Written Answers of 13 June 1996

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Car Crime
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, in rank order, the statistics collated by his Department for car crime in(a) the member states of the European Union, (b) the regions of the UK and (c) districts within the north-west for each of the last five years. [32187]

  Mr. Maclean
  Comparisons of car crime statistics in the member states of the European Union are difficult because definitions of offences vary between countries due both to legal differences and statistical recording methods. However, the international crime survey has compared risks of car crime in European countries in 1988 and 1991 and the results are published in Home Office research findings No. 8. Additionally, information on recorded thefts of a vehicle in European countries in 1990 is published in the "Draft European Sourcebook of Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics". Copies of both these publications are available in the Library. Statistics for each police force area in England and Wales have also been placed in the Library. Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective Secretaries of State. Information on districts within the north-west is not collected centrally.

  Firearms Incidents
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to introduce a code of practice for use by appointed investigating officers when dealing with the Police Complaints Authority supervised investigations following firearms incidents; [32225]

  (2) for appointed investigating officers to deal with the Police Complaints Authority supervised investigations following firearms incidents. [32226]

  Mr. Maclean
  None. The investigation of police conduct is a matter for the chief officer of the force concerned and the Police Complaints Authority.

  Crime Rates
  Mr. Brian Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the overall crime rate and annual percentage change in each year since 1979 in(a) the west midlands and (b) Staffordshire. [32258]
  224
  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Recorded crime in the West Midlands and Staffordshire

  West Midlands

  Staffordshire

  Year

  Number of offences

  Percentage change over previous year

  Number of offences

  Percentage change over previous year

  1979

  156,671

  1—

  37,952

  1—

  1980

  176,580

  +13

  37,988

  0

  1981

  198,126

  +12

  42,411

  +12

  1982

  222,404

  +12

  44,935

  +6

  1983

  222,294

  0

  48,016

  +7

  1984

  240,015

  +8

  51,103

  +6

  1985

  243,712

  +2

  52,563

  +3

  1986

  268,025

  +10

  57,026

  +8

  1987

  266,799

  0

  57,766

  +1

  1988

  236,553

  -11

  56,654

  -2

  1989

  228,980

  -3

  59,372

  +5

  1990

  264,769

  +16

  72,513

  +22

  1991

  302,864

  +14

  86,285

  +19

  1992

  329,260

  +9

  97,536

  +13

  1993

  330,091

  0

  98,421

  +1

  1994

  315,755

  -4

  93,757

  -5

  1995

  318,087

  +1

  91,496

  -2

  1Not applicable.

  Immigration Offenders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a person detained in prison for an immigration offence is kept informed of reviews of his case. [32468]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Those detained in prisons and immigration detention centres under powers contained in the Immigration Act 1971 are advised in writing by the immigration service of developments in their case on a monthly basis from the date of their detention under immigration powers. Following the issue of revised instructions in May 1995, detained asylum claimants are informed separately about the progress of their applications by the asylum directorate.

  Special Constabulary
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police forces in Great Britain employ, or plan to employ, a special constabulary liaison recruiting officer or equivalent; [32232]

  (2) in those police forces which employ a special constabulary proactive recruiting officer or equivalent (a) what salary people employed in these positions receive, (b) how many hours per week they work and (c) how much money was spent on advertisements to recruit them. [32233]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information held centrally is as follows:

  All 43 police forces in England and Wales have force recruitment officers whose responsibilities include the recruitment of special constables. At least two forces employ at least one member of staff who is solely dedicated to processing applications to the special constabulary. In one force, a special constable handles applications to the special constabulary.
  225
  Nineteen out of 43 police forces in England and Wales have appointed, or intend to appoint, specials liaison officers. Their duties and responsibilities vary, but may include liaison between regular officers and special constables across the force, promoting the special constabulary within the community, and helping to plan specials-specific initiatives. The majority of forces employ civilians in the post, but four forces have appointed inspectors, and police constables, for the purpose. All but two of the specials liaison officers are full-time—approximately 37 hours per week. The two part-time posts are for about 20 hours a week.

  The salaries of the civilian employees range from £10,400 to £22,000 per annum: the salaries of the regular officers involved range from some £30,000 to £53,000 per annum. Several of the special liaison officer posts have been funded from Home Office grant provided through challenge funding earlier this year.

  In the majority of cases, the posts were advertised internally and thus without direct costs. In the five forces where the costs were identifiable, they ranged from £170 to £700.

  Royal Commission on Criminal Justice
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of the royal commission on criminal justice review for England and Wales chaired by Viscount Runciman of Doxford. [32304]

  Mr. Maclean
  The total cost of the royal commission on criminal justice, which reported in July 1993, was £2.5 million.

  Bats
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were brought against persons destroying bats and bat habitats in the latest year for which figures are available. [32234]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information collected centrally by my Department on court proceedings under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 section 9—protection of certain wild animals—does not identify the animal involved or the subsection under which the offence was placed. However, our statistics show that in 1994—the latest year for which figures are available—there were a total of seven prosecutions under section 9.

  Coopers and Lybrand's review of comparative costs and performance of privately and publicly operated prisons Summary of, findings

  Table 1: Percentage by which private sector is cheaper than comparable public sector prisons

  Blakenhurst

  Doncaster

  Wolds

  Comparator Group

  Average of all groups Percentage

  Elmley Holme House Percentage

  Birmingham Elmley Holme House Percentage

  Bedford Cardiff Exeter Percentage

  Cost per baseline place

  18

  13–15

  12–27

  14–28

  Cost per in-use place

  22

  13–15

  12–44

  10–36

  Cost per prisoner

  13

  13–17

  14–21

  3–11

  226

  Crime Clear-up Rates
  Mr. Brian Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the crime clear-up rate and annual percentage change in each year since 1979 in(a) Staffordshire and (b) the west midlands. [32259]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Clear-up rates in Staffordshire and the West Midlands

  Staffordshire

  West Midlands

  Year

  Clear up rate per cent.

  Change in percentage points

  Clear up rate per cent.

  Change in percentage points

  1979

  51

  1—

  37

  1—

  1980

  47

  -4

  33

  -4

  1981

  49

  +2

  32

  -1

  1982

  49

  0

  33

  +1

  1983

  47

  -2

  36

  +3

  1984

  48

  +1

  30

  -6

  1985

  52

  +4

  30

  0

  1986

  44

  -8

  29

  -1

  1987

  42

  -2

  36

  +7

  1988

  45

  +3

  42

  +6

  1989

  43

  -2

  39

  -3

  1990

  39

  -4

  36

  -3

  1991

  37

  -2

  31

  -5

  1992

  30

  -7

  27

  -4

  1993

  29

  -1

  27

  0

  1994

  31

  +2

  25

  -2

  1995

  32

  +1

  24

  -1

  1 Not appplicable.

  Prisons
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the results of Coopers and Lybrand's review of comparative costs and performance of privately managed and public sector prisons; and if he will make a statement. [33265]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have today placed in the Library copies of a review of comparative costs and performance of privately and publicly operated prisons carried out for the Prison Service by Coopers and Lybrand. The study compared Blakenhurst, Doncaster and the Wolds with the most nearly comparable public sector prisons using 1994–95 data. The findings are summarised in the tables.

  The results show that, after adjusting costs onto a comparable basis, privately managed prisons are cheaper by 13 to 22 per cent. than public sector prisons and deliver equal or better performance on most measures. The findings are broadly consistent with previous findings based on 1993–94 data but suggest that the gap between the two sectors on cost has narrowed slightly.
  227

  Table 2: Comparison of performance against Prison Service Key Performance Indicators

  Blakenhurst

  Comparator average

  Doncaster

  Comparator average

  Wolds

  Comparator average

  Number of escapes

  0

  2

  1

  1

  0

  1

  Assaults as percentage of population

  18 per cent.

  10 per cent.

  34 per cent.

  10 per cent.

  15 per cent.

  11 per cent.

  Number of hours purposeful activity per week

  26

  19

  21

  20

  21

  23

  Number of hours unlocked on weekdays

  14

  10

  12

  9

  14

  10

  Opportunity to exceed minimum visiting entitlement

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Persons of Irish Origin (Supervision)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of Sate for the Home Department how many persons of Irish origin were being supervised by the probation service in England and Wales at the latest available date and for equivalent dates in 1986 and 1991. [32713]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the nationality of those supervised by the probation service is not collected centrally by the Home Office.

  Miscarriages of Justice (Persons of Irish Descent)
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of miscarriages of justice have involved persons of Irish descent over the last 15 years. [32714]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is not available.

  Sex Offenders
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to consult on further measures to protect the public from sex offenders. [33278]

  Mr. Howard
  I shall be publishing a consultation document on the sentencing and supervision of sex offenders at 11 am on Monday 17 June. Copies will then be available in the Library.

TRANSPORT

  Traffic Area Office (Cardiff)
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many personal callers visited the south Wales traffic area office in Cardiff in(a) April 1996 and (b) May 1996; and if he will make a statement. [32224]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 June to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady O. Maitland), Official Report, column 30. In April 1996, there were 193 personal callers and 246 callers in May 1996 to the south Wales traffic area office.

  Light Dues
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated of other countries' methods of levying light dues; and if he will make a statement. [32471]
  228
  Mr. Norris
  We contributed to the study of "user pays" carried out by the European Commission by providing an adviser on secondment for one year. We are currently awaiting the final results of that study.

  School Buses
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that where seat belts are fitted to coaches and minibuses for use by school children(a) tested equipment is fitted, (b) equipment is fitted safely, (c) the three-to-two rule is not used, (d) counterfeit equipment is not allowed and (e) seat belts are worn. [32572]

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

  Additional steps beyond the legal measures already in place are not currently considered necessary for three to two, counterfeit equipment and the wearing of seat belts.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that each child on a school bus has a seat; and if he will make a statement on standing on buses and on blocking of gangways and emergency exits by baggage. [32573]

  Mr. Norris
  The responsibility for providing suitable home to school transport for children rests with the local education authority. Both the operators and the LEA must be satisfied that the transport provided enables children to travel in safety.

  The carriage of standing passengers on buses is controlled by the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. Both seating and standing capacities must be marked clearly on the vehicle. Vehicles intended to carry more than eight standing passengers must meet minimum requirements for both standing space and headroom. Sufficient hand grips must be fitted for each standing passenger. Gangways and emergency exits must not be obstructed at any time.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment in respect of discounting of extra expenditure incurred by local education authorities in respect of implementation of the end of the three-to-two rule on school travel. [32571]

  Mr. Norris
  The additional costs to local authorities of implementing changes to the three-for-two concession, following the new seat belt regulations, were taken into account along with a range of other pressures when
  229
  determining the amount for education—education standard spending—in the local government finance settlement, and reflected in the increased funding for local education authorities.

  Domestic Air Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to ensure that slots for domestic services are protected at Heathrow and Gatwick airports; and if he will make a statement. [32796]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport is taking no such action. Recommendations 8 and 9 of the Transport Committee's report on airport capacity, published on 21 May this year, address this issue. The Department aims to respond as soon as possible to the report.

  Airport Capacity (London)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current evaluation of a close parallel runway at Gatwick; and if he will make a statement. [32789]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 22 May 1996,Official Report, column 231.

  Civil Aviation Authority
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the future of the CAA following the EU third package on the liberalisation of air services. [32805]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Channel Tunnel (Security)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what mandatory requirements are placed on European Passenger Services to undertake security inspections on passengers' baggage in respect of those travelling aboard Eurostar services. [32785]

  Mr. Watts
  EPS is required to security screen a percentage of passengers' baggage. The percentage varies depending on the levels of threat and risk as assessed by Government agencies.

  All unaccompanied baggage—that is, baggage travelling separately from its owner—is screened.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many inspections were undertaken by Transec on security measures undertaken at the channel tunnel in each of the last two years. [32784]

  Mr. Watts
  From June 1994 to March 1995, 124 security inspections in relation to channel tunnel services were carried out. The figure for 1995–1996 was 289.

  M25 (Widening)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for what reasons traffic forecasts contained in the official assessment report for the 10 to 12 lane M25 widening scheme between junctions 12 and 15 do not allow 230
  for the road traffic impact of the consequences of a planning permission being granted for terminal 5 at Heathrow airport; and if he will make a statement; [31887]

  (2) what allowance has been made within the traffic growth forecasts accompanying the junctions 12 to 15 widening scheme for the M25 for the traffic generation factors that were identified and contained in the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report of December 1994; and if he will make a statement. [31886]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary questions about the M25 widening scheme between Junctions 12 and 15.The traffic forecasts for the scheme have taken into account the factors identified in the SACTRA report, including the potential for generated traffic. The State 3 Assessment Report, which was published with the Environmental Statement on 11 April, indicates that in overall terms, across the geographic area considered within the traffic model, no generated traffic is predicted.Traffic forecasts for the widening do not include the effects of the proposed Heathrow Terminal 5 (T5) since the widening does not depend for its justification on T5.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32664]

  Mr. Norris
  Initial assessment of critical operational systems has produced estimates of around 5,000 date tests needing modification. Assessment of necessary work is the subject of further detailed studies and will form the basis of cost negotiations with contractors. Replacement may obviate modification in some cases. Urgent changes have been made. Many of the Department's operational service and management systems will be replaced by the end of the century and are not being assessed. Studies are planned to cover all other systems in the Department.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of the Wrekin decision of the European Court of Justice on retirement ages, for concessionary travel for pensioners in(a) Greater London and (b) the rest of the metropolitan countries. [32718]

  Mr. Norris
  The European Court of Justice has not yet given its judgment in the Atkins v. Wrekin district council and Department of Transport case. When it does we shall assess the implications.

  Register of Shipping
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if entries on the British register of shipping indicate fully(a) the ownership of a vessel and (b) those with a title to the vessel. [32227]

  Mr. Norris
  The register of British ships records legal ownership. Title proof is required in respect of merchant ships and pleasure vessels on part I of the register, and of
  231
  fishing vessels with full registration on part II of the register. Title proof is not required on part III—small ships—part IV—bareboat charter ships—or for fishing vessels with simple registration on part II of the register.

