Written Answers of 19 June 1996

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Overcrowding
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 10 prisons with the highest levels of overcrowding in the last year. [30496]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Barry Sheerman, dated 19 June 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question requesting a list of the ten prisons with the highest levels of overcrowding in the last year.
  Details of the ten prisons with the highest levels of overcrowding during 1995–96 are given in the attached table.

  Table 1

  Prison

  Peak overcrowding in year (percentage)

  Month peak occurred

  Average for year percentage

  Leicester

  83

  April 1995

  58

  Shrewsbury

  74

  January 1996

  63

  Exeter

  71

  November 1995

  57

  Chelmsford

  65

  February 1996

  53

  Durham

  54

  March 1996

  47

  Canterbury

  53

  November 1995

  42

  Swansea

  53

  March 1995

  44

  Preston

  53

  October 1995

  41

  Birmingham

  50

  April 1995

  39

  Lincoln

  50

  February 1996

  36

  Overcrowding has been calculated by dividing the population by the in use certified normal accommodation for each establishment.

  At the end of May 1996, 15.5 per cent. of the population were held two to a cell designed for one, compared to 21 per cent. in April 1992.

  'Trebling' (the holding of three prisoners in a cell designed for one) was eliminated in March 1994 and has not occurred at any time since then.

  Prison Assaults
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average assault rate in each prison for the financial year 1995–96. [32352]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  460
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 19 June 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the average assault rate in each prison for the financial year 1995–96.
  The attached tables show the annual rate of assaults, proven at adjudication per 100 population, in each Prison Service establishment between April 1995 and March 1996. Copies of the tables have been placed in the Library.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were imprisoned following non-payment of the television licence fee in each year since 1990; and what was the average length of sentence for those imprisoned. [33318]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Michael Brown, dated 19 June 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about people who were imprisoned following non-payment of their television fee for every year since 1990; and what was the average length of sentence for those imprisoned.Information on the number of fine defaulters received into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for the years 1991–1994, by offence group is published in "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (Table 7.3 of the 1994 edition, Cm 3087), a copy of which is available in the library. No information is available prior to 1991 for non-payment of fines for using a television without a licence because the offence was not separately identified in the prison statistics. Provisional information for 1995 shows that some 730 persons (500 males and 230 females) were received into prison for defaulting on a fine after conviction for using a television without a licence. The average time imposed was 10 days for males and 9 days for females.

  Asylum and Immigration Bill
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to small firms of implementing the measures contained in the Asylum and Immigration Bill. [32112]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Clause 8 of the Bill is the only provision which will involve costs for business. Details were set out in the reply to a question from the hon. Member for Homsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) on 21 May,Official Report, column 97.

  Liquor Licensing
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations his Department involved in the consultation process on(a) apprenticeship schemes in the drinks industry and (b) proposed changes to the liquor licensing legislation to extended permitted hours. [33384]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Table A lists the organisations which were consulted or which offered comments on allowing 16 to 17-year-olds on approved apprenticeship schemes to work in bars.
  461
  Table B lists the organisations which were sent the 30 May consultation paper about extending licensing hours. Comments from any other organisation or individual would be welcome. The consultation lasts until 30 August.

  Copies of the tables have been placed in the Library.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions in each Session since 1991–92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions. [33589]

  Mr. Streeter
  No such legislation has been introduced.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each Session since 1991–92; and if he will list in how many cases(a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [33573]

  Mr. Streeter
  Excluding applications for judicial review of decisions of courts and tribunals, and of bodies exercising a judicial discretion such as the Legal Aid Board, there were three applications for judicial review in the Session 1992–93, one in 1994–95 and two in the current Session. One of the applications this Session has been stayed; all others were dismissed.

TREASURY

  Customs and Excise Investigation
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if(a) Metta Trading Ltd. and (b) Metalchem International Ltd. are the subject of current investigations by HM Customs and Excise; [33298]

  (2) on what occasions (a) Metta Trading Ltd. and (b) Metalchem International Ltd. were the subject of investigations by HM Customs and Excise between 1991 and 1996. [33299]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It is not the normal practice of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to reveal, other than in the course of legal proceedings, details of whether particular companies or individuals are, or are not, the subject of investigation. Provision of such details might be both unfair to those caught up in customs inquiries and prejudice current or future investigation.
  462

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for 1979 and for each year since 1986,(a) gross domestic product at current factor cost (b) gross domestic product at constant factor cost and (c) gross domestic product per capita for (i) Merseyside and (ii) each region of the United Kingdom. [33287]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The latest county estimates of gross domestic product at current prices for the years 1989, 1991 and 1993, and regional estimates for 1984, were published in the March 1996 issue of "Economic Trends". This publication, as well as data for earlier years, are available in the House of Commons Library. Estimates of regional and county gross domestic product are not calculated at constant prices, as there are no regional price deflators available.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rate of VAT or comparable tax for each of the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. [33339]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The standard rates of VAT in the member countries of the OECD which apply VAT are set out in the table.

  Rates of VAT in OECD member countries

  Country

  Standard rate (per cent.)

  Austria

  20

  Belgium

  21

  Canada

  7

  Czech Republic

  22

  Denmark

  25

  Finland

  22

  France

  20.6

  Germany

  15

  Greece

  18

  Iceland

  24.5

  Ireland

  21

  Italy

  19

  Japan

  3

  Luxembourg

  15

  Mexico

  15

  Netherlands

  17.5

  New Zealand

  12.5

  Norway

  23

  Portugal

  17

  Spain

  16

  Sweden

  25

  Switzerland

  6.5

  Turkey

  15

  United Kingdom

  17.5

  The two remaining member countries of the OECD, Australia and the United States, do not have VAT. Australia levies a wholesale tax, WST, on certain Australian manufactured goods and certain imported goods. A wide range of goods are exempt from WST, and those which are taxable are subject to different rates. The majority of goods are taxable at the rate of 22 per cent., although there are also rates of 12 per cent. and 32 per cent. In the United States, the majority of states impose a retail sales tax, RST, which

  463
  generally applies to sales of goods to final consumers within the state's jurisdiction. Rates of RST vary according to the state concerned.

  Taxation
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of national income is currently taken in taxation; and what was the figure in 1979. [33361]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The Budget estimate of total taxes and national insurance contributions as a percentage of gross domestic product, GDP, in 1995–96 was 36 per cent. In 1979–80, the comparable figure was 35½ per cent. An outturn estimate for 1995–96 is not yet available.

  Since 1979, public sector borrowing has averaged 2½ per cent. of GDP. Under the last Labour Government, public sector borrowing averaged nearly 7 per cent. of GDP. If Labour had kept borrowing down to the same level that this Government have achieved, taxes would have been higher under Labour by an average of nearly 3 per cent. of GDP.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population were men under the age of 25 years in each of the last 20 years for which figures are available. [33185]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 18 June 1996]: The information is given in the table.

  England and Wales: Males aged 0 to 24

  Mid-year

  Thousands

  As percentage of total population

  1974

  9,451.5

  19.1

  1975

  9,404.9

  19.0

  1976

  9,358.3

  18.9

  1977

  9,300.7

  18.8

  1978

  9,245.8

  18.7

  1979

  9,225.3

  18.6

  1980

  9,216.0

  18.6

  1981

  9,191.4

  18.5

  1982

  9,145.8

  18.4

  1983

  9,111.5

  18.3

  1984

  9,071.7

  18.2

  1985

  9,044.8

  18.1

  1986

  8,999.7

  17.9

  1987

  8,943.4

  17.8

  1988

  8,881.2

  17.6

  1989

  8,807.1

  17.4

  1990

  8,748.6

  17.2

  1991

  8,701.5

  17.0

  1992

  8,636.0

  16.8

  1993

  8,575.6

  16.7

  1994

  8.521.6

  16.5

  Research and Economic Performance
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on the "Relationship between Publicly Funded Basic Research and Economic Performance" submitted to his Department by the science policy research unit at the university of Sussex. [33380]
  464
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 18 June 1996]: The Treasury intends to publish this report shortly. I shall arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Millennium Commissioners
  Mrs. Clywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) on which dates, to which location, for what purpose and at what cost, the millennium commissioners have visited areas of the United Kingdom outside London; [32432]

  (2) on which dates, to which location, for what purpose and at what cost, the millennium commissioners have visited Wales; [32431]

  (3) on which dates, to which location, for what purpose and at what cost, the millennium commissioners have visited countries outside the United Kingdom. [32433]

  Mrs. Virgina Bottomley
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Library of the House.

  British Library
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what she estimates to be the final cost of the new British library building at St. Pancras. [33972]

  Mrs. Virgina Bottomley
  The final outturn of the project will not be known until all final accounts have been settled. Our estimates is that this will be at least a year after practical completion, which is targeted for December 1996. However, the latest estimate of the outturn for the project is £511.1 million, which represents a 3 per cent. increase over the present ceiling of £496 million. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has agreed an increase to the project ceiling to reflect this.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Chessington Computer Centre
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make an announcement on the progress of the sale of Chessington computer centre. [33837]

  Mr. Freeman
  I informed the House on 15 May of the identity of the three organisations that had been invited to submit final offers for Chessington computer centre. Final offers were received on 12 June. I have now considered these offers, and have selected a partnership comprising the Chessington management and employee buy-out team, Integris UK and financial backers as the preferred bidder. Detailed discussions with the partnership will now commence with the intention of reaching final agreement for an early completion of the sale of the business.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the arrangements for printing statutory instruments. [33838]
  465
  Mr. Freeman
  Some of the printing of statutory instruments has been contracted out by HMSO for over 30 years as the most cost-effective way of producing them. A careful examination has recently been made of the legislation which refers to HMSO and the Queen's printer. This has revealed that while the Queen's printer can contract out the printing of statutes, this may not be the case for statutory instruments. The Queen's printer is currently also the controller of HMSO. After privatisation, the Queen's printer and controller will remain in the public sector responsible for residual HMSO.

  HMSO's records show, for as far back as they are available, that statutory instruments were being printed by commercial contractors in January 1965. It is likely that the practice is somewhat older. Currently, around half the printing work for statutory instruments is contracted out at an annual cost of some £200,000. In order to put the validity of this practice in relation to statutory instruments beyond doubt, the Government intend to legislate before the summer recess. The legislation will be retrospective in effect in order to cover existing statutory instruments printed for, rather than by, HMSO.

  The privatisation process, subject to meeting the safeguards required by Parliament, will continue as planned with completion during the summer and on the basis that the Queen's Printer would be able to print all statutory instruments. Meanwhile, HMSO will enter into no more external printing contracts for statutory instruments.

