Written Answers of 10 June 1996

ENVIRONMENT

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what use his Department and its executive agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within his Department or executive agencies administered by his Department during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what agencies were employed; what was the cost in each case; how many staff were recruited in each case; and what was the total cost in each financial year of these contracts. [31408]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Saxton Bampfylde International plc, an executive search agency, was employed in 1994–95 to assist with the recruitment of the chief planning inspector at a cost of £33,000. No other agencies were employed in that year or in 1995–96.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances his Department or its executive agencies uses an executive search or employment agency to recruit staff in preference to using personnel staff within his own Department or its executive agencies. [31521]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Where it is necessary to procure high-level advice in search and selection not available within my Department, and where it represents good value for money to procure processing capacity to handle occasional recruitment exercises, in all cases within the requirements of the civil service commissioners.

  Civil Servants (Duties Abroad)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department spent during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 on sending civil servants accompanying Ministers from his Department on official duties abroad. [32409]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not available centrally as costs of private office staff accompanying Ministers are included with costs for Ministers, while records for other officials are held with their corresponding divisions in the Department. This information would, therefore, be available only at disproportionate cost.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his powers to stop local authorities from acting in an anti-competitive way in respect of compulsory competitive tendering, with reference to his powers to compel local authorities to re-tender work where they have failed to ensure competition. [31976]
  2
  Sir Paul Beresford
  Section 19A of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 and section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988 give my right hon. Friend the power to serve a notice on an authority which it appears to him has acted anti-competitively in deciding to undertake certain work. If, after the authority has responded to the notice, it still appears to him that the authority has acted in this way, he can give a direction under section 19B of the 1980 Act or section 14 of the 1988 Act. The direction may be a complete or partial bar on the authority's power to carry out the work or require the authority to fulfil conditions including retendering the work, before it has the power to continue to carry out all or part of the work. My right hon. Friend judges each case on its merits, but does so against the background of statutory guidance issued under section 9 of the Local Government Act 1992.

  Terminal 5 Inquiry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the progress made with and the expected time for completion of the Heathrow Terminal 5 inquiry. [30623]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The public inquiry into the proposed terminal 5 at Heathrow airport, which began on 16 May 1995, is running close to its timetable. The timing and conduct of the inquiry is a matter for the inspector. On present estimates, it is expected that the inquiry will close in summer 1997, subject to an additional time which may be required to deal with recently published highway orders for links to the M25 and M4.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Feedstuffs
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making for the disposal of surplus stocks of animal feed containing mammalian meat and bone meal following the recent ban on feeding mammalian meat and bone meal to farm livestock. [32479]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government have today sent a letter to all livestock farmers, feed merchants and feed compounders in the United Kingdom offering to fund the collection and disposal of any residual stocks of MBM or feed containing MBM. Thereafter, after consultation with the appropriate organisations, an order will be laid to make it illegal to have MBM, or feed containing MBM, on farms or in the premises of feed merchants or at feed mills.

  Parliamentary approval of this new service will be sought in a supplementary estimate for class III, vote 2—Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: operational expenditure, agencies and departmental administration. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £6 million will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.
  3

  Veterinary Fees
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance his Department provides towards payment of fees to veterinary surgeons for treatment of injured wildlife. [30792]

  Mrs. Browning
  No direct help is given towards payment of fees to veterinary surgeons for treatment of injured wildlife. The Pesticides Safety Directorate under the wildlife incident investigation scheme does arrange for disease incidents where pesticides may be involved to be investigated at no additional cost to the veterinary surgeon involved.

  Mr. Jonathan Stirling
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, columns 139–40, when the inquiry into the performance of Mr. Jonathan Stirling as a licensed veterinary inspector was completed; and if he will make a statement on the conclusions. [31204]

  Mrs. Browning
  The investigations into the allegations made on the "Dispatches" programme have not yet been concluded.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many local veterinary inspector-certified consignments of animals were exported through the port of Brightlingsea during 1995; and what proportion of consignments were certified by Mr. Jonathan Stirling. [31208]

  Mrs. Browning
  Some 1,048 consignments of animals certified by LVIs were exported through the port of Brightlingsea during 1995 of which 29 consignments were certified by Mr. Jonathan Stirling.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, columns 139–40, in respect of which consignments certified by Mr. Jonathan Stirling for export animals were subsequently rejected by Ministry officials including and excluding animals rejected as unfit to travel under the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1994; and when such consignments arrived at Brightlingsea wharf (a) during 1995 and (b) from 1 January to 8 March. [31206]

  Mrs. Browning
  The answer is as follows:

  (a) During 1995 of 29 consignments of animals certified for export by Mr. Jonathan Stirling, through the port of Brightlingsea, Ministry officials rejected as unfit to travel, one animal from one consignment on 13 February 1995 and two animals from one consignment on 21 June 1995.

  (b) No animals have been exported from Brightlingsea so far during 1996.

  Quarantine
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual cost to public funds in maintaining the six-month quarantine system. [31318]

  Mrs. Browning
  The annual cost was approximately £435,000 in the financial year 1995–96. This figure includes the cost of policy and administrative work on rabies in the industry's animal health group, some of 4
  which is not directly concerned with maintaining the six-month quarantine system, but this cannot be separately distinguished.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to reply to the written questions regarding quarantine tabled on 25 April. [32195]

  Mrs. Browning
  I answered one of the hon. Member's questions on 1 May 1996,Official Report, column 571, and the others have been answered today.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has access to animals in quarantine kennels; what plans he has to review these procedures; and if he will make a statement. [26651]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: The RSPCA is not able to enter quarantine premises as of right. However, anyone can go into quarantine premises with the permission of the premises owner. Additionally, licensed quarantine premises, all of which are privately owned, are inspected quarterly by MAFF veterinary officers who have the right to be accompanied by another person authorised by them and assisting them in their duties. I have no plans to change these procedures at present.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been(a) the total number of animals accepted by each quarantine kennel since 1990 and (b) the total number of animal deaths at each quarantine kennel since 1990. [26652]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: The number of animals licensed to enter quarantine in Great Britain from 1990 to 1995 was:

  Year

  Dogs

  Cats

  Other mammals

  1990

  5,999

  3,687

  150,631

  1991

  5,290

  3,289

  63,674

  1992

  5,175

  3,190

  61,320

  1993

  5,738

  3,633

  35,515

  1994

  5,554

  3,863

  31,620

  1995

  5,394

  4,126

  81,054

  The number of animals which are recorded as having died in quarantine during the same period is:

  Year

  Dogs

  Cats

  Other mammals

  1990

  79

  52

  3

  1991

  49

  34

  20

  1992

  71

  67

  1

  1993

  72

  93

  5

  1994

  61

  65

  4

  1995

  61

  56

  4

  Information concerning individual quarantine kennels is considered commercially confidential.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met with the Quarantine Kennel Owners Association; what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement. [26654]
  5
  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: I met members of both the Quarantine Kennel Owners Association and the Quarantine Kennel Professional Associates on 13 May 1996 to discuss animal welfare standards in quarantine kennels.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total revenue received by the Government from quarantine kennels in each of the last five financial years. [26656]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: The only revenue which the Government receive from quarantine kennels is that which comes from their ordinary payment of taxes. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food does not receive any direct revenue from quarantine kennels.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals have been imported into the United Kingdom through quarantine, by country, since 1991. [26650]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: Prior to April 1995, when a computerised licensing system was set up, quarantine records were filed under a manual system. Therefore, the historic information sought cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost. I can, however, tell the hon. Member that, since that date, licences have been issued for the import of animals from 122 different countries. These are:

  Country

  Number of animals for which licenses have been issued

  Abu Dhabi

  6

  Algeria

  2

  Anguilla

  1

  Antiqua

  5

  Argentina

  6

  Armenia

  1

  Australia

  355

  Austria

  26

  Azerbaijan

  2

  Bahamas

  5

  Bahrain

  47

  Bangladesh

  1

  Barbados

  12

  Belarus

  5

  Belgium

  137

  Belize

  1

  Bermuda

  21

  Bolivia

  1

  Botswana

  14

  Brazil

  17

  Brunei

  7

  Bulgaria

  5

  Cameroon

  4

  Canada

  383

  Canary Islands

  35

  Chile

  4

  China

  27

  Columbia

  5

  Croatia

  1

  Cuba

  2

  Cyprus

  211

  Czech Republic

  17

  Denmark

  15

  Dominican Republic

  1

  Dubai

  20

  Egypt

  28

  Ethopia

  4

  Falkland Islands

  2

  Finland

  67

  6

  Country

  Number of animals for which licenses have been issued

  France

  1,528

  Gambia

  2

  Germany

  984

  Ghana

  9

  Gibraltar

  15

  Greece

  118

  Guyana

  4

  Hawaii

  1

  Honduras

  1

  Hong Kong

  165

  Hungary

  18

  India

  8

  Indonesia

  92

  Israel

  299

  Italy

  95

  Jamaica

  1

  Japan

  275

  Jordan

  2

  Kazakhstan

  1

  Kenya

  19

  Korea

  4

  Kuwait

  19

  Latvia

  2

  Lesotho

  3

  Libya

  1

  Luxembourg

  5

  Malawi

  15

  Malaysia

  46

  Malta

  26

  Mauritius

  735

  Mexico

  4

  Monaco

  2

  Montserrat

  3

  Morocco

  2

  Mozambique

  2

  Namibia

  5

  Nepal

  3

  Netherlands

  207

  New Zealand

  61

  Nigeria

  11

  Northern Cyprus

  5

  Norway

  42

  Oman

  28

  Pakistan

  11

  Peru

  1

  Phillippines

  430

  Poland

  8

  Portugal

  64

  Qatar

  18

  Romania

  2

  Russia

  34

  Saudi Arabia

  69

  Serbia

  1

  Seychelles

  2

  Singapore

  67

  Slovakia

  2

  South Africa

  389

  Spain

  293

  Sri Lanka

  3

  St. Helena

  1

  Sweden

  175

  Switzerland

  5,923

  Syria

  1

  Tahiti

  1

  Taiwan

  10

  Tanzania

  6

  Thailand

  11

  Trinidad and Tobago

  1

  Tunisia

  3

  7

  Country

  Number of animals for which licenses have been issued

  Turkey

  13

  Turks and Caicos

  1

  UAE

  101

  Uganda

  1

  Ukraine

  1

  USA

  9,501

  Uzbekistan

  1

  Venezuela

  1

  Virgin Isles

  1

  West Africa (country not specified)

  2

  West Indies (coutry not specified)

  1

  Yemen

  3

  Yugoslavia

  2

  Zambia

  5

  Zimbabwe

  8

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how regularly quarantine kennels are required to be inspected by MAFF vets; under which legislation; and how many inspections of quarantine kennels by MAFF vets have taken place since April 1995. [26653]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: All 79 quarantine kennels authorised to operate in Great Britain must be inspected by MAFF veterinary staff at three monthly intervals to ensure that the standards required under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974 are being maintained. Additional ad hoc inspections may also take place if the Ministry's local divisional veterinary manager considers them necessary. It would not be possible to quantify the total number of routine and ad hoc visits which had taken place since April 1995 without incurring disproportionate costs.

  January 19951

  April 19951

  January 19961

  Country

  Value (£000)

  Tonnes

  Value (£000)

  Tonnes

  Value (£000)

  Tonnes

  Belgium-Luxembourg

  237

  68

  376

  117

  368

  134

  Denmark

  242

  117

  65

  33

  165

  83

  Finland

  —

  —

  60

  40

  0

  0

  France

  2,191

  1,332

  2,089

  950

  1,433

  803

  Germany

  239

  169

  167

  72

  132

  70

  Irish Republic

  8,779

  3,786

  8,814

  3,094

  7,223

  2,107

  Italy

  —

  —

  26

  10

  52

  20

  Netherlands

  1,805

  575

  1,376

  407

  1,130

  335

  Spain

  386

  135

  96

  34

  32

  17

  Sweden

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  Argentina

  790

  161

  1,891

  566

  1,362

  463

  Australia

  1,690

  479

  1,395

  409

  2,151

  808

  Botswana

  —

  —

  514

  160

  2,073

  798

  Brazil

  141

  34

  1,479

  400

  598

  169

  Namibia

  422

  134

  912

  299

  623

  212

  New Zealand

  —

  —

  533

  281

  361

  160

  Paraguay

  —

  —

  59

  26

  —

  —

  Swaziland

  —

  —

  31

  23

  219

  82

  USA.

  168

  70

  277

  116

  520

  256

  Uruguay

  1,897

  591

  2,241

  886

  1,632

  587

  Zimbabwe

  1,102

  255

  2,793

  878

  2,199

  253

  Total

  20,089

  7,906

  25,192

  8,801

  22,274

  7,358

  1 Provisional

  8
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to implement a statutory code of practice on animal welfare for quarantine kennels; and if he will make a statement. [26655]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 25 April 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale) on 26 March, official Report, column 528.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 640, how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested. [31455]

  Mr. Boswell
  More than £450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31497]

  Mr. Boswell
  None.