TREASURY

  European Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a White Paper on the same lines as the economic assessment published in February 1970 showing the gains and losses to the average British family resulting from membership of the EU. [31820]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There are no plans to publish such an assessment.

  Standard of Living
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the gains and losses to the standard of living in the United Kingdom of(a) abolishing the common agricultural policy, (b) ending contributions to the EU budget, (c) ending free trade with the EU and its associations and (d) taking control over (i) fishery and (ii) other resources. [32085]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There are no plans to do so. Any such calculation would be very imprecise as it would require hypothetical assumptions to be made about the level of UK spending in the absence of contributions to, and receipts from, the Community budget; the policies which replaced those in the EU; the performance of the UK economy outside the Community; and the impact on trade outside the EU.

  British Manufacturing and Research Company
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of the investigation into the BMARC affair; and if he will publish the findings of the investigation. [32199]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 11 June 1996]To date, the direct costs of the Customs investigation into alleged breaches of UK export controls by BMARC have been approximately £20,000. This figure is based on the National Investigation Services' time recording system. The figure does not include costs incurred by departmental management and legal advice provided by departmental lawyers, or the costs of giving evidence to the Trade and Industry Committee. Customs inquiries are, however, not yet complete and decisions on the form of any announcement on the outcome of these inquiries will be taken at the appropriate time.

  Alcohol Smuggling
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on the harmonisation of taxes on beers, wines and spirits; and what is his assessment of the revenues lost to the Treasury through such smuggling in the latest year for which figures are available. [32542]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 12 June 1996]Member states should be free to set excise duty rates at the level they feel are appropriate to their own 232
  particular circumstances, subject only to the agreed minimum rates. This was the basis of the agreement reached by all member states at ECOFIN on 19 October 1992. Nevertheless, the Government consider that there should be movement towards the approximation of excise duty rates across the EU, and that some steps in the direction of the UK pattern of indirect taxation makes sense. The mechanism for achieving this aim is through the Commission's biennial review of the minimum rates of excise duty, the next such review being due by the end of 1996.

  Customs does not, at present, have a reliable estimate of the extent of cross-border smuggling of alcoholic products. It is liaising with the drinks industry with the aim of achieving an objective measurement.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of(a) the total value and (b) the total volume of the cross-border smuggling of (i) beer, (ii) wines and (iii) spirits in the latest year for which figures are available; and what value of smuggled goods was seized in that year. [32540]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 12 June 1996]Customs does not at present have a reliable estimate of the extent of either the total volume or total value of cross-border smuggling of alcoholic products. It is liaising with the drinks and tobacco industry with the aim of achieving an objective measurement. The revenue value of intra-EU smuggling detected by excise verification officers in the year ending 31 March 1996 is shown in the table:

  Category

  Revenue value detected (£ million)

  Beer

  3.090

  Wine

  0.664

  Spirits

  4.312

  Mr. Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received relating to the impact upon British companies and traders of cross-border smuggling of beers, wines and spirits; and what response he intends to make to those representations. [32541]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 12 June 1996]The Chancellor receives many representations from the trade and other interested parties about the cross-border smuggling of alcoholic drinks and its consequential impact on legitimate UK trade. These representations are taken into account by the Chancellor when making his Budget decisions.

  Customs has deployed excise verification officers to seek out and prosecute those engaged in smuggling activity. In addition, in November 1995 Customs, together with the various associations representing the industries concerned, formed an excise alliance for the purpose of developing a co-operative approach leading to the detection of smugglers and fraudsters, and to exchange high level information on excise smuggling and fraud matters.
  233

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Attorney-General what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32675]

  The Solicitor-General
  The departments and agencies for which my right hon. and learned Friend is responsible are assessing the impact of the millennium date change.

  In the case of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and Government Property Lawyers, no significant cost effects are expected.

  The Serious Fraud Office estimates that several man months of work will be required to implement the change.

  The Crown Prosecution Service has started a programme of work to assess the implications of the change but is not yet in a position to give an estimate of costs.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32678]

  Mr. Hanley
  In line with Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency recommendations, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic wing has completed a study to determine which of its computer systms will be affected by this problem. The findings show that approximately 60 per cent. of Foreign and Commonwealth Office computer systms will be affected in some way. Further study is now taking place to determine what the cost will be.

  The Overseas Development Administration is updating its systems, most of which already recognise the year 2000.

  Wilton Park
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Wilton Park agency performed against the targets which were agreed for 1995–96; and if targets have been agreed for the current year. [33275]

  Mr. Hanley
  According to provisional figures which are subject to audit, Wilton Park exceeded all four of the agreed targets set for 1995–96 financial year, for the number of conference participants, income, cost recovery and cost per head to the FCO overall.

  The Wilton Park departmental board met in April. We have agreed to the recommendation of the board that the following key targets be adopted for this financial year:

  To increase overall income from £1,309.000 in 1995–96 to £1,368.000.

  To increase cost recovery from 82.8 per cent. in 1995–96 to 85.1 per cent.

  234

  To increase the target for the overall number of Wilton Park Conference participants from 1,350 in 1995–96 to 1,500.

  To reduce the average cost to the FCO of each participant from £165 in 1995–96 to £160.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of housing association tenants have been in receipt of housing benefit in each year since 1988. [32014]

  Mr. Clappison
  Definitive information is not yet available but on the basis of sample surveys the percentages have increased from the order of 52 to 55 per cent. in 1988 to about 61 to 65 per cent in 1994–95—figures for England.

  Water Leakages
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the average water leakage levels in(a) 1988 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [32048]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Office of Water Supply Services report, "Leakage of Water in England and Wales", published on 30 May 196, gave a total leakage level for 1994–95 of about 30 per cent. of water put into the distribution system. Of this percentage, companies attribute about 23 per cent. to leakage from the distribution system and 7 per cent. from customers' supply pipes.

  Further detail is contained in the body of the report, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Leakage levels for 1988 are not available on a comparable basis.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [326679]

  Sir Paul Bereford
  My Department is aware of the issue and is currently investigating the scale and complexity of the problem and its potential cost effects. The Department's computer systems are primarily based upon modern technology, not affected by the millennium date problem. It is expected that those systems still residing on older technology will reach the end of their natural life and be replaced before 2000.

  Local Government (Professional Work)
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to take action under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988 against authorities who have subjected white collar professional work to competition; and if he will make a statement. [33153]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today served notices under section 13 of the Local Government Act 1988 on the London boroughs of Enfield and Hounslow, the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority and the metropolitan district of Barnsley setting
  235
  out his view that these authorities may have acted anti-competitively during competitions for legal services work. He has also served notices on the cities of Liverpool and Manchester setting out similar views in respect of construction-related services work.

  Although the circumstances differ in each case, the most common grounds cited in the notices are: work was not packaged in a way which took proper account of the market's ability to provide the services, that tender documents did not indicate how much work was on offer, and that onerous conditions featured in some contracts.

  They have four weeks in which to explain their actions in assigning work in-house after competitions against the private sector.

  Special Waste Regulations
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 1 April,Official Report, column 15, what guidance will be issued on the Special Waste Regulations 1996. [33154]

  Mr. Clappison
  Detailed guidance on the Special Waste Regulations 1996 has been issued today in the form of a joint circular from the Department of the Environment, the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department and the Welsh Office. A copy of the circular has been placed in the Library.

  The guidance was issued in draft form for public consultation in 1995. The final text takes account of the many comments received. It gives an outline of the procedures which are to be followed by those who handle special waste and incorporates in a separate annexe technical guidelines on the definition of special waste, technical aspects of assessing whether a particular consignment of waste is special, and the hazard criteria which apply.

  Copies of the circular have been distributed to local authorities, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which will have a supervisory role in the system of controls.

  In addition, we have produced a free 10-page leaflet on the regulations. This is designed for those who handle special waste and answers to the main questions which are likely to arise.

  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce the allocations for the 1996–97 round of the estates renewal challenge fund. [33236]

  Mr. Curry
  I shall be announcing allocations for the 1996–97 round of the estate renewal challenge fund tomorrow and shall place both copies of the press notice detailing the successful authorities in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the responses to the 236
  consultation papers, "Our Future Homes: Opportunity, Choice, Responsibility" and "More Choice in the Social Rented Sector". [32460]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 12 June 1996]Six explanatory and consultation papers were published by my Department setting out the details of proposals in last year's White Paper "Our Future Homes". Copies of responses to these papers were made available for inspection through the Department of the Environment library in line with normal practice.

  Water Companies
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what voluntary leakage reduction target each water company has set over the next five and 10 years. [27164]

  Mr. Clappison
  [pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1996, c. 420]The Water Services Association has notified a correction to the data it originally provided. A revised summary table of water service companies' targets for reducing leakage follows:

  Water service company leakage targets

  Company

  Anglian water

  Aim to reduce leakage to around 10 percent. by 2000.

  DWR Cymru

  Aim to achieve a reduction in leakage of 17 per cent. by 2000 and over a third by 2010.

  Northumbrian water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 15 per cent. in the coming years.

  North west water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 22 per cent. by 2000.

  Severn Trent water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 12 per cent. Over next five years.

  Southern water

  Aim to reduce levels to 10 per cent. by 2000.

  South west water

  Aim to reduce leakage to 15 per cent. by 2000.

  Thames water

  Aim to halve leakage by 2005.

  Wessex water1

  Aim to achieve 15 per cent. leakage by 2005.

  Yorkshire water

  Aim to reduce leakage by 60M1/d by 1998 and to 20 per cent. in the longer term.

  Source:

  Water Services Association May 1996.

  1October 1995.

HEALTH

  Tobacco-related Cancer
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany have died of tobacco-related cancers in each of the last 10 years. [31765]

  Mr. Horam
  The Health Education Authority report "The Smoking Epidemic", copies of which are available
  237
  in the Library, estimated that there were about 44,000 cancer deaths attributable to smoking in the United Kingdom in 1988.

  No comparable figures are available for Germany.

  Carers
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meetings his Department, at ministerial or official level, has had with the Carers National Association since 1 January 1995 regarding the drafting and implementation of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [32483]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have had several meetings with the Carers National Association since January last year to discuss the legislation, and it was involved in the preparation of the policy guidance and practice guide. We regularly meet CNA—and other organisations—to discuss a variety of issues, including new legislation.

  Mr. Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he has taken to assist local authorities to implement the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995; and what extra funds have been provided for this purpose(a) in England and (b) in each county in the south West. [32482]

  Mr. Bowis
  In February this year, we issued the carers (recognition and services) policy guidance and practice guide to all local authorities. Draft versions of the guidance were issued for consultation in October last year—some six months before the Act came into force. The Act enshrines in law principles of good practice which we recommended in previous guidance issued at the time of the implementation of the community care reforms. Examples of good practice on carers are described in the social service inspectorate reports published in 1995: notably "Caring Today" and "What Next for Carers?".

  The Act should not involve significant extra costs. It enshrines in statute many of the principles of good practice which we had recommended local authorities follow.

  Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients had their operations cancelled on the day of admission at Walsgrave hospital, Coventry, in each year since 1990. [32256]

  Mr. Horam
  The information on individual hospitals is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Gary Reay, chairman of the Walsgrave Hospital NHS trust for details.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the percentage of patients not assessed within five minutes at Walsgrave hospital, Coventry, for each year for which figures are available. [32255]

  Mr. Horam
  This information can be obtained from the performance tables publication for 1993–94 and 1994–95, copies of which are available in the Library.
  238

  Lariam
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of reported and suspected adverse reactions to Lariam have been notified during the last three years for which figures are available. [32282]

  Mr. Malone
  The Medicines Control Agency has received 878 reports of 2,493 suspected adverse reactions associated with Lariam between 7 June 1993 and 7 June 1996. During this time, in excess of four hundred thousand patients have received Lariam. The reports received are consistent with the known safety profile of Lariam as described in the authorised product information.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from professional bodies and the Committee on Safety of Medicines on the anti-malarial drug Lariam. [32284]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department and the Medicines Control Agency have received representations from doctors and other health professionals and bodies representing health professionals and have responded to the issues raised. The Committee on Safety of Medicines, as an independent expert advisory body to the Licensing Authority, provides advice on the quality, efficacy and safety of medicines, including Lariam, to the Licensing Authority.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the indicated side effects of the drug Lariam. [32283]

  Mr. Malone
  Warnings on the side effects of Lariam are included in the product information. This includes the data sheet provided to all doctors and pharmacists and the information leaflet for patients.

  Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average waiting time for an MRI scan in(a) north-east Warwickshire and (b) Walsgrave hospital, Coventry; [32254]

  (2) what is the average waiting time for an MRI scan in the United Kingdom. [32253]

  Mr. Horam
  Information for England is not available centrally. Questions relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Civil Servants (Duties Abroad)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [32416]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Hall) on 1 March,Official Report, columns 762–64. Within the overall cost of ministerial visits to other countries, it is not possible to identify separately the element attributable to civil servants accompanying Ministers.
  239

  General Medical Services (East London and City)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the general medical services budget and proposed budget in the East London and City health authority. [32561]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 21 April 1995,Official Report, column 312.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) of 19 December 1995,Official Report, column 1153, what factors prevented commencement of the despatch of letters relating to desogestrel and gestodene before 16.30 on 18 October 1995. [32723]

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health made an oral statement to the House on 23 October 1995, columns 707–02 which described the urgent arrangements put in place to communicate the Committee on Safety of Medicines' advice to health professionals. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 5 June, Official Report, column 448.

  Medicines Commission
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the Medicines Commission as at 1 January indicating for each member his or her principal professional appointment, the date of first appointment to the commission, the scheduled termination of the period of membership and which of the criteria laid out in section 2(3) of the Medicines Act 1968 is relevant to the appointment of each member. [32722]

  Mr. Malone
  Members of the Medicines Commission are appointed for their knowledge and expertise which encompass the activities set out in section 2(3) of the Medicines Act 1968. The members of the Medicines Commission, as at 1 January 1996, are listed in the table, indicating for each member his or her principal professional appointment, the date of first appointment and the scheduled termination date of the current period of membership.