  Information Superhighways
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement regarding the ethical issues relating to information superhighways. [33013]

  Mr. Freeman
  The development of information superhighways and the growth of multimedia applications raise a number of issues which are relevant to the responsibilities of several Government Departments and other bodies. The CCTA in particular has been working on research which has made an important contribution to consideration within Government. Since questions of information superhighways regulation bear particularly strongly upon the responsibilities of the Department of Trade and Industry, I have agreed with my hon. Friend the Minister for Science and Technology that his Department will take the lead in any Government statements in this area. On 21 May 1996, my hon. Friend made a speech to the Internet Service Providers Association setting out the Government's views on these matters. A copy of the speech has been placed in the House Library.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Bernard Jenkin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he is proposing at the EU intergovernmental conference to promote deregulation. [32621]

  Mr. Freeman
  Making less, but better EC legislation remains a priority for the Government. As we made clear in the IGC White Paper, we will continue our efforts to achieve this both inside and outside the IGC.
  466

  Ministerial Relationships
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the rules or guidance which govern the relationship between Secretaries of State and junior Ministers. [33111]

  Mr. Freeman
  "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" describes the roles of Ministers in charge of Departments and Ministers outside the Cabinet. The distribution of ministerial responsibilities is published in the "List of Ministerial Responsibilities".

  Century House
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the answer of 16 February 1995,Official Report, column 805, what has been the cost of maintenance, including figures for fees and VAT payments, of Century house since 16 February 1995; and what plans there are for the building. [33383]

  Mr. Freeman
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, under its chief executive, Mr. Neil Borrett. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mr. N. E. Borrett to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 18 June 1996:
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply to your question about Century House.Since 16th February 1995 the cost of maintenance, including fees and VAT, has been £146,140.A planning application for conversion to residential use has been made. Following the grant of planning permission, it is proposed that the property will be sold in the open market for conversion to residential use.

ENVIRONMENT

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local government contracts subject to compulsory competitive tendering have been awarded(a) in-house and (b) to private companies. [33286]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Information is not held centrally by the Department but the latest Local Government Management Board survey shows that the private sector currently has 24.8 per cent. of contracts by value, in-house teams have 73.3 per cent. and the other 1.7 per cent. are held by a management buy-out companies or joint venture companies.

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each Session since 1991–92; and if he will list in how many cases(a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [33566]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Information is not held centrally in a form which would enable the Secretary of State to answer this question without incurring disproportionate cost.
  467
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in each Session since 1991–92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions. [33585]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  There has been one instance in which legislation has been introduced into Parliament with the purpose of partially reversing a decision of the court in a case of judicial review against a local authority. This was the case of R. v. London borough of Ealing ex parte Lewis, where it was held that the local housing authority did not have power to include certain expenditure on sheltered accommodation in its housing revenue account. Sections 126 and 127 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 were introduced to change this effect of the decision. Parallel provisions were introduced for Scotland in sections 149 and 150 of that Act.

  There have been no instances of legislation introduced to implement a judicial review decision.

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many core posts there were in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96; and how many are projected for 1996–97. [33320]

  Mr. Clappison
  The average number of permanent posts and fixed-term appointments assigned to the JNCC in the financial years in question is:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Permanent

  53

  49

  43

  Fixed term

  44

  34

  34

  Mineral Sites
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) the mineral sites on the first lists of sites prepared by all mineral planning authorities in compliance with mineral planning guidance note 14 where the sites are wholly or partly within sites of special scientific interest and (b) the names of the sites of special scientific interest concerned. [33529]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not held centrally. It can be obtained from individual mineral planning authorities who are statutorily responsible for preparing the first lists of mineral sites in their areas.

  Environmental Education
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made with preparing a strategy for environmental education. [33900]

  Mr. Gummer
  I commissioned Jennifer Jones, a secondee to my Department, to carry out a review of education, training and awareness about the environment. She prepared a report which made a range of recommendations to the key players in environmental education. We have drawn up a strategy for environmental 468
  education on the basis of this report which takes account of the recommendations in it, and provides a framework within which to consider how they should be taken forward.
  Government Strategy for Environmental Education in England Introduction Education is a central means of furthering the Government's commitment to sustainable development. Education can give people that capacity to address environmental issues which is vital to achieving a sustainable society. Education in its broadest sense includes not just formal study, but personal awareness, experience and interests developed over a period of time—at home, at school, college or university, at work, and in the wider community. This strategy therefore provides a general framework which encompasses the national curriculum, the 16 to 19 sector, further and higher education, training and informal education. It accommodates the scale and diversity of environmental education which is already taking place, and provides a focus for encouraging its further development.Objective To instil in people of all ages, through formal and informal education, and training, the concepts of sustainable development and responsible global citizenship; and to develop, renew and reinforce their capacity to address environment and development issues throughout their lives, both at home and at work.This will be achieved by continuing to promote and encourage environmental education and training through relevant programmes and policies and as part of the continuing dialogue with business and industry, local authorities, the education sector and non-governmental organisations.helping to ensure that appropriate materials for each phase of the education and training process are readily available;facilitating and supporting initiatives which promote sustainable development and responsible global citizenship to people in the course of their daily lives;continuing to ensure that the education process is alive to the needs of employers;establishing suitable arrangements to monitor and encourage progress in the application of sustainable development principles and the integration of environmental issues in education so that activities may be changed, redirected, or reinforced where necessary.Progress to date:Three exercises to facilitate environmental education through the national curriculum are nearing completion;references to the importance of sustainability and responsible global citizenship have been included in the Dearing review of qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds;a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the 1993 Toyne report has been completed;work has commenced by the Department for Education and Employment, with cross departmental support. to oversee the preparation of occupational standards in environmental management;financial support for environmental education. This includes support for the Council for Environmental Education, the National Association for Environmental Education, Forum for the Future and environmental education projects, including some in schools, through the environmental action fund; the Centre for Research, Education and Training in Energy, the eco-schools programme and an energy efficiency award scheme for schools in partnership with British Gas;support for the going for green campaign and for local agenda 21.Future action:The Government will continue to encourage, promote, support and facilitate environmental education initiatives;469 the Government will establish suitable arrangements to monitor and encourage progress in the application of sustainable development principles and the integration of environmental issues in education. These arrangements will need to cover the nine Government Departments with an interest;the Government will also consider whether to convene an external panel, perhaps through going for green, including representatives from education and training, business and industry and environmental specialists. The panel's role would be to facilitate co-ordination of the activities of all the sectors involved, and to make recommendations to the key players;a seminar will be held for invited participants on the review of the 1993 Toyne report.
  Copies of the report on environmental education, training and awareness have been placed in the Library of the House, and are available from my Department on request.

  We shall consider how to respond to the detailed recommendations in the report in the context of implementing the strategy for environmental education.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to lay before Parliament a draft of the guidance that Ministers are required to give to the Environment Agency under section 4 of the Environment Act 1955. [33973]

  Mr. Gummer
  With my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, I am today laying before the House a draft of the guidance which Ministers are required under section 4 of the Environment Act 1995 to give to the Environment Agency on its objectives, including the contribution it is to make towards the achievement of sustainable development.

  We will also provide to the Environment Agency an explanatory document which sets the statutory guidance into context and offers a commentary on the agency's duty to take account of likely costs and benefits. Copies of this document have been placed in the Library.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the payment of housing benefit to banks and building societies to meet the costs of housing association loans. [31982]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  Housing benefit may be paid by a local authority directly to a claimant's landlord in order to protect public funds. Regulations also provide local authorities with discretion to determine the appropriate method of payment which may result in payments being made directly into a bank or building society account. It is for landlords to decide how they wish to use these funds, which may include the repayment of a loan.

  Local authorities do not pay housing benefit to banks or building societies to meet housing association loans. It is available to help tenants meet their reasonable rent liability.
  470

PRIME MINISTER

  Honours
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of those recommended for honours were civil servants, members of the armed forces and Government employees(a) in each of the two years prior to the changes of 1993 and (b) in each year thereafter. [33051]

  The Prime Minister
  Figures for civil servants are not available separately. The proportions of state servants1 awarded honours in the new year and birthday lists of around 1,000 names each, are listed. The number of military awards2 shows the number of awards in the defence services lists, which are purely military, issued at the same time following recommendations to the Queen by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence:

  Year

  Percentage of state servants1

  Number of military awards2

  1991

  19

  533

  1992

  19

  527

  1993

  18

  475

  1994

  17

  424

  1995

  16

  320

  1996

  17

  315

  1 Figures are for state servants which include not only civil servants in headquarters, professional and local posts, but also those giving wider state service, for example in the museums and galleries field; to both Houses of Parliament; and as circuit judges.

  2 The numbers of military awards include members of the regular and reserve forces but exclude special lists for awards in a designated theatre (during the period from 1991 these have included Northern Ireland and the Gulf) Between 1994 and 1996, 56 meritorious awards were taken from the honours lists and were published separately in operational lists.

  Since March 1993, any automatic recognition to staff in particular posts has ceased. Awards for state servants are selected on merit, reflecting service beyond what might normally be expected.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what was the cost in each of the past five years of(a) sick pay and (b) compensation paid to employees of his Department or their families, or members of the public, as a result of (i) minor, (ii) major and (iii) fatal injuries related to the work of his Department, detailing incidents involving information technology and those involving expenditure of more than £5,000; [33482]

  (2) what was the cost in each of the past five years of rectifying working conditions that were the responsibility of his Department and its agencies, to bring them up to acceptable health and safety standards, detailing incidents involving information technology and those involving expenditure of more than £5,000. [33483]

  Mr. Hanley
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  471
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in each of the past five years health and safety problems in his Department and its agencies have been reported via internal monitoring; and on how many occasions the Health and Safety Commission has become involved. [33480]

  Mr. Hanley
  Comprehensive figures are not available. Problems reported in the last three years by FCO and ODA staff working in the UK were as follows:

  1993: 27

  1994: 146

  1995: 161

  In addition, on-going training and workplace risk assessment programmes have identified other problems, but figures are not recorded centrally.

