Written Answers of 4 March 1996

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Fundamental Expenditure Review
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government intend to implement the recommendation in the ODA's fundamental expenditure review, paragraph 13.37, that the ODA should reduce further contributions to UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme; and what account was taken of UNICEF's management review. [18339]

  ODA mine clearance actions since April 1993 (as at 15 February 1996)

  £

  Country

  Project

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Afghanistan

  Halo: Mine clearance and mine awareness in the Shomali Valley

  416,131

  223,087

  275,000

  Afghanistan

  UNOCHA: Minefield surveying, planning and management; mine awareness; clearance and clearance Training

  500,000

  1,000,000

  750,000

  Angola

  MAG: Minefield survey and marking (4 months) Luena, Moxico province, Phase I (£223,243) and Phase II (£498,825)

  —

  722,068

  300,000

  Angola

  Halo: Recce, surveying and demining (5 months) Benguela/Kuito corridor Phase I (£259,243) and Phase II (£640,430 + £103,570)

  —

  899,430

  303,570

  Angola

  Central Mines Action Office within UCAH: two staff posts for one year + equipment and office support costs

  —

  226,029

  —

  Cambodia

  Halo: Mine clearance in Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap

  277,142

  376,549

  198,350

  Cambodia

  MAG: Mine clearance in Battambang

  50,625

  316,876

  271,388

  Cambodia

  Support of Cambodian Mine Action Centre (through UNDP)

  1,133,333

  1,000,000

  —

  Northern Iraq

  MAG: Training and mine clearance in Halabja

  200,439

  —

  444,750

  Laos

  MAG: Mine eradication and community education programme in Xieng Khouang Province

  —

  —

  454,386

  Laos

  UNDP: 6 months x Programme Management Adviser (PMA) to support Lao national mine clearance programme +12 months x UN Volunteer to support PMA

  —

  —

  89,000

  Mozambique

  Halo: Demining of roads in Zambezia Province (Phases I and II)

  574,586

  414,832

  561,000

  Rwanda

  Support to UN training and equipment of Rwanda mine clearance teams: 20 x Schiebel 19/2 detectors

  —

  30,000

  —

  Somalia NW

  Rimfire: Mine clearance training; clearance management; mine awareness in and around Hargeisa

  —

  —

  —

  Yemen

  Support to UN appeal

  —

  100,000

  —

  2
  Mr. Hanley
  In autumn 1996 we shall be reviewing progress on reform in UN development agencies, including UNDP and UNICEF. This review will take account of evaluations such as UNICEF's management review.

  Meanwhile, we have just announced that our 1996 contributions to UNDP and UNICEF will be maintained at last year's levels.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department has given to other countries who have suffered from military conflict in the clearance of land mines; and if he will make a statement. [18262]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Blanau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 19 February 1996 Official Report, column 24, as amended. A copy of the list of commitments has been placed in the Library of the House.
  3

  ODA mine clearance actions since April 1993 (as at 15 February 1996)

  £

  Country

  Project

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Global

  Defence Research Agency: 6 months research into mine detection

  —

  104,928

  —

  Global

  Contribution to UNDHA's Voluntary Trust Fund for Mine Clearance

  —

  500,000

  —

  Total

  —

  3,152,256

  5,913,799

  3,647,444

  Total of ODA's Bilateral mine clearance/awareness actions since April 1993

  12,713,499

DEFENCE

  Construction Skills Certification Scheme
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department is taking to ensure that personnel on its construction sites have construction skills certification scheme accreditation. [17436]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  MOD-appointed contractors have specific health and safety responsibilities and are expected to comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994.

  The competence of principal contractors is verified by a planning supervisor, a commercial appointment acting for the MOD. Verification of the accreditation of sub-contractors appointed by the principal contractor is the responsibility of the principal contractor concerned.

  Fire Safety (Wheelchairs)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the relative risk to(a) employees confirmed to wheelchairs and (b) other employees in the event of a fire within a Ministry of Defence building following implementation of his Department's new regulations for placing employees confined to wheelchairs in protected areas. [18048]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department's arrangements for employees confined to wheelchairs follow building regulations and British standards which apply alike to Government Departments and the private sector. No departmental assessment was therefore necessary.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to introduce rooms specified for employees confined to wheelchairs in the event of a fire. [18044]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  MOD complies with building regulations and British standards which apply equally to other Government Departments and the private sector. The Ministry is satisfied that as they stand these deal adequately with fireproof areas for the protection of all staff, including disabled people, and has no plans to introduce further measures.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the organisations(a) of disabled people and (b) representing disabled people his Department consulted before formulating its proposed regulations for evacuating disabled employees from Ministry of Defence buildings in the event of fire. [18043]
  4
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Ministry's arrangements follow the regulations which apply alike to Government Departments and the private sector. The Ministry of Defence neither has, nor proposes to have, its own regulations for evacuating people from buildings in the event of fire.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of introducing fireproof rooms for employees confined to wheelchairs within his Department; and if the rooms will be introduced throughout his Department only in response to the number and distribution of employees already in employment that are confined to wheelchairs. [18045]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The need to protect all staff, including disabled people, in the event of fire is a fundamental part of building design embodied in the building regulations and British standards which apply to all MOD buildings. It cannot be presented as a separate cost. Specific local contingency plans are maintained to take account of the number and distribution of employees in wheelchairs.

  NAAFI
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to announce his implementation plan following the conclusion of the Dart report into the NAAFI; and if he will consult interested parties. [18511]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not the Government's intention to publish an implementation plan in regard to taking forward the recommendations of the Dart report into NAAFI. The plan, if it is to be successful, must be wholly owned and implemented by NAAFI's board of management.

  The steering group set up to advise Mr. Dart has accepted an implementation plan which will now need to be considered by the NAAFI Council. The NAAFI main board has been consulted in the development of the plan and accepted it in principle at their board meeting on 23 February 1996.

  As detailed work on the plan progresses consultations will be held with all relevant organisations.

  Homosexuality Policy Assessment
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the homosexuality policy assessment team has completed its assessment; and if he will make a statement. [19206]

  Mr. Soames
  The homosexuality policy assessment team has, following an exhaustive and wide ranging consultation exercise involving personnel from all three
  5
  services, together with staffs from overseas defence forces, now produced its report, copies which have today been placed in the Library of the House. The team's assessment is that any relaxation of the existing policy is likely to have a detrimental effect on operational effectiveness. For that reason, the Government will continue to support the existing policy of excluding homosexuals from the armed forces.

  The Ministry of Defence will shortly be submitting a paper of evidence, based on the team's report, to the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill to assist in its deliberations on the subject.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what actions he(a) has taken and (b) plans to take as a result of the recommendations of the Scott report. [16958]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by the President of the Board of Trade on 26 February,Official Report, columns 590–604.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what consultation he had with the Secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16603]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature or the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.

  Former Civil Servants
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what changes he plans to make to the rules on business appointments of former civil servants.[19075]

  Mr. Freeman
  I have today placed in the Libraries of both Houses, for consultation, the proposed text of the revised rules for civil servants. The substantive changes give effect to the recommendations of the Nolan committee on standards in public life by bringing special advisers within the system and by allowing the Prime Minister's advisory committee on business appointments to publicly announce the reasons for its decisions and to advise a civil servant that the acceptance of a particular appointment is inappropriate. We intend that the revised rules will come into effect on 1 April 1996 and will finalise the necessary amendments to the civil service management code in consultation with the Council of Civil Service Unions.

ENVIRONMENT

  Oil Pollution
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further measures he proposes to take to protect the United Kingdom coastline against oil pollution from merchant ships; and if he will make a statement. [17596]
  6
  Mr. Clappison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I are already taking forward relevant recommendations of the Donaldson report following the Braer accident as announced in the Government response to that report. In addition, we shall be working together with our right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and our right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in looking at the lessons to be learnt from the Sea Empress incident.

  Domestic Water Bills
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what research he has commissioned to establish the correlation between household income and domestic water bills based on(a) an unmeasured and (b) a measured charging basis; [18155]

  (2) what research he has evaluated from the Director General of Water Services relating to information supplied by water and sewage undertakers, in respect of the correlation between household income and domestic water and sewerage bills based on (a) an unmeasured and (b) a measured charging basis. [18154]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department and Ofwat jointly commissioned a report, "The Social Impact of Water Metering" from W. S. Atkins Planning and Management Consultants, which was published in August 1992. In addition, the Office of Water Services commissioned a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, "The Distributional Effects of Different Methods of Charging Households for Water and Sewerage Services." That report was published in August 1993. Copies of both reports are in the Library.

  Battersea Power Station
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what parties are now involved in discussions on the future of Battersea power station; and if he will make a statement. [18087]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Discussions are continuing between Wandsworth council, English Heritage and the owners on a master plan for the whole Battersea power station site. The Government would like to see the future development of this important site on the River Thames resolved as soon as possible.

  Drinking Water
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he will take in response to the House of Lords European Communities Select Committee fourth report, HL31 of Session 1995–96, with regard to lead in drinking water; [18495]

  (2) what action he plans in response to the conclusions of the House of Lords European Communities Select Committee fourth report, HL31 of Session 1995–96, in respect of the dosing of drinking water with chemicals; [18499]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the conclusion of the House of Lords European Communities Select Committee fourth report, HL31 of Session 1995–96, in

  7
  respect of the urgency with which the problems of removing lead from drinking water have been approached; [18497]

  (4) if he will implement a national strategy for the replacement of all domestic lead piping within a 15-year period. [18496]

  Mr. Clappison
  My right hon. Friend is considering the report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities about Commission proposals for a revised drinking water directive, and will respond to it, including the recommendation for a national strategy, in due course.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he plans to remove lead from drinking water. [18498]

  Mr. Clappison
  Water companies have installed treatment to reduce lead levels at consumers' taps. In addition they have programmes for replacing lead communication pipes. Lead levels in drinking water supplies are now lower than they have ever been.

  Water and Sewerage Companies (Surplus Land)
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 76–77, if he will make it his policy to allow public access to information regarding the projected and actual capital receipts of water and sewerage companies from the sale of surplus land. [18213]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Director General of Water Services has not since 1989 required water and sewerage companies to report projections of receipts from the sale of surplus land. Aggregate capital receipts from the sale of assets in the preceding financial year, including receipts from the sale of surplus land, are given in companies' annual reports.

  Safety Signs Directive
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what actions the Health and Safety Executive has taken in response to EC directive 92/58/EEC on safety signs in relation to United Kingdom brands of tampons; [18561]

  (2) what action he is taking to ensure that tampons containing man-made fibre display a safety warning sign on the packets to comply with EC directive 92/58/EEC; [18558]

  (3) if he will list the products which are required to comply with EC directive 92/58/EEC on safety signs. [18560]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The EC Safety Signs Directive 92/58/EEC was made under article 118A of the treaty of Rome. This article exclusively concerns health and safety requirements for the workplace. Article 1 of the directive specifically excludes signs used in the marketing of products, and therefore no action of the sort envisaged by the hon. Member is required.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions on EC directive 92/58/EEC on safety signs have been held(a) in the Council of Ministers and (b) with the Commission. [18564]
  8
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The European Commission first produced proposals in 1989 for a directive to replace an earlier, 1977, safety signs directive. A formal proposal to the Council of Ministers was published in early 1991, and common position was agreed by December of that year. The directive was then adopted by the Council of Ministers in June 1992.

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to improve environmental protection following the grounding of the Sea Empress. [18468]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Department of the Environment will continue to liaise closely with the statutory environmental protection and nature conservation agencies. The agencies are currently advising local authorities on the best means of ensuring environmental protection in the wake of the Sea Empress oil spill. That advice is being given on the basis of experience and on the findings and recommendations given by the ecological steering groups on the oil spill in Shetland after the grounding of the Braer in January 1993. The success of measures undertaken to protect the environment, and specifically wildlife and habitats, will be reviewed in the light of experience gained in dealing with the current incident.

  Rough Sleepers Initiative
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the next phase of the rough sleepers initiative. [19135]

  Mr. Curry
  The rough sleepers initiative which has operated in central London since 1990 has been an outstanding example of co-operation between Government and voluntary organisations to bring effective help to people in the greatest need. This partnership to tackle the problems of people sleeping rough in central London has helped thousands of people to start a new life away from the streets, and has prevented many more from having to sleep rough. When the rough sleepers initiative began, voluntary sector agencies estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 people were sleeping rough in central London. The numbers now sleeping rough in this area have fallen to around 270 on any one night. This is a tremendous achievement.

