of Leicestershire and Staffordshire. The number of VAT registrations for that area in the last five calendar years is as follows:

  year

  New registrations

  1991

  1,869

  1992

  1,805

  1993

  1,900

  1994

  1,670

  1995

  1,766

  1996 (to 30 June 1996)

  1000

  Taxation
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made to him regarding the economic impact of current levels of taxation. [37669]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received regarding the economic impact of current levels of taxation. [37679]

  Mr. Jack
  We have received a number of representations from the public on current levels of taxation, many of which have welcomed the tax cuts made 540
  in my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor's November budget.

  Capital Taxation
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the reform of the taxation of capital. [37671]

  Mr. Jack
  The Government have received a number of different representations, which will be carefully considered. The abolishing of capital taxes and inheritance tax remain stated objectives of the Government.

  House Prices
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the pattern of house price movements in the past 12 months. [37672]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Over the 12 months to June, national average house prices—as measured by the Halifax index—rose by 4 per cent. The disaggregated figures show that house prices have risen in all regions of the UK over this period. Rising living standards, low inflation and the lowest mortgage rates for nearly 30 years mean that the conditions are right for the recovery in the housing market to be sustained.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on present levels of public expenditure. [37674]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The current level of general government expenditure is £308 billion. The Cabinet discussed the forthcoming public expenditure survey last week. We reaffirmed our commitment to reduce the share of national income taken by the state. We agreed that spending should be kept within the tightest possible limits, and certainly within the cash plans my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor announced in the Budget last year.

  Living Standards
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the growth in living standards in the next year. [37680]

  Mr. Jack
  Real personal disposable income is expected to increase by 2½ per cent. this year and by a further 3 per cent. in 1997.

  Industrial and Provident Societies
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last me the Registrar of Friendly Societies to discuss the registration of industrial and provident societies. [37681]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have not met the Registrar of Friendly Societies to discuss registration of industrial and provident societies and have no plans to do so.

  Electricity Bills
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the change in the average
  541
  domestic electricity bill since the industry was privatised; and how the privatisation has affected Government revenues. [37682]

  Mr. Jack
  The typical UK household electricity bill has fallen by £18 between 1990 and 1995, in real terms excluding VAT. On top of this, bills will fall by about a fifth this year. Privatising the electricity industry has contributed over £20 billion to Government revenues, and the privatised companies now contribute about £1 billion in corporation tax each year.

  Inward Investment
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of his policies for the economy on levels of inward investment. [37684]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Government's economic policies have helped the UK to attract more inward direct investment, in relation to GDP, than any other major economy, with over £20 billion in 1995 alone. In 1995–96, the Invest in Britain bureau was notified of 477 inward investment projects, creating almost 50,000 new jobs and safeguarding as many again. This strong performance is being maintained this year, with LG of Korea announcing £1.7 billion investment in south Wales, creating 6,100 new jobs—the largest inward investment ever made in Europe.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the PSBR. [37673]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Borrowing is continuing to fall and is on a clear downward trend. As a share of GDP the PSBR for 1996–97 will be half its 1993–94 level.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission a study into the accuracy of his Department's original forecast of the current year's PSBR. [37687]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  No. The PSBR is the difference between two large numbers and forecasts are subject to large margins of error. The average error on forecasts made in November for the year ahead is l½ per cent. of GDP, or £11 billion at current day prices. The error on the 1994 Budget forecast of the 1995–96 PSBR was just under £11 billion, an average-sized forecast error.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39299]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury does not own any vehicles.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions ministerial conference and 542
  meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39529]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  None.

  Air Passenger Duty
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue has been raised from air passenger duty since its introduction. [39286]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Air passenger duty receipts, together with those for all other Customs and Excise taxes, are published every month by the Office for National Statistics in table 2.1D of the publication "Financial Statistics", which is held in the House of Commons Library.

  Diesel Vehicles
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what(a) fiscal and (b) other measures he has evaluated to encourage research into particulate traps for diesel vehicles; [39757]

  (2) what (a) fiscal and (b) other measures he has evaluated to encourage the use of low-sulphur diesel fuel. [39756]

  Mr. Jack
  I have continued to look at a wide range of measures to promote the use of cleaner vehicles, technologies and fuels. I will carefully consider all these measures before reaching a judgment for the forthcoming Budget.

  Publications
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average price of(a) "Social Trends" publications and (b) Economic Trends publications in each year since 1993. [39753]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The prices for the "Social Trends" and "Economic Trends" group of publications in each year since 1993 have been:

  £ pounds

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Social Trends (Annual)

  26.00

  27.00

  34.95

  35.95

  Economic Trends (Monthly)

  12.75

  13.25

  19.95

  21.00

  ET Quarterly Supplement

  9.00

  18.00

  18.00

  21.00

  ET Annual Supplement

  16.50

  17.00

  24.95

  26.95

  Economic Trends annual subscription (all three titles including postage)

  155.00

  196.00

  320.00

  335.00

  Prices and subscriptions are fixed for the calendar year.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits (i) he and (ii) his Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39867]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  In the past 12 months my ministerial colleagues and I have made a number of visits to constituencies but have made no visits to the Newbury constituency.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many redundancies have been notified to his Department by employers in(a) the York parliamentary constituency, (b) the York travel-to-work area and (c) North Yorkshire in each of the last five years. [39569]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information is not available for York parliamentary constituency, the travel-to-work area, or for North Yorkshire. In the Yorkshire, Humberside region the 1995 winter labour force survey estimates 19,000 people had been made redundant in the three months prior to interview.

  Abortions
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give a breakdown by gestation of pregnancy of the number of abortions performed in the north-west region in the latest year for which figures are available; [39865]

  (2) how many abortions have now been performed in total within the north-west region under the provisions of the Abortion Act 1967; and how many and what percentage of those abortions were performed in emergency to save the life of the woman; [39863]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the statistically most likely candidate for an abortion within the north-west region after the 24th week of pregnancy in the latest year for which figures are available in terms of (a) the age of the woman, (b) the marital status of the woman, (c) the number of previous children of the woman and (d) the grounds under which the abortion is performed; [39862]

  (4) if he will give a breakdown by the procedure adopted of the number of abortions performed in the north-west region in the latest year for which figures are available. [39864]

  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the statistically most likely candidate for an abortion within the NHS South Thames region after the 24th week of pregnancy, in the latest year for which figures are available, in terms of(a) the age of the woman, (b) the marital status of the woman, (c) the number of previous children of the woman and (d) the grounds under which the abortion is performed. [39781]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide a substantive answer before the summer recess. I shall write to the hon. Members shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the statistically most likely candidate for an abortion within the north-west region in the latest year for which figures are available in terms of(a) the age of the woman, (b) the marital status of the woman, (c) the number of previous children of the woman and (d) the grounds under which the abortion is performed. [39861]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The statistically most likely candidate for an abortion for each of the variables listed is defined as the category with the highest recorded frequency of legal terminations. The percentages are based on all legal terminations performed in 1993, to women usually resident in the north-west health region.
  544
  The categories with the highest frequencies found in each of the variables are as follows:
  age of the woman: 20–24 age group comprised 32 per cent. (3,742) of all terminations.
  Marital status: single women comprised 29 per cent. (3,232) of all terminations.
  Number of previous children born by the woman: women with no previous (live and still born) children born to them, comprised 49 per cent. (5,669) of all terminations.
  Legal ground under which abortion was performed: statutory ground C alone comprised 84 per cent. (9.689) of all terminations. The definition of ground C is "that the pregnancy has not exceeded its 24th week and that the continuance of pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, or injury to the physical or mental health of the woman".
  Reference: 1993 Abortion Statistics, England and Wales, Series AB no. 20.

  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a breakdown by gestation of pregnancy of the number of abortions performed in the NHS South Thames region in the latest year for which figures are available. [39775]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Figures for 1994 which give a breakdown of the number of abortions performed to usually resident women in the South Thames health region by gestation of pregnancy can be found in the OPCS monitor series AB95/9, "Legal abortions in England and Wales 1994: residents of regional and district health areas".

  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicate the statistically most likely candidate for an abortion within the South Thames region in the latest year for which figures are available in terms of(a) the age of the woman, (b) the marital status of the woman, (c) the number of previous children of the woman and (d) the grounds under which the abortion is performed. [39772]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The statistically most likely candidate for an abortion for each of the variables listed is defined as the category with the highest recorded frequency of legal terminations. The percentages are based on all legal terminations performed in 1993, to women usually resident in the South East and South West Thames health regions.

  The categories with the highest frequencies found in each of the variables are as follows:
  Age of the woman: 20–24 age group comprised 29 per cent. (7,113) of all terminations.
  Marital status: single woman comprised 25 per cent. (6,140) of all terminations.
  Number of previous children born by the woman: women with no previous (live and still born) children born to them, comprised 37 per cent. (9,245) of all terminations.
  Legal ground under which the abortion was performed: statutory ground C alone comprised 85 per cent. (21,328) of all terminations. The definition of ground C is "that the pregnancy has not exceeded its 24th week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, or injury to the physical or mental health of the women".
  Reference: 1993 Abortions Statistics, England and Wales, Series AB no. 20.
  545
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many abortions have been performed in total within the NHS South Thames region under the provisions of the Abortions Act 1967; and how many and what percentage of those abortions were performed in emergency to save the life of the mother. [39776]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The total number of abortions carried out under the Abortion Act, to women usually resident in the South Thames health region1 from 1970 to 19942 was 529,032. During this period 10 abortions, 0 per cent. of the total number of abortions performed were carried out in an emergency, certified by the operating practitioner as immediately necessary, to save the life of the woman3.
  1 Figures are based, where possible, on 1994 health authority boundaries. Other boundary changes have not been reflected in the figures.
  2 Figures for 1968–69 are not held on a comparable basis.
  3 Abortions performed under statutory grounds 5 (1970–31st March 1991) and F (1st April 1991—present) i.e. where in the case of emergency it was necessary to save the life of the woman.

  Capital Gains
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of capital gains outstanding for each of the last 10 years; and if he will list the longest period for which capital gains has been unpaid while negotiations with the Inland Revenue continue for(a) individuals, (b) companies and (c) trusts. [39685]

  Mr. Jack
  The amount of capital gains tax outstanding as at 31 October in each of the last 10 years is as follows:

  year

  Amount (£ million)

  year

  Amount (£ million)

  1985

  128.1

  1990

  206.4

  1986

  132.1

  1991

  224.4

  1987

  139.5

  1992

  196.9

  1988

  145.6

  1993

  177.1

  1989

  165.5

  1994

  150.7

  The information requested in the second part of the question is not available.

  Departmental Forms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many forms his Department issues annually; and in how many categories. [37688]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information on statistical inquiries to businesses by the Office for National Statistics is in its compliance plan for 1996 to 1998, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Employment Statistics
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many men between the ages of 16 and 60 years were in(a) full-time employment and (b) part-time employment in each year between 1992 and 1996. [38954]
  546
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The available information from the labour force survey for Great Britain is given in the table:

  Men aged 16–59 working full-time and part-time Spring 1992 to Winter 1995–96 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Great Britain, thousands

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Spring 1992

  12,337

  713

  Spring 1993

  12,089

  758

  Spring 1994

  12,127

  849

  Spring 1995

  12,297

  858

  Winter 1995–96

  12,308

  894

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Ms Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers of women between the ages of 16 and 60 years in(a) full-time employment and (b) part-time employment below 16 hours in each of the years 1992 to 1996. [38899]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The available information from the labour force survey for Great Britain is given in the following table:

  Women aged 16–59 working full-time and part-time Spring 1992 to Winter 1995–96 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Great Britain

  Thousands

  Full time

  Part time 16 hours and over

  Part time under 16 hours

  Spring 1992

  6,140

  2,690

  1,888

  Spring 1993

  6,087

  2,749

  1,868

  Spring 1994

  6,073

  2,813

  1,860

  Spring 1995

  6,160

  2,822

  1,842

  Winter 1995

  6,169

  2,922

  1,897

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Statistical Forms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the statistical forms issued to businesses by his Department, indicating the number of each sent out. [38678]

  Mr. Jack
  Treasury Departments require information about economic activity and the collection of taxes. Forms are a very necessary part of these processes. There are several hundreds of different types of forms, many of which are variations—for example, Welsh language versions—resulting in several millions of forms issued every year, to two categories; individuals and businesses. To give precise figures would involve disproportionate cost, but the main examples are: for the Inland Revenue, 7 million individual tax returns; for HM Customs and Excise, 6.8 million VAT returns; around ½ million VAT registration forms, although only 180,000 are returned by businesses; 1.5 million Intrastat survey forms; and 175,000 betting and gaming duty forms, all issued to business; for the Office for National Statistics, 1.5 million forms in 101 separate statistical inquiries of business. The information on statistical inquiries to businesses by the Office for National Statistics is in the compliance plan for 1996 to 1998, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.
  547
  The Treasury's Departments recognise the need to keep the number of forms they require to be completed to a minimum and that those which are necessary should be well designed. They have set targets for reducing the burden they impose on businesses.

  Employment (Yorkshire and Humberside)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) males and (b) females in (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employment in (1) North Yorkshire and (2) Yorkshire and Humberside earn less than £3.40 an hour. [38938]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: Information available from the new earnings survey is provided in the table.

  Employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey pay-period was unaffected by absence

  Average gross hourly pay (excluding overtime)

  Percentage of employees earning less than £3.40 per hour

  North Yorkshire

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Males

  Full-time

  4.4

  3.7

  Part-time

  27.9

  27.1

  Females

  Full-time

  12.6

  9.4

  Part-time

  25.4

  22.4

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of people aged under 25 years are(a) in full-time employment, (b) in part-time employment, (c) in full-time education and (d) on Government-supported training schemes in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England in each year since 1991. [38937]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: Available information is for England and Yorkshire and Humberside. This is provided in the table.

  Persons aged under 25: at spring

  (Thousand)

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Full-time employment1

  England

  3,170

  2,738

  2,471

  2,319

  2,257

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  346

  283

  269

  235

  233

  Part-time employment1

  England

  732

  769

  778

  842

  853

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  69

  86

  81

  89

  87

  Full-time education

  England

  1,427

  1,635

  1,617

  1,779

  1,843

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  145

  167

  162

  184

  194

  Government-supported training and employment programmes

  England

  231

  196

  188

  174

  144

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  28

  27

  27

  23

  21

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Note:

  1 Excludes government-supported training and employment programmes.
  548

  Persons aged under 25: at spring

  (Per cent.)

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Full-time employment1

  England

  20

  17

  16

  15

  15

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  21

  17

  16

  14

  14

  Part-time employment1

  England

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Full-time education

  England

  9

  10

  10

  11

  12

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  9

  10

  10

  11

  12

  Government-supported training and employment programmes

  England

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  2

  2

  2

  1

  1

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Note:

  1 Excludes government-supported training and employment programmes.

  Community Budget
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will be publishing the statement on the 1996 Community budget. [39943]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I have today laid before Parliament the statement on the 1996 Community budget, entitled "European Community Finances". This White Paper is the 16th in the series. As in the past it covers annual budgetary matters. It also describes the budget for 1996 as adopted by the European Parliament and the United Kingdom's gross and net contributions to the Community budget over the years 1993 to 1996.

  As last year, the annual statement also includes details of recent developments in European Community financial management and in countering fraud against the Community budget.

  I have placed copies of the White Paper in the Library of the House.

  Child Benefit
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings he estimates would be made annually if child benefit were taxed at(a) 40 per cent. (b) 24 per cent. and (c) 20 per cent. rates on (i) mothers' and (ii) fathers' earnings. [3949]

  Mr. Jack
  The yield from taxing it at specified rates would depend on whether all taxpayers were to face the same tax rate on child benefit or whether taxpayers with a lower marginal rate would pay tax at their own marginal rate.

  Long-term Care Insurance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the regulation of selling and marketing of long-term care insurance. [39944]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Government's consultation document, "A new partnership for care in old age", published on 7 May, invited comments on a proposed partnership scheme to provide extra protection from the
  549
  means test for residential care to people who took out a "partnership product" to meet some of the costs of their long-term care. Two kinds of partnership product for inclusion in the partnership scheme were mentioned-indemnity insurance and immediate needs annuities. Views were also invited on whether the selling and marketing of long-term care insurance should be regulated under the Financial Services Act 1986, as annuities are already.

  It is important, especially as these products will be sold primarily to the elderly, to ensure that arrangements for regulating the products are properly considered. Equally, it is important for any regulation to be cost-effective, and widely accepted as effective for the development of the market in long-term care insurance.

  The Treasury is examining the issues raised by responses to the consultation document concerned with regulation. These suggest there is a consensus in favour of regulation under the Financial Services Act 1986, covering the marketing and selling of all long-term care insurance products. Before a decision is taken to extend the scope of the Financial Services Act in this way, the Treasury will explore further the detailed question of how it should be achieved, and will issue a consultation document in the autumn seeking views of interested groups, including financial services participants and consumer interest groups.

  Tax Booklet
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the information given in the July 1995 "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs" booklet. [40017]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Treasury is today publishing a booklet containing estimates of the effects of various illustrative tax changes on tax receipts in 1997–98 and 1998–99 and preliminary estimates of the costs of the main tax reliefs in 1995–96 and 1996–97. Copies are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Life Assurance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the reform of the tax rules for life assurance policy holders and the proposal to publish draft legislation. [39942]

  Mr. Jack
  The Government intend later this year to publish draft clauses and secondary legislation on the taxation of life assurance and similar policyholders. The draft legislation would form the basis of a comprehensive code for taxing profits from life assurance policies and other types of insurance which are used for investment. The aim of the new rules is to conserve what is good in the existing regime, which dates from 1968, but to modernise it to take account of nearly 30 years of developments in the insurance industry. If enacted, the legislation would give effect to the proposed reform of policyholder taxation I announced on 8 November last year,Official Report, column 912.

  At the time of that announcement it was hoped that the draft legislation would be available in the spring, but we have found that more time is needed for the preparation
  550
  of the new rules. In order to allow time for full consultation with all interested parties, the Government have decided that they will not, in any event, introduce legislation based on the draft clauses in the next Finance Bill.

  Earlier this year there was speculation that the Inland Revenue was intending to change the tax treatment of guaranteed income bonds, which are a life assurance-based product. An Inland Revenue press release of 15 March made it clear that it was Ministers' intention to ensure that the tax treatment of holders of existing bonds was consistent with the insurance industry's understanding of the position at that time. That remains true, and discussions with the insurance industry's representatives, including the Association of British Insurers, are continuing to determine how this might be achieved.

  Capital Allowances
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he proposes to make to the rules on capital allowances for fixtures following the House of Lords case last year of Melluish v. BMI (No. 3) Ltd. and others. [39945]

  Mr. Jack
  The Government intend to introduce legislation in the next Finance Bill to correct defects in the rules for giving capital allowances on fixtures in buildings. These defects allow tax to be avoided by obtaining allowances on more than the cost of the fixture and through the acceleration of allowances. The legislation will also reverse that part of the decision of the House of Lords in Melluish v. BMI (No. 3) Ltd. which gave allowances to equipment lessors on fixtures leased to persons not liable to tax. The new rules will apply to expenditure incurred on or after today.

  These changes open the way to simplify and deregulate these rules. At present, valuations have to be made whenever allowances are claimed on fixtures included in a property sale. This has been criticised as complex, costly and incorrect. The Inland Revenue will publish proposals today for consultation. The proposals would, in many cases, allow figures agreed between the purchaser and the vendor to be accepted for tax purposes. The Inland Revenue will also consult with representatives of the property industry and their professional advisers on ways in which the rules could be improved further. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, we intend to introduce these measures in the next Finance Bill.

  Building Societies Bill
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the responses to the consultation of the draft Building Societies Bill. [39947]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  We published the draft Building Societies Bill on 18 March allowing three months' public consultation. We received responses from the following:

  Abbey National

  Age Concern

  Allen and Overy

  Association of Unit Trust and Investment Funds

  Banking Insurance and Finance Union

  Banking Ombudsman

  551

  Beverley Building Society

  Birmingham Midshires Building Society

  Bishop and Robertson Chalmers Solicitors

  Bradford and Bingley Building Society

  Britannia Building Society

  British Bankers' Association

  Building Societies Association

  Building Societies Ombudsman

  Cameron Markby Hewitt

  F. F. H. Charlton Esq

  Chartered Association of Certified Accountants

  Chelsea Building Society

  Cheshire Building Society

  Clay Cross Building Society

  Consumers Association

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Coventry Building Society

  A. B. Craven Esq

  Cumberland Building Society

  Darlington Building Society

  Derbyshire Building Society

  Dudley Building Society

  Dunfermline Building Society

  Earl Shilton Building Society

  V. Edmonds Esq

  Financial Law Panel

  F. J. Griffiths

  Halifax Building Society

  Hanley Economic Building Society

  J. Hanlon Esq

  M. Hardern Esq

  Hinckley and Rugby Building Society

  IBCA Ltd.

  Imperial Building Society

  Institute of Chartered Accountants

  Institute of Credit Management—Technical Advisory Committee

  Institute of Directors

  Kent Reliance Building Society

  Lambeth Building Society

  M. L. Lampitt Esq

  Law Society

  Leeds and Holbeck Building Society

  Professor D. T. Llewellyn

  Timothy Lloyd QC

  Manchester Building Society

  Mansfield Building Society

  Market Harborough Building Society

  Nationwide Building Society

  National Association of Estate Agents

  National Consumer Council

  National Consumer Credit Federation

  National Federation of Consumer Groups

  Natwest Capital Markets Ltd.

  Network Industrial Relations Services

  Newbury Building Society

  Newcastle Building Society

  Norwich and Peterborough Building Society

  Nottingham Building Society

  552

  Penrith Building Society

  Portman Building Society

  E. Rodd Esq

  Scarborough Building Society

  D. T. Shutt Esq

  W. Simpson Esq

  Skipton Building Society

  Small Business Bureau

  Staffordshire Building Society

  Stroud and Swindon Building Society

  Teachers Building Society

  Tipton and Coseley Building Society

  Universal Building Society

  C. D. Watson Esq

  Yorkshire Building Society

  Copies of responses from respondents, who have no objection to them being made public, are available from Miss Leigh Kalcher, HM Treasury, room 36a/ground, Parliament street, London SW1P 3AG (Tel 0171 270 4487).

  Private Estates (Public Funding)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what considerations he takes into account when authorising the payment of grants of public money to owners of landed estates of more than 500 acres to improve private buildings on those estates; and if he will make a statement. [39170]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  In England, Government funding channelled through English Heritage is available for structural repairs to those buildings that English Heritage consider to be of outstanding historic or architectural interest. In deciding whether a grant should be made English Heritage takes account of factors such as the nature, cost and urgency of the proposed works, and also other resources available to the property owner. The general principle behind Government policy is that owners should be responsible for the repair of their own properties, and public funding should be provided only where it is clearly needed to preserve the fabric of our heritage. In accordance with this principle, procedures have been drawn up to assess the resources available to historic estates.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) male and (b) female claimants of (i) severe disablement allowance, (ii) incapacity benefit, (iii) unemployment benefit claimed for an adult dependant but were disqualified; and if he will break the figures down by category of disqualification. [34218]
  553
  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the(a) numbers of claimants gaining or losing and (b) amounts of costs and savings arising from the option of voluntary reporting of changes of circumstances between fixed-term reviews as detailed in his departmental research report No. 45. [37422]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not centrally available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those benefits where payments currently are lower in real terms than in 1979; and how many people(a) are now and (b) were in 1979 drawing each of those benefits. [35579]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on Monday 22 July,Official Report, column 65.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was paid out in benefits(a) nationally, (b) in the north-west and (c) in Warrington in 1995–96. [37557]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Expenditure on social security benefits in Great Britain in 1995–96 is estimated to have been £88.8 billion.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate listed by benefit of(a) the numbers gaining from and (b) the costs of amending the Social Security Benefit (Computation of Earnings) Regulations 1978 to calculate earnings (i) net of income tax and (ii) to disregard half of any contribution made towards an occupational or private pension scheme. [39186]

  Mr. Heald
  Based on the data contained in the family resources survey, it is estimated that the number gaining, and the costs of amending, the Social Security (Computation of Earnings) Regulations to calculate earnings net of income tax and to disregard half of any contribution made towards an occupational or personal pension would be negligible.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what proportion of claimants of(a) unemployment benefit, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) severe disablement allowance received payments from earnings during 1995–96. [39005]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available relates to unemployment benefit and is set out in the table:

  Number and percentage of unemployment benefit recipients receiving payments from earnings—Great Britain

  November 1995

  February 1996

  Total number of unemployment benefit recipients receiving earnings (thousands)

  16

  16

  554

  Number and percentage of unemployment benefit recipients receiving payments from earnings—Great Britain

  November 1995

  February 1996

  Percentage of all unemployment benefit recipients receiving earnings

  4

  4

  Notes:

  1. A number of recipients who receive earnings do not have the information recorded on the computer system. These figures relate to computerised claims only and should therefore be taken as a broad indication only.