  The Health and Safety Commission has not become involved with any problems.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) minor, (b) major and (c) fatal injuries have been suffered by staff in his Department and its agencies in work-related incidents in each of the past five years, showing in each year how many were related to information technology and giving details of all incidents involving fatalities. [33481]

  Mr. Hanley
  Comprehensive figures for reported accidents suffered by FCO and ODA staff working in the UK are available for only the last three years. Details are as follows:

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Minor

  131

  131

  101

  Major

  19

  11

  12

  Fatalities

  —

  —

  —

  Information technology related accidents are included in these statistics, but are not separately identifiable.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the average time taken for vehicle crossings from(a) Gibraltar to Spain and (b) Spain to Gibraltar in each of the last eight weeks for which figures are available. [33242]

  Mr. David Davis
  Average delays are:

  (a) Gibraltar to Spain

  17–23 April: 90–180 minutes

  24–30 April: 90–120 minutes

  1–7 May: 90–12 minutes

  8–14 May: 45–90 minutes

  15–21 May: 45–20 minutes

  22–28 May: 60–80 minutes

  29 May–4 June: 80–180

  5–11 June: 10–20

  (b) Spain to Gibraltar

  17–23 April: 20–30 minutes

  24–30 April:45–60 minutes

  1–7May: 10–45 minutes

  8–14 May: 10–60 minutes

  472

  15–21 May: 0–60 minutes

  22–28 May: 0–60 minutes

  29 May–4 June: 0–30 minutes

  5–11 June: 10–40 minutes

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the European Commission in respect of delays in vehicle crossings between Spain and Gibraltar. [33241]

  Mr. Davis
  We have raised with the European Commission our strong concerns about these delays.

  Nuclear Materials
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy concerning a nuclear fissile material cut-off convention; and what assessment he has made of the impact of such a convention on international security. [33189]

  Mr. David Davis
  We supported the mandate agreed at the conference on disarmament in Geneva in March 1995 for an ad hoc committee to begin work on a treaty banning the future production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices—fissile material cut-off treaty, FMCT.

  Such a ban could be a significant contribution to non-proliferation and international security, provided that it enjoyed wide support including from those countries which have not yet signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. We therefore continue to urge all members of the conference on disarmament to support an early start to negotiations to conclude a satisfactory and universally applicable FMCT.

  Visas (Russia)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for the issue of visas to Russian citizens to visit the United Kingdom were received by (i) the British embassy in Moscow and (ii) the consulate in St. Petersburg. [33436]

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of UK visit visa applications received from Russian citizens by our posts in Moscow and St. Petersburg in 1995 were.

  1995

  Moscow: 95,474

  St. Petersburg: 18,019

  Total: 113,493

  Haiti
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has taken part in about the future of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti. [33538]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The United Kingdom mission in New York has participated fully in Security Council discussions on the future of the UN mission in Haiti.

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in
  473
  each Session since 1991–92; and if he will list in how many cases (a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [33565]

  Mr. Hanley
  This information is not held centrally. So far as I have been able to ascertain, six applications for judicial review have been decided in the period in question, in two of which the applicants were successful. The Department did not appeal in either case.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in each Session since 1991–92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b)implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions. [33586]

  Mr. Hanley
  None.

  Iran
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the National Council of Resistance of Iran; and if he will make a statement. [33714]

  Mr. Hanley
  It is our long-standing policy not to have any official contact with the National Council of Resistance of Iran. The NCRI is a coalition dominated by the Mojahedin-e-Khalq—MKO—Islamic group, which has a long history of involvement with Iraq.

  The MKO has been seeking western support by portraying itself as a "democratic" alternative to the present Iranian regime. It is difficult to reconcile this with the MKO's history of violence. Our European and US partners share our general approach to the MKO. We have no intention of recognising it as an alternative to the present Government in Tehran.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Postage Costs
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much her Department spent on postage in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; and how many items were posted during these periods. [32840]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Expenditure on postage in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 was £1,363,741 and £1,274,376. Figures for the number of items posted in 1994–95 are not available but the 1995–96 figure is approximately 4 million.

  GCSE Scores
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will provide (i) the percentage of pupils achieving a grade G or higher, (ii) the percentage achieving a grade C or higher, and 474
  (iii) the average point score per pupil in (a) GCSE English language, (b) GCSE mathematics and (c) both English language and mathematics; and if he will provide the same by gender in each case, for all 15-year-old pupils in the maintained sector of each local education authority area for 1992 and 1995, on the same basis as the DFEE school performance tables. [32954]

  Mr. Paice
  The data are contained in a number of tables, copies of which will be placed in the Library.

  The tables for 1992 and 1995 give (i) the percentage of pupils achieving a grade G or higher, (ii) the percentage of pupils achieving a grade C or higher, (iii) the average point score per pupil in (a) GCSE English, (b)GCSE mathematics and (c) both English and mathematics by gender of 15-year-old pupils in the maintained sector of each local education authority area in England. The average GCSE point scores are based on A* equal to 7.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which statistics her Department has discontinued(a) the collection and (b) the publication of since 1989. [32857]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Changes in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication of statistical series are made from time to time in response to the requirements of the Government and international organisations for statistical information. Others reflect changes in administrative systems on which some series are based, the developments of new statistical techniques and technological developments affecting the compilation and dissemination of statistical data. When such changes are made, they are fully documented in the relevant statistical publications. It would be disproportionately costly to identify all the changes in our surveys and publications since 1989, therefore this reply covers those regular surveys and publications which have entirely ceased.

  Exams

  The last school examinations survey, SES, which provided statistics on school leavers was conducted for the academic year 1991–92. Also discontinued at that time were surveys associated with the SES—the form 113FE survey, which collected information on the academic achievements (A-level and AS) of students in further education; and the advanced supplementary, AS, survey of entries and achievements of pupils in schools.

  Schools

  The security in schools and ethnic monitoring of school children surveys have been discontinued since 1989. The ethnic monitoring survey collected information about ethnicity, mother tongue and religious affiliation. Ethnicity is still collected via the annual schools' census, but mother tongue and religious affiliation have been discontinued.

  Teachers

  Data on the ethnic origin of teachers were collected on a supplement to form 618G from 1990 to 1993. Returns were incomplete and statistics were never published.

  475

  Higher and Further Education

  Shortly after the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, PCFC, was set up in 1989, some collection and publication of data on staff and finance for these institutions previously conducted by the Department through the annual monitoring survey, AMS, and the further education revenue account survey, FERAS was taken on by the PCFC. The Department continued to conduct these surveys for Local education authority-funded institutions, although FERAS was discontinued in 1992–93.

  Following the creation of the unified higher education sector in 1993 and the setting up of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, HEFCE, responsibility for the collection and publication of higher education statistics passed in 1994–95 from the Department and the universities statistical record, USR, to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, HESA. Similarly, the creation of the a new further education sector in 1993 and the setting up of the Further Education Funding Council for England, FEFC, led to the transfer to it of responsibility for the collection and publication of further education statistics from the end of 1994–95.

  Consequently, a number of surveys previously conducted by the Department were discontinued and replaced by systems introduced by HESA and FEFC. The surveys discontinued were the further education statistical record, FESR, the examination results and first destinations survey, ERFDS, the annual monitoring survey, AMS, the short course record, SCRS, and the return of students enrolled at the Worker's Educational Association—the AE2 return.

  Employment

  The confirmed redundancy series was discontinued after the publication of statistics for June 1992. After changes in the payment of rebates from the redundancy fund in 1986 removed the financial incentive for employers to provide the information, it was found to be seriously understating the number of redundancies taking place.

  Nursery School Inspections
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many inspections have been undertaken of registered establishments in the first two months of the current financial year; and what proportion of establishments these costs represent within each authority participating in the pilot scheme for nursery vouchers. [33271]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No inspections of private and voluntary sector institutions participating in the nursery education voucher scheme can take place until the Nursery Education and Grant-Maintained Schools Bill has been given Royal Assent and has been commenced.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the qualifications required of the inspectors of under-fives establishments who have been newly recruited; and what proportion of these inspectors have each of the required qualifications. [33269]

  Mr. Squire
  In recruiting candidates for training to be registered nursery inspectors, the chief inspector of schools takes into account both relevant experience and qualifications as well as personal references.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional new inspectors have been recruited by The Office for Standards in Education in(a) February, (b) March, (c) April and (d) May to undertake inspection of establishments for nursery education. [33270]
  476
  Mr. Squire
  For phase 1, the chief inspector invited 100 candidates to be nursery education inspectors to attend training courses in May 1996, and a further 120 and 100 in June and July 1996.

  Science and Technology (Funding)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria are used in the allocation of funding by the Higher Education Funding Council in the areas of science and technology; and if she will make a statement. [33169]

  Mr. Forth
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England allocates funds for science and technology research selectively to higher education institutions on the basis of competition. The main criterion is departments' relative strengths in research according to national and international standards, as measured in the periodic research assessment exercises. Other criteria include success in collaborating with industry and other users on research, leading to expertise and knowledge which can be used by higher education, industry and the community at large.

  Internet
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 4 June,Official Report, column 398–99, how many schools in Gloucestershire have made use of the guidance available from the National Council for Educational Technology on the use of the Internet. [33127]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Advice and training sessions on the Internet have been offered to all local education authority and grant-maintained schools in Gloucestershire through the school library service libraries of the future project which is supported by the National Council for Education Technology, NCET. During the project, 24 secondary schools, seven primary and two special schools in Gloucestershire took part in the sessions. In addition, four schools requested information sheets on the Internet from the NCET.

  Young People (Hemsworth)
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people with an educational qualification below national vocational qualification level 2 in the Hemsworth constituency (i) have been and (ii) are being trained by the Wakefield training and enterprise council. [33239]

  Mr. Paice
  I understand that, since April 1995, 157 young people in the Hemsworth constituency have attended courses organised by Wakefield training and enterprise council, leading to a qualification below NVQ level 2. Of these, 32 young people are being trained by the TEC at present.

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people in the age range 18 to 25 years(a) resident in the Hems worth constituency and (b) in related travel-to-work areas have attained national vocational qualification level 2. [33238]

  Mr. Paice
  The information is not available in the format requested.
  477
  I understand that, since April 1995, (a) 102 young people resident in the Hemsworth constituency have attained NVQ level 2 or above through training organised by the Wakefield training and enterprise council, and (b) 240 young people in surrounding areas have attained NVQ level 2 through training organised by the Wakefield TEC.

  Other young people will have achieved NVQ level 2 or above as a result of education and training not organised by the TEC. Figures for this are not available at constituency level.

  Higher education public funding in England

  £ million

  Financial year

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Total HE public funding (cash terms)1

  3,560

  3,940

  4,530

  5,090

  5,690

  6,140

  6,350

  Real terms 1995–96 prices

  4,560

  4,670

  5,060

  5,460

  5,920

  6,280

  6,360

  As percentage of gross domestic product

  0.7

  0.7

  0.8

  0.8

  0.9

  0.9

  0.9

  Total HE public funding (cash terms)2

  3,030

  3,270

  3,680

  34,010

  34,390

  34,680

  3 44,820

  Real terms 1995–96 prices

  3,890

  3,870

  4,100

  4,300

  4,570

  4,780

  4,820

  As percentage of gross domestic product

  0.6

  0.6

  0.6

  0.7

  0.7

  0.7

  0.7

  1 Includes expenditure on student maintenance, including net student loans expenditure, for England.

  2 Excludes expenditure on student maintenance.

  3 Includes the dual support transfer to the Office of Science and Technology.

  4 Includes grant to the Teacher Training Agency.

  Planned public expenditure on higher education in England including student maintenance is £5,690 million, £6,140 million and £6,350 million in 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary or infant and (b) secondary schools are now grant-maintained; how many applications in each sector are pending; and if she will make a statement. [33146]

  Mrs. Gillan
  As at 12 June, there are 457 grant-maintained, GM, primary and 646 GM secondary schools operating. Nursery schools are not eligible to become GM. A further 24 primary schools and 11 secondary schools either have published, or are due to publish, applications for GM status following ballots in which the parents voted in favour of the school becoming GM.