  By the end of this month, the Government will have invested over £180 million through the initiative, providing at least 3,300 permanent homes, 950 short-term hostel places, 700 places in flats and houses leased from the private sector for up to three years, an annual winter shelter programme of up to 400 beds—with further emergency beds available during episodes of particularly severe weather—and, importantly, year-round outreach and resettlement work to engage people sleeping rough and to support them in moving to new accommodation.

  The White Paper "Our Future Homes: Opportunity, Choice, Responsibilities", published in June 1995, confirmed that the Government would continue a programme to help people sleeping rough in central London beyond March 1996, and would also consider

  9
  assisting the development of the rough sleepers initiative model in areas outside central London where rough sleeping could be demonstrated to be a major problem.

  In October 1995, the Government issued a consultation paper on future plans for the initiative. The paper invited views on a number of proposals for continuing the initiative in central London. It also asked local authorities outside central London to assess the extent of rough sleeping in their areas. 258 responses to the consultation document were received.

  Following analysis of those responses, I am publishing today a strategy paper, "Rough Sleepers Initiative, The Next Challenge", which sets out our plans for a third phase of the Initiative over the next three years. 1996–97 to 1998–99. The emphasis of the third phase will be on providing extra help for the hard core of people who have been sleeping rough for considerable periods of time, often because they suffer complex problems, such as mental ill health, alcohol or drug misuse, which require special care.

  My Department plans to make £73 million available over the next three years to fund the third phase of the rough sleepers initiative. In addition, we plan to make £25 million available over the same period in grants under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985 to voluntary sector agencies for the relief of homelessness.

  In central London, our plans for the third phase of the Initiative are to fund:

  the provision of at least 250 new homes providing permanent accommodation for people sleeping rough;

  up to 40 beds in permanent high care accommodation for the homeless mentally ill;

  up to 200 new beds in hostel accommodation;

  continued funding for some hostel and night shelter accommodation already funded under the initiative;

  ring-fencing of up to 80 beds in existing hostels, about 30 of which would be for clients with disruptive behaviour and 50 specifically for clients referred by outreach agencies;

  up to 30 beds in a new "wet" hostel for people sleeping rough who have drink problems;

  an annual programme of winter shelters for people at risk of sleeping rough during the coldest months of the year; and

  more effective outreach and resettlement work.

  Also, we plan to retain the clearing house system as a means of allocating permanent accommodation until at least March 1997; and to uphold the current criteria for access to permanent accommodation—people sleeping rough or with a clear history of sleeping rough.

  Responses to the consultation document did not provide clear, quantified evidence of a major problem with rough sleeping in any area beyond central London. Therefore, our plans for the rest of England will impact in two stages.

  First, we will extend the rough sleepers initiative to Bristol, the only area outside central London where a major rough sleeping problem has been demonstrated conclusively. Bristol city council is invited to form a consortium with voluntary sector organisations, the private sector, housing associations, the Housing Corporation, the police, health care providers and other relevant bodies. The consortium will be expected to agree a local strategy for targetting rough sleeping in Bristol, and to bid for Government resources.
  10
  Secondly, we will be proposing further evaluation of the extent of rough sleeping in 23 other areas where local authorities have identified a possible problem, before deciding whether there is a need to extend the initiative further. These areas are Basingstoke, Bath, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cambridge, Exeter, Gloucester, Leicester, Manchester, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Reading, Tunbridge Wells, York; and the London boroughs of Barnet, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

  As part of the Government's strategy, the Department of Health is further developing the homeless mentally ill initiative to complement the extension of the RSI by making available £2 million per year form the mental illness specific grant—MISG. This nearly doubles the £2.2 million per year already spent from the MISG on this initiative, which has so far cost over £20 million. The additional resources will target both the care needs of those requiring long-term high care accommodation and will also enable specialist staff to provide support to those with mental heath problems in direct access hostels. This additional help to local authorities will enable the Government to build on the successes already achieved in central London and to develop services for homeless mentally ill people based on the lessons learned from the HMII in other centres.

  The Government are committed to ensuring that there is no necessity to sleep rough. What I am announcing today aims to achieve this.

  Copies of the strategy paper have been placed in the Library and the Vote Office. Copies of the responses may be viewed at the Department of the Environment's library.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the total expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity for each of the years(a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95 and (f) 1995–96 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole year; what estimate he has made of such expenditure for 1996–97; and if he will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (1) advertising and (2) press and public relations. [11396]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 25 January 1996]: Paid publicity expenditure by my Department—excluding agencies and non-departmental public bodies—is as follows:

  (a) 1979–80: [figures not available]

  (b) 1989–90: £31,500,000

  (c) 1991–92: £3,387,000

  (d) 1993–94: £12,108,000

  (e) 1994–95: £8,878,000

  (f) 1995–95:

  (i) To date: £4,902,700

  out of planned total expenditure for the year of £6,835,900.
  11
  Of this, expenditure on television, radio and newspaper advertising was as follows:

  1989–90: £19,810,000

  1991–92: £680,870

  1993–94: 5,149,000

  1994–95: £4,470,000

  1995–96:

  Expenditure to date £2,800,000

  The figure for 1989–90 incudes publicity costs associated with water privatisation. Figures for 1996—–97 are not yet available.

  Press relations are handled by members of the Government information service whose salaries are paid as part of the Department's annual running costs. Paid publicity is the most cost-effective way to raise public awareness and understanding of the Department's policies.

  Publicity expenditure by the Department's agencies is the responsibility of the respective chief executives. I have ask them to reply to the hon. Member direct as soon as possible. Expenditure by non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally.

  Letter from R. D. Budden to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 8 February 1996.

  Sir Paul Beresford at The Department of the Environment asked Professor Rhind, the Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey, to let you have the information you requested about expenditure on advertising and press and public relations. Professor Rhind is currently away from the office on business and I am responding on his behalf.

  I regret that the figures for 1979–80 are not available but the remainder of the information is contained in the table below.

  £ thousand

  Advertising

  Press and public relations

  1989–90

  321.0

  825.5

  1991–92

  420.0

  828.3

  1993–94

  189.0

  890.4

  1994–95

  478.0

  940.3

  1995–961 2

  458.7

  858.4

  674.8

  1,030.0

  1996–97 (budget)

  748.0

  1,085.5

  1 To January 1996.

  2 Budget for year.

  The trend indicated by the table is reliable. However, in absolute terms, the figures are not always comparable, one year with another, owing to the constantly changing mix of activities which have been allocated to these accounting sub-heads, in turn reflecting the dynamic nature of the organisation.

  I hope this information satisfies your requirement.

  Letter from M.C. Buck to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 29 February 1996:

  The following is the information you require in relation to the QE2 Conference Centre:

  Year

  Advertising

  Press and Public Relations

  Total

  (A) 1979–80

  (Centre not in operation until 1986)

  Nil

  (B) 1989–90

  (figures not available)

  —

  (C) 1991–92

  £50,000

  £52,000

  £102,000

  (D) 1993–94

  £65,000

  £33,000

  £98,000

  (E) 1994–95

  £61,000

  £35,000

  £96,000

  (F) 1995–96

  £36,000

  £39,000

  £75,000

  I should be grateful if you would confirm receipt.
  12
  Letter from Roger Courtney to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 28 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State for the Environment has asked me to reply on behalf of the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to your recent Parliamentary Question about expenditure on publicity.

  The primary purpose of BRE's publicity expenditure is to promote the results from publicity funded research, to help secure maximum application. Thus our publicity expenditures include paying for articles to be drafted for publication in the trade press, participation in exhibitions, organisation of press events and publishing News of Construction Research. Expenditure in the years requested has been:

  (a) 1979–80: [figures not available]

  (b) 1989–90: [figures not available]

  (c) 1991–92: [figures not available]

  (d) 1993–4:£182.6k

  (e) 1994–95: £181.8k

  (f) 1995–96:

  (i) to date £185.4k

  (ii) estimated for whole year £202.0k

  (g) 1996–97: Budgets not yet set but likely to be similar to previous years

  No detailed breakdown between "advertising" and "press and public relations" is available but BRE does not promote its work through press advertising and therefore any advertising expenditure would be very small.

  These figures exclude recruitment advertising and publicity funded directly by the former Energy Efficiency Office in connection with their Best Practice Programme.

  Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 12 February 1996:

  Further to the answer given by Sir Paul Beresford on 6 February 1996 in response to your Parliamentary Question about publicity costs, I am writing with details of the Agency's expenditure on the this front.

  The only costs incurred by the Planning inspectorate over the relevant period were £4,757 in 1995–96. These costs were incurred in connection with the launch of the Planning Inspectorate Journal No other publicity costs were incurred in any of the other periods mentioned, and none are planned for 1996–97.

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the funding available for new rented housing association homes in 1996–97; if the expenditure levels in the 1993 autumn statement have been maintained for each local authority in Yorkshire and Humberside. [15485]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]: The 1996–97 funding allocations made by the Housing Corporation in Yorkshire and Humberside for the provision of new build rented housing by housing associations are as listed. The Housing Corporation's estimate of what the allocations may have been for 1996–97 if funding plans in the 1993 autumn statement had been maintained are also listed. These estimates can be only hypothetical since the actual allocations depend on a series of factors including the nature of the schemes submitted by housing associations, local housing needs, local authority involvement and value for money. In any one year, activity by housing associations in a particular authority area can vary according to the schemes proposed and approved.
  13

  Local Authority

  1996–97 Allocations (£million)

  Estimate of Allocations Based on 1993 Autumn Statement (£million)

  Barnsley

  1.00

  1.17

  Bradford

  6.94

  8.10

  Calderdale

  1.90

  2.22

  Craven

  0.22

  0.26

  Doncaster

  1.63

  1.90

  East Riding

  1.69

  1.97

  Hambleton

  0.44

  0.51

  Harrogate

  0.88

  1.03

  Kingston-on-Hull

  2.73

  3.19

  Kirklees

  3.49

  4.07

  Leeds

  5.96

  6.96

  North East Lincolnshire

  1.60

  1.87

  North Lincolnshire

  0.81

  0.95

  Richmondshire

  0.32

  0.37

  Rotherham

  0.71

  0.83

  Ryedale

  0.20

  0.23

  Scarborough

  0.86

  1.00

  Selby

  0.33

  0.39

  Sheffield

  4.32

  5.04

  Wakefield

  1.91

  2.23

  York

  0.89

  1.04

  Total

  38.83

  45.33

  In addition, the Housing Corporation also makes funding allocations for social lettings provided through the purchase and rehabilitation of properties; the corporation's new build programme for shared ownership; and the corporation's other home ownership initiatives which release existing social lettings for reletting to others in housing need. Local authorities may also support housing association developments with local authority housing association grant.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has to review the current level of funding for research into Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement. [17514]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The DTI's support of research into Alzheimer's disease is funded through the research councils from the science budget. The councils determine research priorities and review funding as part of their annual business planning process.

  Medical Research
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria are used by the Medical Research Council to determine future research priorities; and if he will make a statement. [17513]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Medical Research Council has a broad remit across all areas of research relevant to maintaining and improving human health. The following broad criteria underpin its strategy for determining priorities; degree of scientific opportunity; such as the scope for high-quality, productive research; the needs of society, including opportunity for improving quality of life and for wealth creation; and the need to maintain a14
  reasonable balance of activity across key areas of MRC's remit, to co-ordinate with other funders and users and to promote interdisciplinarity and integration between basic and clinical research.

  Environmental Technology Companies
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of grant investment incentives awarded to British environmental industries in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995. [17598]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Camarthen (Mr. Williams) on 19 February 1996,Official Report, column 44. Grants made under schemes designed specifically to promote research and development in, or the takeup of, environment technologies totalled £2.6 million in the period 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1995.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to improve market access for British environmental technology companies; and if he will make a statement. [17595]

  Mr. Taylor
  The Joint DTI-DOE environmental markets unit, which is the lead sponsor division in Government for the environmental industry, is working with the industry to assist it in identifying the factors that affect the industry's competitiveness and in developing a long-term strategy for improved performance.