  2. Figures apply to claimants who were receiving unemployment benefit on the second Thursday of the months shown and who have earnings in the benefit week in which that date fell.

  Source:

  Five per cent. sample of unemployed claimants in Great Britain on the second Thursday of the months shown.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon will receive answers to his questions about the child care disregard, adult dependency increases and benefits uprating tabled on 21 June. [39187]

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on Wednesday 3 July,Official Report, column 469, and today and to the reply given to him by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Evans), on Tuesday 23 July.

  Disability
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what considerations led him to exclude from the definition of disability the personality disorders set out in section 4(1) of the Disability Discrimination (Meaning of Disability) Regulations 1996. [34861]

  Mr. Burt
  A consultation document, published in December 1995, stated that the Government intended to exclude from the definition of disability kleptomania, paedophilia and personality disorders including psychopathic disorders. The document went on to say that this was because, while such disorders might meet the definition of disability in the Act, the Government believe that it would be wrong to require employers and service providers to consider adjustments to cater for these conditions. Over 75 per cent. of those who expressed a view agreed with the proposal.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans there are to seek tenders for a replacement for me Child Support Agency computer. [36175]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  If it is decided to replace or upgrade the Child Support Agency computer system, a procurement exercise will be conducted in accordance with the EC directives which govern public sector procurement. This legislation ensures fair and open competition and results in the selection of the supplier whose bid offers best value for money. The Department cannot speculate as to the outcome of any procurement exercise.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken by his Department to reply to letters from hon. Members on
  555
  matters relating to the Child Support Agency; and how many complaints from hon. Members his Department has received in each of the months since the Child Support Agency started its operations in April 1993. [39740]

  Mr. Mitchell
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individual personal records the Child Support Agency computer system was designed to accommodate. [39689]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 24 July 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency Computer System.
  The database structure of the main Child Support Computer System would enable it to hold just over 11.5 million records of individual people
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what data are required for the purposes of monitoring his targets for the Child Support Agency; and for how long it is required to be held. [39690]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 24 July 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency data held for monitoring the targets he sets the Agency.
  The Child Support Agency's targets for 1996/97 are as follows:

  (1) Collection—A band of £380 million to £400 million of maintenance to be collected or arranged for direct payment from the absent parent to the parent with care in 1996/97.

  (2) Payments—95% of payments to the parent with care to be made within 10 working days of receipt from an absent parent.

  (3) Accuracy—To achieve a continuing improvement in accuracy so that in at least 85% of cases checked during March 1997 the cash value of the assessment will be correct.

  (4) Second Tier Reviews—Where a client is dissatisfied with a Child Support Officer's decision and requests a review, 55% to be cleared within 13 weeks; 80% to be cleared within 26 weeks; and no more than 15% to be older than 26 weeks as at 31 March 1997.

  (5) Maintenance Assessments—60% of new maintenance applications to be cleared within 26 weeks and as at 31 March 1997, no more than 10% of all maintenance applications received by the Agency to be over 52 weeks old.

  In order to measure Agency performance and effectiveness, statistical and financial data is obtained from a wide range of sources. Collection of this information can be both clerical and from scans of the Child Support Computer System. The information is used not only to measure performance against the targets but also to manage the business effectively. Statistical and financial data is retained as long as there is a business need to do so and the periods involved vary considerably from say 18 months to many years.
  I am sorry I cannot be more precise but this is a very wide ranging question; nevertheless I hope this information is helpful to you.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines are issued to staff in Benefits Agency offices regarding the structure of interviews and range of questions asked of unemployed people. [36168]

  Mr. Roger 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. Barry Sheerman, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what guidelines are issued to staff in Benefits Agency (BA) offices regarding the structure of interviews and range of questions asked of unemployed people.
  The Code of Office Practice (COP) provides general advice on interviewing for BA staff. I have enclosed a copy of the relevant extracts for your information.
  There is no specific guidance on the structure of interviews or the range of questions to ask unemployed people. BA staff interview a wide range of customers including the unemployed. The nature of each interview depends on the customers individual circumstances.
  I hope this reply has been helpful.
  INTERVIEWING ADVICE
  Introduction

  The following paragraphs contain advice on interviewing callers at the LO, employers and people in their own homes. Not all paragraphs are relevant in all situations. Try to adopt the following suggestions whenever you interview someone. A good interview is not simply a matter of being nice to the public.
  Your manner
  Being courteous
  Show that you value every person as a person. Call someone by their name if you know it. Never address someone by their surname only. In some localities it is customary to use a first name only. Judge whether this will be acceptable to the interviewee. Stand up when introduced. Shake hands, if it is expected. You may be visiting an employer, or meeting an old person who is accustomed to shaking hands at an introduction.
  Being sensitive

  For most people, coming to the LO or receiving a home visit is an important event. They may be nervous, or noisy and talkative. Old people for instance are often flustered. Put them at ease. Be friendly but professional. Recognise that giving information about personal affairs can be an ordeal. Reassure them that information supplied to the Department is given in confidence and will be respected. Don't forget how uncertain you felt on your first day.
  Listening hard

  It is not enough just to seem attentive. Listening requires constant mental effort.
  Checking personal prejudices

  Do not let personal views colour your judgement and behaviour. In the course of your work you may find that you have been lied to or misled. This is a hazard you must learn to live with.
  Explaining and informing
  Give accurate information. If you sense the interviewee might not fully understand the issues, give explanations without waiting to

  557
  be asked. Be objective. See all sides of an issue. Explain the issue leaflets. You may be asked for advice on matters outside the Department's work. Be as helpful as possible but do not give advice on legal and technical matters outside the Department's scope. Keep a list of useful organisations in the area. If you can't answer the query, suggest someone who might be able to, for example the CAB.
  For all other social security benefits except SB/IVB and UB encourage enquirers to claim benefit immediately if it seems possible that they may be entitled. They would not be adversely affected if they claimed benefit and this was disallowed but they may lose benefit if they delay claiming.
  Take care when advising about SB/IVB and UB. An unsuccessful claim establishes a period of interruption of employment (PIE) and can affect entitlement adversely for subsequent linked claims if the claimant has a deficient contribution record in the original relevant income tax year (RITY). Explain to an enquirer the relationship between tax and benefit years, and the linking rules. Give them the relevant leaflet and encourage them to decide when to make a claim. Point out that a claim cannot be withdrawn after the adjudication officer has given their decision. If a claimant decides to defer their claim to gain the advantage of a later RITY for which they have a better contribution record, tell them how they can submit credits only' claims in the meantime.
  Never tell people that they will be better off claiming benefits paid by other departments or organisations. If you think this may be the case, give the person all the relevant facts at your disposal. Suggest that they consult the other organisation before making up his mind.
  Forecasting
  Most people try to provide for their retirement. You may be: asked about the pension a person can expect when they retire. Perhaps the question may be linked to a contributions enquiry. This type of question is often difficult to answer precisely, yet the person needs the best information you can give. Always send a written reply. Use one of the DN/NP 322 letters whenever possible. Make it clear at the beginning of the letter that:

  (1) the information you have given is based on:

  (a) what you have been told about the person's circumstances; and

  (b) the law as it is at present; and

  (2) as both of these may change, the advice or information you have given may be outdated.

  Apply these principles to all enquiries which involve forecasting.
  Interviewing points to remember
  When conducting an interview, remember the following "good practices":

  (1) Identify yourself, preferably by name. This will be especially reassuring to a blind person. Alternatively wear a lapel badge bearing your name or obtain a personal name plate.

  (2) Do not smoke in front of the person being interviewed.

  (3) Make certain that the interviewees cannot read anything about themselves from the official documents that are necessary for the interview. Do not leave CPs, GBUs or files with interviewees.

  (4) If you are asked to countersign a document certifying the identify of the person named on the form, sign only if you have sufficient knowledge. Otherwise, tell the caller to obtain the signature of a personal acquaintance.

  (5) Remember to look at the person you are talking to. If writing, look up occasionally. It shows your interest, that you're human and that the interview is more than just routine. It helps if you are asked for identity details at some future time and it also enables you to pick up signals about how the interviewee is feeling. They may be confused,
  558
  worried or angry. This will be missed if you do not look at them. This is the body language or 'non-verbal communication' and is an important aspect of interviewing skills.

  (6) Do not enter into political discussion or argument.

  The interview

  An interview is a directed, purposeful conversation. Follow the chart shown overleaf.
  If the person to be interviewed at the LO is accompanied, perhaps by a husband, wife, friend or relative, make the other person welcome. Be careful to address your questions to the claimant and to write down their answers. Do not ignore the other person. They may retaliate and impede the progress of the interview.
  If the claimant is accompanied by two or more people, see COP 1601–1750.
  If you call on someone in their home and they are not alone, check before you start the interview if they mind the third party being present. If they do, suggest moving to another room.

  War Pensions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of claimants of war pensions in(a) Crewe and Nantwich and (b) Cheshire for each of the last five years. [36346]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he intends to take to reduce the waiting times for war pension claims and appeals to be processed. [38861]

  Mr. Heald
  This is a matter for Kevin Caldwell, chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. David Hanson, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the steps being taken to reduce the waiting times for war pension claims and appeals to be processed.
  You may recall that in my letter to you dated 13 June 1996, in response to a previous Parliamentary Question (Official Report vol 279, col 332–333), I explained the many changes within the War Pensions Agency (WPA) in 1995 and how these had affected our performance.
  The situation has improved since I wrote although our performance is still not as good as we would wish. We have taken the following steps to accelerate the improvement:

  (i) We have examined the way in which we currently process appeals against the assessment of disablement. We believe that this can be improved with a consequent reduction in the time taken to prepare these appeals for hearing by Pensions Appeal Tribunal. We are currently testing the revised process to ensure that all parties, principally appellants and PAT members, are satisfied with the standard of service provided. As assessment appeals are the majority of all appeals received, this revised process would significantly reduce the time taken in clearing appeals.

  (ii) We have created a taskforce within our operational group to address particular issues of process, organisation and resources and to identify and facilitate solutions.

  559

  (iii) We are in the process of recruiting a number of additional staff for a limited period to deal with the work currently awaiting action. As these staff need to receive training, it is anticipated that it will be September 1996 before this has a significant effect upon the current situation.

  (iv) In the short term, we are committing additional resources, in the form of overtime, specifically to clearing claims and appeals. The results of this will quickly be apparent.

  These steps are intended to reduce clearance times and the numbers of uncleared claims and appeals and ensure the Agency achieves the targets set by the Secretary of State for 1996–97.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many applicants, to date, have successfully claimed war widows' pension under revisions introduced in the Pensions Act 1995; [38109]

  (2) what information was provided to claimants of war widows' pensions, following the change of legislation in 1995, on the impact of the backdating of benefits on means-tested benefits; and if he will make a statement. [38108]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the average processing times for applications for war widows' pension, since the changes in regulations following the Pensions Act 1995. [38110]

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

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about restoration of War Widows Pensions (WWP).
  I can confirm that to date a total of 14,586 widows have successfully applied to have their WWP reinstated under revisions introduced in the Pensions Act 1995.
  As far as overlapping benefits are concerned it might be helpful if I explain that WWP overlaps with National Insurance (NI) benefits such as a Retirement Pension payable on the basis of a late husband's NI contributions or Incapacity Benefit and with income related benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. £10 per week of a WWP is statutorily disregarded for the purposes of claims to income related benefits and where the war widow is in receipt of a Supplementary Pension, and the majority are, that statutory disregard is increased to £61.71 per week.
  When making a claim for the restoration of a WWP, the widow is asked to complete a claim form which indicates that the award of a WWP might affect the amount of money received from other benefits. The claim form also explains that any arrears of WWP due may have to be reduced to take account of other benefits that have been paid.
  In addition, when we notify the widow that her claim has been successful, we again advise her that the restored pension may affect the amount of money she can get from certain other benefits, and that we will have to make enquiries about these benefits.
  The average processing time for applications for WWP, since the changes in regulations following the 1995 Pension Act, is 65 days (August 1995 to June 1996). The Secretary of State target for clearance of these cases is 80 per cent in 70 days. These figures do not include the war widows restoration exercise.
  560
  I do not have a ready means of calculating precisely the average clearance times for the restored WWP exercise. But I can tell you that the first formal claims began to be received in August 1995 and we were able to start notifying widows of the results from 22 September, by which time we had received 8,282 claims. To date we have received 14,814 claims and have made decisions on 14,719 of them.
  Since the announcement of the intention to provide in the Pensions Bill for restoration of WWP, the Agency has had to set up new procedures and supporting material, train staff and reprogram our computer system to handle the claims. It was originally envisaged the Pensions Bill would receive Royal Assent in October 1995. However, Royal Assent was received on 19 July 1995, some 3 months earlier. The Agency set itself a target to clear the vast majority of claims by the end of March 1996 and, by 4 April 1996 of 13,847 claims received we had made decisions on 13,051.
  The length of time taken to clear a claim very much depends on how much information the widow is able to supply at the time she claims, and whether we have to make additional enquiries. We have no arrears of work in this area, and currently we are notifying the results of claims made since the middle of June this year, ie less than 5 weeks ago.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Pensioners
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list as a proportion of all pensioners those(a) pensioners, (b) single male pensioners aged under 75 years, (c) single female pensioners aged under 75 years, (d) single pensioners aged under 75 years, (e) pensioner couples aged under 75 years, (f) single male pensioners aged 75 years and over, (g) single female pensioners aged 75 years and over, (h) single pensioners aged 75 years and over and (i) pensioner couples where at least one partner is aged 75 years and over receiving income from savings; and if he will provide figures for the mean and median amount received for the latest year for which figures are available. [36258]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Proportion with investment income (per cent.)

  Mean amount for those in receipt (£ per week)

  Median amount for those in receipt (£ per week)

  All pensioner units

  73

  37.40

  8.70

  Single male pensioners under 75

  65

  51.00

  15.80

  Single female pensioners under 75

  70

  29.40

  5.90

  Single pensioners under 75

  69

  33.90

  7.40

  Pensioner couples with head under75

  83

  52.80

  15.90

  Single male pensioners 75 and over

  73

  38.10

  6.50

  Single female pensioners 75 and over

  65

  18.50

  3.60

  561

  Proportion with investment income(per cent.)

  Mean amount for those in receipt(£ per week)

  Medianamount forthose in receipt(£ per week)

  Single pensioners 75 and over

  67

  22.60

  4.40

  Pensioner couples with head over 75

  80

  42.70

  11.30

  Notes:

  1. These results are based on a relatively small sample size. Therefore they should be treated with a higher degree of caution than usual.

  2. All amounts are in July 1993 prices.

  3. Proportions are rounded to the nearest whole percentage, amounts are rounded to the nearest l0p.

  4. A pensioner unit is defined as a single pensioner over State Pension Age (SPA) and a couple where the husband, or head, is over SPA. To provide consistency the age of the head has been used to define the age of the couple.

  Source:

  Information is based on the Family Expenditure Survey 1993.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many employers have qualified for exemption from national insurance contributions and how many qualifying employees were previously(a) unemployed, (b) on a training scheme, (c) carers and (d) lone parents. [36902]

  Mr. Heald
  From 6 April 1996 to 9 July 1996, the Contributions Agency issued 398 national insurance holiday deduction certificates to employers1. Of the 398 qualifying employees, 381 were unemployed2, three were carers and 14 were lone parents.

  Notes:
  1 The Contributions Agency has recorded 336 employers as having received one or more national insurance holiday deduction certificates. The numbers are less than the number of qualifying employees due to a combination of a short delay in recording employer details after the Contributions Agency has issued a certificate and because an employer may have taken on more than one qualifying employee.
  2 Includes people on a training scheme who are not identified separately for these purposes.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effect on national insurance fund revenues in a full year of levying(a) a 2 per cent. employee contribution rate and (b) a 3 per cent. employer contribution rate on the earnings of employees with total earnings currently below the NIC lower earnings limit. [37595]

  Mr. Heald
  The estimated effects on national insurance fund revenue for 1997–98 are:+ £ 95 million and + £100 million respectively.
  Source:
  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the number of people paying voluntary class 3 national insurance contributions for the most recent available year, and the number of these 562
  who are employed earners with earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit, breaking the figures down by gender; [37594]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 2 July, Official Report, column 418, if he will estimate the number of (a) men and (b) women with earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions who pay voluntary class 3 NICs. [37586]

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

  Number of people paying voluntary class 3 contributions for 1993–94

  Number

  Men

  111,000

  Women

  70,000

  Total

  181,000

  Source:

  One per cent. sample of national insurance records at February 1995.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be total contribution income for national insurance for 1995–96, 2000–01, 2010–11, 2020–21 and 2030–31, assuming(a) present contribution rates, (b) upper and lower earnings levels linked with earnings and (c) upper and lower earnings levels linked with earnings and the upper earnings level raised by 200 per cent. of average earnings, relative to current estimates of expenditure on benefits in those years. [38543]

  Mr. Heald
  The available information is in the tables.

  Table A: National Insurance Fund: estimated contribution income[£ billion at 1994–95 prices] at present contribution rates for1994–95, 2000–01, 2010–11, 2020–21 and 2030–31 as apercentage of estimated benefit expenditure [£ billion at 1994–95 prices] for those years

  Year

  1994–95

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  Income

  36.4

  45.1

  55.1

  64.0

  69.6

  Expenditure

  39.9

  42.2

  50.8

  56.4

  63.8

  Income as a percentage of expenditure

  91

  107

  109

  113

  109

  Table B: National Insurance Fund: estimated contribution income [£ billion at 1994–95 prices], assuming upper and lower earnings limits for Class 1 contributions linked with earnings, for 1994–95, 2000–01, 2010–11, 2020–21 and 2030–31 as a percentage of estimated benefit expenditure [£ billion at 1994–95 prices] for those years

  Year

  1994–95

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  Income

  36.4

  45.2

  54.9

  64.6

  71.8

  Expenditure

  39.9

  42.2

  50.8

  56.4

  63.8

  Income as a percentage of expenditure

  91

  107

  108

  114

  113

  Table C: National Insurance Fund: estimated contribution income [£ billion at 1994–95 prices], assuming upper and lower earnings limits for Class 1 contributions linked with earnings and the upper earnings limit raised to 200 per cent. of average earnings, for 1994–95, 2000–01, 2010–11, 2020–21 and 2030–31 as a percentage of estimated benefit expenditure [£ billion at 1994–95 prices] for those years

  Year

  1994–95

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  Income

  38.1

  47.3

  57.6

  67.7

  75.2

  Expenditure

  39.9

  42.2

  50.8

  56.4

  63.8

  563

  Table C: National Insurance Fund: estimated contribution income [£ billion at 1994–95 prices], assuming upper and lower earnings limits for Class 1 contributions linked with earnings and the upper earnings limit raised to 200 per cent. of average earnings, for 1994–95. 2000–01, 2010–11, 2020–21 and 2030–31 as a percentage of estimated benefit expenditure [£ billion at 1994–95 prices] for those years

  Year

  1994–95

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  Income as a percentage of expenditure

  96

  112

  113

  120

  118

  Notes:

  1. The information given in the tables has been derived from the Government Actuary's Reports on the Third Quinquennial Review under section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975 (HC 160) and on the Financial Provisions of the Pensions Bill 1994 (CM 2714) by:

  adjusting the entries in table E3 and E4 of HC 160 so that the projected contribution income is based on a continuation of the 1994–95 combined Class 1 contribution rate (18.25%). Hence, the tables give information for 1994–95 rather than 1995–96;

  adjusting contribution income for the years 2020–21 and 2030–31 to allow for the increased number of contributors expected as a result of the Pensions Act 1995;

  adjusting the amounts of contracted-out rebate to allow for the difference between rebate rates assumed in HC 160 and those now expected.

  2. For table(c),. a further adjustment has been made to allow for the change in primary Class 1 contributions and rebates following from increasing the UEL to twice average earnings.

  3. The estimated benefit expenditure information given in all three tables is that consistent with increasing the UEL and LEL in line with prices, even where (in tables (b)and(c)) the contribution income figures are based on increasing those limits in line with earnings, and allows for the effects of the Pensions Act 1995.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the Government Actuary's estimate of the excess of national insurance contribution income over outgoings for 1995–96 and for 1994–95, assuming actual rates of unemployment, excluding the Treasury grant and(a) excluding and (b) including the effects of contracted-out rebates, using the methodology set out in Cm 2445. [38542]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  £ billion

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (a) Excluding contracted-out rebates

  Contributions income

  43.3

  45.7

  Benefit outgo

  39.3

  40.6

  Excess/(shortfaIl)

  4.0

  5.1

  (b) Including contracted-out rebates

  Contributions income

  38.3

  40.4

  Benefit outgo

  39.3

  40.6

  Personal pension rebates

  2.0

  2.0

  Excess/(shortfall)

  3.0

  2.2

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the impact on revenue of an increase in the upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions by average earnings for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97. [39006]
  564
  Mr. Heald
  Raising the upper earnings limit for 1995–96 and 1996–97 in line with the movement in average earnings would increase national insurance contribution revenue for each of those years by an estimated £50 million1.

  Source:
  Government Actuary's Department
  Note:
  1 This figure has been calculated by comparing the effects on national insurance contribution revenue of:

  (i) a UEL for 1995/96 derived by applying the September 1993 to September 1994 4 per cent. increase in seasonally adjusted average earnings for all employees in GB [Table 5.1 of Labour Market Trends] to the UEL for 1994/95; and

  (ii) a UEL for 1996/97 derived by applying the September 1994 to September 1995 3.1 per cent. increase in seasonally adjusted average earnings for all employees in GB [Table 5.1 of Labour Market Trends] to the unrounded result of (i);

  and the actual UELs for those years.

  Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a list showing the number, nature and value of contracts awarded by his Department to Coopers and Lybrand, KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young, Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Andersen, Grant Thornton, BDO Stoy Hayward, Pannel Kerr Forster, and Robson Rhodes and their subsidiaries and associates, during 1995 and 1996. [37316]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available.

  Internet
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that major publications from his Department are accompanied by a simultaneous electronic release of the text on the Internet. [37242]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department will consider the simultaneous electronic publication of all important documents on a case-by-case basis, in line with the Government's policy on open government. We will shortly be releasing corporate home pages on the Internet. These will be in addition to home pages for some of our executive agencies.