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a breakdown by country of imports of beef under heading 011 in(a) April 1995 and (b) April 1996. [31766]

  Mrs. Browning
  The latest month for which detailed official trade statistics are available is January 1996. The table shows imports of beef, under heading 011, for January 1995, April 1995 and January 1996, by country:
  9

  Slaughtered Cattle
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the exemptions he makes from his general policy of requiring the destruction of carcases of cattle over the age of 30 months; and what controls he has introduced to monitor such disposals. [31579]

  Mr. Boswell
  No such exemptions are made as the EC regulation (716/96) governing the over 30 months scheme requires destruction of the carcases.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to investigate allegations of abuse of the cattle disposal scheme with special reference to giving preference to dealers or farmers for improper reasons; and if he will make a statement. [31627]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have made it clear that abuses of the scheme will not be tolerated. Collection centres found to be breaching scheme rules will be removed from the scheme. No allegation of abuse of the kind referred to by the hon. Member has been substantiated. Anyone with a complaint about infringement of the rules has been invited to make it either to the Intervention Board or to the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he collates in respect of the 8,855 animals which were rejected as unfit to travel prior to export from the United Kingdom in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [32102]

  Mrs. Browning
  There is a considerable variety of circumstances in which animals may be rejected as unfit for an export journey. Central records are kept only of the numbers rejected.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 13 May,Official Report, column 380, what were the ages of the 1,313 bovines and the 668 bovines exported from Great Britain to the Irish Republic in 1994 and 1995 and the 18,340 and 25,044 bovines exported from Great Britain in Northern Ireland in 1994 and 1995. [31785]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: The number of bovines exported to the Irish Republic were as recorded in the overseas trade statistics. These provide statistics on the exports from the United Kingdom as a whole and not just Great Britain.

  The ages of bovines exported is not recorded within the overseas trade statistics, nor within the Animo system. However, so far as exports to the Republic of Ireland are concerned, Community rules in force since 1990 have prohibited the export from the UK to any member state of bovine animals over six months old.

  Avoparcin
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the use of avoparcin 10
  with particular reference to his assessment of the available data for the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition. [31947]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: Avoparcin is authorised for use throughout the Community as an additive in animal feeds under directive 70/524/EEC. No feed additive is permitted unless it satisfies the criteria set out in the directive, including a requirement that, at the level permitted in feeding stuffs, it does not adversely affect human or animal health or the environment.

  In July 1995, as a result of concerns expressed by Denmark, the Council of Ministers decided not to support the continued authorisation of avoparcin for use in feed for dairy cows. The Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition has recently considered data presented by the Danish authorities and their report is expected to be made available to member states shortly.

  The Government will continue to argue that any future decisions on the authorisation of avoparcin must be taken on the basis of good scientific evidence.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the interested parties who were consulted in drawing up the guidelines which will accompany the consolidated food labelling regulations which will come into force on 1 July. [31572]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: Six hundred and sixty-four interested parties representing manufacturers, retailers, consumers, individuals and enforcement authorities have been consulted on the draft guidance notes. Seventy-one detailed responses were received and have been taken into account in preparing the final version.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice and recommendations she has received from the British Veterinary Association regarding the steps needed to eradicate BSE from British herds. [31040]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 June 1996]: Ministers and officials regularly meet with representatives of the British Veterinary Association to discuss, amongst other things, BSE. Their advice and recommendations concerning proposals for the eradication of BSE are carefully considered and, where appropriate, reflected in the control measures.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31500]
  11
  Mr. Willetts
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 6 June 1996,Official Report, column 518.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 495 (1) how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested; [31461]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 25 March, Official Report, column 405, how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested. [31465]

  Mr. Howard
  More than £450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.

  Karamanjit Singh Chahal
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the case of Karamanjit Singh Chahal. [31437]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Mr. Chahal's case was heard by the European Court of Human Rights on 25 March. No judgment has yet been given.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases during 1995 it was claimed his Department's presenting officers had misled immigration appeal adjudicators; and if he will make a statement. [31949]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  None of which I am aware. Presenting officers do not knowingly mislead adjudicators.

  Mr. Sodagar Hussain
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he received a letter from the hon. Member for Bradford, West, dated 10 May, concerning the case of Mr. Sodagar Hussain who has applied to join his wife and children in the United Kingdom; if he will authorise a visa to be issued to Mr. Hussain on the basis of the job awaiting him in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [31950]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The letter was received on 15 May and I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use his Department and its executive agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within his Department or executive agencies administered by his Department during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what agencies were employed; what was the 12
  cost in each case; how many staff were recruited in each case; and what was the total cost in each financial year of these contracts. [31406]

  Mr. Howard
  The following table gives information about the use of executive search or employment agencies in 1994–95 and 1995–96 for centrally managed recruitment schemes.

  Supplier

  1994–95

  Number of staff recruited

  1995–96

  Number of staff recruited

  RAS

  *

  49

  *

  97

  Coopers and Lybrand

  *

  2

  *

  5

  GKRS

  *

  2

  *

  2

  Korn Ferry

  —

  —

  *

  —

  St. James's Management Recruitment

  —

  —

  *

  1

  Saxton Bampfylde

  —

  —

  *

  1

  PJR

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Bakers

  —

  —

  *

  4

  Love Pirbhai Prichard

  —

  —

  *

  1

  Jones Resourcing

  —

  —

  *

  1

  Total

  —

  53

  —

  112

  Information is not readily available about the use of employment agencies whether recruitment was conducted locally.

  For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not our practice to disclose the size of the contracts awarded to individual agencies. However, the combined value of these contracts was £350,326 excluding value added tax in 1994–95 and £611,309 excluding value added tax in 1995–96.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances his Department or its executive agencies uses an executive search on employment agency to recruit staff in preference to using personnel staff within his own Department or its executive agencies. [31519]

  Mr. Howard
  Executive search or employment agencies are used in making appointments to the Home Office and its executive agencies where it is thought that they will be able to supplement usefully the field of applicants.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many complaints have been received by the Data Protection Registrar relating to the Child Support Agency; [31999]

  (2) what action is being taken by the Data Protection Registrar in respect of breaches of the Data Protection Act 1984 by the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement. [32000]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Data Protection Registrar has received 457 letters of complaint about the Child Support Agency since it began operation in April 1993. Three hundred and thirty-two were investigated because they raised issues relating to compliance with the Data Protection Act 1984. In cases where the registrar felt there was a possibility of the 1984 Act being breached, she negotiated with the agency, which has subsequently altered its practices regarding disclosure of information. The registrar will make a statement on the current position in her next annual report to Parliament, which is due in July.
  13

  Pets (Quarantine)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what administrative reforms would be required if the six-month quarantine system for pets were replaced by a vaccine-based system; and if he will make a statement. [31312]

  Mrs. Browning
  I have been asked to reply.

  The present rules on quarantining of pet animals are set out in the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974. Any changes would require amendment to that order. Any vaccine-based scheme would need to be founded on proper vaccination before exposure to rabies infection, satisfying a blood test, conclusive identification and evidence of residency. A new system for processing applications as well as inspection arrangements to ensure that the rules were properly complied with would need to be put in place.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31512]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No specific instructions were issued in respect of flying the European flag on 8 May. It is not our general practice to fly the European flag from Government buildings. On appropriate occasions, such as the UK's presidency of the European Community in 1992, it has, however, been flown.

  Privatised Utilities
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the annual profit of(a) British Gas, (b) Central Electricity Generating Board, (c) each of the previously publicly owned water companies and (d) British Telecom in each year since 1979. [31760]

  Mr. Page
  The information requested is published in the accounts of the nationalised utilities and in the annual reports of the privatised utility companies. Information on the water companies is published in the Office of Water Services' "1994–95 Report on the Financial Performance and Capital Investment of the Water Companies in England and Wales". Copies of all of these publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Encryption Services
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government have yet decided how encryption services may be provided for business and commerce. [32544]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Following the discussion between Departments to which I referred in my replies to the hon. Member for Brigg and Cleethorpes (Mr. Brown) of 6 March 1996,Official Report, column 229, and 25 March 1996, Official Report, column 411, I am today publishing a paper outlining the Government's policy on
  14
  the provision of encryption services on public networks. Copies of the paper are available in the Library of both Houses.

  The Government aim to facilitate the development of electronic commerce on the emerging global information infrastructure. This is of significant importance in maintaining the UK's competitiveness and is a component of the Department's information society initiative. There is a growing demand for encryption services to safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of electronic information transmitted on public telecommunications networks. The Government therefore propose to make arrangements for licensing trusted third parties who would provide such services. These TTPs would offer digital signature, data integrity and retrieval, key management and other services for which there is a commercial demand. The licensing policy will aim to protect consumers as well as to preserve the ability of the intelligence and law enforcement agencies to fight serious crime and terrorism by establishing procedures for disclosure to them of the encryption keys, under safeguards similar to those which already exist for warranted interception under the Interception of Communications Act 1985.

  Officials within my Department have held preliminary discussions with industry groups on the concepts set out in the paper. The Government intend to bring forward proposals for legislation following consultation by the Department of Trade and Industry on detailed policy proposals.

  Magnox Electric plc
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the objectives he has set for Magnox Electric plc. [32545]

  Mr. Eggar
  Yes. The Government wish Magnox Electric plc to be a robust public sector entity which will enhance competition in the electricity market and secure the best possible value for the tax payer from its operations. The company must operate in a commercial manner, judging any investment by commercial rates of return. In doing so, it must:

  1. demonstrate in all its activities that safety is the foundation of its business;

  2. have full regard to the environmental impact of all its operations;

  3. maximise net revenue from electricity sales by operating its generating plant as fully, and for as long, as is consistent with safety requirements;

  4. meet all its nuclear liabilities as cost effectively as possible;

  5. maintain and develop its core skills and capabilities to meet its current and future operational needs. Magnox may exploit these skills and capabilities in appropriate new business areas, as agreed with the Government; and

  6. seek a basis for integration with British Nuclear Fuels which will provide the combined company with a clear incentive to maximise the net revenues from magnox generation and to minimise all Magnox-related reprocessing and other back end costs.

  Insurance Ombudsman
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to extend the powers of the insurance ombudsman to cover insurance policies taken out by commercial concerns. [32160]
  15
  Mr. Nelson
  None. The insurance ombudsman bureau is a voluntary body established and paid for by the insurance industry. Any changes to the scheme would therefore be a matter for the industry to decide.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases of alleged insider dealing have been(a) reported for investigation, (b) referred for prosecution and (c) prosecuted before the courts since the coming into force of the Criminal Justice Act 1993. [32056]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Since the coming into force on 1 March 1994 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993, 52 cases of possible insider dealing have been reported to my Department, leading to the appointment of inspectors in 25 instances, of which inquiries in respect of 14 are still continuing. In this period, four prosecutions, involving five defendants, have been commenced of which one is under the new legislation.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases of alleged insider dealing have been(a) referred for prosecution and (b) the subject of conviction since 1980. [32057]

  Mr. Taylor
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Evans) on 21 March 1995,Official Report, column 183. The report, "Companies in 1994–95", has now been published and a copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Since 1 April 1995, a further 32 referrals have been made from the London stock exchange leading to 16 appointments of inspectors. There has been one conviction.

  Exporters Database
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to institute a national database of British exporters. [31910]

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government have no plans to provide a national database of exporters. This kind of professional information gathering is best left to the private sector and the UK already leads the world with a number of companies producing excellent commercial database. My Department is currently looking at ways of helping the private sector to set up trade directions on the Internet.

  Patents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total of patents registered in(a) the United Kingdom Patent Office and (b) the European Patent Office in each of the past five years. [32096]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The total number of patents granted in each of the last five years at the United Kingdom Patent Office and the European Patent office is shown:

  Year

  UK Patent Office

  European Patent Office

  1995

  9,475

  41,609

  1994

  9,530

  42,001

  1993

  8,330

  36,664

  1992

  9,421

  30,409

  1991

  9,346

  26,642

  16

  Euro 96
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has that counterfeit merchandise for Euro 96 is being imported into the United Kingdom. [31830]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I understand from HM customs that two seizures of goods which infringe UEFA's registered trade mark have been made.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated annual saving to business from the Deregulation (Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials) Order 1996. [31385]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The burdens by this order fall both on suppliers of fillings for beds, furniture and toys and on the manufacturers of such items. In view of the diversity of these industries, it has not been possible to construct reliable estimates of the total direct and indirect cost savings the order will achieve. However, one firm, which is the biggest single producer of fillings in the UK, estimates that the cost of testing alone to demonstrate compliance with the rag flock legislation is in its case £4,000 each year. Despite the difficulties associated with determining total figures for the whole industry, informal inquiries have suggested that direct cost savings could be, for the fillings industry alone, over £100,000, for each year after the burdens are removed. Total savings to suppliers and manufacturers should therefore be well in excess of this figure.