  Colliery Sales
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations his Department has received on the sale of(a) Houghton main colliery and (b) Woolley colliery. [18432]

  Mr. Page
  I am not aware of any recent representations to my Department about these sites.

  British Coal (Property)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the British Coal property sites remaining in public ownership, and their acreage. [18431]

  Mr. Page
  This is a matter for British Coal.

  Mineworkers and Supervisors Pension Fund
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will meet the trustees of the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund to assess their views before he has further negotiations with other parties interested in taking over the fund's management. [18664]

  Mr. Page
  Negotiations with parties interested in acquiring the management of the funds of the coal pension schemes are a matter for British Coal and the trustees. As guarantor, my consent is required under the schemes' rules to the appointment of a new fund manager.
  15
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government are seeking fresh bids for the management of the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund; and what is the estimated timetable. [18665]

  Mr. Page
  This is a matter for British coal and the trustees. I understand that discussions between British Coal and the trustees are continuing.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to public funds to date of efforts to sell the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund; and who will meet these costs. [18666]

  Mr. Page
  This is a matter for British Coal as the vendor of CINMan.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government will now make it a condition of the sale of the mineworkers and supervisors pension fund business that the buyer keep the existing CINMan team. [18667]

  Mr. Page
  It will be for the parties concerned to agree on the terms of any sale.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been his Department's involvement in the departure of the chief executive of CINMan; and who will fund his redundancy settlement. [18663]

  Mr. Page
  My Department has been kept informed of British Coal's plans for the re-organisation of CINMan. As guarantor of the coal pensions schemes, I have a common interest with the coal pensioners in ensuring the proper and effective management of the pension funds. The terms of the settlement are a matter for the parties concerned.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation he has had with the member of the European Commission responsible for regional development concerning the award of powers to member states to swap areas currently eligible for objective 2 status for new areas currently ineligible; and if he will make a statement. [18837]

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friends and I, and the UK permanent representative to the European Communities, have repeatedly and consistently expressed to Commissioner Wulf-Maties our view that the present list of areas eligible for grants under objective 2 of the EC structural funds should remain unchanged. We have not suggested any swapping of areas.

  Nuclear Decommissioning
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on each of the payments made from the Drawmops—decommissioning and waste management operational programmes—fund since its inception. [18064]

  Mr. Page
  The DTI has been funding United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority decommissioning and waste management work under the Drawmops programme since 1986—when the UKAEA was set up as a trading fund.
  16
  There is no separate Drawmops fund. The programme is paid for by an annual grant. Drawmops payments each year have been as follows:

  Year

  £ Million

  1986–87

  15.77

  1987–88

  28.92

  1988–89

  34.21

  1989–90

  42.61

  1990–91

  82.76

  1991–92

  104.62

  1992–93

  125.00

  1993–94

  120.80

  1994–95

  126.71

  .

  Digital Broadcasting
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards conditional access systems for digital broadcasting. [16372]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government published proposals for the regulation of conditional access systems for digital television on 15 January 1996. The Government consider it necessary to set out a clear regulatory framework for the new markets in digital television. Our proposals also meet our obligations under the recent television standards directive.

  In contrast with current analogue broadcasts, all digital broadcasts—terrestrial, satellite and cable—will require access to the viewer's television via decoding receiver "set-top box". These receivers or boxes will also implement any conditional access service, which ensures that only viewers having a valid contract with a broadcaster or multiplexor can receive and view their programmes. As such these conditional access points will be a gateway between all viewers and all broadcasters for every delivery mechanism. Regulation is designed to prevent any abuse of this "gatekeeping" role and to discourage anti-competitive behaviour. It is also important that those who will be investing in the new markets have a clear understanding of the regulatory framework at the outset, so that they can invest with confidence in these long-term ventures.

  Our proposals are designed to stimulate early development of digital television in the UK. They are based on the existing framework for telecommunications licensing. Licences would be issued by the DTI and enforced by the Office of Telecommunications, in close co-operation with the Independent Television Commission. Copies of our proposals have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Ariane 5 Programme
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the United Kingdom has joined the Ariane 5 programme; and when its first launch is due to take place. [19205]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I am pleased to confirm that the UK has joined the Ariane 5 programme. The Government have committed £2.8 million to this project up to the year 2000. The European Space Agency plans to carry out the first launch of Ariane 5 on 15 May 1996 and its payload
  17
  will be the four-satellite ESA science mission, "Cluster". UK industry contributed significantly to Ariane 4, which captured 60 per cent. of the world market for launching commercial satellites. This new programme will enable UK companies to transfer their skills and to pursue competitive opportunities well into the next century.

  UK companies and UK science have helped to make Ariane 4 a success story by supplying specialist systems and components for the launcher and for ground control. Until now, the UK Government have chosen not to contribute to the next generation, Ariane 5, which was originally designed to launch the European spaceplane Hermes. However, welcoming the fact that Ariane 5 has since been more clearly matched to the worldwide needs of customers wanting to launch the next generation of communication and scientific satellites, we agreed last year to reconsider that earlier decision. As a full member of Ariane 5, we can support this important collaborative endeavour and ensure access to cost effective and highly reliable launch services. This is of particular importance to the UK as we are Europe's largest users of space-derived services. In addition, I have asked the British national space centre to consider exploitation of other flexible launch systems appropriate to small payloads for specific experiments.

  My announcement coincides with confirmation today by ESA and the French space agency, CNES, of the start of prepartions for the first launch of Ariane 5.

  I would like to congratulate those UK companies who are already suppliers to Arianespace and anticipate that my announcement today will lead to further opportunities for them and for other UK companies. This is a fine example of Government and industry working in partnership.

  Departmental Severance and Redundancy Scheme
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff from(a) the main Department and (b) each of its agencies have expressed an interest in his Department's current voluntary early severance and redundancy scheme. [17467]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]Several voluntary early retirement and severance schemes are currently in operation in that part of the Department that falls under gross running cost control. The total number of initial expressions of interest by staff in these schemes is approximately 1,600 but a significant proportion of these are likely to withdraw as the scheme progresses.

  I have asked the chief executives of the agencies within net running cost control—Companies House, the Patent Office and Radiocommunications Agency—to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Durham to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 2 March 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to explain the levels of interest in the current early retirement/severance schemes of Companies House.

  We received 16 expressions of interest in the current schemes which are shortly to be concluded.
  18
  Letter from J. C. Octon to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 2 March 1996:

  In the absence of the Comptroller General on official business I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question about voluntary early retirement and redundancy. The Patent Office is not taking part in the current Departmental schemes but has its own programmes for early retirement and voluntary severance. These have attracted 115 expressions of interest; 15 staff were released in 1995 and a further 81 will be leaving in the first 6 months of 1996. There have been no compulsory redundancies.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mrs. Helen Jackson, dated 2 March 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency to your Written Parliamentary Question about the DTI's current voluntary early severance and redundancy scheme.

  The Agency has its own voluntary early retirement schemes. These concern (i) certain Senior and Higher Telecommunications Technical Officers and all seven staff who expressed interest will be retiring at the end of next month, and (ii) certain Personal Secretaries, none of whom expressed interest in early retirement.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Export Licences
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what applications for export licenses have been reviewed by his Department, and rejected on the grounds that the application indicated a possible nuclear end use for the export, under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1991 and Export of Goods (control) (Amendment No. 7) Order 1991. [18531]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are responsible for advising on the foreign policy implications of any proposed export of controlled goods referred to it by the Department of Trade and Industry. All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Final decision on the granting of export licences are a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the proposals his Department has(a) made in the last five years and (b) proposes to make to the Council of Europe for changes in the text of articles of the European convention on human rights that specify protected rights. [17903]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have made no proposals for any such changes within the last five years. Our present initiative relates to seeking improvements to the way in which the Strasbourg system works.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what derogations from the European convention on human rights have been advised to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe since 1970 as a result of(a) war and (b) public emergency; [17904]

  (2) which states have to date derogated from the European convention on human rights because of war or public emergency; and if he will show the date and cause of derogation. [17905]
  19
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg acts as depository for notifications made under the convention. In the time available, we have not been able to obtain from him the information about derogations by other states party. I shall write to the hon. Member.

  In respect of the United Kingdom, the only derogations made since 1970 relate to certain powers of detention of persons suspected of terrorist acts connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland. Each derogation supersedes its predecessor by revising the references to reflect current legislation. The last such was on 23 March 1989.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions have been given to Her Majesty's embassy in Dublin in respect of advocacy of the union of Great Britain with Northern Ireland. [17906]

  Mr. Rifkind
  The embassy in Dublin is closely involved in explaining the Government's policies on Northern Ireland, including the Government's commitment to upholding the wish of a greater number of the people of Northern Ireland on the issue of whether they prefer to support the Union or a sovereign united Ireland.

  Princess of Wales
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date HRH the Princess of Wales informed the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of her intention to make her most recent visit to Pakistan; [18879]

  (2) if his Department was consulted by HRH the Princess of Wale before her departure on her most recent visit to Pakistan. [18878]

  Mr. Rifkind
  The Princess of Wales's household informed this Department on Thursday 15 February of her intention to make a private visit to Pakistan. We were not asked to express a view.

  Mr. Niaz Ahmed
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the application by Mr. Niaz Ahamed (ref: IMM/C8853) to join his wife in the United Kingdom was referred to his Department for inquires to be made in the United Kingdom; on what date the request was received by his Department; when he expects to make a recommendation; and if he will make a statement. [18469]

  Mr. Hanley
  I will arrange for the migration and visa department correspondence unit to write to the hon. Member.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first consulted other Cabinet Ministers about the contents of the report of the Scott inquiry; and where and when such discussions took place and with whom. [16516]
  20
  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: It is not the practice to give details of ministerial meetings.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to paragraphs D1.27 and D1.28 of the Scott report, if he will list those matters relating to the work of his Department since 1979 classified as matters about which successive Administrations have refused to answer. [17420]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 26 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade on 26 February, Official Report, Column 592.

  South Africa
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts regarding trade with South Africa and the reduction of trade barriers with that country. [16793]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 26 February 1996]: Britain is in the lead in pressing for the liberalisation of trade between the EU and South Africa. South Africa responded positively to the EU's offer of June 1995 to negotiate a free trade area. We need to move forward on this urgently, with the goal of an agreement which will remove as many barriers to trade as possible.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss with his European counterparts the extension of the Lome convention to South African trade. [16794]

  Mr. Davis
  [holding answer 26 February 1996]: Negotiations on South Africa's accession to the Lome convention are underway. These do not cover trade, which is being pursued separately: South Africa has responded positively to the EU's offer to negotiate a free trade area as part of a wider bilateral agreement on trade and co-operation.

  Hussein Kamel
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which British representatives interviewed Hussein Kamel in Jordan and on what dates; and if the interview included questions on Mr. Kamel's involvement with Matrix Churchill. [17874]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 28 February 1996]: As I made clear in my letter of 2 October 1995 to the hon. Member, any such contacts would, by their nature, be confidential.

PRIME MINISTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he will take as a result of the finding of the Scott inquiry that the letter written to the hon. Member referred to in paragraph D.4.43 concerning changes in the Government's policy on the supply of arms to Iraq was misleading. [16956]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.
  21
  The Government continue to take the view that the Howe guidelines were not changed. My right hon. Friend does not consider that further action is necessary.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he proposes in respect of Scott's recommendation, K8.8, that the refusal to answer parliamentary questions on sales of arms or defence-related equipment to other countries should be re-examined. [17054]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  As my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade made clear in his speech in the House on 26 February, the Government will be considering the extent to which information about overseas defence sales can be publicly disclosed. A background note on "Ministerial Accountability and the Release of Information on Defence Related Exports" has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he accepts the observation contained in the Scott report, section K3.3, that the DTI should not continue to be the export licensing authority in respect of goods whose export is primarily the policy concern of some other Department; and if he will make a statement. [17867]

  The Deputy Prime Minster
  I have been asked to reply.