  Claims (Duration)
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average duration of a benefit claim in respect of(a) incapacity benefit, (b) severe disablement allowance, (c) invalid care allowance, (d) unemployment benefit, (e) income support where the claimant is unemployed, (f) income support where the claimant is a lone parent and (g) income support where a disability premium is payable. [36904]

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

  Table 1

  Benefit

  Average duration of claim

  Sickness benefit/invalidity benefit1

  1 year 5 months

  Severe disablement allowance

  7 years 11 months

  565

  Table 1

  Benefit

  Average duration of claim

  Invalid care allowance1

  2 years 6 months

  Unemployment benefit2

  20 weeks

  Notes:

  1 Data are not yet available for incapacity benefit. Sickness benefit,
  invalidity benefit and invalid care allowance claim durations are based on all claims that terminated during the 1994–95 year. Data are derived from a clerical sample of 500 invalid care allowance cases, and from a 1 per cent. sample of sickness benefit and invalidity benefit cases.

  2 Durations for unemployment benefit and income support are
  calculated from the number of live claims at a given point in time:for unemployment benefit this is 10 August 1995, for income support 25 August 1995. The unemployment benefit data are derived from a 5 per cent. sample of cases.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistics Enquiry August 1995.

  Table 2: Income support1 claim duration

  Percentage on benefit for:

  Number of cases (000)

  Under 1 year

  1–2 years

  2–3years

  3 years or over

  Unemployed

  1,710

  51.5

  16.2

  8.8

  23.5

  Disabled

  737

  12.8

  15.2

  12.4

  59.6

  Lone parents

  1,074

  23.2

  15.9

  12.9

  48.0

  Note:

  1 It is not possible to calculate the average duration of income support claims as no reliable information is available on durations of claims for those people who have been in receipt of income support for relatively long periods. A full explanation is given in the introduction to the 1993 annual statistical enquiry, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistics Enquiry August 1995.

  Income Support
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claims have been made for income support where the claimant has liability for a mortgage since October 1995; and how many of these have been treated as existing claims where the claimant(a) is a carer, (b) has been refused payments under a mortgage protection policy because of a pre-existing condition or because he or she is HIV positive, (c) is a lone parent and (d) is a remand prisoner. [37423]

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

  The changes that were introduced in October 1995 differentiated between loans taken out before 2 October 1995 (existing housing costs) and loans taken out after that date (new housing costs). Claimants in the above groups who have new housing costs have them treated as if they were existing housing costs.

  The number of claimants who claimed income support for mortgage interest since October 1995, and who were still in receipt in March 1996—the latest available figure—was 73,000, of whom 71,000 had existing housing costs. The remaining 2,000 claimants had new housing costs, some of whom were treated as existing
  566
  housing costs because they belonged to one of the specified groups.

  Changes of Circumstances
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average number of changes of circumstances over a period of(a) three months and (b) six months for claims in respect of each of (i) incapacity benefit, (ii) severe disablement allowance, (iii) invalid care allowance, (iv) unemployment benefit, (v) income support where the claimant is unemployed, (vi) income support where the claimant is a lone parent and (vii) income support where a disability premium is payable. [36905]

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

  Average number of change of circumstances per customer:

  Benefit

  January-March 19961

  January-June 19962

  Income support

  1.25

  2.29

  Invalid care allowance

  0.93

  1.82

  1 Derived from income support live load figures for February 1996 and invalid care allowance live load for March 1996.

  2 Derived from income support live load figures for May 1996 and invalid care allowance live load for June 1996.

  1. All live load information is a snapshot of the number of cases at a point in time. The income support live load is counted quarterly, invalid care allowance live load monthly.

  Statutory Sick and Maternity Pay
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of employers he estimates will be able to recover payments of statutory sick pay under the percentage threshold scheme in 1995–96; and what percentage and amount of total spending on statutory sick pay he estimates will be borne by employers as a result. [37593]

  Mr. Heald
  It is estimated that around 43 per cent. of firms paying statutory sick pay were able to recover some portion of their SSP payments under the percentage threshold scheme in 1995–96.

  The Government Actuary's Department estimated that in 1995–96 employers would meet around 97 per cent. of the overall cost of paying SSP to employees. This amounted to £845 million.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the percentage of employers who are able fully to recover payments of statutory maternity pay; and what proportion and amount of total SMP payments is borne by employers. [37592]

  Mr. Heald
  It is estimated that around 38 per cent. of firms paying statutory maternity pay were able to recover payments of SMP in full in 1995–96.

  The Government Actuary's Department estimated that employers would meet around 7 per cent. of the cost of

  567
  paying SMP to their employees in 1995–96. This amounted to around £35 million.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the average annual amounts and duration of statutory sick pay for male and female workers and the average amount and earnings-related amount of statutory maternity pay paid to female workers using data for 1992–93 from the Lifetime labour market database. [37591]

  Mr. Heald
  The information relating to statutory sick pay is in the table:

  1992–93

  Average amount of SSP payment£

  Average duration (days)

  Men

  1175

  1,217

  Women

  1163

  1,216

  The estimated average amount of statutory maternity pay (SMP) paid to women in 1992–93 is £1,2001. The earnings related element is estimated to be £7001,3.

  1 All figures taken from a 1 per cent. sample of SSP and SMP payments made in the UK.

  2 Figures estimated on the assumption that the standard working week is five days, and that higher rate statutory sick pay is in payment.

  3 Estimated by taking 90 per cent. of total pay and converting to weekly figure. Assumes that every payment of SMP is for a six-week period. Pay used for this estimate may not be for the same period as that used originally to calculate SMP.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the percentage of female employees who received statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance in the most recent available year. [37589]

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

  It is estimated that around 1 per cent. of female employees at spring 1994 were in receipt of statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the percentage of employees who received statutory sick pay or sickness benefit in the most recent available year. [37588]

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

  It is estimated that around 2 per cent. of employees at spring 1994 were in receipt of statutory sick pay or sickness benefit.

  Out-of-hours Service
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much his Department will save annually on the new proposals to close the out-of-hours service in October; [37558]

  (2) what arrangements are being made for the public for out-of-hours contact with the Benefits Agency. [37559]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  568
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how much his Department will save annually on the new proposals to close the Out of Hours Service (OOHS) in October and what arrangements are being made for the public for out of hours contact with the Benefits Agency.
  I recently outlined the BA's plans for the future delivery of social security benefits based on the Benefit Agency vision of "right money to the right person at the right time, every time".
  The Agency will carry out a wide-ranging review of its activities as part of the Departmental Change Programme. Such a programme of change will cover all fundamental areas of the organisation's business and we are committed to achieve a 25% improvement in our productivity by 1998/99. In the first year it has been necessary to identify efficiencies and economies in excess of £200 million. All efficiencies and economies have been considered alongside the expenditure priorities the Agency has been set. It is against this background that the Agency decided to review the need for the OOHS which provides a service to customers at night and weekends. A decision on its viability is expected later this year and it is not possible to say at this time what savings, if any, might be made.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Freeline
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received about the abolition of the DSS freeline. [375801

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have received 81 representations from hon. Members and six representations from members of the public.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to ensure that staff in local offices have the necessary expertise to(a) provide an overview of services and benefits available, (b) offer advice about maximising benefit entitlement and (c) deal with the other types of inquiries previously dealt with by the freeline; and what plans he has to ensure that these services are quickly and readily available to telephone callers. [37581]

  Mr. Evans
  The provision of advice on benefits is an operational matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what action he is taking to ensure that staff in local offices have the necessary expertise to (a)provide an overview of services and benefits available, (b)offer advice about maximising benefit entitlement and (c)deal with the other types of inquiries previously dealt with by the Freeline; and what plans he has to ensure that these services are quickly and readily available to telephone callers.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) is working towards a vision to provide an efficient service which offers reliable advice and pays the right money to the right person, at the right time, every time. The BA Customer Service Requirement issued in April this year was developed to establish a minimum level of customer service throughout the Agency. These minimum standards are displayed in all public caller areas. The BA customer charter also sets out the standards of service that have to be provided by the BA.

  569
  Staff in local offices receive guidance on the full range of benefits as part of their initial and ongoing training and development. Staff have access to benefit computer systems and individual customer details, and are well placed to advise callers accurately on their entitlement to benefit.
  All staff have been made aware of the closure of Freeline. Any callers who may have contacted Freeline previously will be referred either to a section able to deal with general enquiries or to a relevant expert on a particular benefit. All BA offices have access to the Integrated Benefit Information System which staff can use to provide general benefit advice.
  The BA has made considerable investment in its telephone services and infrastructure over the last two and half years and by October 1996 all sites will have Direct Dial facilities. This will improve access for customers and reduce costs.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what sources of help will be available for clients following the closure of the Benefits Agency freephone advice line; and if he will make a statement. [38329]

  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 Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what sources of help will be available for clients following the closure of the Benefits Agency freephone advice line; and if he will make a statement.
  Following the closure of Freeline help and advice will be available for customers through the Agency's network of local benefit offices. The closure of Freeline 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.
  Benefit literature is readily available in local offices, post offices and numerous other outlets.
  Customers with disabilities may still ring the Benefit Enquiry Line free of charge for help and advice.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many telephone inquiries the Benefits Agency freephone advice line has received in each month since January; and if he will provide a breakdown of the nature of the advice requested. [38328]

  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 Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many telephone enquiries his Benefits Agency (BA) freephone advice line has received in each month since January; and if he will provide a breakdown of the nature of the advice requested.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The number of calls received has been taken to mean the number of calls answered by an adviser. Due to the confidentiality of the Freeline service records were not kept about the nature of the advice sought or provided. However, research for the BA's National Customer Survey 1995 indicated that 37% of customers telephoned Freeline to find out about eligibility, 25% for general information and 29% for issues relating to individual benefit enquiries.
  570
  The number of calls answered are shown in the table below:

  1996

  Number

  January

  215,546

  February

  238,494

  March

  290,787

  April

  231,067

  May

  293,542

  June

  223,692

  July (up to 12 July)

  59,957

  Figures are provisional and subject to change. I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to monitor the effects of the closure of the national Benefits Agency inquiry freeline on the take-up of income-related benefits. [39232]

  Mr. 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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what plans his Department has to monitor the effects of the closure of the national Benefits Agency Enquiry Freeline on the take-up of income related benefits.
  In my letter dated 3 July I explained it was not anticipated that the closure of Freeline would have any material impact on the take up of income related benefits.
  There was no monitoring of the take up of income related benefits when Freeline was open and there are currently no plans to monitor the take up now Freeline has closed.
  Thank you for allowing me to explain the position.

  State Earnings-related Pensions
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the additional cost in cash terms to public funds in 1996–97 in respect of pensions if the 1979 SERPS rules still applied. [37582]

  Mr. Heald
  The only changes to the SERPS rules which have come into effect since 1979 relate to the calculation of the amount deducted from gross additional pension in respect of post-April 1988 periods of contracted-out employment. It is estimated that expenditure is £60 million higher in 1996–97 as a result. The remaining changes under the Social Security Act 1986 will be implemented from April 1999 onwards and those under the Pensions Act 1995 from April 1997 onwards.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the performance targets for each social security office and area in the county of Tyne and Wear for(a)1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; how many of those targets were achieved in 1995–96, in each case indicating how those targets and achievements relate to those set nationally. [37563]
  571
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables:

  Benefit Agency: Districts and offices within Tyne Tees Area Directorate

  District

  Offices

  Newcastle

  Newcastle St JamesNewcastle East

  North Durham

  Durham Chester le Street Peterlee Seaham Stanley

  Northumberland

  Ashington Berwick Blyth Hexham

  North Tees

  Stockton Hartlepool

  North Tyneside

  North Shields Wallsend

  South Durham

  Bishop Auckland Darlington

  South Tees

  Middlesbrough Eston Redcar

  South Tyneside

  Gateshead Jarrow South Shields

  Wearside

  Houghton le Spring Sunderland North Sunderland South

  Benefits Agency: Secretary of State targets—1995–96 achievement

  Percentage

  Target

  National

  Tyne Tees area

  Newcastle

  North Durham

  Northumberland

  North Tees

  North Tyne

  South Durham

  South Tees

  South Tyne

  Wearside

  Income support claims

  Primary

  67.1

  70.7

  74.4

  70.1

  72.4

  70.5

  71.5

  69.4

  65.7

  71.9

  70.7

  Secondary

  88.2

  90.9

  92.5

  90.7

  92.2

  91.4

  91.6

  90.0

  88.3

  90.4

  90.9

  Incapacity benefit claims

  Primary

  78.9

  80.1

  76.1

  79.8

  83.3

  83.5

  78.3

  80.2

  81.3

  78.9

  80.2

  Secondary

  96.0

  97.0

  96.4

  97.4

  97.7

  97.5

  95.9

  96.4

  96.8

  96.4

  97.7

  Social fund crisis loans

  97.4

  98.2

  98.4

  99.4

  98.6

  98.0

  98.8

  98.5

  96.5

  98.3

  98.1

  Income support accuracy

  78.1

  80.6

  83.3

  78.0

  84.5

  85.0

  66.7

  78.3

  81.0

  86.7

  81.7

  Short term benefit (STB) accuracy1

  90.7

  91.8

  —

  93.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  90.6

  —

  —

  1 Only North Durham and South Tees districts within Tyne Tees area visited by the STB accuracy checking team in 1995–96.

  Benefits Agency: Secretary of State financial targets—1995–96 and 1996–97 and achievements 1995–96

  Targets/ achievements

  National

  Tyne Tees area

  Newcastle

  North Durham

  Northumberland

  North Tees

  North Tyne

  South Durham

  South Tees

  South Tyne

  Wearside

  Social fund recovery

  1995–96 target

  £273m

  £16.46m

  £2.20m

  £1.90m

  £1.10m

  £1.70m

  £0.92m

  £1.54m

  £2.36m

  £2.37m

  £2.35m

  1995–96 achievement

  £263.5m

  £15.62m

  £1.97m

  £1.81m

  £1.04m

  £1.58m

  £0.98m

  £1.41m

  £2.28m

  £2.30m

  £2.23m

  1996–97 target

  £278m

  £16.26m

  £2.16m

  £1.85m

  £1.08m

  £1.68m

  £1.01m

  £1.47m

  £2.33m

  £2.38m

  £2.30m

  Social fund expenditure1

  1995–96 target

  £406m

  £24.01m

  £3.21m

  £2.74m

  £1.61m

  £2.5lm

  £1.54m

  £2.13m

  £3.48m

  £3.47m

  £3.31m

  1995–96 achievement

  £40lm

  £23.77m

  £3.2lm

  £2.67m

  £1.57m

  £2.47m

  £1.51m

  £2.12m

  £3.48m

  £3.45m

  £3.29m

  1996–97 target

  £419.5m

  £24.72m

  £3.38m

  £2.87m

  £1.70m

  £2.64m

  £1.55m

  £2.15m

  £3.50m

  £3.60m

  £3.33m

  Benefit savings (fraud)

  1995–96 target

  £680m

  £43.05m

  3—

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995–96 achievement

  £715.6m

  £44.7lm

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97 target2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  572

  Benefits agency—Secretary of State targets

  Target area

  1995–96 target:National, area and district

  1996–97 target:National, area and district

  Income support claims

  Primary

  63 per cent. in 5 days

  63 per cent. in 5 days

  Secondary

  87 per cent. in 13 days

  87 per cent. in 13 days

  Incapacity benefit claims

  Primary

  65 per cent. in 10 days

  65 per cent. in 10 days

  Secondary

  85 per cent. in 30 days

  85 per cent. in 30 days

  Social fund crisis loans1

  On the day the need arises

  On the day the need arises

  Income support accuracy

  87 per cent.

  87 per cent.

  Short term benefit accuracy

  94 per cent.

  94 per cent.

  1 Target considered met if 95 per cent. of claims are cleared within one day.

  573

  Benefits Agency: Secretary of State financial targets—1995–96 and 1996–97 and achievements 1995–96

  Targets/ achievements

  National

  Tyne Tees area

  Newcastle

  North Durham

  Northumberland

  North Tees

  North Tyne

  South Durham

  South Tees

  South Tyne

  Wearside

  Overpayments

  1995–96 target

  £110m

  £4.03m

  4—

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995–96 achievement

  £112m

  £4.58m

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97 target

  £91.5m

  £3.3lm

  £428k

  £429k

  £270k

  £338k

  £212k

  £305k

  £416k

  £490k

  £418k

  1 The social fund expenditure target is "to keep to the cash limit agreement with Treasury for the discretionary social fund budget approved by Parliament."

  2 From 1996–97 benefit savings (fraud) are included in the new security target.

  3 No 1995–96 or 1996–97 target or performance data available at district level.

  4 No overpayment recovery target or performance data available at district level in 1995–96.

  Contributions Agency—1995/96 Secretary of State targets and achievements

  SOS target

  National target

  National performance

  Divisional1 target

  Division/regional performance

  Class 1 survey

  93,200

  94,166

  3,320

  7,233

  Educational survey

  23,300

  29,113

  664

  2,325

  Class 1 arrears identified

  £133,000,000

  £151,761,233

  £3,312,576

  £10,153,268

  Collectable new class 2

  40,000

  39,791

  1,265

  3,685

  Customer enquiries

  95 per cent.

  98.6 per cent.

  95 per cent.

  98.17 per cent.

  All targets were achieved except for the collectable new class 2.

  1 Northumberland, Durham and Teeside Division includes all locations in the county of Tyne and Wear.

  Contributions Agency—1996–97 Secretary of State targets

  SOS target

  National target

  Northern regional1 target

  Collection of contribution arrears

  £65 million

  Not distributed to regions

  Identification of class 1 arrears

  £150 million

  £9.612 million

  New class 2 identified

  40,000

  3,436

  Customer enquiries

  95 per cent.

  95 per cent.

  1 Northern Region includes the current locations in Tyne and Wear.

  Child Support Agency—1995–96 and 1996–97 Secretary of State targets and 1995–96 achievement

  Maintenance assessment clearance times

  Secretary of State target

  National performance

  Falkirk CSAC1 performance

  1995–96

  60 per cent. of new maintenance applications to be cleared within 26 weeks and as at 31 March 1996 no more than 10 per cent. of all maintenance applications received by the Agency to be over 52 weeks old.As at 31 March 1996, 48 per cent. of maintenance applications had been cleared within 26 weeks and 15 per cent. of maintenance applications received were over 52 weeks old.

  As at 31 March 1996, 51 per cent. of maintenance applications had been cleared within 26 weeks and 19 per cent. of maintenance applications received were over 52 weeks old.

  1996–97

  60 per cent. of new maintenance applications to be cleared within 26 weeks and as at 31 March 1997, no more than 10 per cent. of all maintenance applications received by the Agency to be over 52 weeks old.

  n/a

  n/a

  1 Work initially processed in offices in the county of Tyne and Wear is sent to the Agency's centre in Falkirk for continued action.

  n/a = not available.

  574 575

  Retirement Pension
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the additional cost to public funds in cash terms in 1996–97 of the basic retirement pension, if pensions had been indexed to wages for the last 25 years. [37578]

  Mr. Heald
  The additional cost to public funds if the basic pension had been uprated by average earnings over the last 25 years is estimated to be £5.2 billion per annum in 1996–97 (cash prices).

  Notes:
  1. The additional cost is net of the effect on income-related benefits.
  2. The cost is calculated on a basic state pension in 1996–97 being:

  Cat A: £76.10

  Cat BL: £47.70

  Source:
  Average earnings index (whole economy, all earnings, unadjusted). The Abstract of Statistics for Social Security Benefits and Contributions and Indices of Prices and Earnings. Uprating rounding convention has been followed in calculating benefit rates.
  The estimate is based on the expenditure figures shown in the departmental report, Cm 3213, for basic retirement pensions. It does not include the effect on those benefits normally paid at the same rate as basic retirement pension or other benefits paid to people over pension age.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the Government Actuary's estimate of the average lump sum investment required in an annuity to provide a personal pension equivalent to the basic retirement pension at 65 years for people aged 25, 35, 45 and 55 years today, assuming that the pension is related(a) only to prices and (b) to earnings at 1.5 per cent. per annum. [38541]

  Table 1: Cash prices

  Male average earnings

  ½ male average earnings

  Year of retirement (i.e. year of reaching State pension age)

  Basic retirement pension (RP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Basic retirement pension (RP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  1996

  61.15

  16

  77.40

  20

  61.15

  32

  32.20

  17

  1997

  64.20

  16

  83.40

  21

  64.20

  32

  34.50

  17

  1998

  67.40

  16

  91.20

  21

  67.40

  32

  37.60

  18

  1999

  70.80

  16

  96.80

  21

  70.80

  31

  40.00

  18

  2000

  74.35

  15

  99.90

  21

  74.35

  31

  40.10

  17

  2001

  78.05

  15

  105.30

  21

  78.05

  30

  42.30

  16

  2002

  81.95

  15

  110.90

  20

  81.95

  30

  44.60

  16

  2003

  86.05

  15

  116.70

  20

  86.05

  30

  47.00

  16

  2004

  90.35

  15

  122.70

  20

  90.35

  29

  49.50

  16

  2005

  94.85

  14

  128.90

  19

  94.85

  29

  52.10

  16

  2006

  99.60

  14

  135.40

  19

  99.60

  28

  54.80

  16

  2007

  104.60

  14

  142.00

  19

  104.60

  28

  57.50

  15

  2008

  109.80

  14

  148.80

  19

  109.80

  27

  60.40

  15

  2009

  115.30

  14

  155.70

  18

  115.30

  27

  63.40

  15

  2010

  121.05

  13

  165.40

  18

  121.05

  27

  67.60

  15

  2011

  127.15

  13

  175.70

  18

  127.15

  26

  72.00

  15

  2012

  133.50

  13

  186.60

  18

  133.50

  26

  76.80

  15

  2013

  140.15

  13

  198.10

  18

  140.15

  25

  81.90

  15

  2014

  147.15

  13

  210.40

  18

  147.15

  25

  87.40

  15

  576
  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Estimated lump sum investment required in an annuity to provide a personal pension equivalent to the basic retirement pension at 65 years

  £

  (a) Prices

  (b) Earnings at 1.5 per cent.

  Age

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  25

  13,000

  15,500

  27,000

  32,500

  35

  17,500

  20,500

  31,000

  37,500

  45

  23,500

  27,500

  35,500

  43,000

  55

  31,000

  37,000

  41,000

  49,500

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Notes:

  1. The table indicates the estimated lump sum payments if:

  Column (a): the current basic retirement pension for a single person of £61.15 per week were to be increased in future in line with the retail prices index; or

  Column (b): the current basic retirement pension for a single person of £61.15 per week were to be increased in future in line with the index of national average earnings, which has been assumed to increase by 1.5 per cent. per annum over the increase in the retail prices index.

  2. The assumptions underlying these estimates are consistent with those adopted for the purpose of the Government Actuary's March 1996 review of the National Insurance rebates for persons contracted-out of the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme through Appropriate Personal Pension Schemes for the five year period commencing on 6 April 1997 (Cm 3221).