  Business Links
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what work has been done by his Department to evaluate the Danish broker model within business links and training and enterprise councils. [31891]

  Mr. Page
  A business networking project based on the Danish broker model has already been piloted in the south-west. Business networking was one of three key areas identified for support under the second competitive White Paper, Cm 2867. As such, it figures prominently amongst the projects being developed throughout the country by TECs and business link partnerships.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of British companies are so far included in business links databases. [31909]

  Mr. Page
  The latest management information returns, which cover about two thirds of the country, indicate that some 617,000 businesses are registered on business link databases. This represents approximately 47 per cent. of the 1.32 million value added tax registered businesses in England. The requirement is for business links to record on their databases details of businesses with 10 or more employees, but many business links include other businesses.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade to which Government Department he expects business links to answer primarily. [31908]

  Mr. Page
  Although business links receive considerable financial and other support from the Government, they are not Government agencies. As
  17
  such they do not "answer" to any particular Government Department. They are, however, required to show the Departments which provide financial support that public funds have been used for the purposes intended. In addition, business links must meet the accreditation and branding requirements specified by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade as agreed with national business link partners.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to ensure that business links databases are integrated into a national database of exporters. [31904]

  Mr. Page
  All business links are required to collect common core information for all businesses with 10 employees or more, including whether companies are exporters and, if so, the percentage of sales that are exported, and be able to output this information in a common form.

  Business links are private companies. Decisions on whether to integrate this information into national databases is a matter for them to consider on a commercial basis.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance his Department issues to business links regarding the largest companies which should receive their services. [31906]

  Mr. Page
  Each business link is expected to provide a service to firms of widely differing sizes. The business link prospectus suggested a need to concentrate its services on businesses with between 10 and 200 employees. In developing business links, however, it has become clear that the real target is firms with the potential to grow, not firms of a particular size.

  ISO 9000 Status
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many firms with under(a) 10, (b) 20, (c) 50 and (d) 100 employees have attained Internation Standard Organisation 9000 status. [31948]

  Mr. Page
  My Department does not hold comprehensive information concerning the size of firms assessed to ISO 9000. The 1996 edition of the DTI QA register, "The United Kingdom Register of Quality Assessed Companies", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, lists some 51,500 organisations which have attained accredited certification to ISO 9000. Entries in the register are voluntary and there is no breakdown by size of organisation.

  Torness Power Station
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement on warnings given by the nuclear installations inspectorate concerning the failure of maintenance requirements of Torness power station to match the safety case with particular reference to the shortage of suitably qualified and experienced personnel at Torness and safety problems arising from the employment of outside contractors; [31624]
  18
  (2) if he will take measures to increase the provision of maintenance staff and in-house provision at Torness power station; and if he will notify those bidding for shares in British Energy of his proposals in this area. [31625]

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answers 7 June 1996]: Scottish Nuclear put forward a safety case to the nuclear installations inspectorate on proposals to make modifications to the maintenance regime of Torness power station. The NII raised some apparent discrepancies with Scottish Nuclear about what was written in the safety case and what was actually in place. Scottish Nuclear reacted promptly and effectively to those concerns. The NII is satisfied with the range of improvements which Scottish Nuclear implemented to its procedures.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  West Bank and Gaza Strip
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the British Government plan to take through bilateral and international aid programmes to improve hospital bed availability in the west bank and Gaza strip. [31868]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Overseas Development Administration is helping the Palestinian Ministry of Health to strengthen its management capacity through a three-year project. The project's goals include improved planning and management of hospital services, and increased utilisation rates and hospital bed availability. The team of ODA-funded health consultants led by Sir Duncan Nicholl is working alongside a World Bank-funded programme which constitutes a part of its $20 million education and health rehabilitation credit.

  The EU is financing the construction of a 232-bed general hospital near Gaza city. Construction began in October 1993, commissioning will begin in the early autumn, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency which administers the hospital expects it to be fully operational by March 1997. The UK share of the £18 million cost will be over £3 million. There has also been substantial UK involvement in the hospital's design and construction.

  UNRWA, to whose core budget the UK makes annual contributions, is upgrading a small cottage hospital in the west bank.

  Miss Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the annual amount spent by the United Kingdom Government through bilateral and international aid programmes on the provision of health care in the west bank and Gaza strip for the period 1970 to 1996. [31870]

  Mr. Hanley
  The ODA's record of expenditure on assistance to the health sector in the west bank and Gaza strip does not date back to 1970. The following table shows UK bilateral aid, and assistance through the EC and UNRWA, since 1978–98. Assistance from the World bank for the west bank and Gaza is only just starting: it
  19
  has recently declared a $20 million education and health rehabilitation credit effective.

  UK aid flows to occupied territories/west bank Gaza strip health sector 1987–88 to 1995–96

  UK financial year

  ODA bilateral1

  EC2

  UNRWA3

  Total £'000s

  1987–88

  137

  74

  —

  211

  1988–89

  148

  81

  —

  229

  1989–90

  198

  211

  —

  419

  1990–91

  247

  240

  —

  487

  1991–92

  534

  1,782

  —

  2,316

  1992–93

  565

  987

  —

  1,552

  1993–94

  510

  1,120

  —

  1,630

  1994–95

  420

  776

  —

  1,296

  1995–96

  636

  2,300

  45

  2,981

  Notes:

  1 ODA bilateral: constitutes regular bilateral programme, Emergency Aid and Joint Funding Scheme flows.

  2 EC: based on exchange rate of 1 Ecu: £0.80, and UK average share over the period of 16 per cent. of total EU programme.

  3 UNRWA: Figure refers to year one of third year £400,000 ODA-funded Family Health Project. Both UK and EU make regular annual contributions to UNRWA's core programme budget which includes health sector activities. These cannot be disaggregated.

  Miss Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what existing measures the British Government support through bilateral and international aid programmes which assist polytechnic education to train technical and managerial workers in the west bank and Gaza strip; and what is the United Kingdom financial contribution to such programmes; [31871]

  (2) what was the annual amount spent by the United Kingdom Government through bilateral and international aid programmes on the provision of polytechnic education in the west bank and Gaza strip for the period 1970 to 1996; [31867]

  (3) what future steps the British Government plan to take through bilateral and international aid programmes to assist the development of polytechnical education to train technical and managerial workers in the west bank and Gaza strip. [31869]

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom bilateral aid programme for west bank and Gaza does not fund tertiary level education projects.

  The European Union is providing running cost support in 1996 for nine universities and 12 community colleges. Four of the community colleges—the term polytechnic is rarely used in west bank and Gaza—are technical or management colleges. Their share of the support will total 1.96 million ecu—£1.64 million—of which about 16 per cent. can be attributed to the UK.

TREASURY

  Kenya
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement about the International Monetary Fund's enhanced structural adjustment facility for Kenya. [30596]
  20
  Mrs. Anglea Knight
  A three-year programme under the enhanced structural adjustment facility worth SDR 149.55 million, was approved by the IMF board on 26 April.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of the conditional exempt works of art inheritance tax rules to the Inland Revenue at constant values in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1995. [31209]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated cost to the Exchequer of granting conditional exemption from inheritance tax and capital transfer tax to works of art and chattels is:

  Year

  £ million at 1994–95 prices1

  1984–85

  64 million

  1989–90

  123 million

  1994–95

  55 million

  1 Converted using the GDP market deflator.

  A comparable figure for 1979–80 is not available. The exemption is conditional, not absolute. Its broad effect is to defer payment of tax on the qualifying items for so long as the conditions of the exemption are met.

  Abortions
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many abortions(a) in total and (b) per 1,000 women were carried out in England and Wales in 1995. [31316]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested is not yet available. Abortion data for the first three quarters of 1995 have been published in Office of Population Censuses and Surveys/Office of National Statistics monitors AB96/1, AB96/2, AB9/3 and are available in the House of Commons Library. The December quarter monitor is expected to be published on 27 June 1996. The 1995 annual monitors are expected to be published in September 1996.

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31501]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  No European Union flags were flown by the Treasury or the Chancellor's agencies on 8 May 1996.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 257, how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested. [31444]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  More than £450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.
  21

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of(a) the cost to a family of four of the common agricultural policy and (b) the pecuniary benefit which such a family derives from United Kingdom membership of the EEC. [31761]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The common agricultural policy imposes costs on consumers estimated for 1993 at some £3 per week per person. A note setting out the calculations of the costs to United Kingdom taxpayers and consumers has been placed in Library of the House.

  However, while such an assessment of the costs of the CAP can be made, to carry out an assessment of the pecuniary and wider benefits of UK membership of the European Union for a family of four would be time consuming and expensive. It would not be possible to disentangle the direct impact of EU membership over more than two decades from changes which are due to other factors.

  Exports
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on exports of changes in the strength of the pound against other currencies since January 1996. [31932]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The latest trade data, to March, show that the volume of United Kingdom exports of goods—excluding oil and erratics—increased by over three per cent. in the first quarter of 1996 compared with the previous quarter. However, exports depend on a wide range of factors, of which the exchange rate is only one, and it is difficult to disentangle the various influences. In any case, the sterling effective exchange rate index changed little between January and April 1996.

  Assets
  Sir Peter Hordern
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people over 60 years have assets of £50,000 or more at the latest available date; and how many such people there were five years ago and 10 years ago. [31548]

  Mr. Jack
  The available information is as follows. I regret that separate estimates for people over 60 years are not available.

  Adults in the United Kingdom with net marketable wealth1 of £50,000 or more

  Year

  Estimated number

  1983

  3 million

  1988

  6 million

  1993

  10 million

  1 Includes all assets held by individuals for which a value can be immediately realised, net of liabilities, but excludes the values of accrued pension rights.

  Obstetrics
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total number of(a) live births, (b) stillbirths and (c) maternities which occurred in England and Wales in 1995 and the number of each which occurred in
  22
  (i) NHS hospitals without consultant obstetric units, (ii) NHS hospitals with obstetric units, (iii) other hospitals, (iv) at home and (v) elsewhere. [31855]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Available data requested are shown in the table.

  Births and maternities in England and Wales by place of confinement, 1995

  Live births

  Stillbirths

  Maternities

  NHS hospitals

  632,378

  3,530

  626,633

  Non-NHS hospitals

  2,689

  14

  2,667

  At home

  12,464

  41

  12,487

  Elsewhere

  607

  15

  617

  Total

  648,138

  3,600

  642,404

  Separate figures for different kinds of NHS hospital have not been collected centrally since 1992, when 98.6 per cent. of all maternities in NHS hospitals occurred in hospitals with consultant obstetric units.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the number and proportion of manual, non-manual and part-time employees on adult rates earning less than(a) £3.95, (b) £5.26 and (c) £5.52 per hour, excluding overtime payments, in total and for (i) men and (ii) women and by (1) standard economic region, (2) each county in England and Wales, (3) each London borough and Greater London as a whole, (4) each regional authority and borough in Scotland and (5) Great Britain as a whole for April 1992; [31175]

  (2) if he will list the number and proportion of manual, non-manual and all full-time employees on adult rates earning less than (a) £148.13, (b) £197.25 and (c) £207.13 per week, excluding overtime payments, in total and for (i) men and (ii) women and by (1) standard economic region, (2) each county in England and Wales, (3) each London borough and Greater London as a whole, (4) each regional authority and borough in Scotland and (5) Great Britain as a whole for April 1992. [31174]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I am placing the available information from the "New Earnings Survey" in the House of Commons Library.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated annual saving to business from the Deregulation (Bills of Exchange) Order 1996. [31384]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Association for Payment Clearing Services has estimated that savings to the banking industry will be in the region of £30 million a year.

  Custody Services Regulation
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish his consultation document on extending the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986 to cover regulation of custody services. [32549]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have today published the consultation document. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. Comments are invited by the end of August.
  23

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Disabled Employees
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered disabled people are employed by his Department; and what percentage this is of the total figures. [30778]

  Sir John Wheeler
  At 1 May 1996 there 1,120 staff in the Northern Ireland Civil Service—3.96 per cent. of the service—who self-reported a disability. Of these 450–1.6 per cent. of the service—were, or had been, registered as disabled. In addition, 71 registered disabled people are working in the Northern Ireland civil service under the employment support programme.

  Of the home civil service staff in the Northern Ireland Office two are known to be registered disabled–0.9 per cent. of the work force.