  Date of first appointment

  End of current membership

  Dr. Christine McCartney BSc PhD FRCPath Assistant Director of the Public Health Laboratory Service, London

  1 January 1996

  31 December 1999

  Dr. Agnes McKnight MD MB Bch FRCGP Regional Adviser in General Practice, Belfast

  1 January 1996

  31 December 1999

  Mr. David Miller BVMS (Glas) MRCVS Advisor on Medicines to British Veterinary Association

  1 January 1996

  31 December 1999

  Professor J. Michael Newton BPharm PhD DSc FRPharmS Head of Department of Pharmaceutics, The School of Pharmacy, University of London

  1 January 1996

  31 December 1999

  240

  Date of first appointment

  End of current membership

  Professor Stuart Pocock BA MSc PhD Professor of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  1 January 1996

  31 December 1999

  Dr Andrew Renwick BSc PHD DSc Reader in Clinical Pharmacology, University of Southampton

  1 January 1992

  31 December 1999

  Mrs Jane Short BPharm MRPharmS Associate Director, Procter and Gamble

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1997

  Dr. David Williams BSc PhD CChem FRSC Director, Anitox Ltd.

  1 January 1985

  31 December 1999

  Cowan Wilson Esq OBE BVMS FRCVS General Veterinary Practitioner, Fife

  1 January 1985

  31 December 1999

  Professor David Lawson CBE MD FRCPEdin FRCPGlasg FFPM (Chairman) Consultant Physician, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Honorary Professor of Medicine, University of Glasgow and Visiting Professor, University of Strathclyde

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1997

  Professor Stuart Campbell MB ChB FRCOG DObst Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of Department, Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1997

  Professor Stanley Davis BPharm PhD DSc FRSChem FRPharmS Lord Trent Professor of Pharmacy and Head of Department, Nottingham University

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1997

  Professor Anthony Dayan MD FRCP FRCPath FFOM FFPM FTBioL Professor of Toxicology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London

  1 January 1986

  31 December 1997

  Professor Edzard Ernst MD PhD Director of the Centre for Complementary Health Studies, University of Exeter

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1999

  Professor Ronald Jones MVSc Dr Med Vet DVSc DVA DipECVA FIBiol FRCVS Professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia, University of Liverpool

  1 January 1996

  31 December 1999

  Dr Parveen Kumar BSc MD FRCP FRCP(Edin) Senior Lecturer in Gastroenterology and Consultant Physician at St. Bartholomew's the Royal London and Homerton Hospitals

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1997

  241

  Date of first appointment

  End of current membership

  Miss Ann Lewis LLB FRPharmS MCPP Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Countess of Chester Hospital

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1997

  Cancelled Operations
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled in the NHS(a) last year and (b) in each of the previous 10 years. [32806]

  Mr. Horam
  Information is available for the last two years only. Tables will be placed in the Library.

  Committee on Safety of Medicines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the statutory basis for the appointment of members for the day of the Committee on Safety of Medicines. [32724]

  Mr. Malone
  All members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines are appointed under section 4(5) of the Medicines Act 1968. In the case of members for the day, the terms in their letters of appointment limit membership to a particular meeting of the committee. The statutory basis for such terms is regulation 4 of the Medicines Commission and Committees Regulation 1970 (S.I. No. 746).

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32677]

  Mr. Horam
  Preliminary analysis of the Department of Health's own mainframe computer systems has already been undertaken to assess the likely impact of the change of millennium. A further more detailed analysis is to be carried out during 1996–97 fully to assess the impact and likely cost of the change.

DEFENCE

  Army Courts Martial
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army courts martial were convened each year since 1979. [32551]

  Mr. Soames
  Details of courts martial prior to 1990 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of individuals tried by Army courts martial convened since 1990 are as follows:

  1990: 930

  1991: 707

  1992: 780

  1993: 688

  1994: 594

  1995: 440.

  242

  Mormond Hill Radar Base
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for his Department's former radar base at Mormond Hill, near Fraserborough; what public consultation will take place; and if he will make a statement. [32758]

  Mr. Soames
  I have nothing to add to the answers which I gave on 16 April,Official Report, columns 458–59.

  Gordon Foxley
  Mr. David Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about steps to reclaim moneys from the companies involved in the payment of commissions to Gordon Foxley relating to defence contracts. [33235]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  A satisfactory settlement has been concluded with one of the companies concerned, Raufoss AS of Norway, under which the company will pay an agreed sum in redress to my Department, including interest and a contribution to costs, for payments made contrary to contractual conditions.

  A statement of contrition by the company, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, forms part of the agreement with the Ministry of Defence. We have decided that in the light of this agreement the company will become eligible to be considered for Ministry of Defence orders, although normal commercial relations will not be resumed for some months during which period we shall monitor the operation of the agreement.

  Discussions are taking place with the other companies involved in the Foxley case, against whom proceedings are still in train.

  Thermal Identity Beacons
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use has been made in the past of thermal identity beacons for military vehicles; if he will make a statement on the new requirement for such beacons in future, purchase No. ASIC/31 of the MOD contracts bulletin volume 10 No. 16; and if such beacons are in use with other NATO forces. [30784]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No use has been made of thermal identity beacons for military vehicles in the past. The new requirement, outlined in MOD "Contracts Bulletin" volume 10 No. 16, is for the United Kingdom contingent of The NATO implementation force—IFOR No. 16 in Bosnia and is being procured to reduce the risk of friendly fire. The beacons are not in use with other NATO forces but we intend to share the technology with other IFOR nations.

  Dump Trucks
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the advantages of(a) leasing and (b) using the private finance initiative in relation to the supply of self-loading dump trucks for the Royal Engineers as set out in tender No. EM and D1A/155 of the MOD "Contract Bulletin" volume 10 No. 16. [30785]
  243
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Self-loading dump trucks to meet the specific military requirement of the Royal Engineers are not currently available for lease on the commercial market. No assessment was made of the advantages of using the private finance initiative for this specific requirement.

  A study commissioned by the Procurement Executive is currently under way to examine the potential for greater private sector/private finance involvement in the management and supply for future requirements of this type. The study will not be complete in time to influence this procurement because the existing fleet has reached the end of its economic life and requires replacement now. Recommendations of the study will be carefully considered for future requirements.

  Royal Navy (Fuel)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the quantity of fuel purchased by his Department for allocation to the Royal Navy fleet in each of the last five years. [32647]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The full information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Such information as is available is as follows:

  Fuel purchased for the Royal Naval Fleet (1,000 cubic metres)

  Financial year 1994–95

  Financial year 1995–96

  DIESO F761

  405

  330

  Naval fuel for ships

  AVCAT F441

  36

  20

  Naval fuel for aircraft Commercially supplied fuel for ships

  Marine gas oil

  55

  Not held

  1 These fuels are produced by refineries to specific NATO standards.

  Royal Navy (Exercises)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many exercises the Royal Nay has taken part in each of the last 10 years. [32648]

  Mr. Soames
  Royal Navy exercises range in scale from very small activities involving individual elements of establishments, units or ships, to participation in major tri-service and international exercises.

  Details of all of the various exercises in which the Royal Navy has participated in some form over the last 10 years are not held centrally, and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Army Equipment
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Army's battlefield equipment reliability return in each of the last three years for(a) Warrior vehicles, (b) Challenger tanks and (c) the multiple-launch rocket system. [32649]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information requested is classified and cannot be released.
  244

  Clansman Radio System
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of spare parts for the Clansman radio system in each of the last three years. [32650]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The cost of spare parts for Clansman for each of the last three years was as follows:

  1993–94: £9.8 million

  1994–95: £10.7 million

  1995–96: £10.3 million.

  EH101 Merlin Helicopter
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current estimated total cost of the EH101 Merlin helicopter; what was the original total estimated cost of the helicopter at current prices; what was the original in-service date and what is its current estimated in-service date; and if he will make a statement. [32651]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The current estimated total cost of the EH1O1/Merlin programme is £4,307 million. The prime contractor is Lockheed-Martin-ASIC.

  The estimated total cost, at current prices, when the Main Production Contract—MPC—was awarded was £3,922 million.

  The in-service date agreed when the MPC was awarded was December 1998 and this has not changed.

  British Companies (America)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his American counterpart to allow British companies greater access to American markets; and if he will make a statement. [32653]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Regular discussions are held at all levels with the US Administration and Congress to convey Her Majesty's Government's concerns regarding the level of access that United Kingdom companies have to the American defence market. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has raised this issue with Dr. Perry on two occasions this year and during my visit to the United States last month I discussed this subject with a number of senior officials.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32670]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The capability of MOD's existing computer systems to recognise the millennium date change is under investigation and will be the subject of MOD-wide guidance requiring those responsible for current and planned information systems to assess fully the extent of the problem. Until this is known, it will not be possible to assess the cost effects of the year 2000 date change.
  245

  NATO Joint Task Force
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning recent changes to NATO's combined joint task force initiative. [32654]

  Mr. Soames
  The recent meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Berlin welcomed the approval of the combined joint task forces concept which, when implemented, will facilitate the mounting of NATO contingency operations as well as those undertaken by the Western European Union. Ministers asked for a report on implementation of the concept. We expect these recommendations to come forward in December.

  Maritime Patrol Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria to be used in the placing of a contract for the replacement maritime patrol aircraft. [32655]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The contract for the replacement maritime patrol aircraft—RMPA—will be measured against criteria that will offer the best value for money. Many factors will influence the decision including: performance, reliability, commonality with equipment already in service and the cost of operating and maintaining equipment through its expected life. A combined operational effectiveness and investment appraisal exercise is one of the tools which has been employed in determining the best value for money.

  The RMPA decision will take account of the benefits that come from having a strong indigenous defence industry and, in that respect, due weight will be given to industrial capabilities which the UK has an interest in retaining in order to support the equipment we procure. Industrial participation proposals have been sought from the prime contractors and, where foreign contractors are employed, due account will be taken of the nature and cost of the work put back into United Kingdom industry.

  Procurement Decisions
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what mechanisms he assesses the impact on the United Kingdom defence industrial base of his Department's procurement decisions. [32656]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department's practice on the consideration of United Kingdom defence industrial base issues in procurement decisions was set out in written and oral evidence to the Select Committee on Defence and Trade and Industry in joint session during 1995. The minutes of evidence were published as daily parts on 9 August 1995 (HC 333-iv) and the Committee's final report was published on 5 December 1995 (HC 61 and 62).

  In its response to the Committee's report, published on 8 February 1996 (HC 209 and 210), the Government noted that industrial factors had always been taken into account in equipment procurement decision making processes. However, following a review of its internal procedures, my Department will in future take a more systematic account of such factors. Guidance is currently being prepared to this end.
  246

  Armed Forces (Dismissals)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been dismissed from each of the services in each of the past five years for(a) alcohol misuse and (b) illegal drug misuse. [32055]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 10 June 1996]:

  (a) Those dismissed for alcohol abuse following a sentence of dismissal from service at court martial, summary trial or summary proceedings, or a sentence of imprisonment from a service or civilian court in each of the past five years:

  RN/RM

  Army

  RAF

  Total

  1990

  3

  1

  0

  4

  1991

  1

  1

  0

  2

  1992

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1993

  3

  1

  0

  4

  1994

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Those administratively discharged for alcohol dependency

  RN/RM

  Army

  RAF

  Total

  1990

  10

  7

  —

  17

  1991

  7

  3

  —

  10

  1992

  6

  4

  3

  13

  1993

  6

  0

  2

  8

  1994

  6

  7

  3

  16

  1. No records are held for Army officers.

  2. No figures prior to July 1992 are held by RAF.

  3. RN/RM and RAF figures include officers.

  (b) Those dismissed for drug abuse following a sentence of dismissal from service at court martial, summary trial or summary proceedings, or a sentence of imprisonment from a service or civilian court in each of the past five years:

  RN/RM

  Army

  RAF

  Total

  1990

  23

  87

  8

  118

  1991

  65

  87

  13

  165

  1992

  94

  116

  15

  225

  1993

  51

  81

  20

  152

  1994

  45

  59

  8

  112

  Those administratively discharged for drugs offences

  RN/RM

  Army

  RAF

  Total

  1990

  0

  35

  —

  35

  1991

  1

  50

  11

  62

  1992

  1

  208

  24

  233

  1993

  2

  204

  10

  216

  1994

  0

  136

  22

  158

  1 The RAF holds no records prior to 1991.

  2 No records are held for Army officers.

  3 RN/RM and RAF figures include officers.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to call out further Army Reserve and Territorial Army personnel in support of the operations in the former Yugoslavia. [33142]
  247
  Mr. Soames
  Approval has been given to call out up to 251 members of the Army Reserve and Territorial Army to provide support to operations in the former Yugoslavia, and volunteers are being sought. The majority will replace those called-out last February, but there is also an additional need to fill 55 posts to reinforce regular units. This arises from some units having dual commitments. Those called out will report to a mobilisation centre between 8 and 12 July, and those who are selected for service will undergo training before deployment.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much income has been received in the current year by the compensation recovery unit; and what is the projected income by the end of the current financial year; [2904]

  (2) what was the total amount recovered by the compensation recovery unit in 1994–95. [2905]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Compensation recovery is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 5 December 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about how much income has been received in the current year by the Compensation Recovery Unit; and what is the projected income by the end of the current financial year and what was the total amount recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit in 1994–1995.In the period 1 April 1995 to 31 October 1995 the total amount recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit was £72.6M. Based on the pattern of recoveries to date it is expected that the total recovery for 1995/96 will be in the range of £123M to £130M.The total amount recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit in the period from 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995 was £110.1m.I hope you find this reply helpful.
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much compensation has been recovered by the compensation recovery unit in the current financial year from sufferers from asbestos-related diseases; how many sufferers there have been; and what have been the individual sums recovered; [2901]

  (2) how much compensation was recovered by the compensation recovery unit in 1994–95 from sufferers from asbestos-related diseases; how many suffers there were; and what were the individual sums recovered. [2907]