  St. Mary's School, Southend-on-Sea
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when her Department was advised of the proposal advanced by Church of England education authorities to transfer the St. Mary's school in East street, Southend-on-Sea to vacant premises owned by the Essex county council in Boston avenue, Southend; on what grounds her Department's permission is required for the change of location; and when she expects to come to a decision on the matter. [33553]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Secretary of State's approval is required for all proposals published under section 13 of the Education Act 1980 to transfer a school to a new site. The governing body of St. Mary's school published proposals on 12 January 1995, and we hope to reach a decision shortly.
  478

  Higher Education Funding
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the public expenditure on higher education in England(a) including and (b) excluding expenditure on student maintenance in (i) cash terms, (ii) real terms and (iii) expressed as percentage of United Kingdom gross domestic product for each financial year since 1989–90; and what is planned for 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99. [33344]

  Mr. Forth
  The information for 1989–0 to 1995–6 is as follows:

DEFENCE

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each of the past five years health and safety problems in his Department and its agencies have been reported via internal monitoring; and on how many occasions the Health and Safety Commission has become involved. [33472]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost in each of the past five years of rectifying working conditions that were the responsibility of his Department and it agencies, to bring them up to acceptable health and safety standards, detailing incidents involving information technology and those involving expenditure of more than £5,000. [33475]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Information is not held in a way which would enable this question to be answered. Rectification of working conditions could cover a wide range of measures, including for example re-arrangement of office furniture, changes in working practices and major structural changes to buildings. Not all of these would be recorded and not all of them could be costed.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) minor, (b) major and (c) fatal injuries have been suffered by staff in his Department and its agencies in work-related incidents in each of the past five years, showing in each year how many were related to information technology and giving details of all incidents involving fatalities. [33473]
  479
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, a MOD-wide accident and incident reporting system is being developed and should be supplemented by April 1997. The system will enable information about accidents occurring from April 1997. The system will enable information about accidents occurring from April 1997 onwards to be recorded centrally.

  Civil Servants (Duties Abroad)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [32419]

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

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which statistics his Department has discontinued(a) the collection and (b) the publication of since 1989. [32864]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Analytical Services Agency, DASA, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Paul Altobell to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 19 June 1996:
  I have been asked to reply to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence Procurement about the collection and publication of statistics since 1989 as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA).The main vehicle for the publication of statistics about Defence is "United Kingdom Defence Statistics", formerly "Statement on the Defence Estimates Volume 2". Changes are made to the contents of the publication as the Department's structure and the issues facing Defence evolve. Changes to tables between the 1989 edition and the last published edition, for 1995, are as follows:

  "2.3 Analysis of the Defence budget by programme" replaced by "1.3 The Defence budget by budgetary area".

  "3.7 Directorate General Ship Refitting" discontinued following Departmental re-organisation and the abolition of the directorate.

  "4.1 Total MoD strength by area" replaced by "2.1 Regular Service and Civilian strengths".

  "4.2 Analysis of Service personnel by programme" replaced by "2.2 UK Regular Forces by budgetary area".

  "4.3 Analysis of Civilian staff by programme" replaced by "2.3 UK based Civilian personnel by budgetary area".

  "4.4 Strengths of UK Regular Forces" and "4.5 Strengths of trained UK Regular Forces" replaced by "2.7 Strengths of UK Regular Forces: training and untrained".

  "4.9 Strengths of Civilian staff employed in the Ministry of Defence; by type" and "4.10 Strengths of Occupational groups" replaced by "2.17 Permanent UK based Civilian personnel by grade equivalence".

  "4.11 Civilian apprentices: type of establishment" and "4.12 Civilian apprentices: location" discontinued as numbers covered continued to decline.

  "4.15 Recruitment of UK Regular Forces: by Service" and "4.16 Recruitment of male UK Regular Forces: by Category" replaced by "2.9 Intake from civil life of UK Regular Forces; by service and category".

  480

  "4.19 Recruitment and losses of UK based Civilian non-industrial staff by Occupational group" replaced by "2.18 Recruitment and losses of UK based Civilian personnel".

  "4.20 Outflow of trained Service personnel: major skill or trade groups" discontinued.

  "5.1 Social Expenditure in the Defence Budget" discontinued.

  "5.2 Strengths of uniformed medical staff of the UK Regular Forces" discontinued and replaced by separate publication (TSP24).

  "5.3 Service hospitals", "5.4 Sickness episodes of UK Regular Forces personnel: selected diagnoses", "5.5 Medical discharges of UK Regular Forces personnel" and "5.6 Deaths of UK Regular Forces personnel" replaced by "3.15 Health of the UK Regular Forces".

  "5.7 Selected qualifications obtained under Service sponsorship" discontinued.

  "5.10 Strengths of male UK Regular Forces and numbers married: by age" and "5.11 Strengths of male UK Regular Forces and numbers married: by rank" replaced by "2.8 Strengths of UK Regular Forces: by age and rank".

  "5.14 Service entertainment and welfare" discontinued.

  "5.15 SSVC Broadcasting division (BFBS)" discontinued.

  "5.16 Service pensioners" discontinued.

  "6.4 Expenditure on offshore tasks included in the Defence budget" discontinued.

  "6.6 Meteorological Office" discontinued. "6.7 Hydrographic services" discontinued.

  "7.1 Ethnic origins of applicants for entry to UK Regular Forces: summary" and "7.2 Ethnic origins of applicants for entry to UK Regular Forces: Regional analysis" replaced by "2.15 Ethnic origins of applicants and entrants to UK Regular Forces",

  "2.16 Ethnic composition of serving members of the UK Regular Forces" added.

  "2.19 Strength of casual Civilian personnel" added.

  "2.20 Defence Agencies: personnel numbers and operating costs" added.

  The Department collects and analyses significant amounts of data from its own administrative system for its own internal purposes. Changes to such collections and analyses arising from Departmental re-organisations since 1989 cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Postage Costs
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on postage in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; and how many items were posted during these periods. [32846]

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency, DPCS under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from T. McG. Brown to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 19 June 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency, I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt. Hon. Michael Portillo MP, regarding postal costs.As well as those costs borne by this Agency many Individual units and establishments are responsible for their own postal expenditure. The costs in 1994/95 and 1995/96 was as follows:481

  £ million

  1994–95

  1995–96

  DPCS Agency costs

  0.744

  1.441

  Costs in other MOD areas

  7.288

  6,363

  Total

  8.062

  7.804

  I am sorry but MOD does not record separately the number of items posted. Indeed in the interests of economy we try to make the maximum use of contract postal arrangements, which do not necessarily depend on the number of items posted.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  METOP Satellite Project
  Sir Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he has evaluated in respect of his Department's involvement in the polar orbiting meteorological—METOP—satellite project; and what assessment he has made of the benefits of the project for United Kingdom industry. [33252]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department is evaluating reports prepared internally and by European Meteorological Satellite—EUMETSAT—and the European Space Agency—ESA—in respect of its involvement in, and requirements for, the METOP satellite project. The benefits to UK industry is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Armed Forces
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's forecast of the total manpower strength of the United Kingdom armed forces on 1 April 1999. [33187]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 25 March,Official Report, column 443.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his German counterpart concerning the future large aircraft programme. [33188]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has not recently discussed the future large aircraft programme with his German counterpart. However, when I met State Secretary Simon on Monday 11 March, the future large aircraft programme was among the subjects we discussed.

  Nuclear Weapons (Soviet Union)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he has given to countries of the former Soviet Union to assist with the dismantling of their nuclear weapon stocks. [33190]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The UK has supplied the Russian Government with 250 armoured supercontainers, 20 heavy-duty vehicles and spares to assist with the safe and secure dismantlement of their surplus nuclear warheads. The cost of this programme to the UK has been approximately £35 million.
  482

  Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the estimated annual cost to his Department of providing bed-and-breakfast accommodation for service personnel and their families in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1994–95, (c) 1993–94, (d) 1992–93,(e) 1991–92 and (f) 1978–79. [33335]

  Mr. Soames
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each Session since 1991–2 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions. [33583]

  Mr. Soames
  None.

TRANSPORT

  Runway Overshoots
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of overshoots at Gatwick and Heathrow airports for each of the last five years. [32786]

  Mr. Norris
  Statistics for runway overshoots for the whole of the period requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, figures are available for 1994 and 1995 and are as follows:

  Gatwick

  Heathrow

  1994

  332

  406

  1995

  355

  446

  Regional Airports (EU Funding)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what programmes he is putting in place to ensure that all UK regional airports can benefit from EU public service obligation funding. [32804]

  Mr. Norris
  EC legislation allows member states to impose a public service obligation on a scheduled air service to an airport serving a peripheral or development region in its territory or on a thin route to any regional airport in its territory, where the route is considered vital for the economic development of the region and the availability of other forms of transport is limited. A subsidy may be paid where no operator is able to provide a commercial service which complies with the terms of the PSO.

  In the UK, certain routes serving the western and northern islands of Scotland are regarded as lifeline routes. The operator of air services on these routes receives subsidy from the Scottish Office or local government. PSOs are progressively being imposed on the routes in line with EC legislation, and any subsidies

  483
  required will continue to be provided by the Scottish Office and the islands councils. At present, no PSOs have been imposed on mainland services.