  Sir Richard Scott recommends that consideration should be given as to whether the DTI should continue to be the export licence authority for the good concerned. The Government accept this and propose to publish a consultation paper on export control legislation and procedures. We will reach decisions on particular issues in the light of comments received, in response to the consultation paper.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Prime Minister how many civil servants had direct sight of the Scott report as of 13 February. [15705]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  As of 13 February, only those required to assist the Government in preparing their response to the report, as agreed between the Government and the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he will take in response to the conclusion in section K4.1 of the Scott report that the role of Customs and Excise in policing and prosecuting export control offences is anomalous; and if he will make a statement. [17820]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade told the House in his speech during the debate on a motion for the adjournment of 26 February 1996, Official Report, column 597, the Government accept that there are benefits in Sir Richard Scott's recommendation that in future the role of the Attorney-General should include the exercise of increased supervision of Customs and Excise prosecutions in relation to export control matters. The Government are urgently developing proposals on the
  22
  precise nature and scope of the increased supervision, and the Attorney-General will be reporting to the House as soon as possible.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will enumerate and detail the shortcomings of Government in relation to the Scott report to which he referred during Prime Minister's Question Time on 22 February. [17670]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the speech made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on Monday 26 February, Official Report, column 589.

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to attend a meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee; how many officials will attend with him; how many of these will be press officers; and what estimate he has made of the total cost involved. [18571]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend expects to attend shortly. Details of officials and costs are not yet known.

  Women's Issues
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will name the members of the Cabinet committee dealing with women's issues. [18251]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn) on 18 July 1995, Official Report, columns 1005–12.

  Iraq (Exports)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will now make public details of the involvement of British companies in Iraq's(a) chemical, (b) nuclear and (c) biological and chemical warfare programmes as communicated to Her Majesty's Government by UNSCOM—the UN special commission on Iraq. [17322]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply. UNSCOM has communicated to us in confidence the names of a number of British companies which may have been involved in supplying items found at sites associated with Iraqi programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction. UNSCOM does not make this information public, and it is important that we respect its confidence. UNSCOM considers that a high degree of confidentiality is essential to the successful performance of its work.

  Moreover, release of the names included in UNSCOM reports could unreasonably damage the reputation of British companies. It would be wrong to conclude without further analysis that companies whose names might appear in reports from UNSCOM have behaved

  23
  wrongfully. Should any evidence of wrongdoing emerge, it will be investigated and, if appropriate, will be a matter for the courts.

  Western European Union
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the policies he presented to the Western European Union assembly in London on 23 February; and if he will place a copy of his speech in the Library. [18171]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  This Government's approach is set out in detail in a memorandum of 1 March 1995. Copies of this and of my right hon. Friend's speech to the WEU assembly have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister on what dates between 1987 and 1990 he met officials from the Export Credits Guarantee Department; and if he will make a statement. [17708]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  Advice about policy on export credit cover would normally be given to my right hon. Friends, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Chancellor of the Exchequer by Treasury officials. It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to ascertain if, and on what dates, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister may have met ECGD officials between 1987 and 1990. It would, however, have been unusual for Ministers to receive advice on export credit policy from officials other than those in their own Departments.

TRANSPORT

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that local organisations are able to reclaim from the polluter the cost of clean-up, after-care, research and monitoring; and if he will make a statement. [17660]

  Mr. Norris
  Compensation for cost incurred and economic loss suffered as a result of the oil pollution damage from the Sea Empress, including the costs of reasonable measures taken to prevent or minimise the damage, will be available from the shipowner's insurer and from the international oil pollution compensation fund, which is funded by levies on the oil industry. Temporary arrangements have been put in place to meet claims involving hardship.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the number of sea birds affected by oil originating from the Sea Empress. [18092]

  Mr. Norris
  I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.
  24
  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 4 March 1996.

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the number of sea birds affected by oil originating from the 'Sea Empress'.

  1216/95/96

  Reports received up to 28 February were that 3,806 sea birds has been affected by the SEA EMPRESS spill.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) sea birds and (b) other wildlife have been (i) killed and (ii) otherwise affected by oil originating from the Sea Empress. [18360]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 2 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the number of sea birds affected by oil originating from the 'Sea Empress'.

  Reports received up to 28 February were that:

  (i) 1,403 seabirds have died, but there are no reports of any wildlife deaths.

  (ii) 2,403 seabirds and 82 seals have been affected by the spill.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he has made to provide compensation to fishermen affected by the oil spill in Pembrokeshire. [18063]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 29 February 1996]: Compensation for cost incurred and economic loss suffered as a result of the oil pollution damage from the Sea Empress including the costs of reasonable measures taken to prevent or minimise the damage, will be available from the shipowner's insurer and from the international oil pollution compensation fund, which is funded by levies on the oil industry. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales yesterday, officials of relevant Government Departments have brokered an agreement which has enabled temporary arrangements to be put in place to meet claims involving hardship.

  Access to Trains (Disabled People)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision has been made by the Rail Regulator to allow for boarding and alighting from trains by disabled passengers. [17939]

  Mr. Watts
  As required by the Railways Act 1993, the Rail Regulator has produced a code of practice on meeting the needs of disabled passengers which covers recommendations for the design of rolling stock and stations. All train and station operators are required to submit for the regulator's approval, a disabled persons protection policy, based on this code of practice.

  Transport Policies and Programmes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reviews have taken place in the system of allocating funds to local authorities through the transport policies and programmes processing the last five years. [18165]
  25
  Mr. Norris
  The TPP system is constantly under review, in order to ensure that within the limits of public expenditure Government resources are targeted where they are most needed and where they give optimum value for money. The main changes that have taken place in the last five years are as follows:

  1991–92

  Resources transferred from the Department of the Environment's revenue support grant (RSG) system to my Department's transport supplementary grant (TSG) system for the assessment, strengthening, and structural maintenance of bridges.

  Funds were earmarked for the first time in the local transport settlement for road safety schemes.

  1992–93

  Further resources transferred from RSG for the structural maintenance of principal ("A") roads forming part of the primary route network.

  1993–94

  Further resources transferred to TSG for structural maintenance of other principal local roads.

  1994–95

  The package approach to funding local transport infrastructure was introduced.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what monitoring is undertaken by his Department of how those policies contained in the transport policies and programmes documents submitted to his Department by local highway authorities comply with the local authorities' appropriate development plans; [18163]

  (2) what monitoring is undertaken by his Department of how those transport policies contained in the transport policies and programme documents submitted to his Department by local highway authorities comply with PPG13. [18162]

  Mr. Norris
  The guidance we issue to local authorities makes it clear that the proposals they include in their transport policies and programme submissions are expected to be consistent with local structure and development plans, and with the guidance set out in PPG 13. Staff in my Department and in the Government offices for the regions look for evidence of this consistency when they are assessing local authorities' annual submissions.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the change in the level of pedestrian injuries which has resulted from the use of speed cameras. [18181]

  Mr. Norris
  National figures are not available. However, in the west London pilot area pedestrian casualties were reduced by 30 per cent.

  Drivers (Eyesight)
  Sir Peter Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many road accidents have occurred in the last five years for which figures are available where one driver involved was driving a passenger service vehicle and required spectacles or contact lenses; [18285]
  26
  (2) how many road accidents have occurred in the last five years for which figures are available where one driver involved was driving a passenger service vehicle and was blind in one eye; [18283]

  (3) how many road accidents have occurred in the last five years for which figures are available where one driver involved was driving a heavy goods vehicle and required spectacles or contact lenses; [18284]

  (4) how many road accidents have occurred in the last five years for which figures are available where one driver involved was driving a heavy goods vehicle and was blind in one eye. [18282]

  Mr. Norris
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on EU policy with regard to lorry drivers' eye tests without the use of spectacles. [18875]

  Mr. Norris
  Among the eyesight standards for drivers of lorries and buses set in the second EC directive on driving licences, which will come into force on 1 July 1996, is a requirement to meet an uncorrected acuity standard, that is, without glasses or contact lenses, of 0.05—equivalent to 3/60 on the Snellen scale. This differs from the regulations in force in the United Kingdom since 1983 only in being required of both eyes rather than one eye only.

  Rail Operating Licences
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the general authority to the Rail Regulator issued under section 8 of the Railways Act 1993 prohibits him from granting licences to public sector operators other than subsidiaries of the British Railways Board; and if he will make a statement. [18486]

  Mr. Watts
  Both the Secretary of State and the regulator have statutory powers to grant licences under the Railways Act 1993. Decisions on the licensing of further public sector operators of passenger rail services can most appropriately be taken by the Secretary of State.

  Train Delays
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what basis compensation is paid to train operators for delays caused by engineering work not completed on schedule. [18485]

  Mr. Watts
  Train operators are paid compensation for overrunning engineering works through their track access performance regimes. These have been designed to ensure that, broadly, when action by Railtrack or its contractors causes disruption to services, passenger train operators should be able to recover from Railtrack liquidated damages reflecting a fair assessment of the economic losses which they have suffered.

  Railtrack
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to write off the debts of Railtrack; and what are the amounts of money to be written off. [18759]
  27
  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack has a mix of different debts. The majority—around £1.2 billion—is owed to the national loans fund and cannot pass into the private sector with Railtrack. It will therefore need to be replaced with 28
  appropriate direct borrowings. Section 106 of the Railways Act 1993 contains the power for doing this. Final decisions on Railtrack's debt and capital structure will be taken in due course.
  29

TREASURY

  Benefit Claims
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) men and (b) women have made (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three and (iv) four or more claims for unemployment-related benefits in the three year periods ending with each year from 1985 to 1995 in Great Britain; and what proportion each represents of those eligible to make such claims. [16251]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The table shows the numbers of men and women in Great Britain making one, two, three, or more than three claims for unemployment-related benefits in each three-year period since 1982. No information is available on the total number of people who might be eligible to make such claims but do not do so.

  Number of claimants (000's)

  Number of claims in three-year period

  Period

  1

  2

  3

  4+

  Total

  Men

  1993–1995

  2,596

  1,120

  468

  327

  4,512

  1992–1994

  2,787

  1,213

  498

  339

  4,838

  1991–1993

  2,926

  1,249

  512

  345

  5,033

  1990–1992

  2,829

  1,177

  480

  310

  4,796

  1989–1991

  2,450

  955

  367

  221

  3,994

  1988–1990

  2,117

  777

  293

  185

  3,371

  1987–1989

  2,162

  789

  298

  195

  3,444

  1986–1988

  2,365

  932

  381

  274

  3,953

  1985–1987

  1,666

  582

  235

  180

  2,663

  1984–1986

  2,669

  988

  413

  318

  4,388

  1983–1985

  2,592

  962

  403

  309

  4,268

  Women

  1993–1995

  1,506

  494

  170

  93

  2,263

  1992–1994

  1,585

  517

  182

  98

  2,383

  1991–1993

  1,649

  534

  187

  99

  2,468

  1990–1992

  1,604

  506

  168

  87

  2,365

  1989–1991

  1,420

  412

  128

  59

  2,019

  1988–1990

  1,356

  362

  104

  51

  1,873

  1987–1989

  1,460

  406

  128

  64

  2,058

  1986–1988

  1,660

  524

  179

  105

  2,466

  1985–1987

  1,000

  333

  126

  78

  1,537

  1984–1986

  1,721

  552

  200

  124

  2,596

  1983–1985

  1,679

  541

  196

  121

  2,537

  Mr. Ainsworth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) men and (b) women have made (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five or more claims for unemployment-related benefits in each standard region of (1) England, (2) Wales and (3) Scotland since April 1992; and what proportion each represents of those eligible to make such claims. [16252]

  Mrs. Knight
  The table shows the numbers of men and women in England, Wales and Scotland making one, two, three, four or more claims for unemployment-related benefits since April 1992. No information is available on the total number of people who might be eligible to make such claims but do not do so.
  30

  Number of claimants

  (thousands)

  Number previous claims since April 1992

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5+

  Total

  Men

  England

  2,459

  1,145

  533

  243

  211

  4,591

  Wales

  131

  68

  34

  16

  14

  263

  Scotland

  243

  127

  65

  34

  33

  503

  Great Britain

  2,834

  1,341

  632

  292

  258

  5,357

  Women

  England

  1,486

  532

  198

  78

  56

  2,350

  Wales

  81

  30

  11

  5

  4

  130

  Scotland

  163

  59

  25

  11

  9

  267

  Great Britain

  1,730

  621

  234

  94

  69

  2,747

  Redundancies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the redundancy rate per 1,000 employees for each broad occupational group using the data from the spring labour force survey from 1989 to 1995. [17796]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information is given for people made redundant in the three months prior to their labour force survey interview in the spring quarters between 1991 and 1995. Data for 1989 and 1990 are not available on a comparable basis. The figures reflect the occupation in which people were last employed, or, for those people in paid employment, the occupation that they were in at the time of the interview.