  Mr. Mitchell
  Compensation recovery is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 5 December 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about how much compensation has been recovered by the Compensation Recovery 248 Unit in the period 1994/95 and the current financial year from sufferers from asbestos related diseases; how many sufferers there have been; and what have been the individual sums recovered.Statistics are not available about the numbers of sufferers from asbestos related diseases. However, in the period from 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995 there were 138 recoveries made in relation to asbestosis and the total amount recovered was £1,030,457.77. During the period 1 April 1995 to 31 October 1995 there have been 112 recoveries made in relation to asbestosis. The total amount recovered was £863,370.89.The individual amounts recovered from sufferers of asbestosis during the period 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995 are outlined in the enclosed Table A. Table B details the individual amounts recovered during the period 1 April 1995 to 31 October 1995.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  TABLE A: AMOUNTS RECOVERED FROM ASBESTOSIS SUFFERERS FROM 1 APRIL 1994 TO 31 MARCH 1995

  £42.00

  £100.00

  £126.00

  £173.70

  £399.00

  £433.50

  £484.64

  £621.20

  £621.60

  £672.20

  £787.24

  £852.20

  £862.93

  £1,032.31

  £1,111.29

  £1,114.88

  £1,123.77

  £1,208.80

  £1,219.80

  £1,329.95

  £1,431.85

  £1,491.20

  £1,565.76

  £1,582.87

  £1,677.16

  £1,692.18

  £1,738.24

  £1,773.16

  £1,798.56

  £1,853.68

  £1,927.64

  £1,937.45

  £1,957.64

  £2,069.31

  £2,135.36

  £2,147.76

  £2,288.80

  £2,298.58

  £2,393.92

  £2,414.16

  £2,454.00

  £2,507.88

  £2,547.84

  £2,572.01

  249

  £2,579.18

  £2,627.42

  £2,629.67

  £2,655.15

  £2,676.40

  £2,768.28

  £3,002.10

  £3,061.41

  £3,125.32

  £3,270.80

  £3,361.35

  £3,416.08

  £3,422.72

  £3,662.04

  £3,851.20

  £3,949.30

  £4,010.28

  £4,038.28

  £4,095.03

  £4,119.04

  £4,135.12

  £4,170.67

  £4,279.80

  £4,297.84

  £14,333.49

  £4,357.65

  £4,392.76

  £14,406.56

  £4,498.68

  £4,503.20

  £4,566.90

  £4,582.56

  £14,647.28

  £4,814.80

  £4,831.38

  £4,847.76

  £4,873.36

  £4,904.82

  £5,059.80

  £5,083.30

  £5,263.56

  £5,442.85

  £5,527.24

  £5,909.44

  £6,247.02

  £16,304.15

  £6,546.48

  £6,559.10

  £6,603.92

  £6,668.43

  £6,689.10

  £6,691.50

  £6,870.25

  £6,973.50

  £7,609.61

  £7,758.84

  £8,029.77

  £8,082.43

  250

  £8,610.70

  £8,969.48

  £9,076.00

  £9,416.76

  £9,533.69

  £9,693.21

  £10,022.67

  £10,170.90

  £10,367.62

  £10,595.32

  £10,917.52

  £10,965.35

  £11,037.20

  £11,725.80

  £112,796.04

  £14,464.08

  £14,946.17

  £15,130.33

  £15,421.76

  £15,862.47

  £16,832.00

  £18,781.01

  £19,027.45

  £23,719.15

  £24,395.44

  £25,355.18

  £27,518.62

  £28,421.77

  £28,855.99

  £31,153.19

  £32,203.62

  £35,444.33

  £36,558.38

  £40,268.42

  £47,994.18

  TABLE B: AMOUNTS RECOVERED FROM ASBESTOSIS SUFFERERS FROM 1 APRIL 1995 TO 31 OCTOBER 1995

  £83.30

  £140.10

  £182.80

  £367.50

  £449.00

  £457.80

  £470.40

  £607.10

  £621.60

  £628.00

  £641.20

  £987.80

  £999.45

  £1,058.80

  £1,064.03

  £1,104.75

  £1,167.86

  £1,344.40

  £1,346.88

  £1,403.29

  £1,431.85

  251

  £1,456.32

  £1,478.68

  £1,482.64

  £1,531.70

  £1,685.35

  £1,752.63

  £1,777.15

  £1,814.09

  £2,070.26

  £2,209.73

  £2,238.48

  £2,316.95

  £2,451.20

  £2,574.15

  £2,575.71

  £2,603.72

  £2,696.40

  £2,699.73

  £2,859.10

  £2,867.61

  £2,935.46

  £3,252.84

  £3,257.66

  £3,298.72

  £3,307.22

  £3,455.70

  £3,492.44

  £3,541.62

  £3,827.88

  £3,851.20

  £3,972.04

  £4,003.92

  £4,166.06

  £4,233.05

  £4,347.69

  £4,406.05

  £4,498.68

  £4,762.00

  £5,000.48

  £5,100.01

  £5,521.05

  £5,685.20

  £6,152.34

  £6,244.98

  £6,317.54

  £6,351.20

  £6,448.01

  £6,541.68

  £6,546.48

  £6,658.80

  £6,697.85

  £7,135.82

  £8,014.20

  £8,089.90

  £8,157.48

  £8,690.95

  £9,036.75

  £9,079.60

  252

  £9,154.24

  £9,950.40

  £10,043.62

  £10,376.94

  £10,565.18

  £10,917.90

  £11,341.51

  £11,617.37

  £12,060.65

  £12,752.62

  £13,261.67

  £13,301.29

  £13,621.79

  £14,540.90

  £14,670.20

  £15,185.20

  £15,383.02

  £15,421.76

  £15,840.49

  £15,954.68

  £17,795.40

  £17,970.00

  £18,890.67

  £18,903.48

  £19,258.43

  £22,983.21

  £25,188.08

  £25,663.20

  £26,851.22

  £27,775.25

  £28,414.60

  £34,582.90

  £41,627.15

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what have been the 10 largest sums recovered by the compensation recovery unit in the current financial year; and if he will list the(a) illnesses, (b) accidents and (c) diseases suffered by those from whom compensation was recovered. [2906]

  Mr. Mitchell
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 5 December 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what have been the 10 largest sums recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit in the current financial year; and to list the (a) illnesses, (b) accidents and (c) diseases suffered by those from whom compensation was recovered.Claim form CRU 1 asks for the reasons for making a claim for compensation together with the date of any accident and details of the resulting injury, disease or if appropriate the date of death. Further details are not requested about the circumstances of individual accidents.For record purposes information is taken from the CRU 1 about the nature of the injury or disease and recorded in broad categories only. Details of illnesses, injuries and diseases can only therefore be provided within these categories.253 Appendix A which is attached contains information about the ten largest amounts recovered from individual customers by the Compensation Recovery Unit.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Appendix A: The ten largest amounts recovered from individual customers by the Compensation Recovery Unit and a brief description of the injury or disease

  £

  Amount recovered

  Brief description of injury/disease

  70,522.25

  Head/facial injury

  67,165.00

  Back/spinal injury

  66,775.53

  1Multiple injuries

  64,704.06

  Back/spinal injury

  61,943.44

  2Miscellaneous

  59,142.57

  1Multiple injuries

  59,137.28

  1Multiple injuries

  59,131.70

  2Miscellaneous

  59,017.48

  3Miscellaneous

  57,773.28

  Head/facial injury

  1 Multiple injury—more than one injury to different parts of the body or a combination of injury/amputation to the same part of body e.g. broken left arm and amputated right arm.

  2 Miscellaneous—this includes lacerations/cuts/bruising or any combination where no specific part of the body is mentioned.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons who qualified for severe weather payments for each month from 1 November 1995 to 30 April 1996, applied to each of the Benefits Agency offices in the Doncaster and Mexborough area; and what were the figures for the period 1 November 1994 to 30 April 1995. [31432]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Once a cold weather period has been identified, a scan of the income support database is run to establish those who are eligible for a cold weather payment. Payment is sent out automatically; there is no need for a claim to be made.

  Information relating to cold weather payments made for the periods 1 November 1994 to 30 April 1995 and 1 November 1995 to 30 April 1996 can be found in the statistical section of the Library. The data are held in the social fund statistical load file under "Cold Weather Payments by District Office".

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to alter the qualification requirements for cold weather payments to enable ex-service men on war pensions but not receiving income support to entitlement to these payments. [32250]

  Mr. Evans
  There are no plans to change the existing qualifying groups. The current scheme targets available resources towards those regarded as most vulnerable during a sustained period of very cold weather.

  Suspension of Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases the suspension of benefit under regulation 37A of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 was lifted following representations by or on behalf of claimants; and if he will give a breakdown of the reasons for the lifting of the suspension in each of those cases and in total. [31808]
  254
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many awards of benefit he has suspended in each year since 1990 under regulation 37 of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987. [31806]

  Mr. Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 May,Official Report, column 392.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many awards of benefit he has suspended pending appeals in the cases of(a) Bate, from the Court of Appeal to the House of Lords, (b) Graham, from the commissioner to the Court of Appeal, including the reference to the European Court of Justice and (c) Halliday (aka Fairey) in relation both to the appeal to the Court of Appeal and to the appeal to the House of Lords. [31809]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is set out in the table:

  Lead case

  Number of suspensions

  Bate

  2,768

  Graham

  46,418

  Halliday (aka Fairey)

  3,017

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many awards of benefit he has suspended under regulation 37A of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 since its introduction in March 1992. [31807]

  Mr. Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 11 March,Official Report, columns 480–81.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of people in the United Kingdom who currently receive a war pension. [32252]

  Mr. Heald
  It is estimated that at 31 March 1996, the most recent date for which figures are available, 301,379 people in the United Kingdom were receiving either a war disablement pension, war widow's pension or other war dependants pension.

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral statement in the Scottish Grand Committee of 20 May,Official Report, column 19, what plans he had to review the reduced earnings allowance. [23533]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  None at present.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32666]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department is aware of the information technology issues which arise as a result of the millennium, and work is under way to establish the cost effects on departmental systems.
  255

  Incomes
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are his Department's plans for the households below average income and the pensioners' incomes statistical series. [33113]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  I have today published the report of the Department's review of the methodology underlying the households below average income series. A copy has been placed in the Library. One of its recommendations is that future issues should highlight information on income mobility derived from longitudinal sources.

  Incorporating the review results, together with the move in the survey sources from calendar to financial years, means that publication of the next households below average income is expected to be in October. Publication of the pensioners' incomes series, which draws on the households below income database, is expected to follow in November.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13 June. [31179]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 13 June. [31180]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition on to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Royal Family (Records)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) of 20 May,Official Report, column 60, if he will list the three criteria which govern closure of records; and if he will make a statement. [31552]

  Mr. Streeter
  The three categories of public record which are to be closed for public inspection for longer than 30 years are as set out in chapter 9 of the 1993 White Paper, "Open Government" (Cm 2290). They are:

  exceptionally sensitive records containing information, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest in that it would harm the defence, international relations, national security—including the maintenance of law and order—or the economic interests of the United Kingdom and its dependent territories;

  documents containing information supplied in confidence, the disclosure of which would or might constitute a breach of good faith; and

  documents containing information about individuals, the disclosure of which would cause either substantial distress, or endangerment from a third party, to persons affected by disclosure or their descendants.

  256

  Court Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration has been given to market testing of the services provided by the Court Service agency; and if he will make a statement. [31553]

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

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 13 June 1996:

  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about market testing of services provided by the Court Service.
  Since the establishment of the Court Service as an Executive Agency on 2 April 1995, no further consideration has been given to market testing its services. Most of the ancillary services it uses such as cleaning, catering, judges' car hire, security and maintenance are already contracted out. Other support services such as IT, Internal Audit and Pay were market tested before the Court Service became an Agency.Statutory constraint and the fact that much of the Court Service's work is in support of the judiciary means that the scope for further market testing is very limited. Consideration is, however, being given to involving the private sector through partnership schemes under the Private Finance Initiative.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32674]

  Mr. Streeter
  My Department is currently assessing the impact of the millennium date change on its computer systems.

  Family Law Bill
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make available information outlining the effect of the amendments tabled by the Government to the Family Law Bill for Report stage; and if the Government intend to maintain or overturn amendments already made in Committee. [33276]

  Mr. Streeter
  This information has been placed in the Vote Office.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Port of Tyne Authority
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will report progress on considering the transfer scheme submitted by the Port of Tyne Authority; and if he will make a statement. [33152]

  Sir George Young
  I have been asked to reply.

  The transfer scheme submitted by the Port of Tyne Authority contains a number of provisions which, in our view, would constrain the operation and development of the port. I have considered the arguments offered by the

  257
  authority about the provisions in question and the legal position, and am now minded to make my own transfer scheme under section 12 of the Ports Act 1991.

  Before preparing such a scheme, there is a requirement to consult the port authority. My noble Friend, the Minister for Aviation and Shipping, has today written to the chairman of the Port of Tyne Authority to seek the views of the board.

  Arms Embargo (Argentina)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list by date the changes of policy since March 1982 in the application of arms embargoes towards Argentina; and if he will make a statement on each specific exception to the embargo in that period. [31326]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Since January 1991—the date from which detailed records are readily available—12 exceptions have been made for the export of items falling within the embargo. Two were temporary licences for which the goods were returned. The remainder included equipment to be used by Argentine forces engaged in UN peacekeeping and international search and rescue duties, certain airport security, anti-terrorism and anti-drugs goods and parts for civil aircraft which fall under the embargo. One licence was granted for a sporting gun, one for. 22 calibre ammunition for sporting guns. There was also one for humane cattle stunner blanks where a licence was issued to cover the export during the period when they were licensable under the existing Export of Goods (Control) Order but, where the new, 1994 order has decontrolled them.

  The policy on the application of the embargo on defence sales is kept under regular review.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases, by region, are waiting to be heard in industrial tribunals in England and Wales; and how long his Department estimates it will take to clear this backlog in each case. [32020]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The number of cases awaiting hearing by region at April 1996 is set out in table 1. The industrial tribunals work to a performance target of 80 per cent. of cases to be heard within 26 weeks of being registered. Performance against this target by region for the first quarter of 1996 is shown in table 2. The two London regions remain below target but have made good progress, following measures taken to reduce delays, and this is expected to continue.