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the weekly state basic and earnings-related pensions payable to men and women on average earnings and half average earnings reaching pension age in each year from 1996 to 2040, in cash terms and as a percentage of their pre-retirement earnings. [37884]

  Mr. Heald
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The information is set out in the tables.
  577

  Table 1: Cash prices

  Male average earnings

  ½ male average earnings

  Year of retirement (i.e. year of reaching State pension age)

  Basic retirement pension (RP)(£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Basic retirement pension (RP)(£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  2015

  154.50

  12

  223.30

  18

  154.50

  25

  93.20

  15

  2016

  162.25

  12

  237.00

  18

  162.25

  24

  99.40

  15

  2017

  170.35

  12

  251.50

  18

  170.35

  24

  106.00

  15

  2018

  178.90

  12

  266.80

  18

  178.90

  24

  113.10

  15

  2019

  187.80

  12

  283.10

  18

  187.80

  23

  120.70

  15

  2020

  197.20

  11

  300.30

  17

  197.20

  23

  128.80

  15

  2021

  207.10

  11

  318.60

  17

  207.10

  23

  137.40

  15

  2022

  217.45

  11

  337.90

  17

  217.45

  22

  146.60

  15

  2023

  228.30

  11

  358.40

  17

  228.30

  22

  156.40

  15

  2024

  239.70

  11

  380.10

  17

  239.70

  22

  166.90

  15

  2025

  251.70

  11

  403.10

  17

  251.70

  21

  178.10

  15

  2026

  264.30

  10

  427.80

  17

  264.30

  21

  190.10

  15

  2027

  277.50

  10

  453.30

  17

  277.50

  21

  202.90

  15

  2028

  291.40

  10

  478.00

  17

  291.40

  20

  216.10

  15

  2029

  305.95

  10

  503.10

  16

  305.95

  20

  229.80

  15

  2030

  321.25

  10

  529.20

  16

  321.25

  20

  244.40

  15

  2031

  337.30

  10

  557.80

  16

  337.30

  19

  260.50

  15

  2032

  354.15

  10

  587.90

  16

  354.15

  19

  277.80

  15

  2033

  371.90

  9

  619.70

  16

  371.90

  19

  296.40

  15

  2034

  390.45

  9

  653.10

  16

  390.45

  19

  316.30

  15

  2035

  410.00

  9

  687.80

  15

  410.00

  18

  337.30

  15

  2036

  430.50

  9

  724.20

  15

  430.50

  18

  359.80

  15

  2037

  452.00

  9

  761.50

  15

  452.00

  18

  383.40

  15

  2038

  474.60

  9

  804.80

  15

  474.60

  18

  410.20

  15

  2039

  498.35

  9

  850.30

  15

  498.35

  17

  438.90

  15

  2040

  523.25

  9

  897.60

  15

  523.25

  17

  469.30

  15

  Table 2: Cash prices

  Female average earnings

  ½ female average earnings

  Year of retirement (i.e. year of reaching State pension age)

  Basic retirement pension (RP)(£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Basic retirement pension (RP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  1996

  61.15

  22

  47.70

  17

  61.15

  44

  17.30

  13

  1997

  64.20

  22

  51.50

  18

  64.20

  45

  18.50

  13

  1998

  67.40

  22

  56.50

  18

  67.40

  44

  20.20

  13

  1999

  70.80

  22

  60.30

  18

  70.80

  43

  21.80

  13

  2000

  74.35

  21

  61.60

  18

  74.35

  43

  20.90

  12

  2001

  78.05

  21

  65.20

  18

  78.05

  42

  22.20

  12

  2002

  81.95

  21

  68.80

  17

  81.95

  42

  23.60

  12

  2003

  86.05

  20

  72.60

  17

  86.05

  41

  25.00

  12

  2004

  90.35

  20

  76.60

  17

  90.35

  40

  26.40

  12

  2005

  94.85

  20

  80.60

  17

  94.85

  40

  27.90

  12

  2006

  99.60

  20

  84.90

  17

  99.60

  39

  29.50

  12

  2007

  104.60

  19

  89.20

  16

  104.60

  39

  31.10

  11

  2008

  109.80

  19

  93.70

  16

  109.80

  38

  32.80

  11

  2009

  115.30

  19

  98.40

  16

  115.30

  37

  34.50

  11

  2010

  121.05

  18

  105.00

  16

  121.05

  37

  37.00

  11

  2011

  127.15

  18

  112.00

  16

  127.15

  36

  39.60

  11

  2012

  133.50

  18

  119.50

  16

  133.50

  36

  42.40

  11

  2013

  140.15

  18

  127.50

  16

  140.15

  35

  45.40

  11

  2014

  147.15

  17

  136.00

  16

  147.15

  35

  48.60

  11

  2015

  154.50

  17

  145.10

  16

  154.50

  34

  52.10

  11

  2016

  162.25

  17

  154.80

  16

  162.25

  34

  55.80

  12

  2017

  170.35

  17

  165.20

  16

  170.35

  33

  59.70

  12

  2018

  178.90

  16

  176.30

  16

  178.90

  33

  63.90

  12

  2019

  187.80

  16

  188.10

  16

  187.80

  32

  68.40

  12

  2020

  197.20

  16

  200.70

  16

  197.20

  32

  73.20

  12

  2021

  207.10

  16

  214.20

  16

  207.10

  31

  78.40

  12

  2022

  217.45

  15

  228.50

  16

  217.45

  31

  83.90

  12

  2023

  228.30

  15

  243.80

  16

  228.30

  30

  89.80

  12

  2024

  239.70

  15

  260.20

  16

  239.70

  30

  96.10

  12

  2025

  251.70

  15

  277.60

  16

  251.70

  30

  102.90

  12

  2026

  264.30

  15

  296.30

  16

  264.30

  29

  110.10

  12

  578 579

  Table 2: Cash prices

  Female average earnings

  ½ female average earnings

  Year of retirement (i.e. year of reaching State pension age)

  Basic retirement pension (RP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Basic retirement pension (RP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  Additional pension (AP) (£ per week)

  As a percentage of pre-retirement earnings

  2027

  277.50

  14

  316.10

  16

  277.50

  29

  117.80

  12

  2028

  291.40

  14

  337.40

  16

  291.40

  28

  126.70

  12

  2029

  305.95

  14

  359.60

  16

  305.95

  28

  136.00

  12

  2030

  321.25

  14

  382.90

  16

  321.25

  27

  145.70

  12

  2031

  337.30

  14

  408.20

  16

  337.30

  27

  156.60

  13

  2032

  354.15

  13

  435.20

  16

  354.15

  27

  168.30

  13

  2033

  371.90

  13

  463.80

  16

  371.90

  26

  180.80

  13

  2034

  390.45

  13

  494.20

  16

  390.45

  26

  194.40

  13

  2035

  410.00

  13

  526.10

  16

  410.00

  25

  208.70

  13

  2036

  430.50

  13

  560.00

  16

  430.50

  25

  224.10

  13

  2037

  452.00

  12

  595.20

  16

  452.00

  25

  240.20

  13

  2038

  474.60

  12

  634.90

  16

  474.60

  24

  258.20

  13

  2039

  498.35

  12

  676.80

  16

  498.35

  24

  277.30

  13

  2040

  523.25

  12

  720.70

  16

  523.25

  24

  297.60

  13

  1. All amounts are in cash prices. Amounts of AP are rounded to the nearest l0p, amounts of RP are rounded to the nearest 5p and percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  2. Average earnings figures are taken from New Earnings Survey 1995.

  3. The above estimates are prepared by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) using the following assumptions:Treasury forecast was used for the current year. Thereafter GAD have used an illustrative assumption of 5 per cent. per annum.Earnings rise by 1.5 per cent. higher than prices.Individuals are contracted in to the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme throughout.Pre-retirement earnings are taken as estimated earnings in the year prior to retirement.Changes introduced in the Pensions Act 1995 have been taken into account.

  Allowances
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who have suffered a reduction in the reduced earnings allowance with the introduction of the retirement allowance in(a) the benefit offices covering Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, (b) Wales and (c) the United Kingdom. [37873]

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

  As at 1 April 1995 there were approximately 985 people receiving retirement allowance in Wales and 10,700 in Great Britain. In order to assess those who will be transferred to retirement allowance under the amended legislation which came into force on 24 March, the Benefits Agency has identified all remaining reduced earnings allowance recipients who are over pensionable age. About 350 such recipients were identified within the area administered by the Eastern Valleys district, about 1,900 in Wales and about 20,000 in Great Britain.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all decisions relating to(a) the special hardship allowance and (b) the reduced earnings allowance by the hearings of (a) the commission, (b) the tribunal and (c) the divisional court. [37874]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Total number of IB appeals against the All Work Test disallowance for the Coventry Benefits Agency (BA) District

  Quarter ending

  June 1995

  September 1995

  December 1995

  March 1995

  Number of appeals lodged

  0

  35

  79

  113

  Number where BA decision upheld

  0

  0

  5

  22

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals have been lodged against a disallowance of incapacity benefit in the Coventry benefits district in each quarter since April 1995; how many of these have been from(a) new incapacity benefit claimants and (b) former claimants of invalidity benefit; in each case, how many appeals have been (i) disallowed, (ii) superseded and (iii) found in the claimant's favour; and how many are outstanding. [37853]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of incapacity benefit 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. Robert Ainsworth, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliament Question asking how many appeals have been lodged against a disallowance of Incapacity Benefit (IB) in the Coventry benefits district in each quarter since April 1995; how many of these have been from(a) new IB claimants and(b) former claimants of Invalidity Benefit (IVB); in each case, how many appeals have been (i) disallowed, (ii) superseded and (iii) found in the claimant's favour; and how many are outstanding.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are kept for disallowances relating to the all Work Test only. A breakdown of customers formerly in receipt of IVB and customers claiming IB on or after 13 April 1995 is not available as such statistics are not kept.
  Such information as is available is shown in the attached table.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  581

  Total number of IB appeals against the All Work Test disallowance for the Coventry Benefits Agency (BA) District

  Quarter ending

  June 1995

  September 1995

  December 1995

  March 1995

  Number of cases superseded

  0

  3

  3

  4

  Number where decision in favour of appellant

  0

  0

  17

  38

  Number of cases outstanding at end of each quarter

  0

  32

  86

  135

  Notes:

  Number of cases include both customer's formerly in receipt of IVB and customer's claiming IB on or after 13 April 1995, a breakdown of the two is not available.

  Number of cases outstanding is a cumulative figure at the end of each quarter Data are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Mr. Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently receiving incapacity benefit in the Coventry benefits district; and how many of these were formerly in receipt of invalidity benefit. [37850]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of incapacity benefit 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. Robert Ainsworth, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people are currently receiving Incapacity Benefit (IB) in the Coventry Benefits District; and how many of these were formerly in receipt of Invalidity Benefit (IVB).
  The number of people in receipt of IB in the Coventry District, on 29 February 1996, was 10,800, of which 7,500 were formerly in receipt of IVB. This figure excludes a small number of clerically processed cases and it is provisional and subject to amendment.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claims for incapacity benefit have been made in the Coventry benefits district since April 1995; how many of these were refused to the Benefits Agency medical service; and how many of these were subsequently(a) allowed and (b) disallowed by reason of (i) failing the all-work test, (ii) failing to attend the medical examination and (iii) failing to return the IB50 questionnaire; [37851]

  Total number of claims received for the Benefits Agency (BA) Coventry District

  Quarter ending

  June 1995

  September 1995

  December 1995

  March 1996

  1,342

  1,467

  1,282

  1,281

  Total number of cases following the All Work Test process for the BA Coventry District

  Quarter ending

  June 1995

  September 1995

  December 1995

  March 1996

  Cases referred to BAMS

  1,358

  1,744

  1,350

  1,710

  Cases allowed following BAMS referral

  188

  538

  777

  1,350

  Cases disallowed IB as:

  (a) failed the all work test

  0

  68

  126

  164

  (b) failed to attend the medical examination

  0

  0

  3

  6

  (c) failed to return the IB50 questionnaire

  8

  6

  3

  15

  Credits only cases disallowed

  0

  6

  32

  77

  Notes:

  Number of cases include both customer's formerly in receipt of IVB and customer's claiming IB on or after 13 April 1995, a breakdown of the two is not available.

  Source: 100 per cent. count of cases held on the IB system and does exclude a small number of clerically processed cases.

  The number of credits only cases disallowed is not available broken down into the three categories of disallowance only a total figure is available.

  Data are provisional and subject to amendment.
  582
  (2) how many claimants formerly in receipt of invalidity benefit in the Coventry benefits district were referred to the Benefits Agency medical service in each quarter since April 1995; and how many of these were subsequently (a) transferred to incapacity benefit and (b) disallowed by reason of (i) failing the all-work test, (ii) failing to attend the medical examination and (iii) failing to return the IB50 questionnaire. [37852]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of incapacity benefit 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. Robert Ainsworth, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many new claims for Incapacity Benefit (IB) have been made in the Coventry Benefits District since April 1995; how many of these were referred to the Benefits Agency Medical Service (BAMS); and how many of these were subsequently(a) allowed and(b) disallowed by reason of (i) failing the all work test, (ii) failing to attend the medical examination and (iii) failing to return the IB50 questionnaire; and how many claimants formerly in receipt of Invalidity Benefit (IVB) in the Coventry Benefits District were referred to the BAMS in each quarter since April 1995; and how many of these were subsequently (a)transferred to incapacity benefit and (b) disallowed by reason of (i) failing the all work test, (ii) failing to attend the medical examination and (iii) failing to return the IB50 questionnaire.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The statistics kept do not differentiate between customers formerly in receipt of IVB and customers claiming IB on or after 13 April 1995.
  The attached table gives details of the information available.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  583
  Mr. Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many appeals have been lodged against a disallowance of incapacity benefits in Coventry benefits district in each quarter since April 1995, how many of these have been from(a) new incapacity benefits claimants and (b) former claimants of invalidity benefits; in each case, how many appeals have been (i) disallowed, (ii) superseded and (iii) found in the claimants' favour; and how many are outstanding; [39707]

  (2) how many claims for incapacity benefits have been made in the Coventry benefits district since April 1995; how many of these were referred to the Benefits Agency medical service; and how many of these were subsequently (a) allowed and (b) disallowed by reason of (i) failing the all-work test, (ii) failing to attend the medical examination and (iii) failing to return the IB50 questionnaire; [39709]

  (3) how many people are currently receiving incapacity benefits in Coventry benefits district; and how many of these were formerly in receipt of invalidity benefit; [39708]

  (4) how many people who have been disallowed incapacity benefits in the Coventry benefits district in each quarter since April 1995 are (a) currently signing on as unemployed, (b) claiming unemployment benefits and (c) have started work. [39706]

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison, on 23 July 1996.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a breakdown by age, sex and region of those claiming benefit due to medical incapacity on 1 April 1989 and on subsequent 1 Aprils

  Family Credit Recipients for Dorset BA District

  Families in receipt of Family Credit at that date

  Date of Scan

  Bournemouth

  Poole

  Weymouth

  Total

  20 August 1993

  1,257

  1,352

  1,370

  3,979

  15 April 1994

  1,424

  1,463

  1,471

  4,358

  10 November 1994

  1,629

  1,537

  1,604

  4,770

  13 April 1995

  1,853

  1,592

  1,767

  5,212

  10 November 1995

  2,243

  1,641

  1,829

  5,713

  16 February 1996

  2,471

  1,554

  1,877

  5,902

  7 June 1996

  2,788

  1,470

  2,037

  6,295

  Data are provisional and subject to change.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to monitor the impact that the Family Credit (General) Amendment Regulations 1996 will have on the staying-on rate for post-16 education for children whose parents are receiving family credit; and what consultations his Department held with the Department for Education and Employment before the implementation of these regulations. [39235]

  Mr. Evans
  We do not anticipate any impact on the staying-on rate. We estimate that the change will affect only about 15,000 families, all of whom will have already made a decision on school leaving. Family credit will remain in payment to families where the dependant has elected to remain in full-time non-advanced education.
  584
  distinguishing between those only receiving national insurance credits and those claiming direct payments of incapacity benefit. [38155]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available has been placed in the Library.

  Family Credit
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in(a) the south-west region, (b) the county of Dorset and (c) each district in Dorset were in receipt of family credit in each of the last five financial years. [38165]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of family credit 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. Diana Maddock, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people in the South West Region, the County of Dorset and in each district of Dorset were in receipt of Family Credit (FC) in each of the last five financial years.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The FC computer system holds records of the total number of claims received, awarded and disallowed on a national basis.
  Statistics are not kept which are specific to the South West Region or individual towns or areas. However, statistics are available which indicate the number of families in receipt of Family Credit within a BA office area at a particular date. The available information shown in the attached tables relates to the BA's Dorset District which includes the offices at Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.
  Information is only available from 1993 as details relating to FC claims are normally destroyed after 18 months.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his estimate of(a) the numbers gaining from and (b) the costs of introducing into the calculation for family credit (i) the disabled child's premium, (ii) the disability premium and (iii) the carer premium; [39185]

  (2) how many claimants of family credit have a disabled child. [39184]

  Mr. Evans
  Information is not currently available on which to base reliable estimates.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of replacing the child care disregard with a cash allowance of the same value payable for(a) each child under five years and

  585
  (b) each child under 11 years in each of (i) family credit, (ii) disability working allowance, (iii) housing benefit and (iv) control tax benefit. [39002]

  Mr. Evans
  The cost of including an additional cash allowance of £60 a week per child in basic entitlement for family credit, disability allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit is given in the table.

  Cost (£ billion)

  Cash allowance for each child under five years

  Around 1.8

  Cash allowance for each child under 11 years

  Around 4.7

  Notes:

  Estimates do not include behavioural effects.

  Source:

  Figures are based on the 1991–92–93 Family Expenditure Surveys, uprated to 1996–97 levels. Estimates are net of the savings from abolishing the childcare disregard.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the impact of the child care disregard on the hours worked by claimants of (i) family credit and (ii) disability working allowance. [39003]

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

  Mr. 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
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: Since October 1994, there have been 77,000 family credit claims and 156 disability working allowance claims where an award of benefit has been made and where there has also been a claim for help with child care charges. Information is not available on claims which have not led to an award of FC or DWA.

  Provisional figures for the period up to 30 April 1996 for the number of families who did not receive extra help with child care charges is provided in the table.

  Non-receipt of extra benefit from the child care disregard in family credit and disability working allowance

  Reason for the non-receipt of extra benefit from the childcare disregard

  Family credit

  Disability working allowance

  Receiving maximum FC/DWA

  18,000

  17

  No registered childcare provider

  12,000

  5

  Child aged 11 years or over

  3,000

  4

  Only one partner working at least 16 hours a week (couple cases)

  6,000

  8

  Partner not incapacitated (couple cases)

  n/a

  n/a

  Sources:

  1. Five per cent. sample of family credit awards.

  2. One hundred per cent. of disability working allowance awards.

  Note:

  n/a = not available.

  Tribunal Venues
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many tribunal venues run by the independent tribunal service have been closed in the last 12 months; and where they were; [38492]

  (2) what plans there are to close tribunal venues currently run by the independent tribunal service in the next 12 months. [38494]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administrative arrangements for social security appeals tribunals are the responsibility of the independent tribunal service, which has been asked to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many tribunal venues there are in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for the hearing of(a) social security appeal tribunals, (b) disability appeal tribunals, (c) child support appeal tribunals and (d) medical appeal tribunals. [38491]

  Mr. Evans
  The administrative arrangements for social security, disability, medical and child support appeals tribunals are the responsibility of the independent tribunal service and the independent tribunal service, Northern Ireland, which have been asked to write to the hon. Member.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [39144]

  Mr. Heald
  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, administrative and taxation burdens; and where appropriate provide direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  The reductions we have made to the lower rates of employers' national insurance contributions have helped to keep down the non-wage costs of UK businesses, including small business, and they are now among the lowest in Europe. The introduction of the employers' national insurance contribution "holiday" from April 1996 offers small businesses a further opportunity to reduce their non-wage costs. With the Inland Revenue, we have an on-going joint working programme to reduce the burdens on businesses of operating pay-as-you-earn and national insurance contributions. Successes of the programme so far include the piloting of a new employers telephone helpline and annual pack, and the provision of a joint application form to pay self-employed national insurance and tax for newly self-employed people.

  We have also contributed to the Government's core deregulation initiatives by substantially reducing the number of forms sent to business and by revoking or amending regulations to reduce the burdens on business in areas such as statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay.
  587
  We have targets for the current year of reducing forms sent to businesses by 20 per cent. and surveys, which businesses and local authorities are asked to take part in, by 2 per cent.

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has for the future of the Benefits Agency medical services currently based at Grove house, Swansea. [38997]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Benefits Agency medical services 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. Alan Williams, dated 23 July 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to our recent Parliamentary Question asking what proposals he has for the future of the Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) currently based at Grove House, Swansea.
  At present there are no plans to close down the existing operations at Grove House, Swansea in advance of the contractorisation. BAMS regularly review the use of resources to ensure maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness. Any changes to the use of Grove House in the light of changing work volumes or staffing levels will be made in full consultation with staff and their representatives.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what safeguards will be put in place under the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency medical services to ensure that personal medical information obtained about benefit claimants will remain confidential to those who hold the patients' fully informed consent to receive it and will be used exclusively for purposes related to the claim for state benefit. [39188]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department places strong emphasis on customer confidentiality and would demand the same standards from the successful or contractors. The contractor will have a mandatory contractual requirement to confirm to the security policy of the Department which is based on Government security policy.

  The successful bidder or bidders will be required to ensure that any data or information passed to them by the Department or a third party, or revealed during the course of the contract, is used only for the purpose directly relating to the Department's business and only by the appropriate staff.

  Rigorous monitoring systems will be put in place to ensure on-going compliance with the requirements.

  Information Services
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people used the Benefits Agency's information services in North Yorkshire in each year since 1992–93. [38933]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is an operational 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 23 July 1996:
  588
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people used in Benefits Agency's (BA's) information services in North Yorkshire in each year since 1992–93.
  The information is not available in the format requested. I have assumed that the reference to Benefits Agency Information Services is about the Mobile Information Unit (MIU) covering the BA District of North Yorkshire. This District has offices in York, Harrogate, Northallerton, Richmond, Selby, Malton and Ripon. Figures for the number of people who used the service were kept from 1994/95 only and are shown below:
  1994–95: 2,304
  1995–96: 2,642
  Figures are provisional and subject to change.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97; [39454]

  (2) how many staff were 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; [39472]

  (3) what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97; [39989]

  (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; [39431]

  (5) 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. [39428]

  Mr. Burt
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39345]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department and its agencies do not use consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media work.

  Child Benefit
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current level of expenditure on child benefit for 16 to 19 years, broken down by(a) age and (b) level of family income (i) before and (ii) after housing costs. [39234]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Expenditure in 1995–96 on child benefit for 16-year-olds was estimated to be £320 million, for 17-year-olds £225 million and for 18-year-olds £100 million, a total of £645 million. Distribution of child benefit expenditure for 16 to 18-year-olds in 1992–93, the latest date for which information is available, is in the table:
  589

  Distribution of child benefit expenditure for children aged 16 to 18 by equivalised income band, UK 1992–93

  Percentages

  Equivalised weekly household income (January 1993 prices)

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  £100 or less

  10

  19

  ã£100 to £150

  18

  16

  ã£150 to £200

  19

  22

  ã£200 to £250

  16

  14

  ã£250 to £300

  13

  11

  ã£300 to £350

  8

  7

  Over £350

  17

  12

  1. Information in the table is derived from the 1992/93 Households Below Average Income dataset. 1992/93 figures are for two calendar years data combined.

  2. Income bands are based on the standard Households Below Average Income definition of income—weekly household disposable income adjusted for household size and composition (equivalised).

  3. Estimates are shown by £50 income bands except where figures would be unreliable due to small sample sizes. All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the gross and net savings from removing child benefit from those aged 16 to 19 years. [39233]

  Mr. Mitchell
  Removing child benefit for 16 to 18-year-olds would save approximately £650 million gross and approximately £520 million net assuming that child allowances continue to be payable in other benefits.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many visits (i) he and (ii) his Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39874]

  Mr. Lilley
  Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Minister

  Visits toNewbury

  Visits to other constituencies

  Secretary of State

  1

  15

  Minister of State (Lord Mackay)

  0

  19

  Minister of State (Mr. Burt)

  0

  27

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Mr. Evans)

  0

  18

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Mr. Mitchell)

  0

  15

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Mr. Heald)

  0

  29

  Figures in the table do not include visits made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People and the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Minister for Monmouth (Mr. Evans), in their capacity as sponsor Ministers for Manchester and the north-west and for Bristol respectively.