  A249
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the expected date for the opening of the A249 Iwade bypass (M2 to Kingsferry Bridge); what is the latest estimated cost of the project; and what factors underlay the delay in the completion of the scheme. [33249]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Roger Moate, dated 19 June 1996:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State about the expected opening date and the latest estimated cost for the A249 between the M2 and Iwade.Following earlier delays, construction is now entering its final phase which should see substantial completion by September. I will let you know the exact date when it is known.When I wrote to you on 29 November 1995 I described the reasons for the delays and I enclose a copy of the letter for you case of reference.The tender price of the project is £35,721,035. We are unable to give an estimate of the final cost without the risk of prejudicing discussions on the costs which are taking place.
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the studies that have been undertaken by his Department in connection with the preparation of the draft orders for the A249 Iwade to Queensborough corner improvement scheme including the second crossing of the Swale; what is the estimated cost of consultation and planning work leading to the publication of the draft orders; and what is the latest estimated cost of the project. [33248]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Roger Moate, dated 19 June 1996:
  As you know, John Watts, the Minister for the Railways and Roads, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the A249 Iwade-Queensborough Improvement scheme.All the base ecological studies required for draft Order purposes have been completed. The Topographical Survey is due for completion later this month and the contract for the relevant Ground Investigation Survey will be awarded soon. Traffic surveys have also been undertaken.The latest estimated cost of the planning work leading to the preparation of the draft Orders is £1.85m. The latest estimated cost of building the scheme is £97m (this includes works, preparation and supervision and land).

  Traffic Area Offices
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by traffic area office, the constituencies within each traffic area boundary. [33296]

  Mr. Norris
  I have placed the information the Library of the House.
  484
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total running costs for the traffic area co-ordination division within his Department. [33295]

  Mr. Norris
  The total running costs budget for 1996–97 for the traffic area co-ordination division—now the traffic area network unit—is £629,428.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of(a) heavy goods vehicles and (b) public service vehicles authorised to operate in each traffic office area. [33294]

  Mr. Norris
  The number of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles authorised to operate in each traffic office area as at March 1996 is as follows:

  TAO

  HGVs

  PSVs

  NETA

  64,189

  13,104

  NWTA

  66,864

  12,853

  WMTA

  43,454

  7,203

  ETA

  67,621

  9,831

  SWTA

  17,120

  4,196

  WTA

  54,580

  11,089

  SEMTA

  51,658

  13,026

  SCOTA

  37,090

  10,332

  Operators' Licences
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by traffic area office the number of objections to the issue of an operator's licence received from the police for each of the last five years.[33297]

  Mr. Norris
  The numbers are as follows:

  TAO

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  North Eastern

  9

  5

  5

  6

  4

  North Western

  1

  0

  1

  2

  2

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Eastern

  2

  33

  22

  29

  29

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Western

  6

  12

  6

  7

  2

  South Eastern and Metropolitan

  38

  36

  26

  10

  10

  Scottish

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  Next Step Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the areas of policy which have been devolved to next steps agencies since April 1992. [33362]

  Mr. Norris
  Ministers retain overall responsibility for policy and would be consulted on any major decisions. Officials of the Department's agencies prepare policy advice for Ministers where they are in the best position to do so. Two agencies have specific day-to-day policy development responsibilities within a framework determined by Ministers.

  The Marine Safety Agency, established in April 1994, has responsibility for developing and reviewing marine safety and pollution prevention policies and standards and to represent the Department's interests in those areas nationally and internationally.
  485
  The Highways Agency, established in April 1994, has responsibility for developing and co-ordination land and compensation policy issues across the whole Department.

  Vehicle Insurance
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of motorists who currently drive without vehicle insurance. [33556]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Uninsured Drivers
  Mr. French
  To ask the secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has come forward with to tackle the problem of uninsured drivers; following his Department's consultation with the Association of British Insurers. [33557]

  Mr. Norris
  I am expecting a formal report from the Association of British Insurers soon. We will be deciding on the way forward after we have seen that report.

  Charter Flights
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has completed his review of policy on fifth freedom passenger charter flights. [33701]

  Sir George Young
  On 10 January this year, my noble friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping announced a package of measures relating to the safety of foreign-registered aircraft, one of which was a review of policy on charter flights from the UK by airlines from countries other than those they are serving, known as fifth freedom charters. We have now completed the review of passenger charter flights, following consultation with UK airlines, tour operators and brokers and other interested bodies. We intend to make a number of changes aimed at ensuring that fifth freedom charter services continue to be the exception to the normal rule that UK holidaymakers travelling by charter airline should be carried either on UK carriers or on carriers from the country of destination. The changed procedures will give UK airlines more opportunity to offer services, while continuing to allow some flexibility, in the interests of passengers, where they are not able to do so.

  The changes are as follows:-

  (a) he number of fifth freedom flights which any one foreign carrier can operate from the UK in any one season—apart from flights which are permitted under EC legislation or other international agreements will be limited to 10 return flights;

  (b) applications for permission to operate fifth freedom flights must normally be made at least six weeks in advance of the flight. Late applications will in certain circumstances he permitted provided they are made at least five working days in advance of the flight;

  (c)applications will be published in the Civil Aviation Authority's official record in order that any UK airline may object if it has a suitable aircraft available. Late applications will be circulated to airlines by telex for objections. All decisions on applications will be published subsequently.

  Fifth freedom flights will be permitted only where no UK airline is able to offer a suitable aircraft, and provided that the authorities of the foreign airline are prepared to offer similar opportunities to UK carriers and that the necessary certificates are presented to my Department.
  486
  The changes to the timetable for applications and the introduction of the published procedure will come into effect from the beginning of the winter season. The limit to the numbers of flights will be applied from 1 August this year. Applications received before this date will not count towards the limit for the current season.

  Road Tax
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to transfer the responsibility for the enforcement of road tax to local authorities. [33552]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  London Airports
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote competition and consumer choice between the principal London airports. [32128]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government's response to the report of the runway capacity in the south east group stated that they wished to provide the opportunity for the less busy airports in the south-east to develop. Greater choice for consumers is also promoted by the Government's policies for liberalisation of air services. The RUCATSE response highlighted the opening up of Stansted and Luton for transatlantic flights.

  The Transport Select Committee report on UK airport capacity, published on 21 May, included a recommendation that, during the present quinquennial review of BAA, the Civil Aviation Authority and Monopolies and Mergers Commission re-examine whether BAA should remain the provider of services to the three main south-east airports, or whether Gatwick and Stansted should be owned and operated separately from Heathrow. The Government will be responding to the TSC report in due course.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) on how many occasions in each Session since 1991–92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions; [33591]

  (2) how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each Session since 1991–92; and if he will list in how many cases (a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [33575]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This information is not available.
  487

  Pharmacies
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of pharmacies in Northern Ireland by year since 1979. [33080]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not available prior to 1983. The number of pharmacies in Northern Ireland in April of each year since 1983 is as follows:

  1983: 509

  1984: 511

  1985: 520

  1986: 523

  1987: 534

  1988: 527

  1989: 513

  1990: 510

  1991: 506

  1992: 506

  1993: 510

  1994: 508

  1995: 502

  1996: 504.

  Customer Charters
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [32834]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Eleven charters published by the Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departments and their agencies are currently in use. A list is given below.

  A Charter for Patients and Clients

  Social Security Agency Customer Charter

  Training and Employment Agency Customer's Charter

  The Parent's Charter for Northern Ireland (Department of Education (NI)

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive Tenant's Charter

  Northern Ireland Railway Passengers Charter

  Royal Ulster Constabulary Charter

  Ulsterbus/Citybus—Bus Passengers Charter

  Child Support Agency Northern Ireland Charter

  Courts' Charter for Northern Ireland

  The Charter for Further Education in Northern Ireland

  No Northern Ireland charters have been withdrawn.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  "The Growth of Social Security"
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish table 8 on page 16 of "The Growth of Social Security" updated to 1995–96. [32484]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is set out in the table.
  488

  Social security benefit expenditure in 1995–96 and 2000–2001

  Benefit

  1995–96

  2000–2001

  Retirement Pension— Basic

  27.9

  29.4

  Retirement Pension— Earnings-Related

  2.3

  4.6

  Widow's Pension

  1.1

  1.1

  War Pension

  1.2

  1.3

  Attendance Allowance

  2.2

  2.7

  Disability Living Allowance

  3.7

  5.9

  Unemployment Benefit/Jobseeker's Allowance

  11.1

  15.2

  Invalidity/Incapacity Benefit—basic—

  6.7

  5.1

  earnings-related

  1.4

  0.7

  Income Support— pensioner—

  3.8

  2.7

  non-pensioners

  12.8

  7.9

  Child Benefit

  6.3

  6.6

  Family Credit

  1.7

  2.0

  Rent Allowance

  5.4

  6.8

  Rent Rebate

  0.7

  0.7

  Council Tax Benefit

  2.1

  2.3

  Other Benefits

  3.5

  4.9

  Total DSS

  83.5

  89.9

  Rent Rebate Subsidy Element (RRSE)

  3.5

  2.9

  Total DSS and RRSE

  86.9

  92.8

  Non-central Government Housing Benefit

  1.9

  2.5

  Grant Total Benefits

  88.8

  95.3

  1. All figures are estimated outturn in 1995–96 prices.

  2. The table shows the latest long-term projections of social security benefit expenditure in a similar format to that used in table 8 of "The Growth of Social Security".

  3. The latest projections assume a constant unemployment level over the period.

  4. Projections showing the effect of falling unemployment have not been produced for the latest figures.

  1 Expenditure on jobseeker's allowance in 2000–01, covers contributory and non-contributory jobseeker's allowance and includes some expenditure classified as income support (non-pensioners) in 1995–96.

  Widowers' Pensions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those countries in the European Union where widowers currently receive equal rights in pensions and are paid a widower's pension; and if he will make a statement. [32752]

  Mr. Heald
  Information on entitlement to widowers' pensions in the European Union countries is contained in "Social Protection in the Member States of the European Union", published by the European Commission, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Postage Costs
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spent on postage in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; and how many items were posted during these periods. [32847]

  Mr. Burt
  Departmental expenditure on postage in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 was £74,705,828 and £77,484,449 respectively.

  The figure for 1995–6 is provisional.
  489
  The number of items posted with Royal Mail but excluding other carriers was 322,332,200 and 326,317,600 respectively.

  The figures for postal expenditure and volume include letters, packages and parcels but not the use of courier services for internal distribution, particularly the departmental courier contract.

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many occasions in each Session since 1991–92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions. [33593]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. The legislation listed below has been introduced to restore the original policy intention following judicial review decisions:

  Session

  Number of judicial reviews

  Department's decision upheld

  Court found for the applicant

  Department submitted to judgment

  Department successfully appealed

  1994–95

  11

  8

  3

  2

  1

  1995–96

  11

  7

  4

  2

  1

  1 appeal pending

  Income Support
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to review the current rules on the payment of mortgage interest to income support claimants in cases where it is aware that the home was obtained through illegal means; and if he will make a statement. [31893]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [holding answer 12 June 1996]: The issue of alleged illegality is a matter for the mortgage lenders to take such action as they deem to be appropriate in the circumstances. It is not a matter for this Department. If the mortgage lender obtains, having proved fraud in court, an order for possession or foreclosure, income support mortgage interest payments cease to be payable.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated number of families on income support receiving mortgage interest payments in respect of properties which his Department is aware were obtained through illegal means. [31892]

  Mr. Evans
  [holding answer 12 June 1996]: The information is not available.