  Postal and Proxy Votes
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applicants for postal or proxy votes for the election to be held on 30 May, have been refused by the chief electoral officer because they stated that they would be on holiday; what plans he has to take steps to reverse this ruling; and if he will advise the chief electoral officer to amend the existing application form so that applicants know to state where they will be on holiday. [30832]

  Mr. Ancram
  A total of 56 applications for a postal or proxy vote were refused to individuals who cited leave or holiday as the reason for recruiting an absent vote for the 30 May election. The precise reasons for the refusals in these cases are, however, a matter for the chief electoral officer alone to consider. The application form that is used by those wishing to apply for a one-off postal or proxy vote at a particular election already advises in the notes on the reverse of the form that the applicant should indicate where he or she will be on holiday.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much Pesca funding is available for fishery projects in Northern Ireland in 1996–97; how much was paid in 1995–96; and if he will list those projects funded and the amount each project received. [32192]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The financial information for the Pesca programme is available only on the basis of calendar year and not financial year as requested.

  The funding available for measure 3 fisheries projects in 1996 and 1997 is as follows:

  1996: £67,000

  1997: £76,000

  There was no expenditure incurred on fisheries projects in 1995–96 financial year.

  A nil return should be recorded against list of projects funded and amount each project received.
  24

TRANSPORT

  British Rail (Assets)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the value of(a) land, (b) property and (c) rolling stock and other railway assets in the ownership of British Rail. [30616]

  Mr. Watts
  British Rail's 1994–95 annual report and accounts show that the total value of BR's fixed assets was £2,748 million at 31 March 1995. The annual report and accounts for year end 1995–96 are being audited and will be published in July.

  Official Travel
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of his travel on official business has been undertaken by rail in the last year. [30620]

  Sir George Young
  I travel regularly to work by rail and, during the last year, I travelled by train on approximately 75 per cent. of official visits in the UK outside London. On Friday, I travelled on seven separate trains.

  Public Transport
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase public transport use; and if he will make a statement. [30628]

  Mr. Norris
  We aim to increase the attractions of public transport through targeted public investment and through greater involvement of the private sector in offering the services people want.

  Airport Capacity
  Sir Alan Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to respond to the Second report of the Transport Committee on United Kingdom airport capacity, HC67, Session 1995–96. [30629]

  Sir George Young
  I received the report towards the end of last month and aim to respond as soon as possible.

  Bus Lanes (London)
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to review the economic impact of the introduction of bus lanes in London; and if he will make a statement. [30630]

  Mr. Norris
  We are currently updating our guidance note "Keeping Buses Moving". However, I have no doubt that bus priority measures in London are delivering real benefit, and this is reflected in our commitment to complete the bus priority network by 2003.

  Disabled Parking
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to examine misuse of the orange badge parking concession scheme; and what plans he has to curb such abuse. [31873]

  Mr. Norris
  Following a comprehensive review of the working of the scheme new regulations were introduced in 1992 which, among other things, sought to reduce
  25
  abuse of the scheme by making enforcement easier. We are seeking a legislative opportunity for the creation of new powers which will allow traffic wardens and parking attendants to inspect orange badges on demand.

  Women (Promotion)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department has implemented during the last 12 months, to encourage the promotion of women into senior positions with his Department and its executive agencies; and what progress his Department has made in encouraging the promotion of women over the last five years. [31536]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department advertises all promotions, internal vacancies and open competitions on an equal opportunity basis. During the last 12 months, women have been among those particularly encouraged to apply. Over the last five years, the Department has run courses designed to specifically develop the potential of women in management positions. The Department is actively involved in Opportunity 2000.

  National Rail Network
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his assessment of the future of the national rail network; and if he will make a statement. [30615]

  Sir George Young
  The future of the national rail network is more assured than ever as a result of our privatisation programme. Railtrack, now in the private sector, has published a 10-year plan to spend well over £ 1 billion per annum on the network. Passenger services are being transferred to the private sector, with, for the first time, key services and network benefits legally guaranteed through franchise contracts.

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31513]

  CTG

  DSA

  DVLA

  VCA

  TCA

  HA

  MSA

  VIEA

  TRL

  Totals

  April 1994—April 1995

  Number of permanent staff recruited (FTA 1 incl.)

  30

  62

  45

  3

  29

  7

  23

  36

  63

  298

  April 1994—April 1995

  Cost

  £269,182

  £34,000

  nil

  £4,983

  £26,352

  £36,450

  £17,102

  £54,000

  £75,000

  £517,069

  April 1995—April 1996

  Number of permanent staff recruited (FTA 1 incl.)

  37

  240

  97

  1

  45

  27

  23

  68

  114

  652

  26
  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6 June,Official Report, column 518, by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis).

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what use his Department and its executive agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within his Department or executive agencies administered by his Department during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what agencies were employed; what was the cost in each case; how many staff were recruited in each case; and what was the total cost in each financial year of these contracts. [31415]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department has used Recruitment and Assessment Services and other specialist recruitment agencies for external recruitment. The total number of staff recruited using these services was 19, for the 1994–95 financial year, and 223 for 1995–96. The overall estimated recruitment costs including agency costs—which are not separately identified—in each financial year was in the order of £300,000. The following agencies were employed in the period in question:

  Recruitment and Assessment Services

  Link-up Recruitment

  Murray and Co.

  Harrison and Willis

  Saxton Bampfylde International plc

  NB Selection Ltd.

  Sanders and Sidney Outplacement Consultant Beechwood Executive Search

  Prospect Recruitment Ltd.

  Comtex Solutions

  Principal People

  PTC

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent in recruiting staff to his Department and its executive agencies during the 1994–95 and 1995–96 financial years; and how many staff were recruited in each of these years. [31400]

  Mr. Norris
  The figures requested for recruitment in my Department are contained in the following table.
  27

  CTG

  DSA

  DVLA

  VCA

  TCA

  HA

  MSA

  VIEA

  TRL

  Totals

  April 1995—April 1996

  Cost

  £188,965

  £104,500

  £9,100

  £1,609

  £28,085

  £46,944

  £23,428

  £58,000

  £103,000

  £563,631

  Total permanent recruitment (for both periods)

  67

  302

  142

  4

  74

  34

  46

  104

  177

  950

  Total costs (for both periods)

  £458,147

  £138,500

  £9,100

  £6,592

  £54,437

  £83,394

  £40,530

  £112,000

  £178,000

  £1,080,700

  1 FTA (Fixed Term Appointments) not including casual recruitment.

  CTG = Central Transport Group.

  DSA = Driving Standards Agency.

  DVLA = Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

  VCA = Vehicle Certification Agency.

  TCA = The Coast-Guard Agency.

  HA = High-Ways Agency.

  MSA = Marine Safety Agency.

  VIEA = Vehicle Inspectorate.

  TRL = Transport Research Laboratory privatised April 1996.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances his Department or its executive agencies uses an executive search or employment agency to recruit staff in preference to using personnel staff within his own Department or its executive agencies. [31528]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department and its executive agencies use executive search or employment agencies where it is felt that this provides a better and more cost-effective service than the normal recruitment methods.

  Railway Investment
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on future likely levels of investment in Britain's rail network. [30619]

  Mr. Watts
  Investment in the rail network has been at record levels in recent years and is expected to rise following the privatisation of railtrack and other rail businesses.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of rail privatisation on the amount of freight carried by rail rather than road. [30612]

  Mr. Watts
  I expect rail freight privatisation to be a resounding success. Both North and South Railways and the new owners of Freightliner have ambitions to develop the rail freight market.

  Railway Research Projects
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are employed by British Rail on railway research projects; and if he will list the current projects. [31591]

  Mr. Watts
  The number of people employed by BR on railway research projects, and the nature of those projects, is a commercial matter for BR.

  Motorway Lighting
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations of all sections of motorway which have overhead lighting, by parliamentary constituency. [31599]
  28
  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Frank Field, dated 10 June 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the location of overhead lighting on motorways. You asked for this information by parliamentary constituency.
  The Highways Agency's locational information for road lighting does not include references to parliamentary constituencies. The lengths of motorway in England with overhead lighting are however recorded and these are identified on the attached table.
  The Agency does not have information about the short lengths of principal road motorway in England or the motorways in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  The following sections of motorway, in England, contain stretches of road lighting:

  Motorway

  From junction

  To junction

  Kilometres

  Miles

  M1

  1

  20

  122

  75.8

  M1

  21

  22

  6

  3.7

  M1

  23

  27

  22.9

  14.2

  M1

  46

  47

  0.6

  0.4

  M2

  6

  End

  3.2

  2

  M3

  Start

  2

  0.9

  0.6

  M3

  2

  3

  1.9

  1.2

  M3

  12

  End

  5.1

  3.2

  M4

  Start

  8/9

  32.8

  20.4

  M4

  10

  13

  12.6

  7.8

  M4

  20

  21

  1.7

  1.1

  M4

  21

  22

  5

  3.1

  M4

  22

  Wales

  0

  0

  M5

  Start

  3

  14.7

  9.1

  M5

  4

  9

  43.3

  26.9

  M5

  14

  20

  15.7

  9.8

  M5

  28

  30

  3.2

  2

  M5

  30

  31

  0.9

  0.6

  M6

  Start

  1

  2.1

  1.3

  M6

  2

  3

  2.1

  1.3

  M6

  3

  11

  36.4

  22.6

  M6

  15

  16

  4.8

  3

  M6

  19

  28

  37

  23

  M6

  28

  33

  15.4

  9.6

  M10

  1

  2

  0.8

  0.5

  M11

  Start

  3

  4.2

  2.6

  M11

  5

  7

  7.6

  4.7

  M11

  13

  14

  1

  0.6

  M20

  1

  3

  2.8

  1.7

  M20

  4

  8

  11.3

  7

  M20

  10

  13

  9.2

  5.7

  M23

  7

  9

  4.1

  2.5

  M23

  10

  End

  1

  0.6

  M25

  1a

  3

  3.6

  2.2

  M25

  5

  5

  2.5

  1.6

  29

  The following sections of motorway, in England, contain stretches of road lighting:

  Motorway

  From junction

  To junction

  Kilometres

  Miles

  M25

  6

  8

  2.2

  1.4

  M25

  10

  17

  33.8

  21

  M25

  17

  22

  12.6

  7.8

  M25

  23

  27

  25.1

  15.6

  M25

  27

  31

  25.5

  15.8

  M27

  3

  4

  2.9

  1.8

  M27

  5

  8

  2.9

  1.8

  M27

  11

  12

  4.1

  2.5

  M32

  Start

  1

  1.2

  0.7

  M32

  1

  3

  3.3

  2.1

  M40

  1a

  2

  1.4

  0.9

  M40

  3

  6

  13.5

  8.4

  M42

  Start

  2

  3.1

  1.9

  M42

  3

  4

  1.3

  0.8

  M42

  5

  9

  9.6

  6

  M45

  Start

  1

  0.4

  0.2

  M50

  Start

  1

  0.7

  0.4

  M53

  Start

  3

  3

  1.9

  M53

  4

  12

  12.2

  7.6

  M54

  Start

  3

  7

  4.3

  M55

  Start

  3

  2.2

  1.4

  M55

  3

  End

  0.7

  0.4

  M56

  Start

  7

  7.4

  4.6

  M56

  8

  10

  4.8

  3

  M56

  14

  End

  5.1

  3.2

  M57

  6

  End

  0.4

  0.2

  M58

  Start

  1

  0.6

  0.4

  M58

  3

  4

  7.4

  4.6

  M61

  Start

  4

  4.8

  3

  M61

  9

  End

  0.8

  0.5

  M62

  Start

  7

  7.1

  4.4

  M62

  7

  11

  4.9

  3

  M62

  11

  28

  66.1

  41.1

  M62

  37

  End

  0.7

  0.4

  M63

  Start

  End

  22.7

  14.1

  M66

  Start

  1

  0.1

  0.1

  M66

  1

  3

  6.6

  4.1

  M66

  3

  5

  1.4

  0.9

  M66

  4

  End

  0.1

  0.1

  M66

  11

  12

  3.8

  2.4

  M67

  Start

  End

  5.8

  3.6

  M69

  Start

  1

  1.6

  1

  M69

  2

  End

  0.9

  0.6

  M180

  Start

  2

  1.5

  0.9

  M180

  4

  5

  1

  0.6

  M606

  1

  2

  2.3

  1.4

  M606

  2

  3

  1.7

  1.1

  M621

  Start

  End

  8

  5

  A1(M)

  Start

  2

  0.9

  0.6

  A1(M)

  1

  5

  6

  3.7

  A1(M)

  37

  38

  1.6

  1

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the codes of practice on standards of road testing for licensing drivers of motor vehicles, including heavy lorries, in each member state of the European Community. [32015]

  Mr. Norris
  All member states comply with, or are taking steps to comply with, Council directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences which is available in the Library. Annexe II of the directive sets out, among other things, the contents of the practical driving test for motor vehicles, including heavy lorries, and provisions on the manner of assessing candidates by examiners and on the training and supervision of examiners.
  30

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to have large signs showing maximum permitted speeds alongside all speed camera signs; and if he will make a statement. [32047]

  Mr. Norris
  Existing legislation requires all speed limits to be signed. I do not propose additional requirements to add speed limit repeater signs alongside enforcement camera signs. On urban roads where there is a 30 mph limit, repeater signs may be used only where there is no street lighting to indicae the presence of the speed limit. Inconsistent use of repeater signs would lead to enforcement difficulties arising through drivers claiming uncertainty about which limit is in force. The west London enforcement camera trial clearly showed that drivers—who slow down when approaching known camera sites—know the limits in force.