  Asthma
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many working days were lost as a result of asthma in the last year for which figures are available. [39557]

  Mr. Heald
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to publish a code of practice on access to goods, facilities, services and 590
  premises under part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and guidance on the definition of disability contained in the Act. [39941]

  Mr. Burt
  We will be publishing tomorrow a code of practice covering rights to access to goods, facilities, services and premises under part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. The code gives practical advice through a wide range of examples to illustrate how service providers and those involved in the selling, letting and managing of premises can comply with the provisions, although the action required in any given situation will depend on the particular circumstances. By publishing the code now, we are giving service providers and others affected time to take account of its guidance before the new rights come into force on 2 December this year.

  We will also be publishing guidance on the definition of disability contained in the Act, which helps to clarify who is protected by the Disability Discrimination Act's provisions.

  The code and guidance will form part of a co-ordinated framework of advice and guidance to ensure that the business community and disabled people are aware of their new duties and rights under the Act.

  As well as the printed version, the code and guidance will also be available in braille and on audio cassette tape. All formats will be available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office outlets.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate in each case of(a) numbers gaining and (b) the cost of introducing a taper of (i) 50 per cent. and (ii) 70 per cent. above the earnings limit to people in receipt of invalid care allowance. [39182]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is set out in the table:

  1996–97

  50 per cent.taper

  70 per cent. Taper

  Net expenditure

  £15 million

  £15 million

  Average gainers in year

  25,000

  20,000

  1. Estimates are based on data from a small sample and should be treated with caution.

  2. The calculations are based on deducting either 50p or 70p (depending on whether it is the 50 per cent. or 70 per cent. taper) from the average rate of Invalid Care Allowance for each pound earned about the earnings limit of £50.00.

  3. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 5,000 (caseload) and £5 million (expenditure).

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of(a) the numbers gaining from and (b) the cost of raising the earnings limit for invalid care allowance to (i) £55.10 and (ii) £61. [39183]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is set out in the table:

  1996–97

  Raising limit to £55.10

  Raising limit to £61.00

  Net expenditure

  £5 million

  £10 million

  Average gainers in year

  5,000

  5,000

  1. Estimates are based on data from a small sample and should be treated with caution.

  2. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 5,000 (caseload) and £5 million (expenditure).

  Adult Dependency Claims
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what proportion of claims for adult dependency increases made during 1995–96 of claims for adult dependency increases made during 1995–96 by claimants of(a) unemployment benefit, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) severe disablement allowance and (d) invalid care allowance were disallowed because an overlapping benefit was payable. [39004]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Benefits which are subject to the overlapping benefit rules are reduced rather than disallowed. In cases where the benefit is reduced to nil, entitlement remains. This allows payment to commence, without the need for a further claim, should payment of the overlapping benefit cease for any reason. However, information on the number of adult dependency increases of unemployment benefit, incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance and invalid care allowance that are reduced or extinguished under the overlapping benefit rules is not available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  EU Expenditure
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is social security expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product and per capita in each European Union country in the current financial year. [39050]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. The latest available data are for 1993 and are restricted to member states at that time. This information conforms to the Eurostat definition of social protection which includes more than the usual UK definition of social security—for example, spending on health and local authority social services are included.

  Current expenditure on social protection as percentage of GDP

  Country

  Per cent

  Belgium

  27.6

  Denmark

  33.2

  Germany

  31.0

  Greece

  16.3

  Spain

  24.0

  France

  30.9

  Ireland

  21.4

  Italy

  25.8

  Luxembourg

  24.9

  Netherlands

  33.6

  Portugal

  18.3

  United Kingdom

  27.8

  Current expenditure on social protection per head in the purchasing power standard1

  Country

  £

  Belgium

  4,903.7

  Denmark

  5,598.4

  Germany

  5,365.7

  Greece

  1,598.5

  Spain

  2,935.7

  France

  5,317.6

  Ireland

  2,680.9

  Italy

  4,291.4

  Luxembourg

  6,630.1

  Netherlands

  5,576.3

  592

  Current expenditure on social protection per head in the purchasing power standard1

  Country

  £

  Portugal

  1,948.3

  United Kingdom

  4,323.4

  1 The purchasing power standard specific to private consumption is used to equivalise the per capita expenditure between the EU countries in terms of national mice levels.

  1. The information is reproduced from the Eurostat publication "Social protection expenditure and receipts 1980–1993".

  2. The data are provisional for all countries except Denmark.

  3. UK data are for the British financial year, all other data are for the calendar year.

  Supported Housing Costs
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the terms of reference of his interdepartmental review of funding of supported housing costs; when he intends this review to be concluded; and if the review will involve consultations with other Departments. [38154]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The timing and exact terms of the review, which will involve consultation with all interested Government Departments, will be completed shortly.

  I shall write to the hon. Member when they are agreed.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39301]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available. Fines and other penalties are the responsibility of each driver.

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39521]

  Mr. Lilley
  None.

  Public Record Office Files
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons the file with the classmark PIN 59/19 recorded at the Public Record Office is currently closed for 75 years by his Department; and if he will consider opening(a) all or (b) part of it. [37611]

  Mr. Heald
  [holding answer 16 July 1996]: Under the Public Records Act, all records are required to be closed for the minimum period consistent with protection of the sensitive information identified in them. The normal closure period is 30 years, but the Lord Chancellor may prescribe an extension to this where any of a number of criteria are satisfied, including, for example, where it is necessary to protect an individual from disclosure of sensitive information during his or her lifetime.
  593
  The fact that a record has been closed for a stated period does not, however, preclude its release before that period has elapsed, if its sensitivity has passed, an application may be made for a reduction of the stated period.

  We are already actively reviewing classes of information held in the Public Record Office with a view to accelerated opening, and will examine the file to which the question refers at the earliest opportunity.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been paid out (i) in unemployment benefit and (ii) on other benefits to unemployed people in(a) York and (b) North Yorkshire in each year since 1979–80. [38934]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Estimated annual expenditure (£ millions) on unemployed claimants (Yorkshire and Humberside)

  Year

  Unemployment benefit

  Income support

  1983–84

  134.4

  —

  1984–85

  —

  —

  1985–86

  156.8

  —

  1986–87

  169.7

  —

  1987–88

  137.5

  —

  1988–89

  113.9

  —

  1989–90

  70.8

  —

  1990–91

  71.8

  —

  1991–92

  139.4

  700.9

  1992–93

  141.1

  850.0

  1993–94

  142.9

  987.6

  1994–95

  124.5

  1,045.6

  1995–96

  104.8

  1,058.3

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Annual and Quarterly Enquiries 5 percent. sample of unemployed claimants.

  Notes:

  1. Estimated expenditure is based on weekly caseload and average benefit payment.

  2. For unemployment benefit, this is based on sample taken on the second Thursday of May and November for years prior to 1993–94. Thereafter it is based on samples taken on the second Thursday in February, May, August and November. For income support the sample was taken in May each year.

  3. Data for 1984–85 for unemployment benefit are not available at this level and for Income Support prior to 1991.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Learmont Report
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Learmont report. [40082]

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Prison Service 594
  submission on the Learmont report was first submitted to his Department for consideration. [35862]

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. and learned Friend asked the Prison Service to examine the operational impact and effectiveness of the Learmont recommendations. The Prison Service has made a number of submissions on various aspects of the Learmont report since it was published on 16 October 1995. Some Learmont recommendations called for fundamental reviews of policy. My right hon. and learned Friend has yet to receive the findings of all these major reviews.

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there will be a period of consultation following the Government's statement on the implementation of the Learmont report. [35867]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Our response to the Learmont report and any associated arrangements are still under consideration.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his latest estimate of the date of publication for his response to the Learmont report; and if he will make a statement; [36486]

  (2) what measures are being taken to assess the cost of full implementation of the Learmont report; and if he will make a statement. [36679]

  Mr. Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to devolve greater responsibility to area managers in the Prison Service in respect of (i) corporate planning, (ii) service delivery, (iii) resource management and (iv) budgets and to develop links from area managers to board level through operational directors; [37773]

  (2) what plans he has, and at what cost, to ensure that annual training for all staff in the Prison Service is increased to 14 days over the next five years; [37772]

  (3) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to establish core competencies, for training purposes for all grades in the Prison Service; [37770]

  (4) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to ensure that work managers operate from an office on their wing; [37778]

  (5) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to ensure that those remand category A prisoners who cannot be held in dispersal prisons are held in other prisons with accommodation to category A standard; [37766]

  (6) what plans he has to introduce overlocking and permanent movement systems to the dispersal prison estate; [37774]

  (7) what plans he has to increase the amount of (a) training and (b) enhanced training staff in dispersal prisons undergo; [37731]

  (8) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to ensure that prisoner programmes are adopted nationally, and that each sentenced prisoner serving more than 12 months has a sentence plan and is allocated a personal officer; [37768]
  595
  (9) what progress has been made in respect of the security of prisoners' property on transfer; [37776]

  (10) what progress has been made with the Prison Service headquarters security survey on electronic security defences; what (i) technical problems and (ii) remedial work have been identified; and what plans he has over what time scale and at what cost to address these matters; [37764]

  (11) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to provide leadership and management training to line managers in the Prison Service; [37771]

  (12) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to ensure that the Prison Service is able to provide suitable accommodation for high-risk women prisoners and young offenders; [37767]

  (13) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, in respect of the role of wing managers in prisons; [37775]

  (14) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, (i) to improve security standards in the prison estate and (ii) to provide closed circuit television and other appropriate facilities at the entrance of dispersal prisons; [37763]

  (15) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to ensure that an accreditation, system on the basis of performance measurement against national standards is introduced into the Prison Service; [37769]

  (16) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to improve selection procedures for staff for dispersal prisons; [37777]

  (17) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to provide a supporting secretariat to (i) the head of operations and security and (ii) the governing governor in the Prison Service; [37761]

  (18) what plans he has, over what time scale and at what cost, to ensure that the option of imposing closed visits is available in all secure establishments; [37765]

  (19) when he expects to make a statement on the implementation of the Learmont report; [35868]

  (20) pursuant to his answer of 10 July, Official Report, column 170, what estimates have been received for the minimum security standards which are under consideration; if he will set out each of the phases of the programme to develop minimum security standards; and when the work to reach a decision on the appropriate minimum security standards will be complete. [37760]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Details of steps taken by the Prison Service to improve its performance are contained in the interim progress report on the "Review of Prison Service Security in England and Wales and the escape from Parkhurst Prison on Tuesday 3 January 1995—The Learmont Inquiry" given in a table, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The progress report excludes those recommendations identical or very similar to those of the Woodcock report which my right hon. and learned Friend accepted on 19 December 1994. The table gives details of the recommendations already implemented. Six reviews are still in progress in respect of 596
  recommendations: 1, 88, 97, 98, 101, 107. The remaining recommendations are still under consideration.

  I shall report to the House on outstanding issues in due course.

  The Prison Service has initiated a wide-ranging programme of action to build on the improvement in its performance in security, including measures taken in response to the recommendations of the Woodcock and Learmont reports.

  The Prison Service has pressed ahead with upgrading the high security dispersal estate to standards recommended in the Woodcock report—a programme which Sir John Learmont included in his recommendations. In his review of Prison Service progress towards implementing the Woodcock report, Sir John Learmont reported in December 1995 that
  "in a period of less than a year, the Prison Service has made infinitely more headway in implementing the Woodcock recommendations than it seems reasonable to expect".

  The Prison Service has achieved a sharp reduction in the number of escapes. Escapes in 1995–96 were 59 per cent. down on those in 1994–95 and 79 per cent. down compared to 1992–93.

  The security manual has been redrafted emphasising the distinction between what is mandatory and what is discretionary.

  The Prison Service has made excellent progress to ensure that security measures are consistently observed.

  The Prison Service has strengthened independent security audit which it had in hand before the Whitemoor escape in recognition of the major contribution it has to make to improving security standards.

  The Prison Service has pressed ahead with a number of organisational changes designed to ensure that operational management of prisons can be carried out more effectively.

  In addition to those reviews still in progress and referred to above, the Prison Service has completed 10 reviews, the conclusions of which are under consideration.

  Contracts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list showing the number, nature and value of contracts awarded, by his Department to Coopers and Lybrand, KPMG, Price Waterhouse, Ernst and Young, Deloitte and Touche, Arthur Andersen, Grant Thornton, BDO Stoy Hayward, Pannell Kerr Forster, and Robson Rhodes, and their subsidiaries and associates, during 1995 and 1996. [37325]

  Mr. Howard
  For the period specified, information on the number and nature of contracts let to each listed company and the total sum paid to each company by my Department is given in the table. Individual contract values are not given on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.
  597

  Consultant

  Nature

  Total value

  1 April to date

  Coopers and Lybrand and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Strategy development Underpinning and modelling accountancy work

  1£15,143

  KPMG and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Audit of procurement procedures Consultancy database Consultancy support quantum Job evaluation consultancy

  £443,625

  Price Waterhouse and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Seminar

  1—

  Ernst and Young and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Deloitte and Touche and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Arthur Andersen and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Grant Thornton and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  BDO Stoy Hayward and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Pannell Kerr Forster and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Robson Rhodes and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  1995–1996

  Coopers and Lybrand and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Private Finance Initiative Consultancy Support Advice and project support Assessment pay services business strategy Strategy development Project management Customer survey Consultancy Underpinning and modelling accountancy work

  1525,630

  KPMG and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Review of Emergency Planning College Identification of competencies of probation officers Accountancy support

  169,818

  Price Waterhouse and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Consultancy Pilot study in number of area probation services

  1222,364

  Ernst and Young and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Review of management structure for National Strategy for Police Information Systems Project (NSPIS) Consultancy

  147,500

  Deloite and Touche and Subsidiaries and Associates

  Review of United Kingdom Passport Agency offices Consultancy Research

  1125,165

  Arthur Andersen and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Grant Thornton and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  BDO Stoy Hayward and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Pannell Kerr Forster and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  Robson Rhodes and Subsidiaries and Associates

  —

  —

  1 Individual contract values are not given on the grounds of commercial confidentiality.

  Dispersal Prisons
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many hours of enhanced training staff in each dispersal prison have undergone in each year since 1990; and how many hours are planned in the next four financial years; [37732]

  (2) how many hours of training staff in each dispersal prison have undergone in each year since 1990; and how many hours are planned in the next four financial years. [37730]

  Miss Widdecombe
  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.

  Letter from David Scott to Mr. George Howarth, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about the number of hours training undertaken by staff in dispersals.
  Training figures for the years in question are not held centrally. I will write to you as soon as they are available.

  Deportation
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons were recommended for deportation with no custodial sentence 598
  during (a) 1995 and (b) 1996 to the latest convenient date; and in how many such cases the courts directed release (i) subject to conditions and (ii) without conditions; [38081]

  (2) how many decisions to make a deportation order, by nationality of the potential deportee, where there is a right of appeal as provided under (a) section 5 of the Immigration Act 1988 or (b) section 8(3) of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 have been made in each quarter since 1 July 1994; and on what basis these decisions have been made; [38059]

  (3) how many people were received into (i) prison department establishments, (ii) immigration detention centres or (iii) police cells under Immigration Act powers during (a) 1995 and (b) 1996 to the latest convenient date; how many of these were (1) asylum seekers and (2) applying to remain on non-asylum grounds, by individual prison establishment or detention centre; what was the average daily population of persons so detained in each of those years; what was the average length of time spent in detention by persons so detained in each of those years; and if he will give a breakdown by nationality of persons so detained for each of those years; [38082]

  (4) how many persons were detained under Immigration Act powers for a period of more than two months on completion of a custodial sentence during 1995 and 1996 to the latest convenient date. [38080]
  599
  Mr. Kirkhope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) decisions to deport have been made, (b) deportation orders have been signed and (c) deportation orders have been enforced against (i) British overseas citizens and (ii) other British nationals who are not British citizens, in each year since 1994; to which countries it has been proposed to send these people; and how many such people whom decisions to deport were made left the country voluntarily. [38076]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information available is given in the table. Statistics are not available on the countries to which British nationals have been removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process. The British nationals removed in 1994–96 were British dependent territories citizens or British nationals (overseas) from Hong Kong, except for one British dependent territories citizen from St. Helena in 1994 and 1 BDTC—territory not recorded—in 1995.

  British nationals subject to deportation action

  1994

  1995

  1996 January to March1

  British overseas citizens

  Notices of intention to deport issued and court recommendations for deportation made

  4

  3

  2

  Deportation orders made

  1

  1

  —

  Passenger admissions1 and persons refused leave to enter and removed, for selected nationalities in 1995 and first quarter 1996

  Nationality

  1st quarter 1995

  2nd quarter 1995

  3rd quarter 1995

  4th quarter 1995

  Year 1995

  1st quarter 1996

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Admissions

  Refused and removed

  Jamaica

  4,500

  80

  6,640

  104

  8,940

  101

  5,450

  278

  25,500

  563

  5,000

  188

  Turkey

  19,600

  27

  21,700

  42

  31,300

  67

  24,800

  107

  97,400

  243

  24.000

  65

  Morocco

  4,090

  14

  4,540

  24

  6,750

  38

  3,900

  64

  19,300

  140

  3,640

  37

  USA

  587,000

  236

  940,000

  230

  1,030,000

  227

  674,000

  316

  3,230,000

  1,009

  641,000

  256

  Australia

  87,000

  81

  158,000

  113

  179,000

  104

  119,000

  147

  543,000

  445

  95,000

  93

  Malaysia

  21,900

  78

  37,000

  105

  51,200

  128

  38,418

  86

  149,000

  397

  29,300

  155

  Hong Kong2

  20,200

  12

  23,000

  12

  43,700

  7

  16,400

  16

  103,000

  47

  19,200

  4

  Guyana

  1,010

  11

  1,400

  18

  1,830

  8

  1,170

  26

  5,420

  63

  1,040

  47

  Trinidad and Tobago

  2,780

  16

  4,150

  16

  5,830

  15

  3,200

  32

  16,000

  79

  2,990

  31

  Colombia

  5,090

  63

  8,640

  110

  10,300

  69

  6,850

  244

  30,900

  486

  5,830

  120

  Algeria

  3,460

  55

  4,070

  73

  6,170

  60

  3,940

  113

  17,600

  301

  3,920

  71

  1 Rounded figures, numbers of journeys.

  2 Including Hong Kong stateless persons.

  Drugs
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of(a) men and (b) women convicted by the courts of drug offences in England and Wales during 1995. [39225]

  Mr. Maclean
  Data for 1995 will not be available until the autumn. In 1994, there were 25,264 convictions in England and Wales for males and 2,532 for females, where the principal offence was for a drug offence.

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls have been received relating to tobacco smuggling on the freephone crime
  600

  British nationals subject to deportation action

  1994

  1995

  1996 January toMarch1

  Deportation orders enforced

  —

  1

  1

  Supervised departures

  —

  —

  1

  Voluntary departures

  1

  —

  1

  Other British nationals2

  Notices of intention to deport issued and court recommendations for deportation made

  77

  61

  13

  Deportation orders made

  22

  23

  3

  Deportation orders enforced

  11

  8

  1

  Supervised departures

  16

  19

  4

  Voluntary departures

  9

  5

  1

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 British Dependent Territories Citizens, British Nationals (Overseas), British Subjects and British Protected Persons.

  Immigration
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of(a) Jamaica, (b) Turkey, (c) Morocco, (d) the USA, (e) Australia, (f) Malaysia, (g) Hong Kong, (h) Guyana, (i) Trinidad, (j) Colombia and (k) Algeria were (i) granted and (ii) refused permission to enter the United Kingdom at ports of entry in each quarter since January 1995 and in total, to the nearest available data. [38065]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is given in the table.

  stoppers number; and how many prosecutions have been effected as a result of that hotline. [38778]

  Mr. Maclean
  There were two calls received in 1993, 21 in 1994 and 26 in 1995. Up to 16 July this year, 48 calls have been received, Information on prosecutions is not available centrally.

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 July,Official Report, column 446, about prisoners at Buckley Hall prison serving sentences for rape, murder, armed robbery, manslaughter and arson, which of the fires that have occurred at the prison since 14 December 1994 have been caused by prisoners with a sentence for arson. [39231]
  601
  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 David Scott to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about fires that have occurred at Buckley Hall prison since 14 December 1994 and which may have been caused by prisoners with a sentence for arson.
  There have been no fires at Buckley Hall which have been caused by any prisoner serving a sentence for arson.

  Illegal Entrants
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the(a) passengers in total and (b) persons treated as illegal entrants who were granted temporary admission or release in 1995 and 1996 to the latest convenient date subsequently absconded; how many of these were (1) asylum seekers and (2) applying for leave on some other basis; and how many (i) later reported voluntarily to the immigration authorities and (ii) were redetained. [38079]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The available information relates to the numbers of person who absconded, either from detention or by failing to respond to the terms of temporary admission or release, and is given in the table. The other information requested is not available.

  Absconders

  Category of person

  1995

  1996 First quarter

  Passengers1

  2,049

  605

  Illegal entrants:

  Asylum seekers

  186

  45

  Others

  101

  18

  Total

  287

  63

  1 A breakdown between asylum seekers and other passengers is not available.

  Publicity
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of staff employed full lime 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. [39410]

  Mr. Howard
  The cost of staff employed full time or part time by my Department to provide (i) information and publicity; and (ii) press office services, all media, in each of the years listed was as follows:

  1995–96

  (i) £558,238

  (ii) £675,761

  1994–95

  (i) £511,307

  (ii) £661,692

  1993–94

  (i) £524,251

  (ii) £699.002

  602
  These figures include information and administrative staff. They do not include press and publicity staff employed by the prisons agency.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's budget in 1996–97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39348]

  Mr. Howard
  My Department's communication directorate budget for 1996–97 includes no provision for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. The directorate buys the great majority of its production services from a range of suppliers, but does not use consultants. Communication directorate specialists from the Government information service provides Ministers and officials with advice with advice on all aspects of information, publicity and press and media.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [39420]

  Mr. Howard
  Staff numbers employed by my Department, full time or part time, to provide(a) information and publicity and (b) press office services, all media, in each of the years listed were as follows:

  1995–96

  (a) 19

  (b) 23

  1994–95

  (a) 17

  (b) 22

  1993–94

  (a) 18

  (b) 24

  These figures include information and administrative grades. They do not include staff employed by the prisons agency.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996–97. [39445]

  Mr. Howard
  The cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time by my Department to provide information and publicity in 1996–97 is £1,303,340. The total includes press office staff, £717,340, and publicity and campaigns staff, £586,000. It covers information and administrative grades but does not include prisons agency staff.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [39368]

  Mr. Howard
  My Department's communication directorate budget for 1996–97 provides for employment of 24 press office, all media, staff and 19 information and publicity staff. These figures include information and administrative grades. There are two part-time
  603
  information staff and two part-time administrative staff. The total does not include prisons agency staff.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost, assumed in the budget, of people employed full time or part time to work on the press and the media in 1996–97. [39985]

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

  Vehicle Crime
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average value of items stolen from cars in each of the last five years in South Yorkshire; [39238]

  (2) what was the average value of items stolen in recorded domestic break-ins in each of the last five years in South Yorkshire. [39239]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in the table.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in South Yorkshire— average value of property stolen1

  Average value (£)

  Year

  Theft from a vehicle

  Burglary in a dwelling

  1991

  232

  908

  1992

  254

  1,429

  1993

  244

  1,020

  1994

  242

  1,138

  1995

  254

  1,023

  1 Excluding offences where the value was recorded as nil.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many recorded car break-ins there were in South Yorkshire in each year since 1979; [39242]

  (2) how many recorded domestic burglaries there were in South Yorkshire in each year since 1979. [39241]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested in contained in the table.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in South Yorkshire

  Number of offences

  Year

  Theft from a vehicle

  Burglary in a dwelling

  1979

  5,478

  4,439

  1980

  6,328

  5,777

  1981

  8,305

  6,557

  1982

  9,548

  7,744

  1983

  9,933

  9,015

  1984

  11,611

  10,476

  1985

  10,407

  9,057

  1986

  12,230

  11,125

  1987

  13,821

  11,712

  1988

  14,033

  10,213

  1989

  16,055

  10,132

  1990

  19,315

  12,126

  1991

  21,848

  15,085

  1992

  22,572

  18,372

  1993

  25,016

  25,230

  1994

  23,304

  25,563

  1995

  24,217

  22,235

  604
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the clear-up rates of recorded(a) car break-ins and (b) burglaries in South Yorkshire in each year since 1979. [39243]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in the table.