HEALTH

  General Practitioners
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned by his 490

  1993–94

  The Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1994

  The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 1994

  1994–95

  The Income-related Benefits Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 6) Regulations 1994

  The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 1995

  The Social Security Benefits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1995

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each Session since 1991–92; and if he will list in how many cases(a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review decision. [33576]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Department into work-related stress facing general practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [32480]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department commissioned a study on stress in doctors which began in 1983 and is on-going. The aim of the study is to assess the levels and causes of stress in doctors, to explore ways to identify as early as possible those at risk, and to make recommendations on combatting stress. In addition, the Department has funded the Royal College of General Practitioners to support its work in this area.

  Acute Hospital Beds
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of acute hospital beds per head of population in each European country. [32559]

  Mr. Malone
  Comparable data on acute beds in European countries are not available because of variations in national definitions of acute care.

  Operation Waiting Times (Smokers)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has evaluated in the last five years into waiting times for operations for smokers relative to those for non-smokers. [32563]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Arachis Oil
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is carrying out into arachis oil; what guidance his Department issues in respect of preparations for breast-feeding mothers containing arachis oil; and if he will make statement. [32755]
  491
  Mr. Malone
  The Department is carrying out no research into arachis oil. There is no evidence to exclude the use of arachis oil in lactating mothers. Guidance regarding use of medicinal products containing arachis oil is given in the manufacturers' product information for doctors and patients, which is authorised by the Licensing Authority, and in the British National Formulary which is sent free of charge to all doctors by the Department of Health.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which statistics his Department has discontinued(a) the collection and (b) the publication of since 1989. [32865]

  Mr. Horam
  Changes in the basis of compilation, presentation and publication of statistical series are made from time to time in response to the requirements of Government and other users of statistics. Other changes reflect changes in administrative systems on which some series are based and technological developments affecting the compilation and dissemination of statistical data. The statistical material sought by the Department from the national health service, family health services practitioners and local authorities is kept under review to ensure that the burden on respondents is fully justified by the uses to which the data are put.

  Since 1989, many changes have taken place as a result of the reforms in the health service and changes in legislation. Collections which have been discontinued have been announced in speeches, parliamentary questions, in guidance to the health service and local authorities and in relevant statistical publications. As well as discontinuing series which are no longer justified, the Department has introduced some new collections, for example to monitor outpatient waiting times and to support the patients charter.

  Private Patients
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 June,Official Report, columns 109–10, if he will list the number of private patients in NHS pay beds in 1994–95 whose treatment is recorded in the hospital episode system under each of the five most frequently used (a) operation and (b) diagnosis codes in relation to conditions of (i) the nervous system, (ii) the eye, (iii) the upper digestive tract, (iv) the other abdominal organs, (v) the heart, (vi) the arteries and veins, (vii) the urinary system, (viii) the bones and joints of the skull and spines and (ix) miscellaneous. [33304]

  Mr. Horam
  The information available centrally relates to finished consultant episodes. A table will be placed in the Library showing the number of completed first order episodes, by selected main operation and principal diagnosis.

  Elective Surgery
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many elective operations were performed in the private sector privately as a percentage of NHS elective surgery(a) by region and (b) nationally in the last five years; [33604]
  492
  (2) how many elective operations have been performed in the private sector (a) by region and (b) nationally in the last five years. [33605]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 13 May, column 322.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting for in-patient admission in the NHS by region at the latest date for which figures were available. [33545]

  Mr. Horam
  Information on waiting times for in-patient admission is not available separately. Information on the number of people waiting for in-patient and day case admissions in all regions for the month ended 31 March 1996 is shown in the table.

  Provisional waiting time figure as at 31 March 1996

  Region

  0–11 months

  12–17 months

  18+ months

  Northern and Yorkshire

  144,077

  127

  0

  Trent

  95,970

  2,108

  0

  Anglia and Oxford

  109,768

  746

  0

  North Thames

  155,745

  934

  0

  South Thames

  152,238

  33

  0

  South and West

  124,170

  394

  0

  West Midlands

  82,330

  39

  0

  North West

  173,041

  0

  0

  All regions

  1,037,339

  4,381

  0

  St. George's Hospital NHS Trust
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the St. George's hospital NHS trust; indicating their qualifications and their outside interests. [33102]

  Mr. Malone
  A list of those appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health to national health service authorities and trusts as at 1 April 1996, together with their occupation category, will be published later this summer and copies placed in the Library.

  Board members' relevant private interests are declared and entered in a register of interests. These registers are made available by NHS authorities and trusts for public inspection on request.

  Gelatine
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the name of the expert from the Medicines Control Agency who advised the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee concerning the use of gelatine produced from non-specified bovine offal material; and what are that person's qualifications and experience concerning the study of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [33137]

  Mr. Horam
  It is not the custom or practice to give details of individual civil servants.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new information was available to the
  493
  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee by 25 March, concerning potential contamination of gelatine by BSE infectivity to result in the alteration of existing advice outlined in the British Medical Journal of 20 April, page 988, issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in 1989 and adopted by the European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products; and if he will make a statement. [33138]

  Mr. Horam
  The article in the British Medical Journal of 20 April, page 988, reviewed the history and content of the 1989 United Kingdom bovine spongiform encephalopathy guidelines and the later 1992 Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products guideline, "Minimizing the risk of transmitting agents causing spongiform encephalopathy via medicinal products", and concluded the guidelines were effective.

  The CPMP guideline states:
  "Given assurances of adequate collection and processing, certain materials and their derivatives are unlikely to present any risk of contamination. These include … skin and its derivatives, for example gelatin".
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has accepted the advice of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, issued on 25 March, in respect of the safety of gelatine from non-specified bovine material in pharmaceutical and medical devices; and if he will make a statement. [33139]

  Mr. Horam
  The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee is the expert committee set up to advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on all matters to do with spongiform encephalopathies. Ministers have always accepted their advice and take account of it when implementing measures to protect public health.

SCOTLAND

  Court of Session Judges
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the role of the Lord Advocate in the appointment of a Court of Session judge; with whom he consults; and to whom he makes the recommendation. [32286]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Judges are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Because the Secretary of State does not normally have personal knowledge of suitable nominees, he relies on the Lord Advocate, who submits names to him for his consideration. The current practice is for the Lord Advocate always to consult the Lord President of the Court of Session and the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, before putting forward any nomination. On occasion, other senior members of the legal profession and judiciary are also consulted by the Lord Advocate.

  Electoral Registers
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, per constituency (1) the number of electors registered for a postal or proxy vote; [33064]
  494
  (2) the number of women on the current Scottish electoral registers. [33062]

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

  Postage Costs
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on postage in the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96; and how many items were posted during these periods. [32850]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The expenditure on postage and the number of items posted in the financial years 1994–95, and 1995–96 are as shown:

  Year

  Cost £

  Items

  1994–95

  1,243,098

  3,400,000

  1995–96

  1,214,071

  3,187,173

  Households
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of households in each Scottish constituency. [33063]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is contained in table H of the General Register Office (Scotland) publication "The 1991 Census: Monitoring for Parliamentary Constituencies in Scotland", copies of which are in the Library.

  Motorways
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by parliamentary constituency the location of the sections of motorway in Scotland that have overhead lighting; and if he will plot this information on a map and place a copy in the Library. [33039]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The following table lists the locations of overhead lighting on motorways in Scotland. This information is not readily available by parliamentary constituency and a map could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Motorway

  Section

  Location

  Lengths (miles)

  M8

  Hermiston Gate Interchange to Newhouse Interchange

  Hermiston Gate Interchange westwards

  1.00

  Claylands Interchange to Newbridge Roundabout

  2.50

  Dechmont Interchange

  —

  Baillieston Interchange to St. James Interchange

  20.00

  St. James Interchange to West Ferry Toll (including M898 Erskine Road Brige)

  Erskine Road Bridge Plaza

  0.25

  495

  Motorway

  Section

  Location

  Lengths (miles)

  M9

  Newbridge Roundabout to Keir Roundabout

  Newbridge Roundabout

  —

  Keir Roundabout

  —

  M73

  Mollinsburn Interchange to Maryville Interchange

  North of Baillieston Interchange to Maryville Interchange

  1.50

  M74

  Fullarton Road to Gretna

  Fullarton Road to Hamilton Interchange

  7.00

  Gretna Interchange to Guardsmill Interchange

  2.00

  M80

  Stepps Bypass

  Provan Interchange to Hornhill Interchange

  4.50

  M90

  Admiralty Interchange to Broxden Roundabout/ Barnhill Interchange

  Halbeath Interchange

  —

  Cocklaw Interchange

  —

  Kinross Interchange

  —

  Broxden Roundabout

  —

  M876

  Bankhead Junction to Bowtrees Roundabout

  Bowtrees Roundabout

  —

  Total

  38.75

  Fisheries Guidance
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications he has received since 1 July 1994 for financial assistance under the financial instrument for fisheries guidance from(a) Caithness and (b) Sutherland; how many have been approved; and what is their grant value. [32821]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Six applications have been received from Caithness: three were approved with grants totalling £539,589. Sutherland also produced six applications, of which five obtained grants totalling £199,844.

  Pharmacies
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of pharmacies in Scotland by year since 1979. [33083]

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

  Year

  Number

  1979

  1,124

  1980

  1,108

  1981

  1,118

  1982

  1,112

  1983

  1,121

  1984

  1,123

  1985

  1,135

  1986

  1,156

  1987

  1,145

  1988

  1,128

  1989

  1,130

  1990

  1,136

  496

  Year

  Number

  1991

  1,133

  1992

  1,137

  1993

  1,138

  1994

  1,136

  1995

  1,139

  Shotgun and Firearm Licences
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many semi-automatic and pump action shotguns have been certified as shotguns after being modified from section 1 firearms classification under the terms of the Firearms Act 1988 in each year since the Act came into operation. [32881]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday,Official Report, column 383, by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State, Home Department.

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) on how many occasions in each Session since 1991–92 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions; [33592]

  (2) how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each session since 1991–2; and if he will list in how many cases (a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealled successfully against the judicial review decision. [33574]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Cullen Inquiry
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library transcripts of the evidence given to the Cullen inquiry. [33836]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In response to expressions of interest, I have arranged for transcripts of the evidence prepared for the tribunal to date to be placed in the House Library. Further transcripts will be sent to the Library on a daily basis.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Rabies
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which recommendations of the Scientific Veterinary Committee in paper VI/1533/92-EN-REK1 formed the basis of the derogations in the Balai directive which establish a different system for the UK and Ireland from that in the remainder of the European Community. [32194]
  497
  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 10 June 1996]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to him on 24 April, Official Report, columns 211–12.