  Traffic Area Network
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his plans are for reorganising the traffic area network. [32552]

  Mr. Norris
  In order to streamline the work and reduce the costs of the traffic areas, the work of the current eight offices will be reorganised into six offices, each with its own traffic commissioner. The offices in Cardiff and Manchester will be closed in 1997. It will be our objective to resolve the problems of staff surpluses by voluntary redundancy means wherever possible through offers of voluntary redundancy and by identifying alternative job opportunities in DOT agencies and other Government Departments for staff in these two offices who wish to remain in the civil service.

  We shall be consulting shortly on proposals for boundary changes to the traffic areas so as to achieve a more even distribution of work.

  London Transport Fares
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on fares charged by London Transport. [30627]

  Mr. Norris
  The general level and structure of London Transport fares are the statutory responsibility of LT. However, as our document "A Transport Strategy for London" indicates, we believe that, in future, LT fares are likely to rise more in line with inflation than with earnings, implying average fare increases lower than in recent years.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many letters and submissions he has received supporting the Bull Bars (Prohibition) Bill; and how many have opposed it. [32092]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department has received 197 letters and submissions supporting the Bull Bars (Prohibition) Bill and 10 opposing it.
  31

  Thames Piers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what submissions he has received from the Port of London Authority to comply with the recommendation of the River Thames working group to review the location and availability of piers on the Thames. [31475]

  Mr. Norris
  The Port of London Authority is working with the Cross River Partnership to examine in detail the location of, and potential demand for, existing and possible new piers in central London. This study forms part of the cross-river integrated public transport study which is expected to report next year.

  In addition, the PLA has recently completed a review of the availability of space at the existing piers under its control, in response to a number of proposals to start new passenger services, and last week invited bids for the use of the available space.
  32
  Proposals are anticipated in due course for new piers and the upgrading of existing piers. The Government welcome such initiatives which, if implemented, would increase the total pier capacity in central London and facilitate increase use of the Thames for passenger transport.

  Ferry Safety
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the evacuation time of all passengers and crew that can be required of all ferries using British ports licensed to carry more than 1,000 passengers. [32094]

  Mr. Norris
  The precise time taken to evacuate any such ship would depend upon individual circumstances. Under the safety of life at sea convention, all survival craft needs for the abandonment of the ship must be able to be launched fully loaded within 30 minutes from the time the abandon ship signal is given.
  33

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Private Investigators
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what. use her Department has made of private detective agencies or investigators during 1995–96 and 1994–95; which agencies have been employed; for what purposes; and at what cost to her Department. [30573]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department has made no use of private detective agencies or investigators during 1995–96 or 1994–95.

  Of my two agencies, the Historic Royal Palaces agency used the services of private detectives on one occasion during 1995–96 and the Royal Parks agency used a private investigator for one inquiry during 1995–96.

  As both these inquiries were of a confidential personnel-related nature, it would be wrong to provide more specific information.

  National Lottery
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many organisations have been awarded funds from the national lottery five good causes; what is the total amount in pounds; and how much of that money in percentage terms from each of the five good causes has not yet been paid out to these organisations. [28143]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Information about lottery awards is collected on the basis of awards and projects rather than on the basis of recipient organisations. At 2 May 1996, 5,498 awards for 6,588 projects totalling £1,484,691,164.76 had been made by the 11 lottery distributing bodies throughout the United Kingdom.

  It is a general principle in the distribution of lottery funds that cash will be paid out only to an award recipient on receipt of an invoice relating to the lottery-funded project, consistent with the prudent management of public funds. Until that time, the funds allocated and committed to the future costs of projects remain invested in the national lottery distribution fund, where all the investment returns earned accrue to the good causes.

  It is therefore important to distinguish between the commitment of funds to awards and the draw-down of cash from the NLDF. The figures for awards include a significant proportion of projects which have not yet drawn down from the NLDF, either because the award is very recent, or because the project has not yet met all the particular conditions placed on the award. They also include the total value of awards to over 4,000 capital projects whose expenditure is spread out over many years to come.

  My Department ensures that the future commitment of funds by the lottery distributing bodies remains within prudent levels consistent with their share of the expected income to the NLDF.

  The figures for each of the five good causes for funds allocated from the NLDF at 31 March 1996 are shown in the table:
  34

  Lottery receipts £ million

  Amount awarded (including future commitments £ million

  Amount drawn down £ million

  Percentage of amount awarded awaiting draw down from NLDF

  Arts

  363

  403

  35

  90

  Sports

  363

  254

  29

  92

  Heritage

  363

  173

  36

  90

  Millennium

  363

  494

  5

  99

  Charities

  363

  159

  19

  95

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what sums of public money(a) have been spent and (b) are allocated to the national coaching foundation scheme for Scottish and national vocational qualifications for coaching. [30327]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Sports Council will provide £1,500,500 grant aid to the National Coaching Foundation in 1996–97 for a work programme which will include assistance to the national governing bodies of sport to help them develop their coach education programmes. A total of £183,000 is to be allocated to work on the Scottish/national vocational qualifications—S/NVO. This will involve assisting the governing bodies of sport to convert their existing coach award schemes in line with S/NVQ standards. For the last three years, the corresponding figures for Sports Council grant to the NCF have been:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Total grant

  1,494,000

  1,420,000

  1,550,500

  S/NVQ element

  164,000

  153,661

  176,136

  I understand that funds are also made available by the Further Education Funding Council.

  Roman Road
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the extent of the surviving Roman road on the site of the HAT redevelopment of the Lefevre Walk estate on the Parnell road, Old Ford site; and what measures are planned to ensure that the surviving Roman road remains(a) undisturbed and (b) accessible for further investigation. [31308]

  Mr. Sproat
  Archaeological remains, including a small part of the Roman road which extended from London to Colchester, exist at the Lefevre Walk estate redevelopment site and have been properly investigated in accordance with English Heritage's advice. As recommended in Government guidance on archaeology and planning, a condition has been included in the planning permission given by the London borough of Tower Hamlets to ensure that the foundations for the new housing development will have as little impact as possible on these remains.
  35

  Euro 96
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what emergency accommodation arrangements local authorities are providing for fans attending the Euro 96 football championships; what is the estimated cost involved in making these arrangements; and who is meeting the cost of this accommodation. [31328]

  Mr. Sproat
  I understand that local authorities have been examining ways of meeting accommodation needs for fans attending Euro 96. The costs involved are a matter for the local authorities themselves.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much her Department spent in recruiting staff to her Department and its executive agencies during the 1994–95 and 1995–96 financial years; and how many staff were recruitment in each of these years. [31403]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department and its agencies spent £101,793.05 on recruiting 60 staff during the financial year 1994–95. During 1995–96, we spent £136,449.75 recruiting 57 staff.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what use her Department and its executive agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within her Department or executive agencies administered by her Department during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what agencies were employed; what was the cost in each case; how many staff were recruited in each case; and what was the total cost in each financial year of these contracts; [31418]

  (2) in what circumstances her Department or its executive agencies uses an executive search or employment agency to recruit staff in preference to using personnel staff within her own Department or its executive agencies. [31531]

  Mr. Sproat
  Neither this Department nor its executive agencies have used executive search agencies or employment companies to fill any vacancies during the financial years 1994–95 or 1995–96. Therefore, the question of whether we use executive search agencies or employment companies in preference to using personnel staff is not applicable.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) pursuant to her answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 518, how much her Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested; [31459]

  (2) pursuant to her answer of 28 March, Official Report, column 724, how much her Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested. [31452]

  Mr. Sproat
  More than £450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.
  36

  Women (Promotion)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures her Department has implemented during the last 12 months to encourage the promotion of women into senior positions with her Department and its executive agencies; and what progress her Department has made in encouraging the promotion of women over the last five years. [31533]

  Mr. Sproat
  Since the Department was created in April 1992, promotees into senior positions in the Department of National Heritage and its agencies have been selected on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. The Department is committed, through the departmental equal opportunities policy statement and action plan, to monitor the progress of women at key stages in their career development, and to take any action appropriate to remove any significant barriers to career progress.

  The agencies abide by the principles set out in the policy statement and action plan. The Department has been developing non-discriminatory personnel practices, and procedures including flexible working arrangements, child care provision for employees, and appraisal and promotion systems, which are fair, and do not discriminate against a particular group. As a result of these, the Department and agencies have a good record in respect of the employment and promotion of women.

  British Academy of Sport
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 294, about the British Academy of Sport (1) what factors led to her inability to provide the information requested; [31585]

  (2) when she expects to be able to provide the information requested. [31584]

  Mr. Sproat
  The detailed analysis of the consultation exercise is an internal document, never itself intended for publication. It is the basis of internal discussion and advice on a policy which has yet to be finalised and announced. The selective release of some elements of the information from the exercise would be misleading. It would also be premature, given that I have said in my previous parliamentary answer that a summary of the main conclusions of the consultation exercise will be published along with the bid prospectus.

  Museums and Coal Mining
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to implement the recommendations in the Museums and Galleries Commission report on museums and coal mining. [31635]

  Mr. Sproat
  The report on museums and coal mining has been prepared by an independent consultant for the Museums and Galleries Commission. The commission is currently considering the recommendations in the report. If, following that consideration, the commission wishes to raise any specific aspects of the report with the Government, my Department will be prepared to consider these, in consultation with the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office.
  37

  Royal Fine Art Commission
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement regarding Sir Geoffrey Chipperfield's report into the royal fine art commission. [31573]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer Friday 7 June 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 9 May 1996, Official Report, columns 213–14.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kashmir (Elections)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the electorate in all Kashmir constituencies voted in the recent national elections; how many United Kingdom nationals observed those elections on behalf of Her Majesty's Government; if he will arrange to place their report in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [31420]

  Mr. Hanley
  Official Indian election commission figures for the voting in the recent elections in Kashmir are as follows: Jammu 49.1 per cent., Ladakh 83.3 per cent., Anantnag 39 per cent., Baramulla 46.6 per cent., Srinagar 41 per cent. and Udhampur 52 per cent. A member of our high commission in New Delhi visited the Kashmir constituencies during the elections. The high commission's reports on those visits are internal documents and will not be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 386, how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested; [31447]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 29 March, Official Report, column 796, how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested. [31450]

  Mr. Hanley
  More than –450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent in recruiting staff to his Department and its executive agencies during the 1994–95 and 1995–96 financial years; and how many staff were recruited in each of these years. [31392]

  Mr. Hanley
  The cost of recruiting permanent staff to this Department and its agencies, and the numbers in each period were:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Cost (£)

  996,806

  962,711

  Number

  253

  188

  38
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use his Department and its executive agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within his Department or executive agencies administered by his Department during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what agencies were employed; what was the cost in each case; how many staff were recruited in each case; and what was the total cost in each financial year of these contracts. [31407]

  Mr. Hanley
  This Department and its agencies have not used executive search agencies during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96, but have used the following employment companies:

  2 Heads better for business

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Number of staff recruited

  46

  66

  Cost

  £48,167

  £51,177

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances his Department or its executive agencies uses an executive search or employment agency to recruit staff in preference to using personnel staff within his own Department or its executive agencies. [31520]

  Mr. Hanley
  This Department and its agencies use employment agencies to recruit staff in preference to using personnel staff since it represents best value for money.

  Women (Promotion)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures her Department has implemented during the last 12 months to encourage the promotion of women into senior positions with his Department and its executive agencies; and what progress her Department has made in encouraging the promotion of women over the last five years. [31544]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have an action programme in place to ensure equality of access to recruitment, training, career development and promotion for all women. Graduate recruitment into the fast stream is particularly targeted to help redress the under-representation of women at senior levels. The policy is seeing results—in 1995, 57 per cent. of the fast stream intake were women. We encourage the retention of women through a number of initiatives including flexible/part-time work, generous career breaks, subsidised nursery facilities and holiday play schemes for school children. We have been an active member of the Opportunity 2000 campaign since 1992.