  Redundancy rates for 1,000 employees by occupation: Labour Force Survey, Great Britain

  Spring 1991

  Spring 1992

  Spring 1993

  Spring 1994

  Spring 1995

  Managers and administrators

  13.1

  12.2

  8.3

  9.8

  10.2

  Professional

  7.5

  6.3

  6.1

  4.5

  5.3

  Associate professional and technical

  13.2

  10.6

  8.5

  5.7

  8.1

  Clerical and secretarial

  14.3

  14.7

  9.9

  7.8

  10.6

  Craft and Related

  32.7

  27.9

  20.7

  18.2

  15.7

  Personal and protective Sales

  9.7

  6.9

  6.9

  5.8

  6.3

  Plant and machine operatives

  30.1

  22.8

  22.7

  16.1

  12.8

  Others

  19.5

  16.4

  14.6

  9.2

  10.4

  Leisure Industry (Seasonal Workers)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many seasonal workers are employed in the United Kingdom leisure and entertainment industry in the most recent year for which figures are available. [17789]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  Seasonal employment by industry in Great Britain (thousands)1

  Standard industrial classification

  Q2 94

  Q3 94

  Q4 94

  Q1 95

  Q2 95

  Hotels and restaurants

  50

  33

  14

  22

  49

  Recreational, cultural and sporting activities

  31

  15

  3—

  10

  31

  31

  Seasonal employment by industry in Great Britain (thousands)1

  Standard industrial classification

  Q2 94

  Q3 94

  Q4 94

  Q1 95

  Q2 95

  Travel agencies, tour operators

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Total2

  83

  51

  20

  33

  83

  1 Unadjusted.

  2 Due to rounding may not equal sum of component industries.

  3 Denotes reliable estimate not available.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current level of unemployment(a) in the Greater London area and (b) in other regions in the United Kingdom. [17727]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Nomis gives information on claimant unemployment and the labour force survey quarterly bulletin gives information on ILO unemployment. Both are available from the House of Commons Library.

  Share Dividends
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of change in the average percentage dividends paid by industrial and commercial companies to their shareholders in(a) 1994 and (b) 1995. [17423]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information on payments of dividends by industrial and commercial companies are published in the Central Statistical Office's "First Release—Quarterly National Accounts", and in the CSO publications, "UK Economic Accounts" and "Financial Statistics". These are available from the Library of the House. The latest seasonally adjusted data from 1994 and 1995 for industrial and commercial companies' dividends payments in pounds million, and dividends payments as a percentage of industrial and commercial companies gross trading profits, including stock appreciation, are as follows:

  Dividends payments (excluding payments to overseas parents)

  As a percentage of industrial and commercial companies' gross trading profits

  1994 Q1

  4,771

  20.7

  1994 Q2

  5,801

  23.2

  1994 Q3

  5,926

  22.9

  1994 Q4

  6,177

  22.6

  1995 Q1

  6,647

  25.0

  1995 Q2

  6,140

  22.1

  1995 Q3

  6,612

  24,3

  Data for 1995 Q4 will be published on 26 March 1996.

  Additionally, table 7.1G of the CSO publication "Financial Statistics" contains dividend yields.

  Devaluation
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of a32
  devaluation of the French franc equivalent to the devaluation of the pound sterling since 1992 on British trade with France. [17961]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  No estimate has been made of the impact of such a devaluation of the French franc on British trade with France.

  However, British trade with France depends on a wide range of factors, of which the exchange rate is only one, and it is difficult to disentangle the various influences. In any case, without knowing the circumstances surrounding a devaluation of the French franc, it would be impossible to estimate its likely effects.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of a devaluation of the German mark equivalent to the devaluation of the pound sterling since 1992 on British trade with Germany. [17960]

  Mrs. Knight
  No estimate has been made of the impact of such a devaluation of the German mark on British trade with Germany.

  However, British trade with Germany depends on a wide range of factors, of which the exchange rate is only one, and it is difficult to disentangle the various influences. In any case, without knowing the circumstances surrounding a devaluation of the German mark, it would be impossible to estimate its likely effects.

  Forte (Granada Takeover)
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the Exchequer resulting from the tax credit claimed by gross funds on the special dividend in the Granada takeover offer for Forte. [18346]

  Mr. Jack
  I am unable to comment on the tax affairs of particular taxpayers.

  Tax Reliefs
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the reasons for the rules in respect of tax relief which apply to subscriptions to(a) the Royal College of Nursing and (b) Unison; and what plans he has to standardise the rules. [17890]

  Mr. Jack
  Tax relief may be given under section 201 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 for subscriptions paid by employees to approved bodies. A body may be approved by the board of Inland Revenue if it meets the conditions laid down in the Act. The same conditions apply to all bodies. Whether a particular body meets the conditions is a matter between it and the Inland Revenue.

  Working Hours
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the average working hours per week of those in full-time employment in each of the last 15 years. [18506]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The table following gives the information available from the labour force survey.
  33

  Total average usual weekly hours worked by those in full-time employment (Great Britain, not seasonably adjusted)

  Hours worked

  Spring 1984

  44.8

  Spring 1985

  44.2

  Spring 1986

  44.5

  Spring 1987

  44.7

  Spring 1988

  44.9

  Spring 1989

  44.9

  Spring 1990

  44.9

  Spring 1991

  44.7

  Spring 1992

  44.5

  Spring 1993

  44.6

  Spring 1994

  44.8

  Spring 1995

  44.9

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he plans to make to the quotas for lending to local authorities by the Public Works Loan Board. [19207]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The public works loan commissioners have issued a circular today notifying local authorities that there will be no change in the formula for calculating quotas for 1996–97.

  Copies of the circular have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Regulatory Bodies
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each regulatory body for which he is responsible indicating for each the percentage of business people on the board. [15743]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: The percentage of business people on the board of each regulatory body is as follows:

  Public Works Loan Board—58 per cent.

  Securities and Investment Board—66 per cent.

  VAT and duties tribunals—not known.

  Regulatory bodies have been defined for this purpose as those which either make, or apply, regulations. Business people have been taken to include all those working, or having previously worked, in the private sector, including those holding directorships, excluding non-executive directorships. The numbers of business people on the boards of the VAT and duties tribunals is not known, and the information could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he first consulted other Cabinet Ministers about the contents of the report of the Scott inquiry; and where and when such discussions took place and with whom.[16513]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: It is not the practice to give details of ministerial meetings.
  34

  Temporary Employment Contracts
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has as to the number of people in the United Kingdom currently working under temporary employment contracts; how many have been supplied by employment agencies; and how many have been supplied by such agencies under contracts for service. [17352]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]: The latest available information from the labour force survey shows that in summer—June to August—1995, there were 1,739,000 temporary employees in the United Kingdom. Of these, 182,000 said that they were agency temping. No information is available about the number of temporary employees supplied by employment agencies under contracts of service.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish(a) the recommendations made by the Council of Ministers to the United Kingdom, arising from article 23 of the Single European Act, with reference to economic and monetary union and (b) the Government's response. [17479]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 28 February 1996]: Article 23 of the Single European Act, which inserted articles 130a to 130e on economic and social cohesion into the EEC treaty, does not provide for any recommendations relating to economic and monetary union.

  Single European Currency
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 670, when he expects to be able to make a precise judgment on the impact of a single European currency on the United Kingdom economy. [1671]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 28 February 1996]: The United Kingdom will agree to take part in a single currency only if it is in our national interest to do so, given the circumstances at the time. A full assessment will be carried out nearer the time, before the decision is made.

  Manufacturing (Earnings)
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are average earnings in manufacturing industry. [17361]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 28 February 1996]: Underlying average earnings growth in the manufacturing sector was 4 per cent. in December 1995. This is the lowest rate since the series began in 1980.

  Transfers of Iraqi Funds
  Miss Emma Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what inquiries are being conducted into transfers of Iraqi funds from Geneva to London. [17857]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 28 February 1996]: None. We have no knowledge of any such transfers in breach of United Nations sanctions against

  35
  Iraq being made in the first instance, it would be for the Swiss authorities to investigate, as appropriate, any transfers suspected of involving a breach of sanctions.

  Civil Servants (Company Directors)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each(a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18151]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]This information is not collected centrally. Staff are required only to inform their line manager in writing of any relevant private financial interest where this might give rise to a conflict of interest with their official dealings in their current post. These records are held by the relevant team leader while the individual is in that post. No central record is held.

  Tax Shortfall
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what shortfall he currently estimates in the level of tax collected by the Inland Revenue set against his Budget forecast. [18316]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]Outturn for the year to date is published in "Financial Statistics" monthly and provisional outturn will appear in the May 1996 edition. Final outturn for 1995–96 will be published in the board of Inland Revenue report late in the year.

  The forecast of Inland Revenue receipts for future years will be next updated in the summer economic forecast.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Isle of Wight (Expenditure)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total expenditure by her Department on the Isle of Wight in 1994–95 broken down by category. [16774]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Department for Education and Employment was created in July 1995. The information given relates to those functions retained by this Department after that date.

  Expenditure information on schools is not held in the form requested.

  The department does not hold information in such detail for either further or higher education. This should be obtainable from the Further Education Funding Council and the Higher Education Funding Council, which are responsible for the funding of further and higher institutions respectively.

  Expenditure in 1994–95 by the Employment Service was £1.8 million. Expenditure by the Isle of Wight training and enterprise council was £5 million.
  36

  Student Loans (Wales)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students in Wales were granted student loans in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995. [17782]

  Mr. Forth
  In the academic year 1994–95, the latest year for which data are available, the number of loans taken out by students studying in Wales was 26,500. Corresponding figures for the academic years 1992–93 and 1993–94 were 15,900 and 20,500 respectively.

  Student Awards (Mid Glamorgan)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students of higher education received(a) mandatory awards and (b) discretionary awards from Mid Glamorgan county council in (i) 1995, (ii) 1993 and (iii) 1991; and if she will make a statement. [17559]

  Mr. Forth
  In the academic year 1993–94, the latest year for which data are available, Mid Glamorgan local education authority made 6,620 new and continuing mandatory awards and 50 discretionary awards to higher education students. Corresponding figures for the academic year 1991–92 were 5,120 mandatory awards and 170 discretionary awards.

  Information Technology
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to assess specific skills shortages in information technology. [16407]

  Mr. Paice
  The annual skill needs in Britain survey, commissioned by the Department, collects information on the number of hard-to-fill vacancies across all occupations and on employers' views on the types of skills among their existing employees that need improving. The information technology industrial training organisation regularly carries out surveys of more specific skill shortages in information technology.

  Overseas Football Players
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on recent meetings between representatives of professional soccer authorities and members of his Department in respect of the granting of work permits to overseas soccer players wishing to play in the United Kingdom. [18175]

  Mrs. Gillan
  There has been a useful first meeting with representatives of the Football Association, Premier League, Football League and the Professional Footballers Association. Further meetings are to be held with the football bodies and it is hoped to complete the found of discussions shortly.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to meet authorities involved in professional soccer to discuss the issuing of work permits to overseas footballers seeking to play in Britain; and if she will make a statement. [18211]
  37
  Mrs. Gillan
  The Department is currently holding meetings with the representative bodies of professional football to discuss the criteria applying to the transfer between clubs of players holding work permits. I shall be announcing final decisions in outstanding cases shortly.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects a work permit to be issued to Mr. Marc Hottiger to allow him to play professional soccer in the United Kingdom. [18212]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Mr. Hottiger already holds a work permit to play professional football for Newcastle United. An application by Everton to employ Mr. Hottiger is under consideration and I hope to make a decision on this case shortly.