  The Scientific Veterinary Committee report confined itself to evaluating the risks of spreading rabies through the movement of rabies susceptible animals within the European Community and providing an opinion on how these risks might be reduced or eliminated. It did not discuss the detail of how to apply new rules on the movement of traded dogs and cats. The provisions in the Balai directive on the movement of traded dogs and cats into the UK and Ireland from elsewhere within the European Union are therefore not identical to any specific recommendations within the report. These provisions represent the safeguards which the Council of Ministers believed were necessary in the light of the risks which the report identified.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide 10 positive and 10 negative BSE urine samples to Mr. Harash Narang for research into BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. [32911]

  Mrs. Browning
  We are in discussion with Dr. Narang on the supply of samples for validation of his urine test. One of the difficulties is establishing a baseline of BSE negative cattle for validating a test. This is not so easy as might appear at first sight and we are in discussions with Dr. Narang about arrangements for collecting urine from cattle in countries which have never had a case of BSE, so as to be absolutely certain that they are truly negative and that there can be no doubt about interpretation if any of the samples deemed to be negative test positive in his hands.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if grade 2 laboratories have the facilities to carry out cattle urine testing for BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease research. [32912]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  Containment level 2 laboratories, as defined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994, are suitable for work with material infected with or potentially infected with the agents of BSE and CJD, subject to certain specific additional precautions. In the case of OD, these are a requirement of the COSHH regulations. In the case of BSE, guidance from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens advises that additional precautions be adopted where work is undertaken with material infected with or potentially infected with the BSE agent.

  Beef Exports Ban
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when(a) the USA. (b) Australia, (c) Canada and (d) New Zealand applied bans to United Kingdom beef exports; how many representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government about these bans to each of these countries in each year since the ban was imposed until 20 March; how many representations MAFF received from United Kingdom farmers and the United Kingdom beef industry about these bans before 20 March; and what was the total
  498
  value of United Kingdom beef exports to each of these countries in each of three years before the ban was imposed. [32531]

  Mrs. Browning
  The United Kingdom had not received any formal notification of a ban on British beef exports from any of these countries before 20 March 1996. The total value of United Kingdom beef exports—which includes all bovine material fit for human consumption—to the countries in question, for the years 1993 to 1995 inclusive, is provided in the table.

  Exports of Bovine material fit for human consumption

  Value £ thousand

  1993

  11994

  11995

  Australia

  7

  7

  41

  Canada

  208

  60

  109

  New Zealand

  0

  7

  70

  USA

  1

  105

  257

  1Provisional.Source:

  Business and Trade Statistics Limited.

  Notes:

  1. The table gives data for the export of carcass meat of bovine origin and all other products fit for human consumption, including offals and fully cooked beef products.

  2. Figures given are for total recorded trade in the Overseas Trade Statistics. Beef origination from outside the UK is not separately identifiable.

  Calf Slaughter Scheme
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many calves have been slaughtered to date under the calf slaughter scheme; and if he will make a statement. [32451]

  Mr. Baldry
  By 14 June 1996, 32,017 calves had been slaughtered in the United Kingdom under the calf processing aid scheme.

  Bovine Immune Deficiency Virus
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the breeds of livestock in which cases of bovine immune deficiency virus have been diagnosed; and if he will make a statement; [32906]

  (2) if he will list for each of the last four years, and for this year to date, the number of cases of bovine immune deficiency virus that have been diagnosed in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other European Union countries. [32905]

  Mrs. Browning
  Bovine immune deficiency-like virus has not been confirmed in the United Kingdom this year or during the preceding four years.

  BIV is not a notifiable disease under EU legislation and it is not a condition that is included in either list A or B of the Office International des Epizooties code list. We do not therefore have information on the number of BIV cases that have been diagnosed in other European countries. The results of the first surveys carried out in France and Germany for BIV have been published in the last two years and they indicated that BIV was present in both countries.
  499

  Civil Servants (Companies)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 May,Official Report, column 168, on how many occasions each of the companies cited has been found guilty of civil or criminal offences in each of the last eight years. [32934]

  Mr. Boswell
  I have no information as to whether any of these companies has or has not been found guilty of any criminal offence. I will write to the hon. Member to set out the general position on offences committed by companies.

  Organo-pesticides
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on possible links between bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and cancer and the use of organo-pesticides in agriculture in the United Kingdom. [33537]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 18 June 1996]: Epidemiological studies at the beginning of the BSE outbreak have revealed no correlation between the incidence of BSE in cattle and the use of chemicals in agriculture. Government is also aware that its independent advisory committee, the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, has considered a number of possible theories about the origins of BSE including one that it relates to the use of organophosphates in cattle treatment but has not recommended that the Government undertake any research in furtherance of this theory. The Government are also aware of experiments conducted by staff from the Medical Research Council toxicology unit which showed that there was no significant binding between an organophosphate molecule and the PrP protein thought to be involved in the disease BSE as predicated in the theory.

  Under statutory procedures for the approval of pesticides, data on the carcinogenic potential of all pesticides, including OPs, are required and evaluated by the regulatory authorities.

WALES

  Cattle Farming and Processing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed in(a) beef farming, (b) dairy farming and (c) the rendering industry in (i) Wales and (ii) each parliamentary constituency in Wales. [31847]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The available information on the number of employees, excluding the self-employed, by industry, from the 1993 census of employment, is on the NOMIS database which can be accessed by the staff at the Library of the House. This source does not provide figures for beef and dairy farming separately.

  The table provides data for specialist dairy and specialist beef farming, including self-employment, from
  500
  the June agricultural census. Figures for parliamentary constituencies are not available.

  Numbers of people employed in specialist dairy and specialist beef farming

  Wales:

  1993

  1995

  Specialist dairy

  9,408

  10,105

  Specialist beef

  1,012

  1,110

  There are no rendering facilities in Wales.

  Figures are for main holdings.

  Steelworks (Ministerial Visits)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the steelworks he has visited in his official capacity. [32898]

  Mr. Hague
  I have visited British Steel's Port Talbot works and ASW's Cardiff rod and reinforcement plant.

  Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which statistics his Department has discontinued(a) the collection and (b) the publication of since 1989. [32859]

  Mr. Hague
  Changes to the basis of collection, presentation and publication of statistical series are made in response to the requirements of users of official statistics. All statistical returns are subject to regular review and a number have been changed or discontinued in recent years to reduce the burden on respondents or because data were no longer required in the same form. In some cases, responsibility for data collection has transferred from the Welsh Office to another body, or vice versa. However, key statistics continue to be published in all subject areas. Changes to the range of statistics available are documented in the relevant statistical publications.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further measures he proposes to assist beef farmers affected by BSE outbreaks. [32891]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  We have introduced a number of measures designed to help beef farmers, including prompt payment of beef special and suckler cow premiums and a compensation scheme related to market prices for beef cattle over 30 months of age which must be removed from the food chain. The Council of Ministers is considering a proposal to top up beef special and suckler cow premiums and to provide additional support to beef farmers who have been most directly affected by the crisis.

  House Building
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for(a) housing associations, (b) private and (c) council house building; and what were the figures for 1979. [32893]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Completions by sector are given in the table. The numbers shown for housing association completions are based on local authority returns which may underestimate the level of activity.
  501

  Housing association

  Private sector

  Local authority

  1979

  1,016

  6,980

  3,010

  1995

  2,258

  6,518

  176

  Source:

  Local authority and National House-Building Council returns.

  Schools (Parental Choice)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) appeals and (b) letters have been made by parents on the grounds of non-admission of their child to the school of their choice for each of the last five years by each of the former counties of Wales. [33159]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision is made for teaching through the medium of Welsh in A-level courses in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [32543]

  Mr. Hague
  The medium of instruction in A-level courses in Wales is, as in other courses, a matter for individual schools. There were 1,300 entries for Welsh Joint Education Committee examinations at A-level through the medium of Welsh in 25 subjects in 1995, compared with 903 entries in 24 subjects in 1990.

  Judicial Review
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many decisions by his Department were challenged by way of judicial review in each session since 1991–92; and if he will list in how many cases(a) the Department's decision was upheld by the court, (b) the court found for the applicant, (c) the Department submitted to the judgment and (d) the Department appealled successfully against the judicial review decision. [33580]

  Mr. Hague
  The number of decisions made solely by the Welsh Office and challenged by way of judicial review in the sessions since 1991–92 are as follows:

  1991–92: 2

  1992–93: 4

  1993–94: 4

  1994–95: 5

  1995–96: 2

  The information that I have obtained thus far shows that the Department's decision was upheld in nine cases; the court found for the applicant in no cases; the Department submitted to judgment in eight cases and the Department appealed successfully against the judicial review it no cases.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions in each session since 1991–2 legislation has been introduced into Parliament by his Department, with the purpose of(a) removing the effects of a judicial review decision or (b) implementing a judicial review decision; and if he will list the relevant legislative provisions. [33597]

  Mr. Hague
  None.
  502

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Child Labour
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions are placed on the importing of goods produced by child labour. [32132]

  Mr. Nelson
  None. The Government deplore any exploitation of children and we press all countries which have signed labour conventions to meet their obligations. However, we believe improvements in labour standards are more likely to result from economic growth through trade than from unilateral trade restrictions which would simply damage those countries they seek to help.

  Objective 1 Funding
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the impact of European objective 1 funding on the United Kingdom economy; and if he will make a statement.[32133]

  Mr. Eggar
  The only UK objective 1 programme that is already completed covered Northern Ireland. It is estimated to have contributed an additional 3.6 per cent. to Northern Ireland gross domestic product and created an additional 10,000 jobs by 1993.

  Interim evaluations of the three objective 1 programmes which began in 1994, including that for the Scottish highlands and islands, are under way.

  Post Office
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his proposals for the future of the Post Office. [32134]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Government's plans for the future of the Post Office remain as set out in an oral statement on 11 May 1995,Official Report, columns 885–94 by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, then the President of the Board of Trade.

  Manufacturing Exports
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contribution manufacturing industry is currently making to export levels. [32135]

  Mr. Nelson
  In 1995, the value of the United Kingdom's manufacturing exports was £127 billion, which represented 83 per cent. of our exports for that year. This is the highest percentage contribution of manufactures to exports for 23 years.

  Electricity and Water Companies
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received regarding the ownership of the electricity and water companies. [32136]

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).
  503

  European Space Agency
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to increase the United Kingdom's contributions to the European Space Agency. [32137]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I am at present reviewing space policy, including priorities and expenditure. We are holding a second UK space policy forum at Queen Mary and Westfield college on 25 June and plan to issue a UK space policy forward plan following it.