  We are seeing a steady increase in the percentage of women at all levels in the FCO. The number of women at DS5—top level of middle management—has increased from 9.6 per cent. in 1991 to 13.7 per cent. in 1995. The number of women in the top three grades of the DS has increased by 1 per cent. in 1995 to 3.7 per cent. in 1991, a level that has been maintained to date. There are now eight female ambassadors/heads of mission compared to two in 1991.
  39

  Chazanfer Ali
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received about the detention in Mirpur prison of Chazanfer Ali; and if he will make a statement. [31421]

  Mr. Hanley
  Our high commission in Islamabad was told on 6 June by the Mirpur prison authorities that Chazanfer Ali, a Pakistani national, is still making regular court appearances and that he is in good health.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration has been given to market testing the services provided by his Department's agencies; and if he will make a statement. [31558]

  Mr. Hanley
  A prior options review of the diplomatic wing's executive agency, Wilton Park, took place in 1995. The study recommend that the commercial—that is, non-conference—operation be market tested by November 1997. This would not affect Wilton Park's core business of organising conferences on foreign policy matters. This has been endorsed by Ministers.

  The ODA's agency—the Natural Resources Institute—has recently been transferred to private ownership.

  European Court of Justice
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many judgments were given against each of the member countries in the European Union by the European Court of Justice in each year since 1989; [31607]

  (2) on how many occasions each of the member countries in the European Union were taken to the European Court of Justice in each year since 1989. [31619]

  Mr. David Davis
  The most up-to-date information is in annexe II of the 12th annual report on monitoring the applications of Community law, OJC No. 254, 1994. The data for 1989 are in annexe II of the 11 the report, OJC No. 154, 1993. The 13th report will be published shortly. The reports are in the Library of the House. They summarise the progress of all infraction proceedings against member states.

  Seal Pups
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the numbers of harp and hooded seal pups taken in the region of the White sea in 1996 to date. [31832]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  None. The question of seal culling in the White sea was last raised with the Russian Environment Ministry by our embassy in Moscow in December 1995.

  The embassy in Moscow has been instructed to ask for an update on the latest position and I shall write to the hon. Member in due course.
  40

  Embassies and Missions (Running Costs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the total costs of staffing and running embassies and missions in(a) Vilnius, (b) Riga and (c) Talinn (d) Paris and (e) Rome in each of the past three years. [32212]

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is in the following table:

  £

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Vilnius

  213,196

  267,328

  267,481

  Riga

  663,185

  698,407

  450,518

  Talinn

  243,013

  210,379

  239,960

  Paris

  12,522,331

  12,577,264

  12,582,954

  Rome

  6,220,557

  6,192,928

  5,893,770

  African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's recent signature to the African nuclear weapons free zone treaty; and what restrictions the treaty places on the use of nuclear weapons against an African party to that treaty which has used other weapons of mass destruction. [32050]

  Mr. David Davis
  The UK signed, subject to ratification protocols 1 and 2 to the African nuclear weapons free zone treaty on 11 April. Parties to protocol 1 undertake not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against parties to the treaty. On signature, we stated that we would not be bound by this undertaking if a state party to the treaty attacked us in alliance with a nuclear weapon state, or was in breach of its own non-proliferation obligations under the treaty. Our statement also noted that compliance with international agreements to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is vital to the maintenance of world security.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31498]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis) on 6 June 1996,Official Report, column 518.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what evidence he has evaluated that suggests that the taking of soft drugs leads to the taking of hard drugs; and if he will make a statement. [30637]
  41
  Mr. Newton
  The Government have neither commissioned nor evaluated evidence on this specific point as we do not find the distinction between so-called hard and soft drugs helpful: all illegal drugs carry physical and mental health risks.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on measures to combat drug abuse. [30639]

  Mr. Newton
  The Government's drugs strategy for England for the period 1995–98, "Tackling Drugs Together", was published on 10 May 1995. In answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Mr. Rathbone) on 13 May,Official Report, columns 341–42, I described the considerable progress made in implementing the strategy during its first year, and on 14 May I wrote to all hon. Members in England outlining the work of drug action teams. Similar strategies are in place in the other parts of the United Kingdom.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what progress he had made in ensuring provision of resources for drug rehabilitation. [30641]

  Mr. Newton
  The Government's policy is to ensure that individual drug misusers have access to a range of advice, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation and after-care services. The independent task force set up to undertake a review of effective treatment services for drug misusers has reported to Ministers and its report was published on 1 May. Guidance to purchasers will be issued in the summer. Additional resources are being made available this year to boost drug treatment services: an extra £6 million will go to health authorities, and £5.1 million will be invested in treatment programmes in the Prison Service.

  Health Strategy
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is his role in the co-ordination of health strategy. [30638]

  Mr. Newton
  I chair the Ministerial Sub-committee on Health Strategy. The sub-committee's purpose is to oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the Government's health strategy, and to co-ordinate the Government's policies on United Kingdom-wide issues affecting health.

  Drug Trafficking
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what assessment the group he chairs on tackling drugs has made of drug trafficking via Holland. [30640]

  Mr. Newton
  The Ministerial Sub-committee of the Cabinet on the misuse of drugs, which I chair, has the task of co-ordinating the Government's national and international policies for tackling drug misuse, and reporting as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs. As part of its remit, the sub-committee makes periodic assessments of drug trafficking patterns and of the arrangements in place to combat them.
  42

  Summer Recess
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what consideration he has given to sittings of the House in September; and if he will make a statement. [30634]

  Mr. Newton
  I cannot yet give the House the proposed dates for the summer adjournment, but I have no plans to make any radical departure from recent practice.

  Parliamentary Procedures.
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what changes he proposes to simplify parliamentary procedures. [30636]

  Mr. Newton
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the oral answer I gave him on 22 April,Official Report, column 18.

DEFENCE

  Private Investigators
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use his Department has made of private detective agencies or investigators during 1995–96 and 1994–95; what agencies have been employed; for what purpose; and at what cost to his Department. [30567]

  Mr. Soames
  I am aware of only one case where my Department made direct use of the services of a private detective agency or investigator during 1994–95 and 1995–96. This was in respect of a claim for compensation, at a cost of less than £2,000. I understand that solicitors, and an insurance company working for my Department, may sometimes employ inquiry agents when pursuing debtors and in connection with cases involving claims for compensation. While such services are not paid for directly, they may be included in final costs submitted to my Department.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 441, how much his Department estimated it would have to cost to provide the information requested. [31463]

  Mr. Soames
  More than £450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.

  Unidentified Objects (Rendlesham Forest)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 May,Official Report, columns 19–20, if he will list the titles of the papers held by his Department in respect of unidentified objects seen in Rendlesham forest, Suffolk; and if he will make a statement. [31490]

  Mr. Soames
  Apart from a report of the events written at the time by the United States air force deputy base commander at RAF Woodbridge, which has been in the public domain for a number of years, the documents held by my Department are internal staffing papers and correspondence from members of the public relating to the alleged events.
  43

  Bourlon Barracks, Catterick
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the structure and fixed equipment of building 36 at Bourlon barracks, Catterick, for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers light aid detachment; and if the final payment for that building has been made by his Department. [31612]

  Mr. Soames
  The total cost of the structure and fixed equipment of building 36, Bourlon barracks, REME LAD, was £524,179. The final payment for this building—that is, the release of retention—has not been made.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of modifications to the crane, doors and exhaust ventilation system in the LAD building (No. 36) at Bourlon barracks, Catterick, to facilitate maintenance work on Warrior armoured personnel carriers. [31614]

  Mr. Soames
  The estimated cost for the modification of the crane from a single to a two-speed motor is £5,500. There are no plans to modify any of the doors in building 36. The exhaust extraction system was modified in January 1996 at an approximate cost of £2,500.

  Sea Training
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which operational sea training facilities the United Kingdom will make available to the Western European Union, following the Birmingham declaration of 7 May. [31746]

  Mr. Soames
  We will make available, for national or collective participation by WEU nations, the Royal Navy's operational sea training facility at Plymouth, and the joint maritime courses which are run off the coast of Scotland.

  Western European Union
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to develop further the Western European Union's intelligence section. [31750]

  Mr. Soames
  The intelligence section agreed by Ministers in 1995 is not operational. Any further development of its capabilities would be undertaken by WEU in the light of experience.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the Western European Union mobility study following the Western European Union Ministerial Council meeting in Birmingham and the meeting of Western European Union Chiefs of Defence Staff in London. [31752]

  Mr. Soames
  Following endorsement of the strategic mobility concept by Chiefs of Defence Staff and by Ministers, a special WEU working group has begun examining the most effective means by which the concept might be implemented.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made as to when the Western European Union will be in a position to conduct a full-scale Petersberg-type operation. [31747]
  44
  Mr. Soames
  Our target is for the WEU to be capable of conducting a small-scale crisis management mission by the end of 1996. Achievement of this goal depends on the WEU making further progress on the operational improvements we have initiated during our presidency.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries have not to date offered to provide intelligence data to the Western European Union's intelligence section. [31751]

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the nations concerned.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures will be taken to increase the involvement of the associate partner members in Western European Union's work on operational development with particular reference to Africa peacekeeping, exercise policy and humanitarian task force operations. [31749]

  Mr. Soames
  WEU associate partners have already taken part in discussions on the specific issues referred to by the hon. Member. They have also been invited to provide information on the forces that they might make available for WEU operations. We look forward to their further involvement in discussions on other operational matters.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will encourage the Western European Union to add a public relations element to its current crisis exercises, Crisex 96. [31753]

  Mr. Soames
  The WEU intends to use this exercise to promote its operational role to the media, and plans a press visit to the exercise. The WEU will also be testing internally new procedures for operational public information policy, developed as a UK initiative.

  Sea Harrier Aircraft
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Sea Harrier aircraft have been lost in the last year; how many new aircraft from the attrition batch whose procurement was announced in January 1994 have now been deployed in squadron service as replacements; and what navigation system was fitted to those replacement aircraft when they were delivered by British Aerospace. [31758]

  Mr. Soames
  In the year since 1 June 1995, there have been two major accidents involving Royal Navy Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft. The first was on 20 October, when an aircraft caught fire while preparing to take off from Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, Yeovilton; and the second on 13 February when an aircraft ditched into the Adriatic. Additionally, a Royal Navy Harrier T4 crashed near Wellington, Somerset on 23 February, tragically killing the two personnel on board.

  Four Sea Harrier aircraft from the attrition batch whose procurement was announced in January 1994 have been deployed in squadron service. A further aircraft is currently in the maintenance group and will be delivered to a front-line squadron shortly. The replacement aircraft delivered by British Aerospace were fitted with the Navigation heading and attitudes reference system.
  45
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost to his Department of procuring new navigation systems for Sea Harrier aircraft; and what share of the value of that contract will be passed on to British Aerospace. [31757]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The total cost to my Department of procuring new navigation systems for the Sea Harrier aircraft is estimated to be in the order of £35 million at current prices inclusive of VAT. This includes the costs of equipment, its integration into the aircraft and flight trials to ensure system safety and airworthiness. It is not possible at this stage to quantify the precise value of the British Aerospace element of the programme because contract negotiations have not yet been concluded. Contract price values are, in any case, usually commercially confidential.

  Torrejon Satellite Centre
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the United Kingdom has to explore possible links between the Western European Union satellite centre in Torrejon and the Pentagon before the end of its presidency of the Western European Union. [31748]

  Mr. Soames
  The UK has no plans to explore such links.

  Exports Licensing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on the current defence exports licensing policy of the recent agreement to join the Franco-German Arms Agency. [31986]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Exports licensing policy is the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry. However, there are no plans to change UK export licensing policy in the context of participation in the Franco-German armaments structure.

  Trident D5 Missiles
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he expects to place an order for further Trident D5 missiles from the United States of America before the summer adjournment. [32052]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Orders for Trident D5 missiles are placed on behalf of my Department by the United States Department of Defence. The next tranche of orders will not be placed before the start of the US fiscal year 1997, which commences on 1 October this year.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons HMS Victorious is deployed with less than its full complement of Trident D5 missiles. [32054]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Defence Procurement gave to the hon. Member for the Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) on 18 January 1994,Official Report, column 505.
  46

  Bett Review
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to make a statement on the outcome of Sir Michael Bett's review of conditions of service, including pension arrangements, in the armed forces. [32090]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Alison) on 20 February 1996,Official Report, columns 96–97.