  Table 1: Cases awaiting hearing (April 1996)

  Region

  Awaiting hearing

  London South

  1,535

  Bedford

  873

  Birmingham

  995

  Bristol

  490

  Cardiff

  763

  Leeds

  1,033

  Manchester

  2,138

  Newcastle

  410

  Nottingham

  963

  Southampton

  1,228

  London North and Stratford

  3,097

  258

  Table 2: Performance against target (January to March 1996)

  Region

  Hearing target 80 per cent. within 26 weeks

  London South

  70

  Bedford

  88

  Birmingham

  83

  Bristol

  95

  Cardiff

  81

  Leeds

  93

  Manchester

  81

  Newcastle

  97

  Nottingham

  85

  Southampton

  82

  London North and Stratford

  59

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of inward investment from Korea in each year since 1990. [32073]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The stock of inward direct investment into the UK from South Korea in each year since 1990, as calculated by the Office for National Statistics, is:

  1990: Disclosive (this figure would release details of an investment by a particular company)

  £ million

  1991

  -44.1

  1992

  -29.0

  1993

  -3.7

  1994

  -167.0

  No figures are available on investment into the UK from North Korea, nor are figures on portfolio investment from either North Korea or South Korea.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each year since 1979 the number of inward investment strategies developed by his Department for each region of England. [31825]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 7 June 1996]: The DTI Invest in Britain Bureau promotes the benefits of the United Kingdom to potential inward investors. In the English regions, it is the responsibility of each of the regional development organisations to produce an annual inward investment strategy that draws upon the particular strengths and selling points of their respective regions.

  The Invest in Britain Bureau also part funds the RDOs on the basis of agreeing this forward programme of inward investment promotional activities each year.

  Exports
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the value of exports from the United Kingdom for each of the years since 1992 of(a) office machinery and data processing equipment, (b) electrical and electronic engineering, (c) motor vehicles, (d) aircraft, (e) other transport equipment, (f) North sea oil and derivatives and (g) the chemical industry. [32529]
  259
  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information is given in the table. The figures for 1992 are not exactly comparable with those of later years, due to a change in the system of classification.

  £ billion

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Office machinery and data processing equipment

  6.3

  8.2

  9.6

  11.8

  Electrical and electronic engineering

  12.4

  11.4

  14.3

  17.9

  Motor vehicles

  9.9

  9.6

  11.2

  13.5

  Aircraft

  6.9

  6.2

  5.8

  6.0

  Other transport equipment

  0.5

  0.5

  1.2

  0.7

  North sea oil and derivatives

  2.4

  3.0

  2.7

  2.6

  Chemical industry

  15.8

  18.1

  19.6

  22.2

  Source: Business Monitor MQ10, Office for National Statistics.

  European Fusion Programme
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what expenditure Her Majesty's Government have made via the UK Atomic Energy Authority/AEA Technology for the joint European trans-sonic wind tunnel—JET— fusion project and other projects in(a) the last year and (b) since the beginning of the European fusion programme. [32565]

  Mr. Page
  The expenditure made by the Government via the UKAEA for the JET fusion project was £7.7 million in 1995 and £109.12 million since the European fusion programme began. The expenditure made by the Government via the UKAEA for other fusion projects in the UK was £8 million in 1995 and £240.95 million since the UK became part of the European fusion programme in 1973. The UK has received additional support from Euratom for its own programme during the period at a level of approximately 30 per cent. of its own expenditure.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what expenditure Her Majesty's Government have made via Euratom and the JET fusion project and other fusion projects(a) in the last year and (b) since the beginning of the European fusion programme. [32566]

  Mr. Page
  The expenditure made by the Government via Euratom for the JET fusion project was £8.4 million in 1995 and £123.60 million since the European fusion programme began. The expenditure made by the Government via Euratom for other fusion projects in Europe was £13.97 million in 1995 and £168.52 million since the European fusion programme began.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he is proposing to encourage the sale of vehicle tax discs and the issuing of passports by smaller post offices and sub-post offices; and if he will make a statement. [32266]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Decisions on the overall number of post offices issuing motor vehicle licences and passport application forms are respectively matters for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the UK Passport Agency.
  260

  Foresight Challenge Programme
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many foresight challenge bids have been received to date. [32660]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Five hundred and fifteen foresight challenge bids have been received to date.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria are being used for the evaluation of foresight challenge bids. [32659]

  Mr. Taylor
  The criteria used for the evaluation of foresight challenge bids are contained in section 6 of the challenge terms and conditions document, which was issued to interested bidders by the Office of Science and Technology in September 1995.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the bid timetable for the foresight challenge was announced; and if he will make a statement. [32661]

  Mr. Taylor
  The timetable for the foresight challenge was announced in September 1995, in the terms and conditions document issued by the Office of Science and Technology.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many of the successful applicants for funding under the foresight challenge programme were also members of the foresight panels. [32657]

  Mr. Taylor
  I shall make an announcement about the successful applicants on 24 June. I shall write to the hon. Member soon after the announcement.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how payments made under the foresight challenge programme are to be monitored. [32680]

  Mr. Taylor
  Payments under the foresight challenge programme will be made and monitored by the research councils.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many successful applications there have been for funding under the foresight challenge programme. [32658]

  Mr. Taylor
  I shall make an announcement on 24 June regarding the winning applications.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32665]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In line with guidance recently issued by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency and the Cabinet Office central IT unit, my Department has initiated studies to assess the extent to which its computer systems will need to be amended to take account of the millennium date change. The results of these studies, including estimates of the cost of the corrective work, are expected later this year.

  Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the home shipbuilding credit guarantee scheme. [33155]
  261
  Mr. Eggar
  The review of the scheme, which I announced to the House on 15 March 1995, has now been completed.

  I have decided that the scheme should continue. When the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development shipbuilding agreement comes into force, the currently subsidised interest rate of 7.5 per cent. will be replaced by the appropriate commercial interest reference rate used in export finance. The scheme will continue to provide credit for up to 80 per cent. of a ship's contract value, the maximum permitted by OECD rules.

  I have also decided to make an amendment to the scheme designed to enhance the scheme's attractiveness in appropriate cases. I have invited main banks involved in shipping business to participate in arrangements which would come into play when the terms offered under the scheme are not able to provide 80 per cent. financing on the basis of the vessel's mortgage and other readily available security, and it is felt that, by the standards of the international market place, better terms should be possible. In such circumstances, the new banking facility would aim to provide an additional tranche of financing. The DTI and the participating bank would share the risk in this additional tranche, normally on a 50–50 basis, although in some circumstances my Department would be prepared to take two thirds of the risk if necessary to secure 80 per cent. financing. Additional margins would be charged to reflect the additional risk undertaken.

  This new banking facility will come into effect as of the date of this announcement. Applications for loans under the scheme, for which offers have not yet been made, will also be eligible.

  The changes to the current interest rate offered under the scheme will be made with the entry into force of the OECD agreement presently targeted for 15 July. The success of this new banking facility will depend on the response from the banks. However, I believe that it is a valuable development of the scheme and responds to the concerns of the shipbuilding industry.

  Overdue Commercial Debt
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will announce the outcome of the review of the case for a statutory right to interest on overdue commercial debt that was announced on 11 January,Official Report, column 293. [33148]

  Mr. Page
  I announced to the House that the Government were meeting the commitment made in the 1994 competitiveness White Paper to review again the case for legislation for a statutory right to interest. That review has been informed by updated submissions from representative bodies which responded to the public consultation on this subject in 1994, the regional "Your Business Matters" conferences and commercial and academic research.

  Following the review, I can confirm that the Government will not be introducing legislation to enact a right to interest on overdue commercial debt.

  It is right that the Government listen to and act upon the views of the business community and it is clear that there has been a significant shift in opinion, particularly by the small firms representative organisations, against
  262
  legislation. Eight of the nine main small firms organisations have stated that they are against legislation because of the detrimental impact they fear it would have on small businesses. Even a number of organisation which responded to the review in favour of legislation had serious reservations about its effectiveness. Additionally the regional "Your Business Matters" conferences concluded against legislation.

  The Government introduced a significant package of measures to tackle late payment in 1994. Good progress has been made in their implementation, although it is too early to gauge their effectiveness. That is something we shall continue to review and evaluate. In addition, the Prime Minister announced on 11 March this year a package of additional measures including consultation on whether public companies should be required to publish their payment performance.

  Recent research by the university of Bradford has identified that effective credit management procedures can significantly reduce the incidence and impact of late payment experienced by small businesses. The Government will therefore continue to work with all sectors of the business community to help small firms improve their credit management procedures. Business links in England, business connect in Wales, local enterprise companies in Scotland and the Local Enterprise Development Unit in Northern Ireland will be able to provide advice and guidance in this area.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the privatisation of the short-term business of the Export Credits Guarantee Department. [33149]

  Mr. Lang
  The then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my right hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Lilley), announced on 2 December 1991,Official Report, columns 11–12, the sale of the short-term business of the Export Credits Guarantee Department to NCM Holding NV. The £20 million goodwill element of the sale price included a deferred element up to a maximum of £5 million payable in 1996 subject to the privatised company's financial performance. I am pleased to be able to report that, on the basis of the company's actual performance, a sum of £5,479,127, made up of the basic sum due of £4,928,296 plus index linking, has now been paid to ECGD by the company.

  I welcome this as the final formal stage in a highly successful privatisation which has provided UK exporters with the benefits deriving from the most competitive private sector export credit insurance market in Europe.

  Radio Spectrum (Licensing)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are being made for the contracting out of the management and licensing of the radio spectrum used for making programmes and similar activities. [33150]

  Mr. Lang
  The Radiocommunications Agency published on 15 May the report of its review of spectrum used in programme making and related activities by broadcasters, independent programme makers and others. The spectrum is currently managed and licensed on the
  263
  agency's behalf by ASP Frequency Management Ltd. and the Broadcasters' JFMG Ltd. One of the main recommendations of the review was that a single spectrum management organisation should be established with responsibility for licensing all programme making spectrum. I have decided to accept this recommendation and intend to establish new arrangements under a contract which would run from 1 April 1997. The agency will shortly advertise the intention to appoint a single contractor and will invite expressions of interest. I intend, in exercise of powers conferred by section 69 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, to make an order enabling me to authorise another person to exercise my licensing function under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 in respect of programme making spectrum. The contract will be made under the order.

  Contracts
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response his Department has made to the European Commission's recommendation that public entities wishing to advertise invitations for tenders should break down large contracts into lots. [31889]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 June 1996]: The European Commission is expected to present shortly a Green Paper on procurement policy in the European Union. My Department will consider, in consultation with business interests and with HM Treasury, which are the lead Government Department on procurement policy, any such recommendations which are made.

  "Tenders Electronic Daily"
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what translation facilities are provided by his Department for potential tenderers to the "Tenders Electronic Daily". [31901]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 June 1996]: None. Although overseas tender notices on "Tenders Electronic Daily" are published in full only in the language of the purchasing authority, a summary of such notices is provided in English.

  Small and Medium Businesses
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence his Department has evaluated for the first quarter of 1996 regarding business(a) demand, (b) optimism and (c) output amongst small and medium manufacturing companies. [31905]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 June 1996]: Evidence from business surveys shows demand, optimism and output increasing in the first quarter of 1996.

  Electric Batons
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date Her Majesty's Government were advised that a market report partially funded through his Department's export marketing scheme would state that there was a future requirement for electric batons in a named country; what action he took in respect of that report; and what steps he has taken to ensure(a) that Her
  264
  Majesty's Government does not fund such reports in the future and (b) that the contents of market reports are sanctioned before publication. [31139]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 6 June 1996]: The report was partially funded through the export marketing research scheme under the terms and conditions applicable at the time for trade associations using the scheme for the first time. The report covered six countries in the Arabian peninsula and was restricted to marketing research only.

  This independent marketing research was carried out on behalf of the members of a trade association. The two lines from the 200-page report which refer to this issue solely reflect the views expressed by the authorities in the named country. The two lines are
  "The Special Forces are interest in procuring anti-ballistic helmets as well as electronic batons"
  and
  "The force has access to riot vehicles and body armour which was rarely used, although interest has been shown in anti-ballistic helmets and electronic batons".
  The Department cannot dictate the contents of a marketing research report. Such reports are a reflection of the views of those interviewed by the researchers and the Department confers no authorisation to any of the views expressed. The Department is not notified in advance of the contents of any reports. However, a copy of the final report of projects conducted on behalf of trade associations is placed in the Department's export market information centre. Accordingly, a copy of this report was placed in the EMIC on 10 August 1994.

  The UK strictly controls the export of military and paramilitary equipment. The use of the EMRS in no way subverts, circumvents or undermines this process.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consideration has been given to market testing the services provided by his Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency; and if he will make a statement. [31554]

  Mr. Freeman
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the CCTA under its chief executive, Mr. Robin Guenier. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Robert Guenier to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 10 June 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning market testing of CCTA's services.You will be aware that, following CCTA's becoming a Next Steps Agency on 1 April 1996, one of the objectives of the Chief Executive is to achieve full cost recovery by financial year 1997–98. In conjunction with this objective, the Chief Executive is also required to achieve demanding annual financial, efficiency and quality of service targets.265 With this in mind, I have a responsibility to ensure that all CCTA services are competitive and provide value for money to those who use them. CCTA, therefore, makes use of whatever efficiency savings are appropriate to achieve these objectives, market testing being one of many options. Of course, use of CCTA's services is not mandatory and departments and Agencies do so at their own discretion. It is, therefore, important for users of our services to ensure that they do so taking into account options such as market testing.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 30 April,Official Report, column 487, when he expects to declare the results of the review of provisions of the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Medical Stores) Regulations 1995. [31386]

  Mr. Freeman
  We aim to complete the review and consultation exercise by 30 September 1996. An announcement on the conclusions will be made at that time by the Department of Transport.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32667]

  Mr. Willetts
  My Department and its agencies are currently in the process of assessing the impact of the millennium date change on their computer systems, including any costs that may arise.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Burundi
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the French Government about their decision to suspend military co-operation with Burundi. [32567]

  Mr. Hanley
  We remain in close touch with our French and other European partners about the situation in Burundi.