  Under-fives Education
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the number and percentage of three and four-year-olds attending nursery and primary schools in(a) the Greater Manchester area and (b) in the borough of Rochdale in each of the last five years. [18259]

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

  Pupils under five years of age on 1 January in maintained nursery and primary schools in Greater Manchester metropolitan district (1) 1991–1995

  Position in January each year

  Greater Manchester

  Rochdale

  Year

  Pupils

  Pupils as a percentage of the population2

  Pupils

  Pupils as a percentage of the population2

  1991

  47,770

  67

  4,257

  61

  1992

  49,289

  68

  4,133

  64

  1993

  50,781

  69

  4,140

  66

  1994

  51,006

  68

  4,034

  64

  1995

  52,313

  69

  3,968

  65

  1 Includes the local education authority areas of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

  2 Number of pupils under 5 years of age expressed as a percentage of the estimated population aged 3 and 4 at 31 December in the previous year.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures exist to ensure that the maximum hours of work for young people on youth training schemes are not exceeded. [18436]

  Mr. Paice
  The contract which the Department has with training and enterprise councils, who are responsible for administering Government training programmes, requires that the maximum weekly attendance for a non-employed trainee shall be 40 hours. TECs are required to ensure that there is a regular review of training arrangements with each individual trainee. There are no other restrictions on the maximum number of hours of work for young people on youth training schemes.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the maximum hours of work for young people on youth training schemes involving agricultural work. [18435]
  38
  Mr. Paice
  The contract that the Department has with training and enterprise councils, who are responsible for administering Government training programmes, requires that the maximum weekly attendance for a non-employed trainee shall be 40 hours, excluding one meal break per day. There are no other restrictions on the maximum number of hours of work for young people on youth training schemes.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the reserves held by each training and enterprise council in 1994–95. [18493]

  Mr. Paice
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 9 February 1996,Official Report, columns 381–82. This shows a list of training and enterprise councils and their accumulated reserves, as shown in their annual statutory audited accounts, at the end of the financial year 1994–95.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total expenditure by her Department in(a) Waveney, (b) Suffolk and (c) Norfolk in 1994–95; what it will be in 1995–96, broken down by category; and if she will make a statement. [17767]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Department for Education and Employment was created in July 1995. The information relates to those functions retained by this Department after that date.

  Expenditure information on schools is not held centrally in the form requested.

  The Department does not hold information in such detail for either further or higher education. This should be obtainable from the Further Education Funding Council and the Higher Education Funding Council, which are responsible for the funding of further and higher institutions respectively.

  Expenditure by the Employment Service

  £ million

  1994–95 outturn

  1995–96 provision

  Suffolk

  4.0

  3.6

  Norfolk including Waveney

  8.3

  9.4

  Expenditure by Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs):-

  1994–95 outturn

  1995–96 provision

  Suffolk TEC

  12.9

  13.9

  Norfolk and Waveney TEC

  19.4

  19.8

  39

  After-school Places
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many after-school places were provided in England for each year since 1990. [18246]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The out-of-school child care initiative was introduced in April 1993. In the financial year 1993–94, 4,000 places were created, in 1994–95 22,000 places were created and in 1995–96, 27,000 places had been created by January 1996. The total created since the initiative began is 53,000.

  Experimental Nuclear Reactor (Imperial College)
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provisions have been made for the decommissioning of the experimental nuclear reactor at Imperial college. [18067]

  Mr. Forth
  No provisions have been made for the decommissioning of this reactor. If Imperial college did decide to decommission a reactor which is central to its research activity, it would be for the college to make the necessary provisions.

  European Social Fund
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list funding contributions(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of total funding from the European social fund to each training and enterprise council in England and Wales for the (i) youth training, (ii) youth credits, (iii) modern apprenticeships and (iv) training for work programmes. [18758]

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what circumstances the Employment Service will be able to vary the signing on time of a claimant in receipt of jobseeker's allowance so that such a claimant is able to attend a part-time training or education course. [18756]

  Mr. Forth
  The Employment Service will normally make arrangements so that a person in receipt of jobseeker's allowance who is a part-time student can attend the local office at a time which does not conflict with the hours of the course. Jobseekers should nevertheless be willing and able to arrange the hours of courses of part-time study in order to take up full-time employment at times falling within their pattern of availability.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if existing claimants will be required to complete a jobsearch plan and jobseeker's agreement when jobseeker's allowance is introduced. [18748]

  Mr. Forth
  Existing unemployed claimants is already in receipt of unemployment benefit or income support when JSA is introduced in October 1996 will be treated 40
  as having made a jobseeker's agreement until, at the first suitable opportunity, an actual agreement is made or until their claim is terminated, whichever is the earlier.

  In drawing up the agreement with existing claimants, Employment Service staff will assess whether the information already provided by the client for their claim to unemployment benefit or income support is sufficient for completing an agreement. Where the information is not sufficient or where the adviser and jobseeeker are not able to agree an agreement—for example because of a dispute about a pattern of availability—ES staff will be advised to ask the jobseeker to complete a "Helping You Back to Work" form, previously referred to as the jobsearch plan.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) in what circumstances a claimant in receipt of jobseekers' allowance participating in a part-time education or training course will not be required to attend a compulsory restart, workwise worklink course or jobplan workshop; and what structures will be in place to enable such claimants to maintain their course place; [18750]

  (2) in what circumstances an unemployed person participating in a part-time education or training course will not be directed to attend a Government employment or training programme under the jobseeker's direction; and what facilities or arrangements will apply to those who are so directed to maintain part-time study. [18753]

  Mr. Forth
  The first priority of people claiming jobseeker's allowance must be to return to work. Jobseekers who are claiming JSA and studying part time will continue to be required to attend mandatory Employment Service programmes, which are designed to help them back to work. In addition, they may be given a jobseeker's direction to attend a Government employment or training programme with a view to assisting them to find employment or improving their prospects of being employed. It will be for an independent adjudication officer to decide whether such a direction was reasonable in the jobseeker's circumstances. No sanction will be imposed if a jobseeker shows good cause for refusing or failing to attend a mandatory programme or to carry out a jobseeker's direction.

  Where possible, the Employment Service will seek to make arrangements which are reasonable in view of the jobseeker's circumstances and study pattern. This may involve rescheduling a stage of the programme to accommodate their study commitments, or by trying to arrange attendance during college holidays. Courses of study are also becoming more flexible, and where necessary jobseekers will be expected to re-arrange the hours they study so that they can attend the programme.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what circumstances participation in a part-time education or training course will count as one of the job seeking steps necessary to satisfy the actively seeking work condition of the jobseeker's allowance. [18754]

  Mr. Forth
  The JSA regulations set out a non-exhaustive list of steps that it is reasonable for a
  41
  jobseeker to be expected to have to take actively to seek employment. Participation in a part-time education or training course is not included in that list. However, any time during which a person was participating as a part-time student in an employment-related course, as defined in the regulations, is included in the regulations in a non-exhaustive list of circumstances that shall be taken into account in determining whether a person has taken sufficient steps to meet the entitlement condition.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if a claimant will be able to study part-time and claim jobseeker's allowance in circumstances where it is not possible for him to rearrange course times in order to take up employment at times falling within his pattern of availability and he undertakes to cease the course immediately suitable employment becomes available. [18757]

  Mr. Forth
  Jobseekers who claim jobseeker's allowance will be able to study part-time so long as they remain available for and actively seeking employment. They do not have to re-arrange their course but they should be prepared to leave their course to take a job if one becomes available.

  There will also be an additional concession for certain jobseekers—broadly those who have been unemployed for three months or more, where no aspect of their study will be taken into account when deciding whether they are available for work if they are willing and able to rearrange their course to take a job in the hours that they have agreed they will be available for work in their jobseeker's agreement. If it is not possible for jobseekers to rearrange their course then this concession will not apply and they will be subject to the same rules as other jobseekers who study part time.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the maximum number of hours that unemployed people in receipt of jobseeker's allowance will be able to spend on training and education courses exclusively funded by the European social fund. [18755]

  Mr. Forth
  People receiving jobseeker's allowance will be able to study part time so long as they remain available for and actively seeking employment.

  No courses are exclusively funded by the European social fund. It part funds courses jointly with a wide range of organisations. Under JSA, if a course is part funded by the Further Education Funding Councils for England and Wales and by the ESF it will be regarded as part time so long as it is of 16 or fewer guided learning hours a week. There will be similar arrangements for further education courses in Scotland.

  There will be no change to the rules for courses part funded by the ESF and any other organisation. As now, a decision will be made about whether the course is full or part time based on all the information available, including any provided by the course provider.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements will 42
  be introduced for reviews by Employment Service staff of jobseeker's agreements completed by postal claimants. [18749]

  Mr. Forth
  Most jobseekers will be required to attend a jobcentre to make a claim for a jobseeker's allowance and to sign a jobseeker's agreement. Thereafter they will be required to attend a jobcentre every fortnight to sign a declaration that they have been available for employment, have been actively seeking employment and that their circumstances have not changed. Some jobseekers, as now, will not be required to attend fortnightly but will be able to provide such a signed declaration by post. Postal signers will be seen by an Employment Service adviser every 13 weeks. At that time the employment adviser and jobseeker will review the jobseeker's circumstances and determine whether the jobseeker's agreement that is in effect should be varied.

  In certain circumstances some jobseekers will be able to make a claim for a jobseeker's allowance by post. They will be treated as having made a jobseeker's agreement until they have an interview with an employment adviser to draw up an agreement.

  Grant-maintained Schools (Funding)
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when grant-maintained schools were transferred from the public sector to the private sector in respect of their treatment over capital expenditure. [18834]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Grant-maintained schools have always been considered to be private sector institutions.

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what undertakings she has given to grant-maintained school governors in respect of increasing the annual maintenance grant to cover the cost of any private sector loans secured by grant-maintained schools. [18835]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. Except in areas where the common funding formula is in operation, annual maintenance grant for grant-maintained schools will continue to be calculated with reference to the local management of schools scheme of the local education authority in which the school is situated. In CFF areas, AMG is derived from the standard spending assessment for education for the authority in which the schools are situated.

  Jobfinder's Grant
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications for a jobfinder's grant have been(a) approved and (b) not approved; and what were the gross weekly wages of those approved in gradations of £10 for (i) each standard region and (ii) Great Britain. [18746]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  43
  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about the Jobfinder's Grant.

  I attach a table (Table 1) showing how many Jobfinder's Grants have been applied for and have been awarded nationally and by Employment Service region since the programme was introduced on 18 April (22 May in Yorkshire and Humberside region, where a more flexible variant to the programme is being piloted) up to 2 February 1996, which is the latest date for which figures are available.

  I also attach a table (Table 2) showing the latest information about the gross weekly wage level of grant recipients.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Table 2: Jobfinder's Grant

  Wage

  London and South-east

  South-west

  Wales

  West Midlands

  North-west

  Scotland

  Northern

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  East Midlands

  National total

  £10–19

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  £20–29

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  £30–39

  4

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  3

  3

  13

  £40–49

  7

  2

  5

  1

  5

  1

  2

  24

  8

  55

  £50–59

  9

  9

  12

  11

  20

  0

  10

  46

  22

  139

  £60–69

  25

  11

  13

  23

  31

  4

  11

  28

  22

  168

  £70–79

  25

  14

  7

  21

  27

  5

  28

  26

  31

  184

  £80–89

  33

  23

  21

  45

  43

  9

  50

  25

  40

  289

  £90–99

  54

  45

  29

  36

  71

  29

  44

  21

  54

  383

  £100–109

  105

  56

  49

  95

  95

  41

  76

  44

  133

  694

  £110–119

  90

  34

  38

  89

  80

  73

  64

  29

  95

  592

  £120–129

  196

  115

  109

  266

  262

  148

  119

  96

  274

  1,585

  £130–139

  192

  86

  62

  178

  196

  75

  113

  50

  186

  1,138

  £140–149

  277

  125

  121

  259

  243

  91

  82

  47

  292

  1,537

  £150–159

  90

  24

  21

  60

  41

  23

  14

  54

  85

  412

  £160–169

  1

  0

  1

  3

  2

  4

  1

  53

  2

  67

  £170–179

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  19

  0

  24

  £180–189

  2

  1

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  23

  2

  31

  £190–199

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  0

  7

  £200–209

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  36

  0

  39

  £210–219

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  0

  10

  £220–229

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  0

  8

  £230–239

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  0

  6

  £240–249

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  0

  7

  £250–259

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  0

  5

  £260–269

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  £270–279

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  £280–289

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  £290–299

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  £300+

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Total

  1,115

  549

  488

  1,091

  1,119

  505

  616

  668

  1,250

  7,401

  1. The source of this information is a database held by the company contracted to evaluate the Jobfinder's Grant, on the basis of 7,401 grant recipients inputted to the database up to the end of December 1995.