  Clear-up rates in South Yorkshire

  Percentages

  Year

  Theft from a vehicle

  Burglary

  1979

  30

  40

  1980

  24

  36

  1981

  33

  44

  1982

  37

  39

  1983

  40

  40

  1984

  29

  31

  1985

  37

  41

  1986

  30

  36

  1987

  31

  35

  1988

  35

  44

  1989

  33

  36

  1990

  37

  36

  1991

  29

  27

  1992

  16

  17

  1993

  8

  13

  1994

  13

  20

  1995

  12

  22

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average age of people convicted of(a) car theft and (b) burglary in South Yorkshire in each of the last five years. [39240]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information for 1990 to 1994 on the number of offenders convicted at all courts in the South Yorkshire police force area by age is given in the tables. Data for 1995 will not be available until the autumn.

  Table A: Number of persons convicted at all courts of (a) car theft and (b) burglary offences in the South Yorkshire Police Force Area by age, 1990

  Age

  Car theft1

  Domestic burglary

  Burglary Non domestic burglary

  Total burglary

  10

  1

  2

  —

  2

  11

  2

  6

  5

  11

  12

  4

  8

  4

  12

  13

  10

  14

  21

  35

  14

  17

  22

  25

  47

  15

  68

  35

  47

  82

  16

  85

  50

  44

  94

  17

  197

  91

  75

  166

  18

  172

  53

  105

  158

  19

  139

  70

  88

  158

  20

  90

  34

  66

  100

  21 and under 25

  196

  120

  188

  308

  25 and under 30

  264

  48

  101

  149

  30 and under 40

  24

  32

  45

  77

  40 and under 50

  7

  9

  20

  29

  50 and under 60

  2

  3

  6

  9

  60 and over

  —

  —

  —

  —

  All ages

  1,078

  597

  840

  1,437

  1 Car theft includes the indictable offences of theft from vehicles; theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle car and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance.

  2 Includes persons, convicted of summary offences, given the default age of 25 where the exact age was not known.

  605

  Table B: Number of persons convicted at all courts of (a) car theft and (b) burglary offences in the South Yorkshire Police Force Area by age, 1991

  Age

  Car theft1

  Domestic burglary

  Burglary Non domestic burglary

  Total burglary

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1

  1

  2

  3

  12

  10

  8

  9

  17

  13

  14

  18

  7

  25

  14

  36

  25

  16

  41

  15

  100

  43

  45

  88

  16

  102

  43

  56

  99

  17

  123

  58

  61

  119

  18

  156

  79

  89

  168

  19

  114

  71

  77

  148

  20

  108

  55

  77

  132

  21 and under 25

  206

  108

  202

  310

  25 and under 30

  272

  68

  117

  185

  30 and under 40

  47

  44

  72

  116

  40 and under 50

  9

  9

  20

  29

  50 and under 60

  3

  2

  5

  7

  60 and over

  —

  —

  1

  1

  All ages

  1,101

  632

  856

  1,488

  1 Car theft includes the indictable offences of theft from vehicles; theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle car and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance.

  2 Includes persons, convicted of summary offences, given the default age of 25 where the exact age was not known.

  Table C: Number of persons convicted at all courts of (a) car theft and (b) burglary offences in the South Yorkshire Police Force Area by age, 1992

  Age

  Car theft1

  Domestic burglary

  Burglary Non domestic burglary

  Total burglary

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  —

  2

  1

  3

  12

  1

  2

  3

  5

  13

  10

  15

  9

  24

  14

  13

  17

  17

  34

  15

  49

  25

  35

  60

  16

  66

  47

  51

  98

  17

  103

  80

  69

  149

  18

  98

  70

  64

  134

  19

  113

  56

  65

  121

  20

  96

  42

  70

  112

  21 and under 25

  173

  130

  159

  289

  25 and under 30

  283

  55

  102

  157

  30 and under 40

  37

  31

  89

  120

  40 and under 50

  5

  9

  22

  31

  50 and under 60

  1

  1

  2

  3

  60 and over

  1

  —

  1

  1

  All ages

  849

  582

  759

  1,341

  1 Car theft includes the indictable offences of aggravated vehicle taking—injury to person, damage to property of care (as from 1 April 1992); theft from vehicles; theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle car and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance and aggravated vehicle taking where criminal damage of £2,000 or under (as from 1 April 1992).

  2 Includes persons, convicted of summary offences, given the default age of 25 where the exact age was not known.

  606

  Table D: Number of persons convicted at all courts of (a) car theft and (b) burglary offences in the South Yorkshire Police Force Area by age, 1993

  Age

  Car theft1

  Domestic-burglary

  Burglary Non domestic burglary

  Total burglary

  10

  —

  1

  —

  1

  11

  1

  —

  —

  —

  12

  1

  2

  2

  4

  13

  10

  10

  8

  18

  14

  33

  23

  14

  37

  15

  29

  22

  27

  49

  16

  54

  37

  27

  64

  17

  72

  62

  45

  107

  18

  95

  41

  69

  110

  19

  79

  41

  46

  87

  20

  70

  46

  51

  97

  21 and under 25

  130

  103

  132

  235

  25 and under 30

  247

  52

  95

  147

  30 and under 40

  27

  31

  61

  92

  40 and under 50

  6

  4

  10

  14

  50 and under 60

  1

  2

  —

  2

  60 and over

  —

  —

  1

  1

  All ages

  655

  477

  588

  1,065

  1 Car theft includes the indictable offences of aggravated vehicle taking—injury to person, damage to property of car; theft from vehicles; theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle car and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance and aggravated vehicle taking where criminal damage of £2,000 or under.

  2 Includes persons, convicted of summary offences, given the default age of 25 where the exact age was not known.

  Table E: Number of persons convicted at all courts of (a) car theft and (b) burglary offences in the South Yorkshire Police Force Area by age, 1994

  Age

  Car theft1

  Domestic burglary

  Burglary Non domestic burglary

  Total burglary

  10

  1

  —

  —

  —

  11

  1

  —

  3

  3

  12

  4

  1

  3

  4

  13

  8

  10

  4

  14

  14

  22

  29

  14

  43

  15

  47

  45

  22

  67

  16

  60

  48

  36

  84

  17

  81

  52

  36

  88

  18

  92

  72

  41

  113

  19

  54

  43

  41

  84

  20

  57

  42

  27

  69

  21 and under 25

  124

  136

  137

  273

  25 and under 30

  254

  67

  81

  148

  30 and under 40

  26

  39

  65

  104

  40 and under 50

  6

  9

  15

  24

  50 and under 60

  —

  —

  3

  3

  60 and over

  2

  —

  1

  1

  All ages

  639

  593

  529

  1,122

  1 Car theft includes the indictable offences of aggravated vehicle taking—injury to person, damage to property of car theft from vehicles; theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle car and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance and aggravated vehicle taking where criminal damage of £2,000 or under.

  2 Includes persons, convicted of summary offences, given the default age of 25 where the exact age was not known.

  Road Traffic Regulations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to include the enforcement of road traffic regulations in the list of key policing objectives of 1996–97 and 1997–98. [38131]

  Mr. Maclean
  The key objectives for 1996–97 were announced on 15 December 1995. They do not include an objective on the enforcement of road traffic regulations. Consultation on the objectives for 1997–98 has not yet been completed.

  Police Driver Training Scheme
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the requirements of the police driver training scheme. [38133]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for individual chief constables to determine the extent to which their officers are trained to drive particular vehicles. The recommended criteria for police driver training are set out in the 1989 Association of Chief Officers of Police police driving report and the 1995 pursuits and pursuit training report.

  Involuntary Manslaughter
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to implement the recommendations contained in the Law Commission's report into involuntary manslaughter. [38130]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Law Commission's report on involuntary manslaughter raises some important but complex issues, which the Government are still considering.

  Speed Cameras (Fines)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to reinvest the revenue raised from fines resulting from enforcement

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Force

  Numbers requested

  Numbers granted

  Numbers requested

  Numbers1 granted

  Numbers requested

  Numbers1 granted

  Dyfed Powys

  50

  25

  75

  Nil

  75

  Nil

  Gwent

  10

  1

  37

  Nil

  65

  Nil

  North Wales

  30

  17

  58

  Nil

  58

  Nil

  South Wales

  44

  Nil

  44

  Nil

  61

  Nil

  1 In view of the constraints on public expenditure, no increases in establishments were approved for any force in England and Wales in 1993–94 or 1994–95.

  No applications were submitted for 1995–96. The centralised system of determining police numbers by setting an establishment of officers for each police force was abolished from 1 April 1995.

  Crime Statistics (Wales)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of reported(a) violent crimes, (b) burglaries and (c) assaults in each Welsh police authority in (i) 1979, (ii) 1985, (iii) 1990, and at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement. [39095]
  608
  work carried out by speed cameras in traffic police enforcement. [38132]

  Mr. Maclean
  Fine income from the enforcement of speeding offences by cameras, like all fine income, goes to the consolidated fund at the Treasury. It is not the Government's general policy to earmark that income to a particular area of expenditure. We believe that the best way to decide among the competing claims on taxpayers' money is to consider each on its merits and set priorities among them.

  Police Officers (Wales)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of police officers employed by each Welsh police authority in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [39194]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on police strength in individual force areas from 1979 to 1995 can be found in the appendix to the annual reports of Her Majesty's chief inspector of constabulary, copies of which are in the Library. Details of police strength for each Welsh force at 31 March are set out in the table:

  Police force

  Strength at 31 March 1996

  Dyfed-Powys

  991

  Gwent

  1,044

  North Wales

  1,378

  South Wales

  3,027

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new police officers each Welsh local police authority requested in the yearly settlement in each year since 1992; how many police officers they were awarded; and if he will make a statement. [39094]

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

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information relates to recorded offences and is given in the table.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in Wales

  Number of offences

  Violent crime

  Burglary

  Wounding

  Dyfed Powys

  1979

  773

  1,714

  499

  1985

  967

  2,743

  742

  1990

  2,176

  3,419

  1,763

  1995

  2,234

  3,515

  1,835

  Gwent

  1979

  1,330

  3,319

  1,028

  609

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in Wales

  Number of offences

  Violent crime

  Burglary

  Wounding

  1985

  1,792

  4,887

  1,493

  1990

  2,641

  5,235

  2,165

  1995

  2,991

  6,517

  2,423

  North Wales

  1979

  1,516

  4,656

  1,117

  1985

  1,908

  9,084

  1,557

  1990

  2,731

  8,342

  2,311

  1995

  2,699

  9,352

  2,167

  South Wales

  1979

  3,064

  17,900

  2,391

  1985

  3,146

  25,530

  2,698

  1990

  5,371

  28,121

  4,456

  1995

  7,584

  36,941

  6,094

  Parliamentary Questions (Meetings)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions ministerial conference and meeting rooms in the parliamentary estate have been booked in his name, or that of other Ministers in his Department, for meetings with Conservative hon. Members immediately preceding questions to his Department in the current parliamentary Session. [39516]

  Mr. Howard
  None.

  Departmental Vehicles (Traffic Violations)
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of traffic violations involving departmental vehicles, the nature of the violations, and the total amount of fines arising from those violations, in each year since 1986. [39313]

  Mr. Howard
  Figures for before February 1988 are not available, but the information requested since that date is as follows:

  February 1988-July 1992

  77 fixed penalty notices

  7 excess charge notices

  4 notice of intended prosecutions

  1 overloading

  Total fines £2,140

  July 1992-July 1993

  34 fixed penalty notices

  9 excess charge notices

  8 notice of intended prosecutions

  Total fines £1,516

  August 1993-mid-August 1994

  22 fixed penalty notices

  24 excess charge notices

  23 notice of intended prosecutions

  1 penalty charge notice

  1 standard charge notice

  Total fines £1,807

  Mid-August 1994-April 1995

  13 fixed penalty notices

  3 excess charge notices

  610

  29 notice of intended prosecutions

  18 penalty charge notices

  5 standard charge notices

  Total fines £1,875

  May 1995-December 1995

  24 fixed penalty notices

  17 notice of intended prosecutions

  6 penalty charge notices

  Total fines £1,770

  January 1996-Present

  3 fixed penalty notices

  2 excess charge notices

  12 notice of intended prosecutions

  15 penalty charge notices

  1 standard charge notice

  Total fines £836

  Details of the fines incurred by drivers who are prosecuted are not available.

  Immigration Carriers Liability Act 1987
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount of revenue raised from fines imposed under the Immigration Carriers Liability Act 1987 in each year since its introduction. [39292]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is as follows:

  £ million

  1987

  1.403

  1988

  2.274

  1989

  1.721

  1990

  3.433

  1991

  7.581

  1992

  4.789

  1993

  11.500

  1994

  8.652

  1995

  11.212

  1996 (to 30 June)

  4.335

  Drunk Driving
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b)convictions there have been for drunk driving in each year since 1979. [39320]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information, which relates to the number of prosecutions and convictions for the offence of "driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs", is contained in the table:

  Prosecutions and convictions at all courts for the offence of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, England and Wales

  Year

  Number of prosecutions

  Number of convictions

  1979

  74,550

  66,701

  1980

  87,967

  78,093

  1981

  82,051

  71,352

  1982

  85,558

  75,005

  611

  Prosecutions and convictions at all courts for the offence of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, England and Wales

  Year

  Number of prosecutions

  Number of convictions

  1983

  111,450

  98,016

  1984

  116,244

  101,469

  1985

  121,239

  106,766

  1986

  121,233

  107,059

  1987

  130,533

  115,097

  1988

  135,825

  119,033

  1989

  129,122

  114,347

  1990

  127,638

  113,166

  1991

  118,584

  103,821

  1992

  110,208

  95,207

  1993

  105,158

  91,198

  1994

  104,690

  89,700

  Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Opportunist Crimes (Traffic Lights)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice his Department has issued to (i) police forces and (ii) the public on countering opportunist crimes at traffic lights. [39561]

  Mr. Maclean
  Advice on preventing this kind of crime is contained in a number of Home Office publications.

  The Home Office crime prevention agency handbook, "Your Practical Guide to Crime Prevention", contains advice on personal safety, which includes advice on safety while driving, much of which is relevant to this kind of opportunistic crime. More specific guidance is also included in "Steer Clear of Car Crime", which the Home Office produced in 1995. Copies of these publications are distributed to forces in England and Wales, and are passed on through crime prevention officers to the general public.

  As with all crime prevention advice produced by the Home Office, great care is taken to ensure that it is not fear inducing.

  Advice on safety while driving is also included in the crime prevention manual produced by the Home Office crime prevention college. Crime prevention officers retain the manual on completion of their training.

  Young Runaways
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Centrepoint-National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children report, "Nowhere to Hide: Giving Young Runaways a Voice", a copy of which has been sent to him; and what progress has been made since the inter-departmental and inter-agency meetings in 1992. [39650]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have not received a copy of the report but will be glad to look at it should a copy be sent to us.

  The Home Office has funded the Police National Missing Persons Bureau, which was set up in 1994 as a national resource for information on vulnerable persons, including juveniles, who have been reported as missing for over 28 days, and those who have been missing for less than 28 days but whose disappearance gives ground for concern.

  Metropolitan Police
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the civilianisation of posts within the Metropolitan police service. [39572]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner that, during the last 10 financial years, 2,592 non-operational police posts have been civilianised within the Metropolitan police.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the future role of the Metropolitan police service in undertaking the coroner's assistant duty; [39570]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the annual (i) cost to the Metropolitan police service for undertaking the coroner's assistant role and (ii) the number of hours that the Metropolitan police spend on coroner's assistant duties. [39574]

  Mr. Maclean
  There are no plans for the Metropolitan police to withdraw from undertaking the coroner's assistant duty. A programme of civilianisation of the role of coroner's officer, releasing police officers for other operational duties, will be completed in September this year. I understand from the Commissioner that the annual cost of the coroner's assistant role is £1.6 million, representing 180,000 hours.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police vehicles were on operational duty with the Metropolitan police service in each of the last five years; and how many are currently on operational duty. [39571]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information in the table has been supplied by the Commissioner of Police of the Metroplitan. The figures exclude boats, trailers, instructional vehicles, industrial and agricultural equipment, air support units and other miscellaneous vehicles.

  Year (as at 31 March)

  Operational fleet

  1991

  3,934

  1992

  4,028

  1993

  4,037

  1994

  3,948

  1995

  4,029

  1996

  4,192

  Current

  4,289

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by the Metropolitan police in each of their divisions in the financial year 1995–96; how much is budgeted to be spent in each division in 1996–97; and how many full-time police officers are currently employed in each division. [39692]

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

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recruits from training school are being taken on by police stations in the Metropolitan police service in the current year; and how many were in each of the last five years. [39573]
  613
  Mr. Maclean
  The information has been obtained from the Metropolitan police Commissioner and is given in the table.

  Calendar year

  Number of recruits

  1991

  1,128

  1992

  877

  1993

  1,358

  1994

  1,248

  1995

  1,012

  1996 (to date)

  442

  Mr. Brian Parsons
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he estimates that solicitors acting for Mr. Brian Parsons will be granted full disclosure of material arising from recent investigations by the Devon and Cornwall police, in accordance with the Hickey ruling. [39608]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Officials are arranging for the appropriate material to be disclosed to Mr. Parsons' solicitors within the terms of the divisional court judgment in ex-parte Hickey et al. We would expect to make this disclosure in the next fortnight.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he indicated to the solicitor for Mr. Brian Parsons that the scenes of crime video relating to his case would be disclosed; and when he expects it will be disclosed. [39607]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Disclosure of the scenes of crime video is entirely a matter for the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police. I understand, however, that a copy is to be made available to Mr. Parsons' solicitor this week.

  Fine Defaulters
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) of those fine defaulters who have received a custodial sentence in the last year for which figures are available, what is the average sentence(a) imposed and (b) served; [39703]

  (2) what percentage of the average prison population in the last year for which figures are available has consisted of fine defaulters. [39701]

  Miss Widdecombe
  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.

  Letter from David Scott to Mr. Walter Sweeney, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about fine defaulters.
  I will write to you with a full reply as soon as possible.

  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce community service orders and combination orders as alternatives to custody for fine defaulters. [39702]
  614
  Mr. Maclean
  Together with the Lord Chancellor, my right hon. and learned Friend and I are reviewing the powers and procedures available to the courts to ensure that they can enforce payment of fines without restoring to imprisonment save in the most exceptional of circumstances. Alternative options for fine enforcement under consideration include the possibility of a community-based penalty instead of imprisonment for fine default.

  Prisoners (Correspondence from Members)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of the Prison Service in respect of opening letters from hon. Members to serving prisoners. [39656]

  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 David Scott to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Prison Service policy on the opening of letters to prisoners from honourable Members.
  I will write to you with a full reply as soon as possible.

  Prisoners (Taxis)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 July,Official Report, column 171, if he will list the (a) destinations and (b) cost of each prisoner and accompanying officers transported by taxi at Doncaster prison. [39805]

  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 David Scott to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about (a) destinations and (b) the cost of each prisoner and accompanying officers transported by taxi at Doncaster prison.
  I will write to you with a full reply as soon as possible.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 July,Official Report, columns 269–70, if he will list the (a) destinations and (b) cost of each prisoner and accompanying officers transported by taxi at The Wolds prison. [39806]

  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 David Scott to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the (a) destinations and (b) cost of each prisoner and accompanying officers transported by taxi at Wolds prison.
  I will write to you with a full reply as soon as possible.

  Liquor Licensing Legislation (Proposed Charges)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations to which the document "Proposed Changes to the Liquor Licensing Legislation to Extend Permitted Hours on Friday and Saturday Nights", has been distributed; and if he will make a statement on the measures he has taken to consult the public on this issue. [39071]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The organisations to which I sent the consultation paper were detailed in the reply I gave on 19 June to a question from the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) at columns 466–67. I also sent copies to each hon. Member and issued a press release. Publication was widely reported in national and local newspapers and in the trade press. I have made it clear that I welcome comments from any individual or organisation.

  Crimes (Firearms)
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) homicides, (b) attempted murder and other acts of endangering life, (c) other offences of violence against the person, (d) robberies, (e) burglaries, (f) offences of criminal damage and (g) other offences were recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used in England and Wales in 1995; [39774]

  (2) how many notifiable offences were recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used in England and Wales in 1995. [39773]

  Mr. Maclean
  The latest available information on offences recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used was published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1994", Cm 3010, chapter 3 and table 3.1. A copy of this publication is in the Library. Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Prison Farms
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison farms have won prizes for their livestock at agricultural shows; and if he will list them. [39683]

  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 David Scott to Mr. Barry Field, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General form the office, to reply to your recent Question about prison farms that have won prizes for their livestock at agricultural shows.
  I will write to you with a full reply as soon as possible.

  Animal Experiments
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet representatives of Naturewatch to discuss its proposal for a royal commission on animal experiments; and if he will make a statement. [39567]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have received a letter from Naturewatch requesting a meeting. I am replying that 616
  I can see no purpose in such a meeting and am not persuaded of the need for a royal commission.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of the organisations in Birmingham which his Department has licensed to carry out experiments using animals. [39783]

  Mr. Sackville
  Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prohibits the publication of such information.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits (i) he and (ii) his Ministers made to(a) the Newbury constituency and (b) other constituencies in the last 12 months. [39875]

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Convicted Prisoners (Earnings)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages of allowing convicted prisoners to build up a reserve of income earned while in prison which can be paid to them on release; and if he will make a statement. [39881]

  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 A. J. Pearson to Mr. Patrick Nicholls, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about an assessment of the advantages of allowing convicted prisoners to build up a reserve of income which can be paid to them on release.
  I will write to you as soon as possible with a full reply.

  Asylum Seekers
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people who had applied for asylum were detained in Birmingham prison during May and June; and what were the nationalities of those detained; [39980]

  (2) how many people who had applied for asylum were deported from Birmingham prison during May and June; and what were the nationalities of those deported; [40003]

  (3) how many people were detained in Birmingham prison, under Immigration Act powers, in May and June; and what were the nationalities of those detained; [40000]

  (4) how many of those people detained in Birmingham prison under Immigration Act powers were deported during May and June; and what were the nationalities of those deported; [40001]

  (5) how many people were deported under Immigration Act powers from the United Kingdom for April, May and June; and what were the nationalities of those deported; [40004]

  (6) how many people (a) applied and (b) were granted asylum in January, February, March and April;

  617
  and if he will indicate the nationalities of those granted asylum; [40035]

  (7) how many people were deported under Immigration Act powers from Winson Green prison in 1995; [40037]

  (8) how many women were detained in prison, under Immigration Act powers, in January, February, March, April, May and June; and what were the nationalities of those detained. [40038]

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

  Prisoners (Gender Dysphoria)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people imprisoned for longer than two years are receiving treatment for gender dysphoria; [40024]

  (2) how many people diagnosed as suffering from gender dysphoria have been imprisoned in each of the last five years. [40025]

  Miss Widdecombe
  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.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about prisoners who are diagnosed as suffering form gender diaspora.
  I will write to you as soon as possible with a full reply.