WALES

  Official Material
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to make official material available to hon. Members before release to the media. [31243]

  Mr. Hague
  In line with the guidance set out in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers", it is my policy to ensure that, when the House is sitting, major policy announcements are given to Parliament before they are released to the media.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 13 May,Official Report, column 111, how many (a) representations and
  266
  (b) petitions his office has now had concerning the implementation of the nursery voucher scheme; for each, how many were in favour and how many against the implementation of nursery vouchers; and if he will make a statement. [31846]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In addition to a number of letters to Welsh Office Ministers, some 35 petitions and some 4,000 separate representations have been received, the vast majority of the latter consisting of printed pro forma letters and postcards.

  There continues to be general support for the Government's objective of making nursery education available for all four-year-olds, although only one letter offers specific support for the voucher scheme as the most appropriate means to achieve that objective. This is not surprising, given that most of the representations contain misunderstandings of some basic elements of the scheme.

  Traffic Area Office (Cardiff)
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport concerning the future of the south Wales traffic area office. [32288]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility for local transport has announced plans to restructure the traffic area offices, including the closure of the South Wales traffic area office in Cardiff. The decision to close the Cardiff office is regrettable, but I understand that it is necessary in order to make best use of limited resources.

  Ear Operations
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the NHS trust hospitals in Wales that currently meet the standard set out in the patients charter for waiting times for ear operations; [32150]

  (2) if he will list the average waiting times for ear operations for each of the national health service trusts in Wales. [32152]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  At 31 March 1996, there were no patients waiting for admission to Welsh hospitals for treatment in the specialty of ear, nose and throat who had been waiting for more than the standard set by the patients charter for all operations. Information on the average waiting times for ear operations is not readily available. However, the percentage of patients admitted within three and 12 months in the year to 31 March 1996 for the specialty of ENT will be published in "The Patients Charter, NHS Wales Performance Tables 1996" in July.

  Highways (Costs)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the typical works costs associated with(a) the construction of one mile of major dual carriageway in open countryside and (b) on-line upgrading of a mile of single carriageway to dual carriageway. [32038]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Construction costs can be affected by many factors, including topography, the number of structures and ground conditions.
  267
  In the last 10 years, for trunk road schemes constructed to dual carriageway standard in open countryside, the costs at March 1996 prices were (a) in a range £2.5 million to £5.5 million per mile and (b) approximately £2 million per mile.

  Civil Servants (Duties Abroad)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent during the financial years 1994–1995 and 1995–96 on sending civil servants accompanying Ministers from his Department on official duties abroad. [32423]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at dispropportionate cost.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32672]

  Mr. Hague
  An assessment of the effect of the millennium date change on my Department's computer systems has recently been undertaken. I do not expect there to be any major costs involved in ensuring that my Department's computer systems can cater for the year 2000.

  Welsh Economic Performance
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Welsh economy. [33147]

  Mr. Hague
  The Welsh economy has made great progress over recent years and is now acknowledged to have significant strength, not least in its manufacturing sector.

  I have today published a comprehensive report, entitled "Meeting the Challenge", analysing Wales's current position. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Scottish Visitors
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of visitors from Scotland to Northern Ireland in(a) 1995 and (b) 1994. [30931]

  Mr. Ancram
  The total number of visitors from Scotland to Northern Ireland in 1995 was 207,000—up 22 per cent. on the 170,000 of the previous year. The number of holidaymakers increased by 76 per cent. in that period.

  Peace Process (Terrorists)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the 268
  number of persons with convictions for terrorist offences who are (a) members of the forum and (b) involved in the negotiating teams. [30933]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The considerable difficulties involved in obtaining the information make it impossible for me to make available the details requested. Such investigations would require not only the full name, date of birth and current address of each individual concerned but, in order to be absolutely sure of correct identification, a full set of fingerprints.

  Terrorist Murders Monument
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to commission a national monument to those civilians and members of the police and armed forces who have been killed by terrorist action. [30934]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There are no plans to commission such a monument.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in the peace process. [30935]

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest position over political developments in Northern Ireland. [30937]

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the all-party talks process at Stormont. [30947]

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland. [30950]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  All-party negotiations began on Monday 10 June in plenary session involving negotiating teams from those parties invited to participate together with the British and Irish Governments.

  The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach opened the proceedings. Following a round of intensive bilateral discussions on 10 and 11 June, Senator Mitchell assumed the chair of the opening plenary session. General de Chastelain and Mr. Holkeri were appointed as chairman of strand 2 and the business committee, and alternate chairman respectively. All the delegations present committed themselves to the Mitchell principles of democracy and non-violence and the Democratic Unionist party and Mr. McCartney also did so during later discussions. The parties are now conferring on various important procedural issues.

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current expenditure from public funds on the arts; what it was(a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15 and (d) 20 years ago in real terms; and if he will make a statement. [30936]
  269
  Mr. Ancram
  Government expenditure on the arts in the last year was £7.2 million compared, in real terms, with £6.5 million five years ago; £5.2 million 10 years ago; £3.8 million 15 years ago and £3.5 million 25 years ago.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in decommissioning paramilitary-held weapons in Northern Ireland. [30938]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mrs. Prentice).

  Terrorism
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the level of the current terrorist threat. [30939]

  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make an assessment of the current terrorist threat. [30945]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The various terrorist gangs retain their structures and weaponry; they continue to train and to target individuals and installations. Recent activity has included robberies, punishment attacks and murders in Northern Ireland, and the renewed bombing campaign in London.

  Punishment Beatings
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the current levels of punishment beatings; and what assessment he has made as to the responsibility for them. [30941]

  Sir John Wheeler
  So far this year, there have been 124 so-called punishment attacks. Of these, 72 have been attributed to Republican groups and 52 to loyalist groups, including five victims who were shot.

  These crimes are against all concepts of justice and human rights. There is no doubt that terrorist groups control these barbaric activities and that, if they wished to call a halt, they could do so immediately. Sinn Fein claims to have signed up to the principles set out in the report of the international body, but one of these principles calls for a commitment to try to stop "punishment" attacks and to take effective steps to prevent such actions. The House will note that to date there is no evidence of these attacks ceasing.

  Deregulation (Small Businesses)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he is making with regard to reducing costs to small businesses as a result of UK deregulation initiatives. [30943]

  Mr. Ancram
  Good progress has been made:

  104 NI regulations affecting business have been repealed or amended;

  food legislation and planning and building requirements have been simplified;

  tax, national insurance and value added tax systems have been streamlined;

  270

  a major initiative to simplify health and safety guidance and reduce paperwork is in hand.

  Elections
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the outcome of the elections in Northern Ireland. [30946]

  Mr. Ancram
  As intended, the 30 May election opened the way to substantive all-party negotiations which began on 10 June and allowed the various parties to come fortified by an electoral mandate. The high turnout demonstrated the wish of the people of Northern Ireland for political dialogue.

  Employment and Training
  Mackinlay
  24. Mr. To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further measures are proposed to increase employment and training opportunities in Northern Ireland over the next 12 months. [30949]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government continue to give a very high priority to those successful policies which have contributed to the development of the economy and provided increased employment opportunities. This is clearly evidenced by the high levels of employment being maintained, currently at 573,880 (March 1996). Our on-going commitment is further witnessed by the allocation in 1996–97 of some £455 million in support of a wide range of employment and training measures. Additionally, £7.3 million has recently been made available from the EU's special support programme for peace and reconciliation which will support a range of additional innovative programmes aimed at investment and employment development.

  Grammar School Pupils
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many primary school pupils who received grades other than A in the transfer procedure will obtain a grammar school place in Northern Ireland for the 1996–97 school year; and if he will publish a list of Northern Ireland grammar schools and the number of pupils in each grade to be admitted for the 1996–97 school year. [30951]

  Mr. Ancram
  The transfer procedure processes are not yet completed for the 1996–97 school year; and accordingly the information required is not yet available. It will be available in the autumn.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to publish the results of his consultation on restructuring of the RUC. [30942]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government White Paper "Foundations for Policing" stated that the importance of the forthcoming all-party talks was such that no finite consultation period for comments was being set. Work on the fundamental review is continuing. When the report is finalised, the main findings will be made public.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration has been given to
  271
  market testing the services provided by the child support maintenance services of the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement. [31556]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for taking forward the competing for quality initiative rests with the chief executive of the Child Support Agency and to date all the agency's support services have been contracted out. The agency will be the subject of an agency review in 1997– 98 and the prior options stage of that review will include, inter alia, an examination of the potential for the market testing of the agency's main functions including child support maintenance.

  Social Security Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration has been given to market testing the services provided by the Social Security Agency; and if he will make a statement. [31565]

  Mr. Moss
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced the outcome of the review of the Social Security Agency on 19 April 1996,Official Report, column 622–23. The second stage of that review required the Department to examine the prior options of abolition, privatisation and wholesale contractorisation. The report concluded that there was no scope for abolition or privatisation, nor was there any evidence to suggest that wholesale contractorisation of functions was a viable option, given the lack of a mature market or interest in the private sector for this work at present. However, the study report went on to recommend that the Social Security Agency should develop a comprehensive strategy for achieving efficiency improvements through involving the private sector in all aspects of its business, including benefit administration. The strategy should be completed during the 1996–97 year, for implementation to begin in 1997–98 or earlier. The agency is currently taking forward these recommendations. A copy of the executive summary of the prior options report is available in the Library.

  Sexual Abuse (Compensation)
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what provisions apply to claims for compensation by people who are sexually abused as children and take legal action as adults; [32516]

  (2) if adults who were sexually abused as children are not eligible for financial compensation; and if he will make a statement; [32517]

  (3) if he will make a statement regarding the changes he is planning to the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) Northern Ireland Order 1988 in order to allow sex abuse victims to claim compensation after they reach the age of 21 years; [32518]

  (4) in what circumstances he may make ex gratia payments to Northern Ireland sex abuse victims who were abused as children and cannot claim compensation after they reach the age of 21 years; [32519]

  (5) on how many occasions he has made ex gratia payments to sex abuse victims who were abused as children and cannot claim compensation after they reach the age of 21 years. [32520]
  272
  Sir John Wheeler
  Under the terms of the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) Northern Ireland Order 1988, a person has three years within which to lodge an application for compensation. However, in the case of victims aged under 18 when the injury was sustained, my right hon. and learned Friend has discretion to admit applications made outside the three-year time limit, if there was a reasonable cause for not making the application at any earlier time. This discretion is applicable for up to three years after the victim's 18th birthday, and acknowledges the fact that children and young persons who are criminally injured are not always in an immediate position to protect their interests or have them protected.

  The 1988 order also introduced a three-year time limit for claims made under the earlier Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 which continues to apply to injuries sustained before the 1988 order came into effect on 1 July 1988. However, the order did not make an exception in respect of those criminally injured while under 18. This anomaly was rectified by article 5 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 so that they too could apply for compensation up to the age of 21. In short, 21 is the effective cut-off point for all claims relating to injuries to minors.

  As for violence within the family—which encompasses many sex abuse cases, including incest—article 5(2) of the 1988 order provides that no compensation can be paid in respect of an injury where the victim was, at that time, living in the same household as the person responsible for causing the injury unless:

  (a) the person who caused the injury has been prosecuted (or there is a sufficient reason why this could not happen);

  (b) the victim and the person who caused the injury have stopped living together (unless there are exceptional circumstances which prevent them from ceasing to live in the same household); and

  (c) the person responsible for causing the injury cannot benefit from the compensation if it is paid.

  Officials are currently considering whether it would be feasible to admit for consideration applications made after a victim has reached the age of 21, possibly by way of ex gratia payments to be made in cases which are now time barred but which meet all the other criteria. This work is still in progress. I shall let the hon. Gentleman know when it has been completed. No ex gratia payments have been made outside the terms of the 1988 order to any victim of child sex abuse.

  Economic Co-operation
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to increase trade and economic co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [30928]

  Mr. Ancram
  Government agencies and private sector business organisations in Northern Ireland have been co-operating with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland on a wide range of cross-border trade and economic development projects. Co-operation will continue in the future on any initiatives which will contribute to the provision of job opportunities and prosperity for people in both parts of the island.
  273

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32669]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Within Northern Ireland Departments there is an initiative to identify the scope of the millennium problem and to ensure that those with responsibility for systems potentially at risk are made aware of the implications. Steps are being taken to ensure that whatever remedial action needs to be taken is planned for and completed by 1 January 2000. Investigations are currently in progress, but as yet there has been no assessment of the full costs involved.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  SHL Software
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what contracts his Department and his agencies have with SHL software computer system; what is the current cost; when each contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [31436]

  Mr. Boswell
  Neither the Ministry nor any of its agencies hold contracts with SHL. Between March 1994 and June 1996, the Ministry spent £4,494 with SHL Technical Solutions Ltd. for the provision of IT training courses. There are no contract end dates or potential penalty fees. Fees for early discharge of contractual arrangements are a matter for negotiation between the Ministry and its suppliers.

  Fishermen (Early Retirement and Compensation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what practical steps the Government are taking to implement the new measures of Council regulation (EC) No. 2719/95 amending Council regulation 3699/93; and when it intends to introduce an early retirement and compensation scheme for fishermen as prescribed in the regulation; [32532]

  (2) how many EU member states have replied positively to Council regulation EC 2719/95 of 20 November 1995; in what terms Her Majesty's Government have replied; and if Her Majesty's Government are participating in the Commission's study of practical arrangements for complementing the new measures. [32534]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Government did not support Council regulation 2719/95, which gives member states the option of using part of their existing financial instrument for fisheries guidance—FIFG—funds to finance early retirement schemes and make payments to crews of decommissioned vessels. No additional EU money is available. The Government believe that FIFG funds should be concentrated on other priority areas, leaving member states' social security systems to deal with any employment consequences.
  274
  The Government have no information on the number of EU member states implementing Council regulation 2719/95 and is not aware of any related Commission study of practical arrangements.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [31417]

  Mr. Boswell
  The information in respect of the use of executive search agencies and employment companies to fill vacancies in core MAFF and the Pesticide Safety Directorate is as follows:

  1994–95

  Trading Standards Advisor

  2 Administrative Fast Stream

  2 Grade 7s (Legal)

  Assistant Statisticians

  2 Assistant Economists

  1 Legal Officer

  1 Grade 7 (PPO)

  5 Fisheries Officers II

  1 Grade 7 (PSO)

  2 Higher Scientific Officers

  4 Senior Professional and Technical Officers

  6 Veterinary Officers

  2 Veterinary Investigation Officers

  Core MAFF also undertook a recruitment exercise for a chief executive, on behalf of the Meat Hygiene Service

  Total costs=£160,538.29

  1995–96

  5 Administrative Fast Stream

  Head of Resource Management Division

  1 Grade 7 (Legal)

  2 Assistant Economists

  4 Investigation Officers (including 1 fixed term appointment)

  1 Grade 7 (PPO)

  7 Horticultural Marketing Inspectors

  1 Higher Scientific Officer

  1 Scientific Officer

  3 Fisheries Officers II

  1 Grade 6

  2 Veterinary Investigation Officers

  Core MAFF also undertook recruitment exercises for a head of operations on behalf of the Meat Hygiene Service; and a chief executive for the intervention board.