  2. In Yorkshire and Humberside variations on the national scheme are being piloted, allowing part-time jobs and jobs paying up to £250 a week to qualify for the award of a grant.

  School Premises Regulations
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost of the last quinquennial review of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981. [18831]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The regulations were reviewed as part of the normal work of the Department and it would not be possible to separate out the cost of the work involved.

  Travel to Interviews Scheme
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what have been(a) the
  44

  Table 1: Jobfinder's Grant

  Grants applied for1

  Grants awarded1

  London and South East

  2,593

  1,483

  South West

  1,199

  730

  Wales

  939

  585

  West Midlands

  2,325

  1,448

  North West

  2,238

  1,389

  Scotland

  1,344

  669

  Northern

  1,268

  837

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,515

  1,159

  East Midlands and Eastern

  2,579

  1,491

  National total

  16,000

  9,791

  1 To 2 February.

  number of applications received, (b) the number approved, (c) the number not approved, (d) the average level of each award and (e) the total expenditure in each year of operation of the travel to interviews scheme; and what is the projected expenditure and number of awards in 1996–97 shown by (i) standard region and (ii) in total. [18747]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  45
  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on the Travel to Interview Scheme (TIS).

  The information you requested is as follows:—

  Travel to Interview Scheme (numbers assisted and associated costs)

  Year

  Number of applications

  Number helped

  Number rejected

  Total cost £

  Average cost £

  1986–87

  28,938

  21,765

  7,173

  500,000

  22.97

  1987–88

  45,785

  34,136

  11,649

  946,000

  27.72

  1988–89

  41,116

  32,833

  8,823

  920,000

  28.02

  1989–90

  32,953

  25,736

  7,217

  682,000

  26.50

  1990–91

  29,178

  22,112

  7,066

  500,000

  22.61

  1991–92

  41,676

  31,004

  10,672

  934,000

  30.10

  1992–93

  59,073

  45,240

  13,833

  1,520,000

  32.85

  1993–94

  65,598

  50,373

  15,288

  1,790,000

  35.53

  1994–95

  66,716

  51,140

  15,576

  1,808,000

  35.35

  1995–96

  143,310

  133,580

  19,730

  11,315,000

  39.16

  1 Figures up to end December 1995—year end statistics unavailable until mid-April 1996.

  The following chart gives the anticipated figures and spend for the regions for 1996–97. Unlike some other programmes, TIS has to respond to demand. The provision and numbers we expect to help are, therefore, based on best estimates and may fluctuate according to demand and variations in transport costs.

  Region

  Allocation

  Number helped

  East Midlands

  173,907

  4,241

  London and South East

  261,630

  6,381

  North West

  207,765

  5,067

  Northern

  152,361

  3,716

  Scotland

  173,907

  4,241

  South West

  195,453

  4,767

  Wales

  107,730

  2,627

  West Midlands

  93,879

  2,289

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  172,368

  4,204

  Total

  1,539,000

  37,533

  I hope this is helpful.

  Civil Servants (Company Directors)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which serving civil servants in her Department are currently directors of companies; and if she will indicate for each(a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18135]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: I am not aware that there are any serving civil servants in the Department currently holding or receiving remuneration in respect of directorships for either developmental or ex-officio purposes. Details of privately held directorships are not held centrally by the Department.

  Discretionary Awards
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was(a) the total number and (b) the total value of discretionary awards to (i) students aged 16 to 18 years, and (ii) students aged 19 years and over in the last year for which figures are available. [18751]
  46
  Mr. Forth
  The available information for the academic year 1993–94, the latest for which data are available, is given in the table:

  Discretionary Awards in England and Wales Academic Year 1993–94

  Number of awards (000s)

  Total expenditure (£ million)

  All discretionary awards of which:

  222.2

  184.1

  Further education students aged 16–18

  124.6

  51.9

  Further education students aged 19 and over

  82.3

  90.6

  Higher education

  15.4

  41.6

  Source:

  F503G

  Constituent parts may not add to totals due to roundings.

  Age of student at the beginning of the academic year.

  Age breakdown not available.

  Special Educational Needs Tribunal
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the present membership of the special educational needs tribunal panel, indicating(a) the experience and (b) the qualifications on which they were selected for appointment. [17332]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 26 February 1996]: The special educational needs tribunal has 32 legally qualified chairmen and 89 lay members. Their names are listed in appendix 3 of the president's annual report, a copy of which is in the Library.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appoints lay members of the SEN tribunal. Lay members are required to have knowledge and experience at a strategic or operational level of either local government or special educational needs. The chairmen of the tribunal are required to have a seven-year legal qualification and are appointed by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  EDS Ltd.
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those contracts his Department currently holds with EDS indicating for each the(a) date of inception, (b) value and (c) duration. [17443]

  Mr. Howard
  The Home Office has one contract with EDS which began in 1994. It is currently valid for a period of 12 months. The annual value of the contract is below £50,000 per annum.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Bill will meet the recommendations made by Sir Richard Scott in paragraph K5.1. [17234]
  47
  Mr. Howard
  I am considering the implications of these recommendations for the Bill. I hope to be able to announce my conclusions in time for changes to be made to the Bill, if any changes appear to be necessary.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he had with the Secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16602]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature of the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.

  Director General of the Prison Service
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what salary plus bonus is being offered for the position of Director General of the Prison Service. [17703]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to him on 27 February,Official Report, column 417.

  Coroners
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the standard method of compiling verbatim transcripts in coroners courts; and what is the fee to bereaved relatives for a full transcript. [18194]

  Mr. Sackville
  Coroners are required, under the Coroners' Rules 1984, to take notes of evidence at the inquest. In many instances a tape-recording of the proceedings is taken. The fee for a transcript depends on the length of the document and is determined in accordance with the fees set out in the Coroners' Records (Fees for Copies) Rules 1982, as amended.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department (1) how many cases were referred back by coroners to the Crown Prosecution service or police for further investigation or consideration of a more serious charge in each of the last 10 years; [18189]

  (2) how many inquests into road deaths in the last year had to be adjourned because the driver responsible for the death did not attend; how many inquests went ahead without the driver and at how many inquests the drivers were allowed to remain silent; [18192]

  (3) how many inquests into road deaths have been held after summary charges have been made; [18184]

  (4) how many inquests into road deaths have been held with juries, under section 8(3) (d) of the Coroners Act 1988; [18183]

  (5) how many inquests into road deaths were held (a) after six months and (b) after one year from the date of death in each of the last 10 years; [18190]

  (6) what were the percentages of (a) accidental death, (b) unlawful killing and (c) open verdicts in respect of road deaths in each of the last 10 years. [18188]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inquests were reconvened after a48
  guilty plea in the crown court in the past 10 years; how many were not reconvened; and what were the reasons for not reconvening inquests. [18186]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information regarding the number of adjourned inquests which were resumed, or not resumed, is not held centrally. On conclusion of the relevant criminal proceedings, or beforehand, if notified by the Director of Public Prosecutions that it is open to him to do so, a coroner may resume an adjourned inquest when, in his opinion, there is sufficient cause to do so.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the consultative procedure in respect of which statistics relating to inquests should be published by his office; and how frequently the types of statistics published are reviewed. [18185]

  Mr. Sackville
  Any proposals for changes or additions would first be discussed with senior coroners. The collection of statistics is reviewed each year.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which documents bereaved families are entitled before an inquest to enable them or their legal representatives to ask pertinent questions relating to the death. [18193]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no general procedure in coroners' courts for documents to be released to interested persons in advance of the inquest.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training coroners receive in respect of developments in road safety. [18195]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Home Office provides regular training courses for coroners, dealing with a range of issues relevant to the discharge of their duties. From time to time these courses can be expected to include matters concerning road deaths.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations for action by city or county councils have been issued by coroners in the last 10 years; and what steps have been taken to ensure these recommendations were carried out. [18191]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is not held centrally. It is for the person or authority to whom the coroner reports the matter to consider what action should be taken.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints procedures applies in relation to coroners failing to act in accordance with procedures laid down in the Coroners Act 1988; and which Home Office department carries out inquiries into complaints. [18187]

  Mr. Sackville
  Coroner's decisions or their conduct of proceedings may be challenged in the High Court by means of a statutory procedure or judicial review. Complaints concerning a coroner's non-judicial conduct may be referred to the Home Office for inquiry into the matter on a non-statutory basis. If the investigation reveals a clear instance of grounds for dismissal, the matter will be referred to the Lord Chancellor's Department since my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor alone has the power to dismiss a coroner from office for inability or misbehaviour in the discharge of his duties.
  49

  Entry Permission
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when Mr. Namir I. D. A1-Nainir of 2 Stratford place, London, an Iraqi citizen(a) entered and (b) left the United Kingdom; what were the nature and terms of his entry permission; and if deportation proceedings were made against him; [17926]

  (2) when Dr. Fadel Kadhum of 2 Stratford place, London, (a) entered and (b) left the United Kingdom; what were the nature and terms of his entry permission; and if deportation proceedings were made against him. [17927]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  It is not normal Home Office policy to disclose information relating to individual foreign nationals to third parties, unless the individuals concerned or their representatives choose to make details public themselves. However, if the hon. Member wishes to write to me explaining his interest in these two persons I will give the matter further consideration.

  Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales have a race relations committee. [18085]

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about race relation committees in prisons.

  128 establishments in England and Wales have Race Relations Management Teams. Some of these teams each cover two establishments, and all establishments in England and Wales are covered by a Race Relations Team.

  Prison Ombudsman
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been referred to the prison ombudsman since his appointment. [18083]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The prison ombudsman had received 2,327 letters of complaint by 27 February 1996, of which 620 were eligible for investigation by his office; the eligibility of a further 121 was being considered. Investigations into 463 complaints have now been completed and the complaint upheld on 201 occasions. In a further 42 cases the complaint was resolved or withdrawn during the course of the investigation.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total expenditure by his Department in(a) Waveney and (b) Suffolk in 1994–95; what it will be in 1995–96, broken down by category; and if he will make a statement. [17842]

  Mr. Howard
  The table lists Home Office expenditure in Suffolk in 1994–95 and 1995–96.
  50

  £000

  1994–95

  11995–96

  Police grants to county council and police authority

  29,915

  29,886

  Probation grants to county council

  3,040

  3,210

  Civil defence grants to county council and police authority

  230

  215

  Voluntary Services

  3

  1

  Crime Prevention Grants

  100

  —

  Section 11 (ethnic minorities) grants to county council

  266

  216

  Immigration Service

  460

  502

  Prison Service

  29,508

  28,609

  Total

  63,522

  62,639

  1 Estimated.

  Home Office grants to the county council and police authority are generally not earmarked for particular areas of the county. Of the totals above, only Prison Service expenditure of £8,193,000 (1994–95) and £8,130,000 (1995–96) can be identified as spent specifically in Waveney.

  Peter Samuel Cook
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations have been made by the Parole Board in respect of Peter Samuel Cook. [17919]

  Miss Widdecombe
  A discretionary lifer panel of the Parole Board considered Mr. Cook's case on 6 June 1995. The panel recommended that he should be transferred to a category D—open—prison. This recommendation has been accepted and Mr. Cook is now waiting to be transferred.

  Mrs. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Peter Samuel Cook has received(a) treatment and (b) therapy while he has been in prison. [17921]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Mr. Peter Samuel Cook.

  Throughout Mr. Cook's sentence the Prison Service has sought to ensure, as far as possible, that appropriate therapy and treatment has been made available to him.

  Rapists
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) treatments and

  51
  (b) therapies are made available to convicted rapists whilst they are in prison. [17920]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about treatments and therapies available to convicted rapists.

  Since 1992 the Prison Service has been running a cognitive behavioural treatment programme for sex offenders, which is open to both rapists and child abusers. The programme is run in 22 prisons which provide treatment for about 500 prisoners a year.

  Open Prison Transfers
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a risk assessment is carried out on all prisoners prior to their transfer to open prisons in respect of their contact with the local residential population. [17922]

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director general from the office, to reply to your recent Question about risk assessment on all prisoners prior to their transfer to open prisons in respect of their contact with the local residential population.

  The arrangements for temporary release on licence, including the criteria for eligibility and risk assessment, are set out in Instruction to Governors 36/1995 copies of which are available in the Library.