  Special Constabulary
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the report of the working group on the special constabulary has been completed; when it will be available; and if he will make a statement. [40083]

  Mr. Maclean
  The working group has completed its work and I hope to make an announcement about the Government response to the working group's recommendations shortly. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available.

  Hypnotism Act 1952
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the review of the Hypnotism Act 1952 will be completed; and if revised guidance will be issued. [40084]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Consultation with interested parties has now been completed. Guidance to local authorities incorporating revised model conditions to be applied to stage hypnotism performances, will be issued at the beginning of August. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Horseracing Betting Levy
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to publish the report on the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy. [40085]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  An assessment of the impact of the national lottery on the horserace betting levy has been 618
  published today. This fulfils an undertaking made during the passage of the National Lottery etc. Bill.

  The paper has been prepared by the economics unit of the Home Office. It examines trends in off-course betting expenditure, on which the levy closely depends. The main conclusions are as follows: off-course betting expenditure during 1995 was 6 per cent. lower in real terms than in 1994; a statistical analysis of trends in off-course betting expenditure suggests that it might have been expected to rise by about 5 per cent. in real terms during this period; the study indicates that the national lottery has reduced spending on off-course betting although other special factors, such as the fixture list, may also be involved; and some uncertainty remains about the importance of other special factors and estimates of the size of the national lottery's effect remain imprecise.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 June,Official Report, columns 141–42, about funding for closed circuit television, (1) how many cameras it is estimated this funding will lead to; [40097]

  (2) how much money has been allocated so far to schemes to install closed circuit television. [40098]

  Mr. Maclean
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reply to the letter from Ken Peace of the United Reformed Church Tees district council about immigration matters dated 16 May. [39027]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: A reply was sent to Mr. Peace on 22 July.

  Departmental Legal Costs
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 July,Official Report, column 550, which sections in his Department made the payments for external legal costs in the cases in which his Departments has been judged to have acted unlawfully; which section or office holder is responsible for ensuring that these external costs are not excessive and how this is achieved; where the records are kept of each case in the last five years in which his Department's actions have been judged to be unlawful; if the personal injury claims arose from the unlawful action; what was the method of recording the total external legal costs of each of these actions; and if Ministers are informed of costs (a) as cases progress and (b) at the end of a case. [38887]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: My previous reply of 17 July, Official Report, column 550, explained that my Department does not keep central records of all the legal cases against it over the past 200 years. In the circumstances it is impossible to provide the details requested without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Prisons (Purposeful Activity)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (i) the latest
  619
  available figures, (ii) the figures for 1992, (iii) those for 1988 and (iv) those for 1987 for the average amount of time prisoners spend in purposeful activity in each category C prison. [38748]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: 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. George Howarth, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the average amount of time prisoners spend in purposeful activity in each category C prison.
  The most recent information is given in the attached table.
  The figures for 1987, 1988 and 1992 are currently unavailable. I will write to you when they become available.

  Average number of hours per week spent in purposeful activity— Category C prisons

  Establishment

  1995–96

  June 1996

  Acklington

  25.8

  27.9

  Aldington

  n/a

  n/a

  Ashwell

  33.9

  33.3

  Blantyre House

  33.4

  n/a

  Brockhill

  34.7

  35.6

  Camp Hill

  28.5

  26.7

  Channings Wood

  28.2

  27.4

  Coldingley

  28.2

  n/a

  Downview

  28.8

  32

  Erlestoke

  31.2

  25.3

  Everthorpe

  29.8

  23.2

  Featherstone

  27.6

  24.8

  Haverigg

  35.2

  36.4

  Highpoint

  22.4

  18

  Kirklevington

  44.9

  45.2

  Lancaster

  25.8

  n/a

  Latchmere House

  61.9

  n/a

  Lindholme

  27.9

  26.5

  Littlehey

  32.2

  n/a

  Mount

  27.0

  20

  Ranby

  32.5

  30.4

  Risley

  28.9

  19.5

  Send

  32.7

  35.8

  Shepton Mallet

  26.2

  24.7

  Stafford

  27.2

  28.4

  Stocken

  33.2

  29.3

  Usk

  35.9

  36.7

  Verne

  30.9

  33.2

  Wayland

  26.2

  27.1

  Wealstun closed

  n/a

  n/a

  Wellingborough

  28.6

  n/a

  Whatton

  32.3

  32.8

  Wymott

  37.4

  n/a

  Prisons (Rehabilitative Courses)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (i) the latest available figures, (ii) the figures for 1992, (iii) those for 1988, and (iv) those for 1987 for the average number of hours prisoners spend on rehabilitative courses aimed at addressing(a) offending behaviour and (b) drug use for each category C prison. [38751]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: 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.
  620
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of hours prisoners spend on rehabilitative courses aimed at addressing offending behaviour and drug use for each category C prison.
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of hours which prisoners spend on rehabilitative courses addressing drug use, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  Information on courses designed to address offending behaviour is not available before 1992–93. The latest available figures for the number of completed courses and the hours involved in 1992–93 and 1995–96 for those category C prisons running such courses are given in the attached table.
  Sex offender treatment programme
  1992–93: total hours 17,040 (no details are available of the breakdown between different establishments, although it is estimated that category C prisons account for 50 per cent. of the total).
  1995–96: total hours 32,220.

  Hours

  Whatton

  8,100

  Rochester

  1,440

  Wayland

  4,140

  Channings Wood

  3,060

  Usk

  4,140

  Littlehey

  720

  Acklington

  2,700

  Wymott

  5,400

  Risley

  2.520

  Total completions

  179

  Relapse prevention—Pilot programme in 1995–96

  1995–96: 336 hours.

  Reasoning and rehabilitation

  Not run in any category C prisons at present.

  Thinking skills

  Figures not available for 1992–93 as this course was piloted in 1993–94.

  1995–96: total hours 4,844.

  Hours

  Channings Wood

  196

  Wayland

  252

  Rochester

  644

  Whatton

  532

  Elmley

  420

  Wymott

  1,980

  Stocken

  840

  Total completions

  Prisons (Cell Sharing)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (i) the latest available figures, (ii) the figures for 1992, (iii) those for 1988 and (iv) those for 1987 for the number of prisoners sharing two to a cell designed for one for each category C prison. [38747]

  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.
  621
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners sharing two to a cell designed for one, for each category C prison in 1987, 1988, 1992 and currently.
  The latest available information is for June 1996. There were 842 prisoners in category C prisons sharing cells certified to hold one.
  The attached table shows the figures for each prison.

  Prison

  June 1987

  June 1988

  June 1992

  June 1996

  Stafford

  688

  394

  108

  378

  Lancaster

  106

  116

  128

  106

  Camp Hill

  152

  150

  40

  0

  Shepton Mallet

  26

  20

  114

  76

  Latchmere House

  118

  124

  0

  0

  Brockhill

  0

  0

  34

  0

  Usk

  0

  0

  0

  80

  Channings Wood

  0

  0

  0

  1186

  Buckley Hall

  0

  0

  0

  16

  Total

  1,090

  804

  424

  842

  1 Following the decanting of a wing for refurbishment.

  Prisons (Unlocked Time)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the latest available figures, (ii) the figures for 1992, (in) those for 1988 and (iv) those for 1987 for the average amount of time prisoners spend unlocked on weekdays for each category C prison. [38749]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: 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. George Howarth, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the average amount of time prisoners spend unlocked on weekdays for each category C prison.
  The latest available figures are given in the attached table.
  Figures for 1987, 1988 and 1992 are currently unavailable and I will write to you when they are available.

  Establishment

  1995–96

  June 1996

  Acklington

  12.1

  12.1

  Aldington

  11.8

  11.2

  Ashwell

  15.5

  15.5

  Blantyre House

  15.3

  15.3

  Brockhill

  12.0

  12.3

  Camp Hill

  12.1

  12.1

  Channings Wood

  11.3

  11.3

  Coldingley

  13.0

  13.5

  Downview

  11.5

  11.5

  Erlestoke

  12.8

  11.1

  Everthorpe

  9.7

  8.4

  Featherstone

  10.3

  10.3

  Haverigg

  12.8

  12.8

  Highpoint

  13.0

  13.0

  Kirklevington

  n/a

  n/a

  Lancaster

  11.5

  11.5

  Latchmere House

  n/a

  n/a

  Lindholme

  15.2

  15.2

  Littlehey

  10.5

  10.5

  Mount

  12.2

  12.2

  622

  Establishment

  1995–96

  June 1996

  Ranby

  13.3

  13.0

  Risley

  10.9

  11.0

  Send

  12.8

  12.8

  Shepton Mallet

  12.0

  12.0

  Stafford

  9.5

  n/a

  Stocken

  12.5

  12.5

  Usk

  12.0

  12.0

  Verne

  14.5

  14.5

  Wayland

  12.0

  12.0

  Wealstun closed

  12.5

  11.4

  Wellingborough

  12.0

  12.0

  Whatton

  12.8

  12.8

  Wymott

  13.3

  12.3

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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 past 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. [39149]

  Mr. Howard
  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, provide direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.

  Over the past year, my Department has shown its continued commitment to helping small businesses by taking further forward its wide-ranging programme of deregulation. Measures which have come into effect in this period include; the Licensing (Sunday Hours) Act 1995, which abolished the compulsory Sunday afternoon break for on-licensed premises and registered clubs and, subject to the restrictions on shop opening hours in the Sunday Trading Act 1994, permits off-licensees to sell alcohol from 10 am until 10.30 pm on Sundays; an order to relax certain controls on greyhound racing; an order introducing provisional special hours certificates for licensed premises and reinstating the hour lost to nightclubs at the start of summer time; an order to repeal the "long pull" offence of serving over-measures of alcohol; and an order to amend the law on gaming machines and betting office facilities to provide for, among other things, £10 all cash amusement-with-prizes machines and more jackpot machines in permitted premises.

  In addition, draft deregulation orders have been laid which will allow 16 and 17-year-olds on approved training schemes to work in the bars of licensed premises and extend betting office licences and bookmakers' permits to three years.

  In May we announced the Government's decisions on the fire safety scrutiny and issued a consultation document containing draft regulations to implement the outstanding fire safety aspects of the European Community framework and workplace directives. The aims of our work on fire safety have been to maintain necessary fire standards and

  623
  to meet our EC obligations in a way which minimises burdens on business.

  Many of the deregulatory measures which were given effect this year by the Home Office were started in the previous 12 months; the achievements of that period were given in my reply of 19 July 1995 to my hon. Friend.

  Since the beginning of the deregulation programme, 13 of the 38 Home Office regulations which impact on business have so far been repealed or amended.

  Further candidates for deregulation are under active consideration.

  Small businesses also continue to benefit from Home Office action on crime prevention. Our programme of introducing closed circuit television across the country is progressing well. On 21 June, I announced the results of the second CCTV challenge competition: 259 winning bidders are sharing the prize fund of over £17 million, in amounts ranging from £3,000 to £250,000. On the same day, I announced a further challenge competition, with £15 million available, for 1997–98. Many small businesses have benefited from reductions in crime following the introduction of CCTV cameras in their areas. Crime prevention guides for small retailers have been widely distributed to all business link shops and a large number of retail organisations.

  The Home Office and its agencies have signed the CBI's prompt payment code outlining good practice in handling payments. We are committed to improving our performance, and particularly recognise the impact of late payment on small suppliers. We have recently appointed a small business adviser and issued a new guidance booklet for suppliers which contains information on prompt payment, including a direct contact point for late payment complaints. It also includes information on business links and opportunities for small firms.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 June,Official Report, column 67, how many interim awards have been made in each of the last three years to applicants by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and how long each applicant had been waiting when they received their interim awards. [39016]

  Mr. Maclean
  The board advises me that 6,492 interim awards were made in 1993–94, 4,885 in 1994–95 and 6,391 in 1995–96, the latter being a provisional figure.

  Interim awards are made in appropriate cases either at the instigation of the board, or on the applicant's request which may be received some time after the original application. Data on the period which had elapsed from the original application to an interim payment in each case are not readily available, but the board's records indicate that in the above cases the shortest period was five months and the longest 26 months.

  Landmark Education
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many employees of(a) the Prison Service and (b) his Department have been sent on courses run by Landmark Education; and if he will list the numbers in each grade in each case; [37998]
  624
  (2) what is the cost to public funds of sending employees of the Prison Service on courses run by Landmark Education to date; and what cost is projected for 1996–97 and 1997–98; [37999]

  (3) what inquiries have been made as to the links between Landmark Education and Erhard Seminar Training in the United States. [38000]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information requested is not readily available from individual Prison Service establishments and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. There is no record of any member of Home Office staff outside Prison Service establishments attending any course run by Landmark Education over the past three years. No inquiries have been made about this organisation.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) contracts entered into with and (b) funds provided to (i) the Forum, (ii) the Breakthrough Foundation and (iii) Youth at Risk by (1) the Prison Service and (2) his Department; and what representations have been made by (i), (ii) and (iii) to (1) and (2). [38001]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The Home Office and its agencies have not had any contracts with, nor provided funds to, the Forum, the Breakthrough Foundation or Youth at Risk. In an organisation as large and diverse as the Home Office it is not possible to record every single approach by such organisations, but we are aware that the Prison Service has sent a representative to a Youth at Risk presentation and information from both Forum and Youth at Risk has been received by it in the form of mail-shots.

  Statistical Forms
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the statistical forms issued to businesses by his Department indicating the number of each sent out. [38679]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: My Department does not issue any forms to businesses on a regular basis although ad hoc surveys of businesses are carried out from time to time. The last one to be carried out involving the issue of questionnaires was carried out on a voluntary basis in 1994. Some 850 questionnaires were issued to inform policy on the extent and circumstances of heavy goods vehicle theft.

  Fire Safety Cover
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will meet the Fire Brigades Union, hon. Members and other interested parties to discuss the problems of fire safety cover. [38942]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: My right hon. and learned Friend would like to consider this request, but the hon. Member has not been specific enough about which hon. Members and the subject matter to be discussed or whether it is a general request or concerns a particular fire authority. However, on the position in respect of the hon. Member's own fire

  625
  authority my right hon. and noble Friend wrote to the hon. Member on 19 July.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Farm Woodland Premium Scheme
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes are proposed to the farm woodland premium scheme. [40043]

  Mr. Baldry
  The farm woodland premium scheme has been the subject of evaluations and a policy review. The Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have today laid before the House a report setting out the changes proposed; subject to approval by Parliament and the European Commission, most changes will take effect from next April. A consultation document will be issued shortly.

  Beef Farmers
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he proposes to allocate the 34 mecu of aid for United Kingdom beef farmers agreed by the Agriculture Council at its meeting on 24 to 26 June; and if he will make a statement. [40045]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Agriculture Ministers have agreed to distribute this money to beef producers in respect of the number of adult clean cattle marketed in the period 20 March to 30 June for slaughter for human

  April 1996

  May 1996

  June 1996

  Number of visits

  Number of unsatisfactory visits

  Percentage unsatisfactory

  Number of visits

  Number of unsatisfactory visits

  Percentage unsatisfactory

  Number of visits

  Number of unsatisfactory visits

  Percentage unsatisfactory

  Slaughterhouses

  281

  4

  1.4

  313

  0

  0

  268

  2

  0.7

  Hunt kennels and knackeries

  265

  9

  3.4

  248

  13

  5.2

  213

  4

  1.9

  Rendering plants1

  13

  0

  0

  10

  0

  0

  11

  1

  9.1

  Incinerators1

  27

  1

  3.7

  32

  1

  3.1

  24

  4

  16.7

  1 Rendering plants and incinerators have to be specifically approved to handle SBOs; only a small number of such plants are so approved.

  These results demonstrate an overall continuing trend of improvement in the handling of SBMs since the intensive surveillance programme began in September 1995.

  It is disappointing that deficiencies continue to be found in small numbers of premises, and pressure is being maintained to improve the situation. However, the majority of the failings in SBM handling found were relatively mild, for example, problems with staining or with record keeping, which would not present a direct risk to public or animal health. There have been no instances of the most serious failing, of leaving spinal cord attached to carcases, since March 1996.

  The Meat Hygiene Service is responsible for enforcing the SBM controls in slaughterhouses in Great Britain. The agency has developed detailed new protocols for the application of SBM controls. It has also established arrangements for specific refresher training on SBM controls for all inspection staff, and introduced a programme of SBM audit to ensure that SBM controls are
  626
  consumption. We plan to issue forms to producers in the week beginning 5 August and begin payments in late September. Payments will be at a flat rate per animal, to be set once the number of valid claims has been determined. Firm evidence that the animals concerned were on their holding before 20 March and were marketed for slaughter no later than 30 June will be required. In addition to the £29 million—34 mecu—available to farmers under this one-off measure, supplementary payments worth up to £81 million will be made to farmers who received suckler cow and beef special premium for the 1995 scheme years. I welcome the further assistance that will thus be given to hard-pressed beef producers.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the state veterinary service's surveillance of the handling of specified offals in April, May and June; and if he will make a statement. [40079]

  Mrs. Browning
  The controls on specified bovine material, previously termed specified bovine offals, are central to the protection of public health from any risk from BSE. Full compliance with them is of paramount importance in combating the disease. They require the removal of all those tissues known potentially to harbour BSE infectivity from all cattle at slaughter.

  The state veterinary service carries out regular unannounced visits to all plants handling SBMs to monitor their compliance with the controls. Results of its surveillance visits in April, May and June are as follows:

  being fully complied with and properly enforced. This is in addition to the surveillance visits carried out by the SVS. To implement the enhanced supervision of SBM, over 300 meat inspection staff have been recruited by the MHS. This intense effort by the MHS to perfect the application of the existing SBM controls is reflected in these SVS surveillance results.

  Slaughterhouses face prosecution for significant breaches of the SBM controls, when sufficient evidence is available. At present, two plants have been successfully prosecuted and several more are under investigation with a view to prosecution.

  The SVS will continue regular unannounced visits to all plants handling SBMs. The MHS will continue to enforce rules most vigorously, and press for prosecutions where there is sufficient evidence to support a case.

  In future information on this subject will be available in the BSE enforcement bulletin which is to be published at the end of each month. Copies of the bulletin will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
  627
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's estimate of the number of cattle with pre-clinical symptoms of BSE that have been slaughtered and entered the food chain. [32172]

  Mrs. Browning
  For the purpose of these calculations we have assumed that the risk of exposure of cattle to contaminated feed has not reduced beyond the level experienced in 1990. This is because the number of cases in cattle born in later years is still too small to make more accurate calculations. On the basis of recent modelling studies over 600,000 infected cattle which had not developed clinical symptoms may have been slaughtered for human consumption. The vast majority of these animals would have been born in 1988. It is precisely because we recognised that some pre-clinical cases would enter the human food chain that the SBO, now SBM, controls were introduced in 1989.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the European Commission was notified of Her Majesty's Government's decision to designate the thymus and intestine of calves under six months old as specified bovine offal; and what form that notification took. [35749]

  Mrs. Browning
  The amendment to the Bovine Offal (Prohibition) Regulations, which extended the specified bovine offal ban to include thymus and intestines from calves under six months of age, was notified to the Commission on 26 July 1994. The notification was made under the emergency provisions of EC directive 83/189, as amended, laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action was taken to inform(a) other EU member states and (b) the European Commission of the United Kingdom's decisions and regulations put in place relating to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, with particular reference to public and animal health during (a) 1994, and (b) 1995. [35748]

  Mrs. Browning
  All Great Britain legislation relating to BSE which was put in place during 1994 and 1995 was notified to the Commission in accordance with EC directive 83/189, as amended, laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the highest numbers of BSE cases at an individual farm in Lancashire and North Yorkshire since the epidemic began; and what percentage this represents of the cattle on the farm over that period. [37391]

  Mrs. Browning
  As at 18 July the highest number of cases on an individual farm, excluding dealers, is 44 for Lancashire and 93 for North Yorkshire. All the 44 cases were homebred; of the 93 cases, only 11 were homebred. Since the epidemic began, this represents 15.7 per cent. of the herd on the Lancashire farm and 22.1 per cent. of the herd on the North Yorkshire farm.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines his Department has produced governing the method of removal of the brains 628
  of cattle to prevent the spread of BSE into the human food chain; on what date these guidelines were published; what was the interval between publication and the inclusion of brain material as banned specified offal; and if he will make a statement. [37427]

  Mrs. Browning
  On 13 November 1989 the Bovine Offal Prohibition Regulations came into force which banned the brain and certain other offals for human consumption. Guidance was issued to local authorities on 14 June 1990 which advised MAFF considered that bovine head meat must be recovered from the intact skull before the brain was removed. The Agricultural Select Committee considered the issue of head splitting further and recommended that the harvesting of head meat before the removal of brain should be set down in legislation. The Bovine Offal (Prohibition) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 came into force on 12 March 1992 which prohibited the removal of the brain from the head of a bovine animal in a head boning plant except in an area which was free at all times from food intended for human consumption.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each occasion in the last two months in which his Department has consulted farmers directly about policy development concerning BSE and the beef crisis; and if he will make a statement. [37365]

  Mrs. Browning
  During May and June 1996 farming organisations were consulted on the following issues:

  issues

  3 May 1996

  Proposal for a mature beef assurance scheme

  6 June 1996

  Proposal for introduction of cattle passports

  7 June 1996

  Specified bovine materials (SBM) controls in abattoirs

  10 June 1996

  Feed recall scheme

  12 June 1996

  The Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) Regulations 1996

  26 June 1996

  SBM Controls—treatment of particulate matter derived from SBM

  In addition, the Government have written to farmers on a number of occasions to update them on current measures and the Government/industry working group on animal traceability has met regularly during May and June.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of cattle that contracted BSE as a result of the failure of Tenderers to comply in the production, distribution and supply of rendered material with BSE-related control regulations since 1989. [31252]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: No such estimates are available. However, up to 1 July 1996 there have been 27,963 confirmed cases of BSE in animals born after the ruminant protein feed ban, which was introduced in July 1988.

  Epidemiological investigations carried out following the occurrence of BSE in animals born after the feed ban suggested that exposure was likely to be from a feed-borne source due to cross-contamination of feeding stuffs containing meat and bone meal at the feed mill, in transit or on farm.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures have been introduced to destroy bovine spongiform encephalopathy infectivity during gelatine purification, what are the arrangements for
  629
  ensuring these are implemented; and if he will make a statement. [33893]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 June 1996]: No new procedures have been introduced in the gelatine manufacturing process as the specified bovine materials controls in abattoirs ensure that none of the raw material from which gelatine is produced contains tissues; with detectable levels of BSE infectivity. Beyond this it is known that the standard manufacturing methods of gelatine will reduce the infectivity of artificially spiked samples which have BSE material added to them in experiments.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when and in what document, notification was given to(a) the European Commission and (b) standards institutions as listed in list 2 of EU directive 83/1895, EEC, following the United Kingdom Government's decision of 2 November 1994 to prohibit the consumption of the thymus and intestines of calves under six months old. [35470]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 July 1996]: The European Commission was notified on 26 July 1994. The notification was made under the emergency provisions of EC directive 83/189, as amended, laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations. There was no requirement to send details of this notification to the standards institutions because it was not a standardisation measure.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 11 July Official Report, column 307, how many prosecutions or formal warnings have been issued to persons other than farmers in respect of breaches of specified bovine offal or animal feed regulations. [38197]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 19 July 1996]: Since 1 April 1995 when the national Meat Hygiene Service took over responsibility for enforcement of controls on specified bovine materials—SBM—in slaughterhouses, we are aware of two successful prosecutions for breaches of these rules. A number of further cases are being investigated with a view to prosecution if sufficient evidence is available. In addition, slaughterhouse operators are informed of any minor breaches of the SBM regulations by MHS officials or state veterinary service officials on an informal and on-going basis to allow them to review and improve their practice. No information on prosecutions for breaches of the specified bovine offal controls prior to 1 April 1995 are available centrally as the enforcement of these regulations then fell to local authorities.