  Total Cost = £220,188.06

  All the above recruitment exercises were carried out by the Recruitment and Assessment Services with one exception in 1994–95.

  Executive agencies will reply separately by chief executive's letter.
  275
  Letter from Philip Needham to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply direct to your Parliamentary Question in which you ask what use the Executive Agencies have made of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies within the Executive Agency 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. (31417)
  The information for ADAS is as follows:

  Year

  Cost £

  Consultancy

  Staff recruited

  1994–95

  6,000

  St. James's Recruitment Consultants

  One

  1995–96

  4,621

  Cherry Consultants

  One

  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service, your questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food concerning the use of executive search agencies or employment companies for recruitment and the expenditure on, and number of staff recruited during 1994/95 and 1995/96 have been passed to me for reply with respect to this Executive Agency.(31417)The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) was established on 1 April 1995 as an Executive Agency of MAFF and took over from some 300 local authorities the responsibility for enforcing hygiene, inspection and welfare requirements in licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain. The majority of the Agency's staff are meat inspectors and official veterinary surgeons. Some 711 meat inspectors transferred over to the MHS on 1 April 1995 from local authorities under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 1981.In 1994/95 before the launch of the MHS an initial recruitment exercise was carried out to appoint senior and middle management posts as well as the administrative posts required to ensure the effective operation of the Service. The Recruitment and Assessment Services (RAS) Agency were used for the recruitment of 61 staff. Assistance was provided by RAS in the advertisement of posts as well as their staff sitting on the interview panels for the more senior management positions. The total cost for their services was approximately £287,500. £78,000 of this sum was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.The MHS spent approximately £44,000 (excluding expenditure for the services of RAS) in 1994/95 on the recruitment of staff. This was primarily for the services of members of the Personnel team of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and consultants on interview panels for the afore-mentioned posts.Approximately £39,000 was spent by the MHS in 1995/96 on the recruitment and selection of 375 additional meat inspectors and veterinary staff and a relatively small number of administrative and clerical support staff. This sum has been mainly incurred in advertising costs, as the MHS has fully utilised the services of its own personnel department in recruitment exercises.
  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  You asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food two questions relating to executive search or employment agencies to recruit staff. The Minister has asked me to reply to you in respect of his Central Science Laboratory (CSL) Agency, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.(31417)It is only in exceptional circumstances, such as filling a very senior or specialist post, that we would use the services of an outside agency for recruitment purposes in preference to our own personnel staff.276 You ask specifically for details of expenditure in the financial years 1994/95 and 1995/96. During these two years no executive search agencies were employed but in 1995/96 an employment agency was used at a cost of £6.5k to recruit a senior member of staff to a specialist scientific post.
  Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the use of executive search agencies or employment companies in filling vacancies as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.(31417)The Veterinary Medicines Directorate did not use these methods for filling vacancies during the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96.
  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your questions on recruitment in the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA).(31417)The VLA was established on 1 October 1995, from the merger of the existing Central Veterinary Laboratory with the Veterinary Investigation Service, which was part of the State Veterinary Service. Figures quoted below relate only to the Central Veterinary Laboratory.In reply to your question on executive search agencies and employment companies, the VLA did not make use of any such organisation during 1994–95 and 1995–96.
  The cost of recruiting permanent staff and the numbers of staff recruited are as follows:-

  Recruitment cost £

  Recruitment numbers £

  1995–96

  25,046

  61

  1994–95

  13,347

  45

  The above costs include advertising and the costs of candidates travelling to interview. A higher number of specialist professional posts in areas such as BSE, bovine tuberculosis and rabies have been filled over the last year, resulting in increased costs.
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [31402]

  Mr. Boswell
  It is not readily possible to separate out costs for recruitment.

  The number of staff recruited to core MAFF and the Pesticide Safety Directorate is 426 for 1994–95 and 667 for 1995–96.

  Executive agencies will reply separately by chief executive's letter.

  Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your recent question about the cost and numbers of staff recruited during the 1994–95 and 1995–96 financial years as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible. [31402]During 1994–95 the Veterinary Medicines Directorate recruited five members of staff at a cost of £20,529 and in 1995–96 recruited sixteen members of staff at a cost of £69,288.277
  Letter from Philip Needham to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply direct to your Parliamentary Question in which you ask how much his Agencies have spent in recruiting staff during the 1994–95 and 1995–96 financial years; and how many staff were recruited in each of these years. [31402]
  The figures for ADAS are as follows:

  Year

  Cost £

  Number of staff

  1994–95

  21,793

  88

  1995–96

  80,762

  138

  The figures above exclude short term casual appointments and the two posts recruited through an executive search agency.
  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question about the cost and number of staff recruited in each of the financial years 1994/95 and 1995/96 in respect of his Central Science Laboratory (CSL) Agency, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.(31402)
  The figures are as follows:

  1994/95: £77330; 86 staff

  1995/96: £63465; 250 staff

  The costs relate to recruitment advertising and expenses of candidates and independent members of interview boards. The number of staff includes permanent, causal and fixed-term appointments. The number of staff recruited in 1995/96 shows a significant increase. This reflects recruitment of new staff associated with the Agency's relocation of the majority of its existing sites to a single new site near York later this year and the need to make casual appointments to fill posts where some staff not relocating to York have already left the Agency.
  Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:

  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service, your questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food concerning the use of executive search agencies or employment companies for recruitment and the expenditure on, and number of staff recruited during 1994/95 and 1995/96 have been passed to me for reply with respect to this Executive Agency. (31402)
  The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) was established on 1 April 1995 as an Executive Agency of MAFF and took over from some 300 local authorities the responsibility for enforcing hygiene, inspection and welfare requirements in licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain. The majority of the Agency's staff are meat inspectors and official veterinary surgeons. Some 711 meat inspectors transferred over to the MHS on 1 April 1995 from local authorities under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 1981.In 1994/95 before the launch of the MHS an initial recruitment exercise was carried out to appoint senior and middle management posts as well as the administrative posts required to ensure the effective operation of the Service. The Recruitment and Assessment Services (RAS) Agency were used for the recruitment of 61 staff. Assistance was provided by RAS in the advertisement of posts as well as their staff sitting on the interview panels for the more senior management positions. The total cost for their services was approximately £287,500. £78,000 of this sum was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.The MHS spent approximately £44,000 (excluding expenditure for the services of (RAS) in 1994/95 on the recruitment of staff. This was primarily for the services of members of the Personnel team of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food consultants on interview panels for the afore-mentioned posts.Approximately £39,000 was spent by the MHS in 1995/96 on the recruitment and selection of 375 additional meat inspectors and veterinary staff and a relatively small number of administrative and
  278
  clerical support staff. This sum has been mainly incurred in advertising costs, as the MHS has fully utilised the services of its own personnel department in recruitment exercises.
  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your questions on recruitment in the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). (31402)The VLA was established on 1 October 1995, from the merger of the existing Central Veterinary Laboratory with the Veterinary Investigation Service, which was part of the State Veterinary Service. Figures quoted below relate only to the Central Veterinary Laboratory.In reply to your question on executive search agencies and employment companies, the VLA did not make use of any such organisation during 1994/95 and 1995/96.
  The cost of recruiting permanent staff and the numbers of staff recruited are as follows:—

  Recruitment cost £

  Recruitment numbers

  1995–96

  25,046

  61

  1994–95

  13,347

  45

  The above costs include advertising and the costs of candidates travelling to interview. A higher number of specialist professional posts in areas such as BSE, bovine tuberculosis and rabies have been filled over the last year, resulting in increased costs.
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [31530]

  Mr. Boswell
  Use of executive search agencies by my Department and its agencies is limited to occasional recruitment, including head hunting, for senior management posts, or posts where a high degree of specialist skill is needed. In addition, employment agencies, most notably Recruitment and Assessment Services, are used wherever this reflects best use of resources to recruit all grades of staff.

  The chief executive of the Central Science Laboratory has replied separately by letter.

  Letter from I. P. Stanley to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 13 June 1996:
  You asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food two questions relating to executive search or employment agencies to recruit staff. The Minster has asked me to reply to you in respect of his Central Science Laboratory (CSL) Agency, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.(31530)It is only in exceptional circumstances, such as filling a very senior or specialist post, that we would use the services of an outside agency for recruitment purposes in preference to our own personnel staff.You ask specifically for details of expenditure in the financial years 1994/95 and 1995/96. During these two years no executive search agencies were employed but in 1995/96 an employment agency was used at a cost of £6.5k to recruit a senior member of staff to a specialist scientific post.

  Women (Promotion)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department has implemented during the last 12 months to encourage the
  279
  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. [31534]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Ministry has in place a programme of action for women and is a member of Opportunity 2000. Each of MAFF's executive agencies also either has a programme in place or will be implementing one shortly. Promotion is entirely on merit. While there have been limited opportunities for promotion for all staff over the last 12 months in both the Ministry and its agencies, more women are entering the senior grades and progress over the last five years has been steady.

  Total women in grades SEO—Grade 1 in MAFF and its agencies as at 1 April 1990 and 1 April 1995

  Grade

  1990

  1995

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  3

  1

  1

  4

  0

  0

  5

  8

  11

  6

  10

  22

  7

  113

  226

  SEO

  119.5

  187

  Total

  251.5

  448

  Farming (Jobs)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in the farming industry in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [32333]

  Mr. Boswell
  Statistics on the number of people working on agricultural holdings are collected by the annual agricultural census. The results from 1982 are published in "The Digest of Agricultural Census Statistics" and figures prior to 1982 are available in "Agricultural Statistics United Kingdom".

  Civil Servants (Duties Abroad)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [32415]

  Mr. Boswell
  In the financial year 1995–96 the Ministry spent a total of £47,911 on officials accompany Ministers on official duties abroad.

  In the financial year 1994–95, Ministry records indicate that from 23 November 1994, a total of £22,250 was spent on officials accompanying Ministers on official duties abroad.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Funding
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average level of delegation of potential schools budgets by local education authorities; and which local education 280
  authorities and what percentage delegate more of their potential school budgets than they are required to under current legislation. [31836]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The average level of potential schools budget, PSB, delegated by local education authorities in 1996–97 is 90.5 per cent. This percentage is derived from the financial budget statements published by LEAs in England under section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988, and relates to expenditure on schools covered by their schemes for the local management of schools, LMS. All LEAs from whom statements have been received have planned to exceed the required delegation level—85 per cent. of PSB—in the current financial year. I understand that this is also true of the two LEAs—Redcar and Cleveland and York—from whom statements are still awaited.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place a copy of the training and enterprise council operating agreement for 1996–97 in the Library. [32580]

  Mr. Paice
  Copies of the training and enterprise council operating agreement 1996–97 and the TEC licence and annual funding agreement 1996–97 are held in the Library.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will publish lists comparing the most recent general certificate of secondary education results of grant-maintained schools in England and Wales with the results of the same schools in the years before they went grant maintained. [32088]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The data are contained in a number of lists, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The lists give details of the GCSE results for grant-maintained schools in England for 1994–95 with their results for the most recent year before they became grant maintained. No previous results for schools that were grant maintained in 1992 are available since 1992 was the first year of the school performance tables. The information on grant-maintained schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Learning Vouchers
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations she has had with(a) the Headmasters Conference, (b) the Conference of Head Mistresses, (c) the Professional Association of Teachers, (d) university departments of education and (e) education committees of the county councils associations or associations of municipal authorities concerning the use of vouchers for years 12 and 13 in secondary schools. [32449]

  Mr. Paice
  None. The Government have no plans to introduce vouchers for years 12 and 13 in secondary schools. We have announced our intention to consult on the introduction from 1997 of a system of learning credits. These will set out for all 16 to 19-year-olds their entitlement to the education and training they choose.
  281

  Barred Teachers
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what cross-checking is carried out of names recorded on list 99 against those on the Department of Health's consultancy index. [32591]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department of Health consultancy index includes details of people on the Department's list 99. The Department of Health receives an up to date copy of list 99 each year, and is notified of changes as names are added or removed throughout the year.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many applications there have been to check names against list 99 in each of the last five years; [32597]

  (2) how many names have been on the Department for Education and Employment list 99 in each of the last five years; [32596]

  (3) how many names have been removed from list 99 in each of the last five years. [32592]

  Mr. Squire
  Statistics about the number of checks made against list 99 are not collected centrally. The majority of checks are carried out by local education authorities and establishments of further education which hold copies of the list.

  The number of people on list 99 varies as cases are dealt with throughout the year. The most recent version of the list, issued in April, contained details of 1,882 people who are either barred from teaching and related employment in England and Wales, or are subject to restrictions on their employment. The table shows the number of people added to, and removed from, the list in each of the last five years.