  I hope to make a further statement to the House around the time of the forum.

  Cyberspace Technology
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to promote British companies active in cyberspace technologies. [32138]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My Department is both encouraging British companies to use the Internet and helping companies to supply products and services for the Internet. The information society initiative is the main vehicle, with a range of initiatives encouraging electronic commerce, multi-media demonstrators and product innovation in the creative industries. My Department is also encouraging industry to produce sector trade directories on the Internet so that customers across the world can be led, via cyberspace, to UK suppliers.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the initiatives he has undertaken to promote the United Kingdom steel industry in 1996. [32139]

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department, through BISPA, the British Iron and Steel Producers Association, is working on several initiatives aimed at enhancing the industry's competitiveness. These are as follows.

  Dust recycling benchmarking study;

  Electronic data interchange development project;

  Customer perception survey and best practice benchmarking project (phase I);

  Logistics/transit time performance study;

  Future competitiveness of the narrow strip sector;

  Productivity in the wire drawing sector;

  Steel training benchmarking club—phase II;

  Raw materials supply chains for the automotive components sector;

  Promotion of national vocational qualifications—NVQ—to steel industry small and medium enterprises;

  Health and safety NVQ module.

  Steel in the 21st century conference in July 1996.

  In addition, we have run two successful workshops aimed at transferring best practice in benchmarking and electronic commerce across the steel sectors.

  University Research Equipment
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the equipment needs of United Kingdom universities for carrying out research. [32140]
  504
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Research equipment and other needs of the science budget portfolio are assessed with advice from the Director General of Research Councils.

  The research councils are currently administering an equipment fund with the higher education funding councils.

  Manufacturing Industry (Wakefield)
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department is taking to encourage manufacturing industries into the Wakefield area; and if he will make a statement. [32141]

  Mr. Page
  Through the work of the Invest in Britain Bureau, my Department promotes the UK as a location for inward investment generally. In the Yorkshire and Humberside region, the DTI provides most of the revenue for the Yorkshire and Humberside development agency, the specific job of which is the regional co-ordination of promotion work and the encouragement of inward investment to the region, including, of course, the Wakefield area.

  Wakefield is already strategically placed on the road and rail network, and my Department has enhanced its attractiveness to investors by granting the city DTI intermediate area status in 1993. Since January 1994, regional selective assistance of more than £2.4 million has been awarded to businesses, and almost 900 jobs have been created or safeguarded.

  Through the Government office for Yorkshire and Humberside, my Department is also involved in administering European funding under the objective 2 programme. So far, £4.4 million has been allocated to Wakefield for a range of projects, including the development of a channel tunnel railfreight terminal, which will assist manufacturing directly or indirectly. Wakefield will also benefit from the RETEX and RECHAR initiatives, which provide funds for regenerating former textile and coal mining areas.

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the importance of research and development to the United Kingdom's competitiveness. [32142]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Harnessing the excellence of our science, engineering and technology and promoting innovation, including research and development, are essential to improving our competitive performance and are reviewed fully in the Government's competitiveness White Paper.

  Export Orders (South-west)
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what support his Department is giving to businesses in the south-west seeking to win export orders. [32143]

  Mr. Nelson
  The full range of the Government's overseas trade services is available to south-west businesses. The services can be accessed from any of the 23 business links outlets in the region.
  505

  Offshore Oil and Gas
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last discussed with the representatives of Scottish fishermen the implications of the regulations governing the dismantlement programmes for redundant offshore oil and gas structures and pipeline networks. [32144]

  Mr. Eggar
  My officials regularly meet representatives of the Scottish fishing industry to discuss a wide range of issues, including decommissioning offshore oil and gas installations.

  Small Firms and Higher Education
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he is taking to encourage links between small firms and higher education departments. [32145]

  Mr. Page
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has responsibility for ensuring adequate links between higher education establishments and all sectors of industry, including small firms. The focus of recent work has included assisting enterprises in recruitment and the use of graduate skills.

  For example, the higher education business partnership programme will help build on continuing employer-led partnership between higher education and the small business sector to support a more effective graduate labour market. Using graduate skills will develop strategies and tools to increase graduate recruitment by small businesses, and assist them in making better use of the graduates they recruit.

  My Department has links with higher education departments through a number of initiatives aimed at businesses of all sizes, to encourage innovation and expertise.

  The focus technology programme run in association with business links, aims to help research and technology organisations and higher education institutions improve the contact they have with small firms and the technological services they provide to them.

  In March 1996, my Department's innovation unit published a survey of university-industry research links. This is primarily aimed at encouraging universities to benchmark their own performance in the area. However, it records the presence of services relevant to small and medium enterprises—SMEs—and whether databases of expertise are available.

  The unit has also facilitated the production of a guide to issues for companies to consider when undertaking collaborative projects with universities. This was drafted by the Association for University Research and Industry Links, AURIL, and the Intercompany Academic Research Group, ICARG. It is a useful guide for SMEs considering entering such projects.

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on forecast trends with respect to manufacturing output. [32146]
  506
  Mr. Lang
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out his latest estimate of manufacturing output in the summer economic forecast, which will be published on 9 July.

  Export Promotion
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to improve the promotion of exports; and if he will make a statement. [32116]

  Mr. Nelson
  Through the overseas trade services organisation, my Department provides the best ever package of information, advice and practical assistance to British companies.

  Civil Servants (Duties Abroad)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [32417]

  Mr. Lang
  The cost of overseas travel for Ministers and their private secretaries in 1994–95 was £400,508 and in 1995–96 was £457,818. The cost of sending officials other than the Minister's private secretary on such visits is met from budgets delegated to the relevant units of the Department and is not recorded centrally. Recovery of past data would incur disproportionate cost.

  Post Office, Tiverton
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations have been made by his Department regarding the future of the Crown post office in Tiverton, Devon. [32937]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 17 June 1996]: Consultations about proposals to convert individual Crown post offices to agency status are undertaken by Post Office Counters Ltd. in accordance with the procedures agreed with the Post Office Users' National Council.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his assessment of the consequences to the local economy of the proposed closure of the Crown post office in Tiverton, Devon. [32938]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 17 June 1996]: It is for the Post Office, and not for my Department, to make assessments of the consequences for the local economy of converting individual Crown post offices to agency status. I understand from the Post Office and that the full range of post office services will continue to be available in Tiverton and that Post Office Counters Ltd. employees wishing to remain with the business will be offered alternative employment.

  Nuclear Privatisation
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 5 June,Official Report, column 455, what is the budget he has set for expenditure on advertising nuclear privatisation. [33268]
  507
  Mr. Eggar
  The revised estimated budget for total expenditure on privatisation in 1996–97 was published in the Supply estimates on 13 June.

  Business Links
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many businesses have received help and assistance from business links since their establishment. [32123]

  Mr. Page
  The number of different businesses using business links has more than doubled between April 1995 and March 1996 from 38,093 different businesses using business links at least once in the first quarter to 85,108 doing so in the final quarter. This means that more than 6,500 different businesses are now using business links each week. The figures for the final quarter are based on returns from 53 business link partnerships out of the 79 that are open.

  Prior Options Review
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library the reports made to his Department in the prior options review. [33381]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 18 June 1996]: I shall place in the Library of the House shortly memorandums, with supporting documentation, setting out the rationale underlying the decisions announced on 22 May on:

  (a) the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils;

  (b) the Institute of Arable Crops Research, the Institute of Grassland and Enviornmetn Research, the John Innes Centre and the Silsoe Research Institute; and

  (c) the National Weights and Measures Laboratory.

  Companies House
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Companies House executive agency for 1996–97. [33970]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set Companies House the following targets:

  to continue to aim to process all documents within five working days, and specifically for 1996–97 to raise the proportion of documents processed within five working days to 95 per cent.;

  to achieve an average monthly compliance rate for accounts registered of 95 per cent. and for annual returns registered of 93 per cent.

  to ensure that a minimum of 90 per cent. of fiches provided to customers are error free;

  to ensure that the percentage of error-free work in current processing is at least 97 per cent.;

  to answer 90 per cent. of incoming telephone calls within six rings (20 seconds);

  to reduce real unit costs by 5 per cent. in 1996–97;

  508

  to achieve a 6 per cent. average annual rate of return based on an operating surplus expressed as a percentage of average net assets employed at current values;

  In addition, I expect the chief executive of the agency to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  British Coal
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what change has been made to British Coal's external financing limit for 1996–97. [33971]

  Mr. Lang
  I have revised British Coal's external financing limit for 1996–97 from £104 million to £27 million. This reflects an overshoot of £41 million of the EFL for 1995–96, caused principally by the slippage into 1996–97 of certain asset disposals. The revised EFL also allows for higher proceeds from property sales.

  Bomb Bag Firecrackers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from West Yorkshire trading standards concerning the safety of bomb bag firecrackers produced by Lonestar, in Wetherby, Yorkshire; what steps have been taken as a consequence; and if he will make a statement. [33140]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department has received no representations from West Yorkshire trading standards service in connection with bomb bags supplied by Lonestar.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many(a) minor, (b) major and (c) fatal injuries have been suffered by staff in his Department and its agencies in work-related incidents in each of the past five years, showing in each year how many were related to information technology and giving details of all incidents involving fatalities; [33517]

  (2) on how many occasions in each of the past five years health and safety problems in his Department and its agencies have been reported via internal monitoring; and on how many occasions the Health and Safety Commission has become involved; [33516]

  (3) what was the cost in each of the past five years of rectifying working conditions that were the responsibility of his Department and its agencies, to bring them up to acceptable health and safety standards, detailing incidents involving information technology and additionally those involving expenditure of more than £5,000. [33519]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  This information is not kept centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Kurdistan Workers Party: UK Immigration Policy
  Kurdistan Workers Party: UK Immigration Policy
  EU General Affairs Council, 10th June
  EU General Affairs Council, 10th June
  Rent Guarantees
  Rent Guarantees
  Environment Agency: Ministerial Guidance
  Environment Agency: Ministerial Guidance
  NATO: Combined Joint Task Forces
  NATO: Combined Joint Task Forces
  Statutory Instruments: Printing Arrangements
  Statutory Instruments: Printing Arrangements
  HGVs: Vehicle Excise Duty
  HGVs: Vehicle Excise Duty
  Fifth Freedom Charter Flights
  Fifth Freedom Charter Flights
  BSE: Selective Culling
  BSE: Selective Culling
  BSE: Ban on MBM in Feedstuffs
  BSE: Ban on MBM in Feedstuffs