  Several instances where mammalian protein has been detected in ruminant feed in feed mills are under investigation with a view to prosecution if sufficient evidence is available.

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the annual report and accounts 1995–96 for the Intervention Board executive agency. [40075]
  630
  Mr. Baldry
  I am pleased to advise that the annual report and accounts 1995–96 has been published and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Biotechnology Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library copies of(a) the United Kingdom submissions to and (b) the final declarations of the international conference on biotechnology safety, held in Denmark from 22 July. [39736]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Beef (Cold Storage)
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the amount of beef which is currently being kept in cold storage. [24943]

  Mr. Baldry
  Our estimate of the amount of raw beef in cold storage on 17 July in the United Kingdom is as follows:

  Tonnes

  In interventions stores

  22,000

  In Beef Stocks Transfer Scheme

  130,000

  From over 30 Month Cattle Scheme

  3,800

  Private unsaleable stock

  2500

  Total

  56,300

  1 Based on quantity claimed for and therefore includes stocks which may on investigation be ineligible and beef destroyed overseas or not yet returned to the UK.

  2 Based on expressions of interest in Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce Disposal Scheme.

  In addition, we estimate that about 65,000 tonnes of beef will be produced this month for UK consumption.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the countries that have banned imports of British beef in each year since 1980. [32190]

  Mrs. Browning
  Commission decision 96/239/EEC of 27 March 1996 provided that the UK shall not export from its territory, meat and meat products obtained from bovine animals in the UK. The list of countries given shows those with a ban on the import of British beef on the day before the introduction of the Commission decision. The month and year when the bans commenced are shown where available.

  Importing country

  Date of ban

  Algeria

  June 1990

  Argentina

  August 1991

  Bahrain

  —

  Belgium

  March 1996

  Bulgaria

  September 1994

  Canada

  March 1996

  China

  October 1990

  France

  March 1996

  Finland

  March 1996

  Germany

  March 1996

  Iran

  June 1990

  631

  Importing country

  Date of ban

  Iraq

  October 1994

  Italy

  March 1996

  Jamaica

  September 1991

  Japan

  July 1990

  Jordan

  September 1990

  Kazakhstan (CIS)

  August 1993

  Libya

  November 1990

  Lithuania

  April 1995

  Malaysia

  —

  Netherlands

  March 1996

  Philippines

  October 1994

  Portugal

  March 1996

  Russian Federation

  September 1993

  Saudi Arabia

  September 1990

  Spain

  March 1996

  Sweden

  March 1996

  Switzerland

  June 1990

  Syria

  August 1990

  Taiwan

  February 1990

  United Arab Emirates

  August 1990

  Uzbekistan

  —

  The following countries have also introduced, but subsequently lifted, a ban during the period in question:

  Chile

  Cyprus

  Egypt

  Kuwait

  Lebanon

  State of Sarawak (Malaysia)

  Mauritius

  Morocco

  Oman

  Poland

  Qatar

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tunisia

  Turkey

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those countries currently exercising a ban on the importation of British beef. [28288]

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all those countries which currently have in place restrictions on the import of beef meat or other beef products from the United Kingdom. [29619]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 9 and 16 May 1996]: I very much regret that the hon. Members have had to wait so long for a reply.

  Commission decision 96/239/EC of 27 March 1996 provided that the UK shall not export to any country from its territory meat and meat products obtained from bovine animals slaughtered in the UK. The list of countries records those which placed a ban on imports of British beef before that date.

  Abu Dhabi

  Argentina

  Australia

  Bahrain

  Belgium

  632

  Benin

  Brazil

  Bulgaria

  Canada

  Chile

  Cyprus

  Ecuador

  Egypt

  Finland

  France

  French Polynesia

  Gabon

  Germany

  Ghana

  Indonesia

  Italy

  Ivory Coast

  Japan

  Kazakhstan

  Kuwait

  Liberia

  Libya

  Malaysia

  Malta

  Mauritius

  Mayotte

  Morocco

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Norway

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Peru

  Philippines

  Portugal

  Qatar

  Russia

  Senegal

  Seychelles

  Singapore

  Saudi Arabia

  South Africa

  South Korea

  Spain

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Syria

  Taiwan

  Thailand

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Vietnam

  Yemen

  Zaire

  In addition, Hong Kong introduced a ban on 28 March 1996.

  Forestry Commission Land (Dorset)
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the plots of Forestry Commission land in Dorset which are(a) currently for sale and (b) being considered for sale; and in each case (i) what is the size of the plot, (ii) what consultation will be made in advance of the sale and (iii) how many representations he has received to date for and against the proposed sale; [38169]

  (2) if he will list the plots of land which have been sold by the Forestry Commission in Dorset in each of the last five years; and in each case (a) what was the size of the plot, (b) what consultation was made in advance of the sale and (c) how many representations he received for and against the sale. [38168]

  Mr. Boswell
  The subjects of the questions relate 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 Mrs. Diana Maddock, dated 24 July 1996:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your Questions about the plots of Forestry Commission land, in Dorset, that are being considered for sale, as well as those that have been sold in the last five years. [38168 & 38169]
  There are no plots of Forestry Commission land on the market for sale in Dorset at present. However there are four cases which are being considered for sale and the details are as follows:

  Name of property

  Area (ha)

  Alders Coppice

  7.0

  Black Dog Plantation

  3.0

  Heathy Field Coppice

  4.7

  Bryanston Estate

  9.5

  which consists of the following group:

  Folly Clump

  1.5

  Four Acre Coppice

  2.5

  Lower and Higher Prensham

  3.0

  Beechy Clump

  2.5

  There have only been two sales completed within the last five years, and their details are as follows:

  Year sold

  Name of property

  Area (ha)

  1992

  Blackwater Copse

  13.0

  1996

  Stapehill Wood

  3.0

  All properties, prior to sale, are notified in the Estates Gazette. The proposed sales of Alders coppice and Black Dog plantation were also notified to the local authority under the continued public access arrangements so that they could consider whether they wished to enter into an agreement for a continued public access after sale. In both cases, the local authorities declined the offers to enter into agreements.

  There have been no representations on any of the above cases.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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
  634
  Department monitors the impact and the statistical results of such monitoring. [39138]

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

  MAFF plays an active part in this process. We have appointed a small business Minister who regularly meets small business Ministers from other Departments. This helps to ensure that departmental policies take full account of the needs of small businesses. The rural White Paper published in October 1995 incorporated a number of proposals that will be of interest to small businesses. A progress report, which will be published in the autumn, is currently being prepared. Details of MAFF policy aims and objectives, many of which will be relevant to small businesses interests, are published in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Intervention Board departmental report. A copy of the most recent version, which covers 1995, is available in the Library of the House.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the proprietor of a food business was given the right to require the officer of an enforcement authority who is minded to serve an improvement notice under section 10 of the Food Safety Act 1990 to furnish a written notice beforehand giving reasons. [38319]

  Mrs. Browning
  This is in line with the Government's policy to apply the enforcement procedures contained in section 5 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 in all areas of regulatory activity where this is practicable.

  These procedures provide for problems to be ironed out a the earliest stage by giving the right to be warned before enforcement action is taken and a chance to make representations to challenge proposed enforcement action. They also require enforcers to give reasons for taking action and to explain how an appeal can be made.

  Enforcement officers may still take immediate action where they consider this to be necessary.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many improvement notices have been served under section 10 of the Food Safety Act 1990 in each year since that date. [38318]

  Mrs. Browning
  Under section 41 of the Food Safety Act 1990, local authorities, which are responsible for the enforcement of food safety law in the UK, are required to submit statistics to central Government detailing the work, including the number of improvement notices issued, which has been carried out. Data for those years for which complete data are available are as follows.

  Year

  Number of improvement notices issued in the UK

  1992

  41,641

  1993

  26,338

  635

  Year

  Number of improvement notices issued in the UK

  1994

  9,307

  1995

  5,679

  Scrapie
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received requesting assistance from the armed forces to hill farmers in(a) culling and (b) rounding up flocks of sheep infected with scrapie; and if he will make a statement. [32754]

  Mrs. Browning
  I have received no such requests in respect of scrapie.

  Sheep and Goats Order
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date his Department ensured that his veterinary officials were instructed to take account of the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996. [39197]

  Mrs. Browning
  All state veterinary service staff and technical staff were informed of the forthcoming Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996 in early September 1995. At that time they were issued with draft guidance notes and instructions to provide copies of the final version, when available, in response to requests for information about the new order. Copies of the order and the final version of the guidance notes were issued to them in February 1996.

  Sheep
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason his Department's officials at Dover prevented consignments of sheep from being loaded on to the MV Cap Afrique on 3 July. [39196]

  Mrs. Browning
  The proposed sailing of the Cap Afrique on 3 July was postponed by the operator when he established that not all sheep in booked consignments were identified in the manner required by the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in sheep. [40046]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer to the statement I made to the House this afternoon.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which EU-approved abattoirs sheep exported to Spain for further fattening will be slaughtered; and if his Department is informed in advance of which EU-approved future consignments of sheep exported for further fattening are destined. [38410]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: There are no routine mechanisms in place for establishing or notifying in which abattoirs sheep may be slaughtered
  636
  after they have been transported to Spain for further fattening.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if ovines destined for further fattening unloaded from separate vehicles at Dover Port and re-loaded on to the MV Caroline, on 8 July all originated from the same holding and are being sent to the same consignee. [38415]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Four consignments of sheep for further fattening were loaded on to the MV Caroline on 8 July, originating from three holdings and consigned to three different destinations. The sheep were grouped according to their final destinations.

  Agriculture Council
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 22 to 23 July; and if he will make a statement. [40044]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I represented the United Kingdom at this Council. Unanimous agreement was reached on measures to reform the EU fruit and vegetable regime, and on agricultural prices and related measures for 1996–97. The Council also discussed recent developments on BSE.

  Agreement on the reform of the fruit and vegetable regime after 18 months of negotiation represented a significant further step in the reform of the EU common agricultural policy. The outcome is consistent with the objectives of the United Kingdom in as much as the reformed regime will reduce significantly the role of withdrawal and destruction of produce as instruments of market support. United Kingdom fruit and vegetable producers will stand to benefit from the reform measures in so far as they provide funds to promote the better marketing and processing of horticultural produce, and protect the future of specialised producer groups which are characteristic of the United Kingdom market.

  The 1996–97 agricultural price proposals were also agreed on a basis satisfactory to the United Kingdom. In the arable sector, the Council agreed to fix the 1997–98 rate of set-aside at 5 per cent., and to lift the possibility of penalty set-aside during that year. Set-aside arrangements are to be simplified through a merger of rotational and non-rotational set-aside at a uniform rate of 17.5 per cent. Separately, I obtained assurances from the Agriculture Commissioner that steps will be taken to permit the non-lucrative use of set-aside land by non-profit-making organisations such as charities. I welcome this as a sensible rationalisation of the set-aside rules which responds to public concerns.

  The Council also agreed that monthly increments for cereals going into intervention should be cut, as well as sugar storage refunds. Aid rates in the flax sector are to be cut by 7.5 per cent. for 1996–97 and a detailed examination carried out of future support arrangements for this sector on a non-discriminatory basis. An extension of the deadline for carryover of C sugar was agreed for the United Kingdom, a change which had been actively sought by the British sugar industry in order to reflect the longer processing campaign in the UK.
  637
  In the livestock sector, the Council placed particular emphasis on the need for urgent measures to help support the EU beef market this autumn because of continued difficulties in the wake of the BSE crisis; there will also be wider-ranging measures later in the year to reduce excess beef production and help producers adapt to changed market circumstances. The Council also committed itself to a reform of the milk regime with a review of the full range of options taking place in 1997. Mindful of the particular problems facing United Kingdom diary producers faced with the accelerated cattle slaughter scheme as part of the BSE eradication programme, the Commission gave welcome assurances on the flexible operation of milk quota leasing up to the end of the milk quota year at 31 March 1997.

  The Agriculture Commissioner confirmed that the costs of the prices package could be met within the agricultural guideline for 1996–97.

  Linked to the agreement on prices, the Council agreed upon revised income aid rates for hops, a limited extension of transport subsidies for Greece, and an increase in Portugal's sugar quota. The Council also adopted by qualified majority—Spain abstaining— arrangements for implementing agreements under GATT article XXIII and XXIV.6 in the rice sector. I was able to support these proposals. In addition, I obtained assurances from the Commission that early proposals would be made in respect of charges for pesticide evaluation and of uniform principles for authorising plant protection products.

  The Council also discussed the latest information regarding BSE. I have reported separately to the House on measures which I am taking in relation to sheep in the light of advice received from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. I reported my intention in this regard to the Agriculture Council. The French Minister similarly informed the Council of certain health protection measures taken in France as a result of advice received from their equivalent scientific committee. The Council unanimously endorsed the Commission's view that the right way forward was to put all available scientific information before the appropriate specialist committee with a view to establishing common EU rules for the removal of certain tissues of ruminant animals from the human and animal food chain. I welcomed this approach.

  Spongiform Encephalopathies
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each publicly supported committee, sub-committee or other body whose responsibilities include spongiform encephalopathies (i) the remit, (ii) the members, with details of their expertise and the date of their appointment and (iii) for each body each research project that has been recommended by such a body for Government funding, together with the amount of money allocated. [20889]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: There are a number of publicly supported committees on spongiform encephalopathies. I am placing in the Library of the House details of the committees which are listed by the organisation or Department responsible.

  Beef Consumption
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of beef consumption in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) Belgium and if) Holland in each of the last six weeks. [25921]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 April 1996]: According to a consumer survey conducted on behalf of the Meat and Livestock Commission, overall beef consumption in the UK in the four weeks to 7 April was down 20 per cent. on the same period last year; down 26 per cent. in the four weeks to 5 May; down 27 per cent. in the four weeks to 2 June; and down 24 per cent. in the four weeks to 30 June, the latest available figure.

  For other member states, precise information on beef consumption is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that beef consumption in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Holland, and across the EU, is well below normal levels.

  Quarantine Kennels
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 528, what progress he has made in respect of a standard of animal care in quarantine kennels; and if he will make a statement. [32809]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 June 1996]: I held a meeting on 13 May with representatives of the Quarantine Kennels Owners Association and the Quarantine Kennels Professional Association. A follow-up meeting between the associations and my officials was held on 13 June. We agreed that I would write to authorised quarantine kennels inviting those running them to undertake to abide by the Agriculture Departments of Great Britain's voluntary code of practice on the welfare of dogs and cats in quarantine premises. State veterinary service staff would check compliance with the code during their regular visits. Premises in respect of which an undertaking is given to comply with the code, and where we are satisfied that they are doing so will be identified as such in the Government's literature for potential importers.

  Computerised Cattle Database
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with National Milk Records about the development of a national computerised cattle database as part of the bovine sponiform encephalopathy eradication programme. [32935]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 June 1996]: My officials are in regular contact with representatives of National Milk Records concerning animal identification and traceability. National Milk Records is also represented on the joint industry/Government working group on animal identification and this group is being involved in plans for the introduction of a national cattle movement database.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has made of computerised cattle databases in other European Union member states. [32940]
  639
  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 17 June 1996]: In developing plans for the introduction of a national cattle movement database in Great Britain, we are looking at the databases in Northern Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

  Cattle Disposal
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the distortion of the market caused by the discrepancy between liveweight and deadweight arrangements under the cattle disposal scheme. [28870]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 10 May 1996]: We have received a number of representations about the effect on marketing patterns of the coefficient for converting payments from liveweight to a deadweight basis under this scheme. Any change to the rate is a matter for the European Commission.

  Contaminated Feed
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department last received representation from the French authority about continued export of contaminated feed to that country. [35669]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 July 1996]: The UK told the Commission and other member states of the steps it was taking to prohibit the use of ruminant MBM in ruminant feed in 1988, but it was for other member states to introduce similar domestic restrictions on the use of a material in free circulation and for the Commission to regulate intra-Community trade in this material. At that time MBM could legitimately be exported to other member states as under single market rules it was in free circulation for use in pig and poultry feed.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into links between bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the use of organophosphates in cattle; and what conclusions have been reached. [35776]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 23 July 1996,Official Report, column 262.

  Rabies
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is able to certify the United Kingdom as a rabies-free country. [36877]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 15 July 1996]: Yes. The recent isolated case of European bat lyssavirus 2 does not affect our international status as a rabies-free country. The international zoosanitary code of the office international des epizooties—OIE—defines a rabies free country as one in which
  "no case of indigenously acquired rabies has been confirmed in man or any other species during the past two years; however this status would not be affected by the isolation of European Bat Lyssavirus (EBL1 or EBL2)."

  Although following the bat rabies case it was not possible to sign official veterinary certification for exports
  640
  for dogs and cats and some other rabies susceptible animals to some countries, this was because the official certification they required contained health assurances on rabies which, because of their specific wording, could no longer be met. All these countries have now been contacted and trade has resumed with those countries to which we export significant numbers of such animals. We are continuing to press those countries which have so far failed to respond.

  Environmental Management
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what programmes his Department has introduced to promote good environmental management by farmers; and how many similar programmes were in existence in 1979. [37634]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 18 July 1996]: The Department has numerous programmes in place to promote good environmental management.

  These include: free one-to-one advice and publications on pollution and conservation; voluntary incentive schemes to promote environmentally friendly farming and public enjoyment of the countryside; measures to supplement statutory controls on pesticides, including an advisory pesticides forum on responsible pesticide use and a pesticides minimisation initiative; and capital grants for certain works to benefit the environment.

  The Department also has an extensive research and development programme to underpin these programmes.

  Further details are given in chapters 2, 3 and 7 of MAFF's 1996 departmental report, which is available in the Library of the House.

  The Department has greatly expanded its environmental programmes since 1979, in particular through the introduction of voluntary incentive schemes which date from the mid-1980. Voluntary schemes to ensure the safety and efficacy of pesticides were replaced by statutory arrangements in the mid-1980s.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what United Kingdom authority has responsibility for statutory regulations governing live cargo while at sea; and at what point that responsibility ceases when animals are transported across the North sea. [38413]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: A considerable number of provisions, including EU regulations cover controls on the transport of animals, their welfare, and the responsibility for enforcement. Some requirements are placed on the member state of departure, which may be extended if the vessel or aircraft concerned is owned by nationals of that member state, and some on the receiving member state. Within each member state it may be a matter for national government, in one form or another, or a local authority to enforce. All these factors would have to be considered, as would the nature of any breach, when deciding respective responsibilities on journey across the North sea.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list all export health certificates used for trade between the United Kingdom,
  641
  Northern Ireland and EU member states between 1991 and 1996 until the implementation of the beef export ban for cattle exported (a) for further fattening and (b) for slaughter; [38417]

  (2) what certification is required in respect of cattle exported from (a) Great Britain and (b) Northern Ireland for immediate slaughter. [38418]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: The certificates used for exports between 1991 and 1996 specifically for (a) production cattle (further fattening) and (b) slaughter cattle from Great Britain to another member state were certificates EC 56 and EC 57 respectively. These and the equivalent certificates for exports from Northern Ireland were based on the model certificates laid down in directive 64/432. As a result of the export ban no cattle are currently exported from the United Kingdom.

  Cattle (Export Health Certificates)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he took to ensure that animals exported with further fattening export health certificates would be slaughtered in EU-approved abattoirs. [38409]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 July 1996]: Responsibility for ensuring that animals exported for further fattening are slaughtered in EC slaughterhouses rests with the member state of destination.

  Chinchillas
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to review the welfare of chinchillas which are bred for fur; and if he will make a statement; [38791]

  (2) which legislation regulates the commercial breeding of chinchillas for fur. [38790]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: As far as I am aware, there are no enterprises breeding chinchillas for fur in this country. If there were, the welfare of the animals concerned would be protected by the general provisions of part I of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968, which make it an offence to cause unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress, and relevant subordinate legislation. The Council of
  642
  Europe recommendation on the welfare of fur animals, which contains specific provisions relating to the welfare of chinchillas, is to be reviewed shortly. My officials will be participating in this process but I expect those delegations from countries with first-hand experience of breeding chinchillas for fur to have the major input into that particular part of the review.

  Food Infectivity
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent research his Department has evaluated into changes in infectivity of food over time. [36936]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The Department supports research which will lead to an increased understanding of the contamination, growth and survival of food poisoning organisms in foods. In addition, the Department funds surveillance studies to provide a greater understanding of the incidence and types of food poisoning organisms found in foods.

  Food Chain Regulations
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made on the extent to which his Department's regulations relating to the food chain are currently enforced; and what assessment he has made of related risk factors over a five-year period. [36935]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 23 July 1996]: Local authorities have the main responsibility for enforcing regulations on food and are required to make regular returns to central Government giving details of their food law enforcement activity. MAFF, through its agencies, the Meat Hygiene Service and ADAS, has direct enforcement responsibilities for enforcement of hygiene requirements in licensed fresh meat plants and on-farm milk production. Enforcement action under these arrangements is carefully monitored and where queries arise appropriate follow-up action is taken.

  Risk assessment is the responsibility of the relevant enforcement officers. Guidance on this is given in Food Safety Act codes of practice and other guidance issued by the Government. The relevant enforcement officers conduct these risk assessments and use the results in drawing up their inspection programmes of food premises. In addition, the Government are funding a major study into the causes of infectious intestinal disease. This includes the identification of a wide range of factors associated with foodborne infection.

  Commonhold: Draft Bill
  Commonhold: Draft Bill
  Hypnotism: Revised Guidance
  Hypnotism: Revised Guidance
  National Lottery: Effects on Horserace Betting Levy
  National Lottery: Effects on Horserace Betting Levy
  Special Constabulary: Working Group Report
  Special Constabulary: Working Group Report
  Prison Service: Learmont Recommendations
  Prison Service: Learmont Recommendations
  Turkey: Treatment of Prisoners
  Turkey: Treatment of Prisoners
  Clifton Wright: Role of Commonwealth in Individual Human Rights Cases
  Clifton Wright: Role of Commonwealth in Individual Human Rights Cases
  South Africa: ODA and NGOs
  South Africa: ODA and NGOs
  NGOs: Joint Funding Scheme
  NGOs: Joint Funding Scheme
  Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions: Ratification
  Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions: Ratification
  Consular Fees
  Consular Fees
  GCHQ: Recruitment Policy
  GCHQ: Recruitment Policy
  DTI: MINIS Returns
  DTI: MINIS Returns
  PFI Projects: Court of Appeal Decision
  PFI Projects: Court of Appeal Decision
  Advertising Hoardings in Rural Areas
  Advertising Hoardings in Rural Areas
  Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution: Government Response to Reports
  Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution: Government Response to Reports
  Mizens Farm Planning Inquiry
  Mizens Farm Planning Inquiry
  Local Government Contracts: Performance Bonds and Guarantees
  Local Government Contracts: Performance Bonds and Guarantees
  Housing Allocation and Homelessness Provisions: Commencement
  Housing Allocation and Homelessness Provisions: Commencement
  Health and Safety Laboratory
  Health and Safety Laboratory
  National Health and National Insurance Numbers
  National Health and National Insurance Numbers
  Motability: NAO Report
  Motability: NAO Report
  Disability Discrimination Act: Employment Code of Practice
  Disability Discrimination Act: Employment Code of Practice
  Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act: Review
  Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act: Review
  Central Railways plc
  Central Railways plc
  Franchising Director: Annual Report
  Franchising Director: Annual Report
  Franchising Director: Further Instructions
  Franchising Director: Further Instructions
  RAF Northolt: Business Aviation
  RAF Northolt: Business Aviation
  Rowett Research Institute: Review
  Rowett Research Institute: Review