  Period

  Number added

  Number removed

  1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992

  57

  4

  1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993

  49

  5

  1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994

  54

  5

  1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995

  98

  10

  1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996

  85

  5

  School Uniforms
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will investigate the decision by East Sussex education authority to stop grants for schoolchildrens' uniforms; and if she will take steps to ensure that children from poorer families are not penalised. [32646]

  Mrs. Gillan
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by her Department. [32681]
  282
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department is currently assessing the impact of the millennium date change on its computer systems. The assessment will be completed towards the end of this year. Only then will it be possible to estimate the cost of dealing with the problem.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has for assessing the working and effects of phase 1 of the nursery education voucher scheme. [33151]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The nursery education voucher scheme will be assessed in three stages. First, the operational aspects of the scheme will be evaluated, drawing on data on the issue and redemption of vouchers provided by the voucher agent and on surveys of parents and providers. Initial results will be placed in the Library as they become available, with an overall assessment in the autumn. The first inspection reports will also be published in the autumn, and the Office for Standards in Education proposes to publish an overview report of early findings around January 1997.

  Secondly, to assess medium-term changes in the provision and use of places, a survey will be undertaken of current use of places by three and four-year-olds. The results will be compared with those of similar surveys in subsequent years. Thirdly, the Department is considering tender proposals for assessing the longer-term effects of pre-school education by a longitudinal cohort study.

  In all of this, the Department will liaise as appropriate with other bodies making assessments of the scheme.

  County Farms
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the local authorities which own county farms. [31589]

  Mr. Boswell
  I have been asked to reply.

  At 31 March 1995, the following county councils in England owned county farms:

  Avon

  Bedfordshire

  Berkshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Cambridgeshire

  Cheshire

  Cleveland

  Cornwall

  Cumbria

  Devon

  Dorset

  Durham

  East Sussex

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Hampshire

  Hereford and Worcester

  Hertfordshire

  Humberside

  Isle of Wight

  283

  Kent

  Lancashire

  Leicestershire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  Northamptonshire

  Northumberland

  North Yorkshire

  Nottinghamshire

  Oxfordshire

  Shropshire

  Somerset

  Staffordshire

  Suffolk

  Warwickshire

  West Sussex

  Wiltshire

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Payroll Giving
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many right hon. and hon. Members are currently signed up to the charity payroll giving arrangement operated by the Fees Office. [32075]

  Purpose

  Year

  Cost (£)

  Number of cases

  Agencies employed

  Trace students who have withdrawn from their courses and are required to pay back their grant

  1994–95

  17,993

  685

  Lewis Investigation Services

  1995–96

  10,003

  480

  John Campbell Investigation Services

  Locate individuals or companies who have defaulted on the terms and conditions of their regional enterprise grants

  1994–95

  394

  6

  George Ferrier and Company

  1995–96

  345

  5

  Seals
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the Conservation of Seals Act 1970; and if he will make a statement. [31298]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Government's policy on conservation of seals is kept under review. There are no plans to amend the Act.

  Clyde Fishermen (Sharks)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sharks have been caught by lone Clyde fishermen in each of the last five years. [31338]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information requested is not available.

  Bird Habitats
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has commissioned into trends in the number of farmland birds. [31313]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department is currently providing funding for a number of projects covering research into the impact of agricultural practices on the environment, which include bird-related studies. Research
  284
  Mr. Newton
  There are currently 46 right hon. and hon. Members signed up to the payroll giving arrangement operated by the Fees Office.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32668]

  Mr. Newton
  The Privy Council Office operates only personal computers and the millennium date change is expected to entail negligible costs, if any.

SCOTLAND

  Private Investigators
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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 purposes; and at what cost to his Department. [30566]

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

  work on farmland bird numbers is also being funded through Scottish Natural Heritage, the Government's statutory adviser on nature conservation matters.

  Examples include the joint funding of the Natural Environment Research Council-led special project on large-scale processes in ecology and hydrology. Three of the projects in that programme are concerned with aspects of bird populations, including analysis of trends. Scottish Natural Heritage has funded research into farmland bird numbers through a Joint Nature Conservation Committee contract let with the British Trust for Ornithology.

  Septic Tanks
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the policies adopted by each of the new Scottish water boards on regular emptying of septic tanks serving dwelling houses, and the charges to be levied for the service. [31615]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The water authorities in Scotland are required to provide on request a septic tank emptying service for dwelling houses where it is reasonably practicable to do so, and where all proper charges for doing so are timeously paid. For 1996–97, each of the authorities has set a charge of £25 for the first emptying of a septic tank; any subsequent emptyings requested in 1996–97 may be charged at a higher rate or actual cost.
  285

  Civil Servants (Duties Abroad)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [32422]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Detailed information is not kept in the precise form requested. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Warrington, South (Mr. Hall) on 22 May,Official Report, columns 262–64, which provides information on the cost of ministerial visits overseas.

  NHS Pre-payment Certificates
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has collected through the issuing of pre-payment certificates under NHS regulations in each year for which information is available. [32430]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information for Scotland for the financial years 1991–92 to 1995–96 is as follows:

  1991–92: £3.035 million

  1992–93: £3.425 million

  1993–94: £4.103 million

  1994–95: £4.587 million

  1995–96: £4.633 million.

  Water (Fluoridation)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the approval of both a health board and the relevant water authority in an area is necessary before the introduction of fluoride to public water supplies. [32407]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Section 1 of the Water (Fluoridation) Act 1985 provides that a statutory water undertaker may, where a health authority has made an application to it to do so, increase the fluoride content of the water supplied by it within the area specified in the application.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescriptions were issued by general practitioners(a) in total and (b) in each health board area in Scotland in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1995–96. [32450]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information for Scotland and for each health board for the financial years 1993–94 to 1995–96 is set out in the table. The figures include prescriptions written by general medical practitioners, general dental practitioners, hospital-generated prescriptions, prescriptions from England and prescriptions written for personnel serving in the armed forces. Prescriptions written by other than general medical practitioners account for less than 1 per cent. of the total.

  The number of prescriptions issued to patients but not presented for dispensing is not known.
  286

  Number of prescription items issued: 1993–94 to 1995–96

  Health board

  1993–94

  1994–95

  11995–96

  Argyll and Clyde

  4,682,393

  4,831,133

  4,955,014

  Ayrshire and Arran

  4,073,508

  4,200,161

  4,291,811

  Borders

  1,049,644

  1,083,012

  1,109,136

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,514,202

  1,602,072

  1,668,424

  Fife

  3,186,806

  3,308,832

  3,427,578

  Forth Valley

  2,761,543

  2,858,780

  2,937,833

  Grampian

  4,288,124

  4,421,445

  4,518,156

  Greater Glasgow

  10,143,448

  10,376,647

  10,608,351

  Highland

  1,771,531

  1,863,025

  1,939,259

  Lanarkshire

  6,105,927

  6,257,910

  6,486,009

  Lothian

  6,249,471

  6,439,037

  6,601,523

  Orkney

  167,126

  169,555

  174,979

  Shetland

  203,180

  205,234

  213,517

  Tayside

  3,783,897

  3,906,985

  4,036,802

  Western Isles

  276,615

  293,959

  305,671

  Scotland

  50,257,415

  51,817,787

  53,274,063

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many private prescriptions were issued by doctors in Scotland in each financial year for which information is available. [32448]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much revenue his Department raised in the financial years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 from NHS prescription charges(a) in total and (b) for each health board area in Scotland. [32427]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is set out in the table. Figures have been taken from audited annual accounts of the 15 Scottish health boards. The figures for 1995–96 are currently not available.

  £ thousand

  Health board

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Argyll and Clyde

  2,553

  2,734

  Ayr and Arran

  2,375

  2,521

  Borders

  753

  826

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,065

  1,146

  Fife

  2,086

  2,559

  Forth Valley

  1,868

  2,004

  Grampian

  3,772

  4,208

  Greater Glasgow

  3,985

  4,257

  Highland

  1,280

  1,443

  Lanarkshire

  3,221

  3,389

  Lothian

  4,535

  4,950

  Orkney

  188

  192

  Shetland

  157

  170

  Tayside

  2,541

  2,756

  Western Isles

  136

  166

  Scottish totals

  30,515

  33,321

  School Boards
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement indicating for the school year 1995–96 how many members of school boards were appointed; how many have been subject to election by parents; and what the average turnout was in these elections for each education authority area. [32231]
  287
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Information on the number of schools with school boards following the 1995–96 round of biennial elections is currently being collected with a view to publication later this year.

  Ministerial Visits (Prisons)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which penal establishments he has visited since assuming office; and on what dates. [32305]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend visited Her Majesty's prison, Shotts on 31 August 1995 and Her Majesty's institution, Cornton Vale on 26 February this year.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which NHS trusts and health boards in Scotland are currently involved in discussions about financing projects through the private finance initiative. [32446]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  NHS trusts and health boards in Scotland must consider options for the use of private finance for all capital schemes.

  The PFI is being actively explored in the sense that proposals from the private sector have been invited under open competition for the projects set out. These schemes are all listed in the recently published document "Public Services and Private Finance: A Partnership for Scotland"—the Scottish Office, June 1996—which is available in the Library of the House.

  £ million

  Grampian health board: Stonehaven health services

  3.8

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services NHS trust: Stobhill mental health in-patient unit

  7.5

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse NHS trust: new hospital

  56.0

  Law Hospital NHS trust: new hospital

  120.0

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS trust: health information system

  2.3

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS trust: new hospital

  178.0

  Western General Hospitals NHS trust: redevelopment of hospital

  95.0

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare NHS trust East Ayrshire community hospital

  8.6

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS trust: day care and maternity unit

  6.0

  Southern General Hospital NHS trust: care of the elderly unit

  8.5

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS trust: rehabilitation unit

  1.3

  Renfrewshire Healthcare: Larkfield development: care of the elderly

  9.0

  Western Isles health board: Benbecula community hospital

  6.0

  Yorkhill Hospitals NHS trust: health information system

  4.2

  Highland Communities NHS trust: acute psychiatric unit

  10.0

  The West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS trust infectious diseases unit will not now be procured through the PFI.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the private finance initiative projects in which NHS trusts and health boards in 288
  Scotland are involved; the organisations they have entered into agreement with in pursuing these initiatives and the amounts of financing involved. [32445]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The recently published document "Public Services and Private Finance: A Partnership for Scotland"—the Scottish Office, June 1996—available in the House of Commons Library lists schemes for which contracts have been signed. Each of these involves the provision of certain services, capital investment by the private sector and risk transfer to that sector, in line with the private finance initiative. The schemes listed are:

  £ million

  Lothian and Forth Valley health boards/Clinical Waste Ltd.—clinical waste disposal

  4.5

  Northern trusts/boards/Scotsafe—clinical waste disposal

  6.0

  Edinburgh Healthcare NHS trust/Ferryfield Ltd.—Ferryfield house

  2.5

  Law Hospital NHS trust/HBO and Co.—HISS IT system

  2.5

  There are other smaller projects developed on the same principles which fall within trust and board delegated limits and for which information is not held centrally. Those of which the Scottish Office is aware are:

  £ million

  Royal infirmary of Edinburgh/IGE medical systems—CT/MRI scanner

  2.4

  Greater Glasgow health board/associated nursing services—elderly care beds (Darnley)

  3.5

  Greater Glasgow health board/Takare—elderly care beds (Rutherglen)

  5.0

  Greater Glasgow health board/Westminster Healthcare—elderly care beds (Ruchill)

  3.2

  Greater Glasgow health board/St. Andrew's Homes—elderly care beds (Shettleston)

  3.8

  Lanarkshire health board/Scotcare—elderly care beds (Cumbernauld)

  3.0

  Lanarkshire health board/Takare—elderly care beds (Bellshill)

  2.8

  Dundee teaching hospitals/Bayer technician SMAC analyser

  0.3

  Ayrshire and Arran health board/Irvine Care— elderly care beds (Irvine)

  2.5

  Ayrshire and Arran health board/Takare—elderly care beds (Irvine)

  3.7

  Grampian health board/Skene group—mental illness beds (Elgin)

  1.1

  Health Service (Lifting and Handling Regulations)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to ensure that each NHS trust complies with EU lifting and handling regulations as they relate to NHS employees. [32506]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 June 1996]: It is entirely a matter for individual employers to ensure they meet their statutory responsibilities and follow guidance to create workplace safety for their staff. To assist in this respect, the management executive issued comprehensive guidance on 12 April 1995.
  289

  Customer Charters
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the customer charters which are currently in use within his Department and its executive agencies and (b) the charters which have been withdrawn. [32832]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The following charters are in use in my right hon. Friend's Department:

  Patients charter

  Parents charter

  Tenants charter

  Justice charter

  Further and higher education charter

  Local environment charter

  In addition, the following charter standard statements are in use in my right hon. Friend's Department and its executive agencies:

  Serving Scottish Farmers

  Serving Crofting

  Planning

  290

  Scottish Office Inquiry Reporters Unit

  Rent Registration Service

  Scottish Prisons Complaints Commission

  Scottish Office Statistical Services

  Historic Scotland

  Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  None of these charters or charter standard statements has been withdrawn.

  Computers (Millennium)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32662]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office does not expect to incur substantial additional costs as a result of the effect of the millennium date change on computer systems which it operates.

  Council of Europe Conventions and Legal Instruments Not Ratified by UK
  Council of Europe Conventions and Legal Instruments Not Ratified by UK
  Transfer of Corpses: Council of Europe Agreement
  Transfer of Corpses: Council of Europe Agreement
  Georgia: UK Assistance
  Georgia: UK Assistance
  Rural Poverty: Alleviation
  Rural Poverty: Alleviation
  Port of Tyne: Transfer Scheme
  Port of Tyne: Transfer Scheme
  Special Waste Regulations 1996: Guidance
  Special Waste Regulations 1996: Guidance
  Warble Fly Treatments: Research
  Warble Fly Treatments: Research
  Orchards: Grubbing Up Statistics
  Orchards: Grubbing Up Statistics
  Family Law Bill [H.L.]: Government Amendments
  Family Law Bill [H.L.]: Government Amendments
  Former Yugoslavia: Army Reserve and TA Call Out
  Former Yugoslavia: Army Reserve and TA Call Out
  Nursery Education Voucher Scheme: Assessment
  Nursery Education Voucher Scheme: Assessment
  Sex Offenders: Sentencing and Supervision
  Sex Offenders: Sentencing and Supervision
  Prisons: Costs and Performance Comparisons
  Prisons: Costs and Performance Comparisons