  Menwith Hill Station
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he received a document entitled "Outbrief-Environmental Compliance Status Survey, Menwith Hill Station"; what action he took upon receipt of this document; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [31954]

  Mr. Soames
  The document referred to is an internal US report dating from 1992. Remedial action has been taken by the station in accordance with its recommendations and a rolling programme of improvements is underway. The document is for US official use only and as such will not be made available for public dissemination.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are maintained concerning the disposal of hazardous waste from RAF Menwith Hill; how and where such hazardous waste from RAF Menwith Hill; how and where such hazardous waste is disposed of; and if he will make a statement. [31958]

  Mr. Soames
  Records concerning the disposal of hazardous waste are maintained in accordance with US and UK legislative requirements. Hazardous waste is disposed of by licensed specialist contractors.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action has been taken to ensure that the containment dykes for above-ground storage tanks at RAF Menwith Hill are sufficiently secure to ensure that no spilt material can escape; and what action is being taken to improve the health and safety standards in the storage and labelling of hazardous material, with particular reference to chlorofluorocarbons at RAF Menwith Hill. [31956]

  Mr. Soames
  The station continues to pay close attention to the containment facilities which are regularly inspected in order to verify their integrity and avoid spillages. The handling of hazardous materials at RAF Menwith Hill has improved and a project is under way to build a permanent segregated compound for the storage of these materials. A control of substances hazardous to health assessment of all chemicals is undertaken when materials arrive on site in order to ensure that proper labelling and user instructions exists. A staff hazard education programme has also been implemented. Significant progress has been made in the last four years limiting the use of CFCS and other class 1 substances in accordance with the requirements of the Montreal protocol and management of these substances now conforms to agreed international standards.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what systems are in place to monitor levels of radiation at RAF Menwith Hill; who is responsible for
  47
  such monitoring; if their reports are made available to the public; and what precautions and preventative measures are being taken to protect the health and safety of the base population, the local community and local environment from the effects of radiation emitted by operations at RAF Menwith Hill. [31953]

  Mr. Soames
  No monitoring systems are required since there are no ionising radiation emissions from any facility at RAF Menwith Hill. Radio frequency signals similar to those used in FM radio broadcasting are relayed through the station, but these signals have a very low energy level and do not cause molecular changes or "ionisation". Hence there is no risk to the base population, the local community or the local environment from emissions of this type of radiation.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions and arrangements are taking place concerning the renewal of the security of tenure in May 1977 at National Security Agency, Menwith Hill station between the US army and the British Government; and if the renewal arrangements will be brought before the House. [31957]

  Mr. Soames
  None. The site at Menwith Hill has been made available to United States authorities by Her Majesty's Government under arrangements that exist for our mutual defence. The precise nature of these arrangements are confidential.

  Suicides
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 559–60, how many people who served in the Gulf war have committed suicide since 1991. [31789]

  Mr. Soames
  Since January 1991, the total number of personnel who served in the Gulf war and subsequently committed suicide, while still serving in the armed forces, is 10.

  Exercise Purple Star
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 559, what was (a) the nationality of owners, (b) the nationality of crew and (c) the age of vessel of each of the merchant ships chartered by his Department for Exercise Purple Star. [31787]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:

  Name of vessel and age

  Head owners nationality

  Disponent owners nationality

  Crew nationality

  Kidira (20 years) Kapitan

  Bermudan

  British

  Russian

  Mezentsyev (17 years)

  Ukrainian

  —

  Ukrainian

  Chodziez (8 years)

  Polish

  —

  Polish

  Arcade Eagle (16 years)

  Norwegian

  Spanish

  Croatian

  Arcade Falcon (16 years)

  Norwegian

  Spanish

  Croatian

  Norcliff (1 year)

  Not Declared

  Swedish

  Polish

  48

  Name of vessel and age

  Head owners nationality

  Disponent owners nationality

  Crew nationality

  Sochi (new)

  Russian

  Swedish

  Russian

  Dana Hafnia (17 years)

  Danish

  —

  Danish

  Prince of Scandinavia (20 years)

  Danish

  —

  Danish

  Condock V (12 years)

  German

  —

  Kiribati

  Condock III (13 years)

  German

  —

  Kiribati

  Armed Services (Land)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hectares of land have been occupied by each of the armed services in each of the past five years. [32095]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is published annually in table 3.5 in "UK Defence Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

  Accident and Emergency Units (London)
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average time a patient in an accident and emergency unit has to wait before treatment in London hospitals, by local authority. [31324]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not available centrally.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis need is assessed in accident and emergency units in London; and what system of prioritisation is employed. [31325]

  Mr. Horam
  Under the patients charter, all patients attending an accident and emergency department should be assessed by a nurse or doctor within five minutes. Patients are then treated according to their clinical priority.

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31504]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Minister for Boothferry (Mr. Davis), gave him on 6 June,Official Report, column 518.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent in recruiting staff to his Department and its executive agencies during the 1994–95 and 1995–96 financial years; and how many staff were recruited in each of these years. [31398]
  49
  Mr. Horam
  During 1994–95, the Department of Health and its agencies spent £233,482 recruiting 123 staff. Expenditure for 1995–96 was £707,292 when 265 staff were recruited.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use his Department and its executive agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within his Department or executive agencies administered by his Department during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what agencies were employed; what was the cost in each case; how many staff were recruited in each case; and what was the total cost in each financial year of these contracts. [31413]

  Mr. Horam
  In 1994–95 and 1995–96, the following executive search agencies or employment companies were used by Department of Health and its executive agencies to recruit staff:

  Amount spent

  Number of staff

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Agency name

  £

  £

  RAS

  37,431

  166,956

  6

  37

  Talentmark

  —

  4,888

  —

  2

  Pax

  —

  2,748

  —

  1

  Office Angels

  —

  7,558

  —

  2

  Alfred Marks

  —

  6,448

  —

  2

  Challoner James

  —

  6,163

  —

  2

  Task Force Pro Libra

  —

  1,410

  —

  1

  Accountancy Additions

  —

  2,297

  —

  1

  Angela Mortimer

  —

  2,948

  —

  1

  Saxton Bampfylde

  —

  107,889

  —

  4

  NB Selection and Riley/Lopex

  —

  57,897

  —

  17

  GNW

  21,154

  —

  18

  —

  Total

  58,585

  367,202

  24

  70

  Doncaster Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has had from the chairman of the Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Mexborough Montagu NHS trust concerning the level of management overheads and the need for further economies at(a) management and (b) staff level; and when he expects to receive a report on the future shape of the trust. [31434]

  Mr. Malone
  We have received no such representations from the chairman of the Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Mexborough Montagu national health service trust and no report is expected.

  Community Health Councils
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will require community health councils to publish annually a list of achievements they have made on behalf of those they represent; [31742]

  (2) what is the annual cost of community health councils; [31744]
  50
  (3) what assessment his Department has made of the usefulness of community health councils; and what plans he has to introduce changes to their role. [31745]

  Mr. Horam
  Community health councils were established by Parliament to represent the public interest in the health service in their districts. There are no plans to introduce changes to this statutory role.

  Community health councils are required to publish an annual report on the performance of their functions and to ensure that the contents of the report are known to the public.

  Expenditure on community health councils in 1995–96 was £17 million. The budget for CHCs for 1996–97 is £21.18 million.

  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to inform the public that they may take complaints about health matters to their community health council. [31743]

  Mr. Horam
  Complaints about health services should be directed to the body which provided that service, for example a national health service trust or general practitioner practice.

  A public information leaflet was produced by the Department on the new NHS complaints procedure which was introduced from 1 April this year. This mentions the important role community health councils can play in advising members of the public when they wish to complain about NHS services or treatment. Supplies of the leaflet were sent to all NHS outlets.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will order the publication of the Audit Commission report on the performance of fundholding general practices; and for what reasons the report has not yet been published. [32091]

  Mr. Malone
  The publication of Audit Commission reports is the responsibility of the commission. Its report, "A study of GP Fundholders in England and Wales", was published on 22 May 1996.

  Coffee (Health Implications)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his most recent assessment of the health implications of drinking coffee; and if he will make a statement. [32093]

  Mr. Horam
  In November 1994, the Department published the report of the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy on the nutritional aspects of cardiovascular disease. Its assessment was that coffee as drunk in the United Kingdom does not appear to affect coronary heart disease risk. A copy of that report is available in the Library.

  The Department of Health's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment last considered caffeine in 1983–94. COT concluded that, on the basis of the evidence available at that time, the consumption of caffeine either as an additive or naturally occurring in beverages would not cause any risk to health.
  51

  Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent reports he has evaluated into the standard of care in Bradford NHS trust hospitals; and what action he proposes to take in respect of these reports. [32103]

  Mr. Horam
  I have received no such reports. This is a matter for the Bradford Hospitals national health service trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact the acting chairman of the trust, Mr. Richard Wilson, for details.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  European Union Flag
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what instructions were issued to her Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31503]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis), on 6 June,Official Report, column 518.

  School Funding
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding is provided by her Department to assist(a) local education authority maintained and (b) grant-maintained schools which have recently been inspected by the Office for Standards in Education; and, in each case, what requirements exist over how this may be spent. [31835]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In respect of(a), in addition to school effectiveness grants paid to all schools, and grants retained by local education authorities targeted especially towards the weakest schools, the Government have now introduced a new grant payable to all LEA-maintained schools inspected by Ofsted in the 1995–96 academic year. The grant typically amounts to some £17 per pupil. Schools are able to use the grant to address the key issues for action identified in the inspector's report. The intention is that, subject to Parliament's approval of the necessary regulations, grant will be available to support schools inspected in future years.

  In respect of (b), for grant-maintained schools, grants for education support and training activities are supported through the payment of a special purpose grant (development). The calculation and payment of special purpose grants is now the responsibility of the Funding Agency for Schools and I have asked the chairman of the Funding Agency for Schools to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if, under regulations issued by her Department, the local education authority contribution to grant for education support and training funding is included in the calculation of the relevant expenditure by a local education authority for the purposes of determining the level of central annual maintenance grant for grant-maintained schools. [31840]

  Mr. Squire
  Yes.
  52
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what regulations or guidance she has issued in accordance with which the Funding Agency for Schools determines the current level of funding per pupil to grant-maintained schools through special purpose grant (development) and the conditions applied to its expenditure by the schools regarding the purposes for which it may be spent. [31842]

  Mr. Squire
  The level of special purpose grant (development) is a matter for the Funding Agency for Schools. The powers of the agency to pay special purpose grants to grant-maintained schools are set out in paragraph 54 of, and schedule 7 to, the Education (Grant-maintained and Grant-maintained Special Schools) (Finance) Regulations 1996.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current level of expenditure on grants for education support and training in local education authorities and local education authority maintained schools; what is the total number of pupils in local education authority maintained schools; how much of the total expenditure on GEST in the current year is provided by (i) her Department and (ii) local education authorities; what proportion of GEST expenditure (1) must be delegated to schools and (2) cannot be delegated to schools; and what conditions are applied to the expenditure of GEST funding regarding the purpose for which it may be spent. [31841]

  Mr. Squire
  In 1996–97, level of expenditure available to local education authorities under grants for education support and training will be £265.3 million. The total number of pupils in local education authority-maintained schools in England is 6,617,851, as at January 1995, the latest figure available. The total amount of expenditure on GEST in 1996–97 provided (i) by the Department of Education and Employment will be £163.5 million; and (ii) by the local education authorities will be £101.8 million. The proportion of GEST expenditure that must be devolved to schools is £153.5 million and the proportion that must not be devolved is £13.2 million. The purpose for which GEST may be spent is outlined in GEST circular 8/95 and subsequent letters to local education authorities. Copies of the circular and letters have been placed in the Library.

  Local Authority Capital Receipts
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in respect of which educational assets he proposes to allow local authorities to sell and retain 75 per cent. of the capital receipts. [31755]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is for local authorities to determine whether to take advantage of the reduction from 50 per cent. to 25 per cent. in the level of capital receipts to be set aside for debt redemption from sales of surplus educational assets obtained between 1 April 1996 and 31 March 1998. This reduction is intended primarily to facilitate and encourage private finance initiative activity in local government.

  Women (Promotion)
  Mr. Donhoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures her Department has implemented during the last 12 months to
  53
  encourage the promotion of women into senior positions with her Department and its executive agencies; and what progress her Department has made in encouraging the promotion of women over the last five years. [31555]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Both former Departments had made significant progress in appointing women to senior posts. Since the merger on 5 July 1995, there has been wide consultation within DFEE on a set of values and an Equal opportunities strategy. The departmental values, among other things, stress the importance of valuing people and"giving people equal opportunities to develop and progress as far as they can on merit".

  The Department's equal opportunities strategy undertakes as one of its key priorities to look at strategies to enable women to progress on merit to senior posts. This includes reconstituting an advisory group for women—taking forward work previously under way before merger—with a specific remit to advise the DFEE board on strategic issues and on cultural barriers which can prevent women from reaching the most senior levels.

  At present, 18 per cent. of the members of the senior civil service in DFEE are women. However, data prior to July 1995 relate to the former Employment Department group and the former Department for education and are not comparable.

  Small Firms (Training Needs)
  Mr. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what work has been commissioned by her Department on the training needs of small firms; and what recommendations have been made. [31890]

  Mr. Paice
  In 1995, the Department for Education and Employment commissioned the small business research centre at Kingston university to carry out a survey of training needs and practices in over 800 small firms. A report containing a range of recommendations for the Department to consider will be published by HMSO in August 1996 and a copy will be lodged in the Library.

  Stephen Memorial First School, North Tyneside
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she will take to ensure the provision of a new school building for Stephenson Memorial first school, North Tyneside; and if she will make a statement. [32157]

  Mrs. Gillan
  North Tyneside education authority is responsible for maintaining its school buildings and deciding when any of them should be replaced.

  Learning Vouchers
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to introduce learning vouchers or credits for 16-year-olds; and what funding mechanism is to be used. [32155]

  Mr. Paice
  The 1995 White Paper "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead", Cm 2867, made it clear that the Government are attracted to learning credits. The third competitiveness White Paper, to be published shortly, will declare the Government's intention to consult on the introduction from 1997 of a system of learning credits,54
  setting out for all 16 to 19-year-olds their entitlement to the education or training they choose. This will not require any change to the existing funding mechanisms for schools, colleges or other education and training providers. But the Government will separately be consulting on how best to secure greater convergence of these arrangements in their own right.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many organisations are approved to verify and assess NVQ portfolios and issue NVQ certificates. [32156]

  Mr. Paice
  There are currently 63 organisations, acting individually and in consortiums, accredited by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications to award national vocational qualification certificates. These accredited awarding bodies offer assessment through their approved NVQ centres, of which there are around 9,500 nationally.

WALES

  Over-16 Education
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the average cost of educating a child for(a) one year and (b) two years in school above the age of 16. [31353]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Local education authority returns to the Welsh Office used to calculate pupil unit cost figures do not separately identify expenditure by age of pupil. As a consequence, no estimates are available on the average cost of educating a pupil aged 16 and above.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of 16-year-old children in each county who returned to school for one year left with(a) an additional qualification, (b) an improved grade at GCSE and (c) an alternative qualification. [31355]

  Mr. Evans
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the sum received by schools for each child who returns to school after the age of 16 years; and on what basis and by what calculations such sums are made and paid. [31357]

  Mr. Evans
  No estimates of such sums are made. Local education authorities are responsible for the allocation of funds to schools.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of 16-year-olds in each county who returned to school for two years, left school without (i) an A-level(a) above grade C and (b) above grade E and (ii) an equivalent qualification. [31354]

  Mr. Evans
  The information requested is not collected centrally in the format requested.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of 16-year-olds returned to school for(a) one year, (b) two years and (c) three years in each county during the last school year. [31356]
  55
  Mr. Evans
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Overall, in 1994–95 39.3 per cent. of 16-year-olds at maintained schools in Wales in the previous academic year returned to school.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the percentage completion rates for youth training(a) in each of the training and enterprise council areas and for (b) Wales. [31359]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The figures requested are contained in the following table. They relate to the period April 1994 to March 1995, the last full year for which data are available.

  Youth training/youth credits completion rates

  April 1994 to March 1995

  Percentage

  Gwent TEC

  43

  Mid Glamorgan TEC

  47

  North East Wales TEC

  55

  North West Wales TEC

  52

  Powys TEC

  1—

  South Glamorgan TEC

  25

  West Wales TEC

  45

  Wales

  48

  Source:

  Follow-up survey of former youth training/credit trainees.

  1 Due to the small number of trainees in the Powys TEC area responding to the survey, the results are not considered to be statistically reliable.

  Cattle Slaughter
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action his Department is taking to ensure that cattle carcases submitted under the 30-month rule are subsequently destroyed; and what information he has about the number of carcases of such cattle which have either been disposed of by other means or are otherwise unaccounted for. [31580]

  Mr. Hague
  The over-30-month slaughter scheme is run by the Intervention Board executive agency. I understand that following slaughter carcases are stained and transported in sealed containers to renderers or for cold storage before rendering. The process is carefully monitored by the Meat Hygiene Service and state veterinary service and there are no carcases unaccounted for.

  Fishery Projects Funding
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much Pesca funding is available for fishery projects in Wales for 1996–97; how much was paid in 1995–96; and if he will list those projects funded and the amount each project received. [32161]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Pesca scheme will be launched in Wales at the end of this month. Some 0.146 mecu—approximately £125,000—Pesca funding will be available for Welsh fishery projects for 1996–97.
  56

  Sea Empress Oil Spill
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what request for long-term funding he has received from the Sea Empress environmental evaluation committee; [31996]

  (2) what funding he has allocated to the Sea Empress environmental evaluation committee; how much has been committed to date; and what is the committee's estimate of the funding required to complete its work. [31998]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My right hon. Friend has provided £250,000 to the Countryside Council for Wales to help fund the work into the environmental effects of the Sea Empress oil spill. The Department of Transport is meeting the running costs of the Sea Empress environmental evaluation committee, and direct support for the work of the committee is being provided by MAFF and the Environment Agency. I am expecting proposals soon on the future work programme of the committee and its resource needs.

  General Practitioners (Training)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioner trainees were on vocational training schemes in Wales in each year since 1990–91. [31997]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the number of general practitioner trainees on vocational training schemes in hospital is not available centrally. However, the number of trainees who were in training with general practitioners in each of the last six years is given in the following table:Number of trainees in training with general medical practitioners at 1 October

  1990: 148

  1991: 138

  1992: 133

  1993: 124

  1994: 118

  1995: 104.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much his Department spent in recruiting staff to his Department and its executive agencies during the 1994–95 and 1995–96 financial years; and how many staff were recruited in each of these years; [31399]

  (2) what use his Department and its executive agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within his Department or executive agencies administered by his Department during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; what agencies were employed; what was the cost in each case; how many staff were recruited in each case; and what was the total cost in each financial year of these contracts. [31414]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  57

SOCIAL SECURITY

  State Pensions
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the(a) gross and (b) net cost in each year from 1997 to 2002 of uprating state pensions by (i) the retail prices index and (ii) earnings in these years on the basis of current estimates. [30153]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table:

  The estimates are for uprating basic state retirement pension, additional pension and graduated retirement benefit. The calculations are based on assumptions of annual retail prices index and Rossi index—RPI less most housing costs—increases of 2.5 per cent. and annual earnings increases of 4 per cent. As RPI and Rossi are assumed to increase at the same rate, there is no net cost figure for price uprating.

  Total state pension benefit expenditure

  £ million cash prices

  Gross cost of price uprating

  Gross cost of uprating by earnings

  Net cost of earnings uprating

  1997–98

  840

  1,350

  1,220

  1998–99

  1,740

  2,820

  2,530

  1999–00

  2,680

  4,380

  3,920

  2000–01

  3,650

  6,010

  5,370

  2001–02

  4,660

  7,730

  6,900

  2002–03

  5,700

  9,530

  8,500

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department estimates of annual expenditure on basic state pension and assumptions of annual increases in RPI, Rossi and earnings.

  Notes:

  1. Costs are calculated using 1996–97 rates as a baseline, eg; the cost quoted for 2002–03 is the cost of uprating by the relevant method, in that year, from 1996–97.

  2. Uprating by higher of earnings or prices only applied to basic retirement pension.

  Motability Finance Ltd.
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the value of the reserves held by Motability Finance Ltd. to safeguard its lease and hire purchase schemes. [30239]

  Mr. Burt
  The value of reserves held by Motability Finance Ltd. at September 1994 was £4.8 million.

  Source:

  Motability's annual report 1994–95.

  Bronchitis and Emphysema
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will implement in full the recommendations of the report of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on chronic bronchitis and emphysema; what timetable he proposes for the Government's response; and if he will make a statement. [31481]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 21 May,Official Report, column 185.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 3 April,58
  Official Report, column 345, how much his Department estimated it would have cost to provide the information requested. [31442]

  Mr. Burt
  More than £450, the current threshold above which answers are deemed to incur disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Software
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's involvement in the development of a software package to allow pay-as-you-earn, national insurance contributions, value added tax, and Central Statistical Office requirements to be integrated; and when he expects this to be possible. [31903]

  Mr. Heald
  The Contributions Agency, Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise have a number of projects under way as part of their joint working programmes. The programmes are focused in particular on ways to ease burdens on business in meeting their obligations, but there are no plans to integrate the information technology systems.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cases have been dealt with by the Newbury field office of the Child Support Agency since 1 June 1995; [31780]

  (2) what geographical area is covered by the Newbury field office of the Child Support Agency. [31781]

  Mr. Andrew 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 Steve Hemingsley to Mr. David Rendel, dated 7 June 1996:
  In the absence of Miss Chant, the Chief Executive, I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency field office in Newbury.
  Between 1 June 1995 and 31 May 1996, the Newbury office has dealt with 351 cases requiring pre maintenance assessment work. The geographic area covered by the office falls within the following post code areas: RG7, RG8, RG14, RG17, RG18, RG19 and RG20.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what compensation his Department proposes to offer in respect of those who have been subject to breaches in the Data Protection Act 1984 by the Child Support Agency. [32001]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The agency's compensation scheme includes recompense for identifiable losses or harm suffered as a result of maladministration. Such payments could be made, in appropriate cases, to those affected by breaches in the Data Protection Act 1994.

  In addition, it is a criminal offence under the Child Support Act 1991 to disclose information without lawful authority. The Child Support Agency is fully aware of its responsibilities and takes very seriously any suggestion that staff may have disclosed information unlawfully.

  Actors (National Insurance)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met representatives of Equity to
  59
  discuss the eligibility of actors for class I national insurance status; and what conclusions he has reached in the light of these discussions. [31581]

  Mr. Heald
  I met representatives of Equity on 1 April and I am undertaking further consultation with other interested parties before we reach any conclusions.

SCOTLAND

  Gemini Housing Association
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Gemini Housing Association operated within the code of conduct during the stock transfer procedures. [31129]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Scottish Homes operates separate codes of conduct for landlords seeking to acquire its houses and as regards the conduct of its own staff involved in transfer proposals. Any breaches of the codes would be investigated by Scottish Homes.

  Mr. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from what public funds Gemini Housing Association provided bingo and raffle prizes during the period of the stock housing transfer. [31141]

  Mr. Robertson
  I understand that these prizes were not purchased from public funds.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions during the last five years staff from Scottish Homes have intervened to take over the running of a housing association; if he will name the associations involved; and why Scottish Homes took the action. [31568]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: The information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes. I have asked the chairman, Mr. John Ward, to write to the hon. Member.

  Health Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures exist within the national health service in Scotland for resolving disputes between an NHS trust and a health board about an NHS trust's budget; and which Department within the Scottish Office oversees this. [31467]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: I expect health boards, other purchasers, and NHS trusts to resolve contractual matters at local level, involving their senior officials and board members if necessary.

  However, if they fail to reach agreement there is provision for either of the parties to refer the matter to my right hon. Friend for determination. The decision is communicated in writing to both parties concerned and is final and binding.
  60
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement indicating what will be the impact on patient care of the cuts being proposed by the Ayrshire and Arran health board in the budget of the North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust. [31469]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: The statements issued by the trust and the health board following agreement on the contract negotiations for 1996–97 make it clear that every effort will be made to ensure that the existing high standards of patient care will be maintained.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he intends to take to ensure that no job losses or reductions in service occur as a result of the budget enforced on the North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust. [31470]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: It is for the trust to determine what measures it has to take to live within its contract income. The job losses involved are to be regretted but the cash savings released in the longer term will be available for re-investment in direct patient care.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Department within the Scottish Office has responsibility for approving the performance levels which a health board in Scotland will seek from an NHS trust as part of its discussions with that trust before agreeing its budget. [31471]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: The performance and service requirements sought by each health board in advance of contract negotiations are set out in their annual purchasing intentions. These plans are produced and distributed by each board in January each year. They are not subject to approval by any Scottish Office Department.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to refer the budget dispute between the North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust and Ayrshire and Arran health board to the independent arbitration procedure operating within the NHS in Scotland. [31472]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: It is for the relevant health board or NHS trust involved in contract negotiation to decide whether to refer a matter under dispute for arbitration.

  I understand that the contract between Ayrshire and Arran health board and North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust has now been agreed and signed.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions officials from his Department have had with the management of the North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust and Ayrshire and Arran health board in relation to the proposed budget for the trust. [31473]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 10 June 1996]: Officials of the Scottish Office Department of Health have been in regular contact with both the trust and the health board during the contract negotiations. While the Department is always ready to offer its assistance, we expect boards and trusts to reach agreement through local negotiation, as in this case.

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  ODA: Expenditure Review
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  Israel: Defence Links
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  RAF Bentwaters Site: Chris Parker Group
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  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority: NAO Report
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  Track Safety Work: London to Dollands Moor
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  Central Railways plc: Proposed Rail Route
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