  Life sentence prisoners must be recommended by the Parole Board and approved by Ministers before they are allocated to open prisons. A full risk assessment is undertaken before life sentence prisoners are approved for release on temporary licence from open prisons into the community.

  Prisoners serving determinate sentences who are eligible for release on temporary licence must also satisfy a mandatory risk assessment.

  Terrorist Incidents
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates terrorist incidents ascribed to the IRA have taken place on the British mainland for each year since 1980. [18744]

  Mr. Howard
  The information available relates to acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland as defined in section 14 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. Until 1989 only those incidents which caused death or injury were recorded.

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  2 December 1980

  Princess Louise Regiment Territorial Army Centre, Hammersmith Road, London W6

  Device exploded injuring five people

  52

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  10 October 1981

  Ebury Bridge Road, London SW1

  Device exploded killing two people and injuring 39

  17 October 1981

  London SE21

  One person injured in an explosion

  26 October 1981

  Wimpy Bar, Oxford Street, London W1

  One person killed in an explosion

  23 November 1981

  Royal Artillery HQ, Government House, Woolwich New Road, London SE18

  Device exploded injuring two people

  20 July 1982

  South Carriage Road, Hyde Park, London W1 Regents Park, London NW1

  Device exploded killing four people and injuring 28 Device exploded killing seven people and injuring 31

  10 December 1983

  Royal Artillery Barracks, Repository Road, London SE18

  Device exploded injuring three people

  17 December 1983

  Outside Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW3

  Six people were killed and 91 injured in an explosion

  25 December 1983

  Orchard Street, London W1

  Device exploded injuring two people

  12 October 1984

  Grand Hotel, Brighton, Sussex

  Device exploded during the Conservative Party Conference killing five people and injuring 30 others

  15/16 August 1987

  Various

  Postal devices were sent to six senior civil servants. No injuries

  1 August 1988

  Inglis Barracks, London SW7

  Device exploded killing one person and injuring eight others

  20 February 1989

  Ternhill Barracks, Shropshire

  One person injured in an explosion

  22 September 1989

  Royal Marines School of Music, North Barracks, Deal, Kent

  Device exploded killing 11 and injuring 21 others

  15 November 1989

  Kensington

  Device discovered and defused. No injuries

  18 November 1989

  Married Quarters, Colchester

  Device attached to car exploded injuring two people

  16 January 1990

  Army HQ, SE District, Aldershot

  Postal device discovered and defused—No injuries

  20 February 1990

  Combined Services Recruitment Centre, Rutland Street, Leicester

  Device attached to a vehicle exploded nearby injuring two people

  25 February 1990

  Army Recruiting Office, New Road, Halifax

  Device exploded. No injuries

  14 May 1990

  Service Education Centre, Eltham, S London SE9

  Device exploded injuring five people

  16 May 1990

  Army Recruiting Centre, Wembley, Middlesex

  Device exploded killing one person and injuring four others

  1 June 1990

  Lichfield Railway Station, Staffordshire

  One person was killed and two others injured in a shooting incident

  53

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  9 June 1990

  Honourable Artillery HQ, City Road, London EC1

  19 people were injured in an explosion

  12 June 1990

  Hampshire

  Device discovered and defused. No injuries

  21 June 1990

  RAF Stanmore Park, Uxbridge

  Device exploded. No injuries

  25 June 1990

  Carlton Club, St. James, London SW1

  Bomb exploded injuring 20 people

  6 July 1990

  The Strand, London WC2

  Small device exploded in a litter bin. No injuries

  20 July 1990

  Stock Exchange, London EC1

  Device exploded— no injuries

  30 July 1990

  Pevensey

  Ian Gow MP was killed when a device exploded under his car

  6 August 1990

  London NW8

  Device discovered and defused at the former home of Lord Armstrong. No injuries

  13 August 1990

  Didcot

  Device discovered and defused at the home of Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley. No injuries

  10 September 1990

  Army and Navy Recruiting Office, Derby

  Bomb exploded—no injuries

  17 September 1990

  Army Information Centre, Finchley, London

  Army colour sergeant shot and injured as he sat in a car outside the office

  18 September 1990

  Staffordshire

  Air Chief Marshall Sir Peter Terry was shot and injured at his home. His wife suffered minor injuries

  27 September 1990

  Royal Overseas League, Park Place, London WC1

  Device discovered and defused. No injuries

  24 January 1991

  Territorial Army Firing Range, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire

  Small explosion and a shot was fired. No injuries

  7 February 1991

  Downing Street, London SW1

  Three mortar bombs fired. One minor injury

  18 February 1991

  Paddington Station, London W2 Victoria Station, London SW1

  Device exploded. No injuries Device exploded. One man killed and 38 people injured

  25 February 1991

  Napsbury Lane, St. Albans

  Device exploded on a railway line. No injuries

  3 April 1991

  Preston Railway Station, Preston, Lancashire

  A number of incendiary devices were found on a platform. No injuries

  5 April 1991

  Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester

  A number of devices were discovered in shops, some of which caused fires. No injuries

  54

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  28 June 1991

  Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex

  Device discovered and defused outside the theatre. No injuries

  30 June 1991

  Royal Navy and RAF Recruiting Office, Fishergate Centre, Preston

  Device discovered. Detonated in controlled explosion. No injuries

  5 August 1991

  Cambridge Public House, Charing Cross Road, London

  Fire caused by incendiary devices. No injuries

  29 August 1991

  London Underground Depot, Hammersmith W6

  Three incendiary devices discovered under a seat. No injuries

  31 August 1991

  Bargain Bookshop, Charing Cross Road, London WC2

  Incendiary device discovered. No injuries

  15 November 1991

  Old Barclays Bank, St. Peters Street, St. Albans, Hertfordshire

  Device exploded killing two members of the Provisional IRA. A member of the public was injured

  1 December 1991

  The Discount Furniture Store Habitat, The World of Leather, The Reject Shop, Tottenham Court Road

  A number of incendiary devices ignited causing damage to property but no injuries

  2 December 1991

  Littlewoods, Oxford Street, London W1

  Incendiary device ignited. No injuries

  7–8 December 1991

  Various locations in Blackpool

  A number of incendiary devices were discovered in locations around Blackpool. No injuries

  8 December 1991

  Arndale Centre, Manchester

  Seven incendiary devices ignited. No injuries

  14 December 1991

  Brent Cross Shopping Centre

  Four devices found in shops. No injuries

  15 December 1991

  Sainsbury Wing, National Gallery, London WC2

  An incendiary device partially ignited. No injuries

  16 December 1991

  Railway line near Clapham Junction

  Bomb exploded on the railway line. No injuries

  23 December 1991

  Ilford Underground Depot Neasden Underground Deport Train at Harrow on the Hill

  Incendiary device ignited. No injuries Incendiary devices ignited. No injuries Incendiary devices ignited. No injuries

  10 January 1992

  Whitehall Place, London SW1

  Small device exploded. No injuries

  17 January 1992

  Marquis of Granby Public House, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1

  Two incendiary devices discovered. No injuries

  30 January 1992

  Elephant and Castle Underground Depot, London SE17

  Incendiary device found. No injuries

  3 February 1992

  Neasden Underground Depot

  Incendiary device found under seat. No injuries

  7 February 1992

  London Underground Sidings between Barking and Upney Stations

  Incendiary device ignited. No injuries

  55

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  11 February 1992

  Telephone box, Parliamentary Street, London SW1 (outside the Treasury)

  Small device discovered and made safe. No injuries

  28 February 1992

  London Bridge Railway Station, London SE1

  Device exploded injuring 29 people

  29 February 1992

  Crown Prosecution Service, London EC4

  Device exploded injuring two people

  1 March 1992

  White Hart Lane BR Station Tottenham, London N17

  Small device discovered and defused

  10 March 1992

  Near Wandsworth Common Railway Station, London SW18

  Small device exploded beside railway line. No injuries

  6 April 1992

  Bridle Lane, near Piccadilly Circus, London W1

  Device exploded outside a building housing various offices

  10 April 1992

  St. Mary Axe, City of London EC3

  Large improvised explosive device exploded killing three people and injuring 91. Many properties damaged

  11 April 1992

  Staples Corner, Junction of M1 and North Circular Road

  Large improvised explosive device exploded causing serious damage to roads and nearby buildings

  9–10 May 1992

  Metro Centre, Gateshead

  A number of incendiary devices ignited causing minimal damage

  7 June 1992

  Royal Festival Hall, London SE1

  Device exploded causing blast damage. No injuries

  8 June 1992

  A64 Leeds-York near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire

  Constable Goodman was shot and killed and a PC seriously injured by two gunmen

  10 June 1992

  Wilcox Place, Victoria Street

  Small device exploded in a litter bin near the Army and Navy Dept. Store. No injuries

  15 June 1992

  St. Albans Street, near Piccadilly Circus

  Device exploded in a cab, which had been hijacked. No injuries

  25 June 1992

  Coleman Street, City of London EC2

  Device exploded hidden in a brief case under a car. Limited damage. One police officer suffered shock

  30–31 July 1992

  Milton Keynes (Shops, Library)

  Two incendiary devices discovered— only minimal damage caused

  25 August 1992

  Shropshire Regimental Museum and two furniture shops, Shrewsbury

  A small device exploded at the museum and incendiary devices ignited in the shops. Some damage caused in the museum

  56

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  6 September 1992

  London Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London W1

  Small device exploded in the gents' toilets in the foyer of the hotel. Little damage and no casualties

  17 September 1992

  Madame Tussaud's, Marylebone Road, London NW1

  Two incendiary devices caused a small fire

  The Planetarium, Marylebone Road, London NW1 Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1

  A small device exploded causing minor damage Two incendiary devices discovered and extinguished. Minor damage caused

  7 October 1992

  Junction of The Haymarket and Panton Street, Piccadilly SW1

  Small device exploded in a litter bin. Five people suffered minor injuries. Minimal damage

  Near Centre Point, Flitcroft Street, London WC2

  Small device exploded behind a BT junction box. Slight damage and no casualties

  8 October 1992

  Tooley Street, London SE1

  Device exploded under a car causing damage to two other cars. One person slightly injured

  Melcombe Street, London NW1

  Small device exploded under a car, causing little damage and no injuries

  9 October 1992

  Royal British Legion, Nursery Road, Southgate N14 Car Park, Arnos Grove Underground Station

  Small device exploded under a car in the car park. No injuries Small device exploded under a car. No injuries

  10 October 1992

  Paddington Green Police Station, Harrow Road, Paddington W2

  Device exploded in a phone box outside the police station. One person injured

  12 October 1992

  Sussex Arms Public House, Long Acre, Convent Garden

  A device exploded in the gents' toilets killing one person (who died the following day as a result of injuries) and injuring four others

  19 October 1992

  Novotel Hotel, Shortlands, Hammersmith W6

  Small device exploded under the wheel arch of a coach parked outside the Hotel. No casualties

  Oxenden Street, London SW1

  Device exploded under a car. Two people treated for shock

  21 October 1992

  Railway Line, Nr Silver Street Station Edmonton

  Device exploded on the track as a train was passing, causing little damage. Two people were treated for minor injuries

  57

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  21 October 1992 (Cont.)

  Princess Louise Territorial Army Centre, Hammersmith Road W6

  Device, believed to have been hung on railings, exploded. Three people suffered minor injuries

  Railway Line, Nr Harrow Road (junction with Furness Road) NW10

  Device exploded causing slight damage to the track, but no casualties.

  22 October 1992

  Sewage Pipe, Wick Lane E3

  Small device exploded causing damage to a sewage pipe. No casualties

  25 October 1992

  London SW1

  Device exploded in a doorway causing some damage to the building and to nearby cars. No casualties

  30 October 1992

  Whitehall, London SW1 (nr Downing Street)

  Small device exploded in a hijacked minicab outside Cabinet Office. No one was injured

  14 November 1992

  Stoke Newington Road, London N16

  Van discovered containing a very large improvised explosive device. One policeman was shot and injured confronting two men

  15 November 1992

  Canada Tower, Canary Wharf

  Large improvised explosive device is made safe after security guards challenged two men

  16 November 1992

  Collingwood Street, Bethnal Green E1

  Device in van made safe

  1 December 1992

  Stephens Street/Tottenham Court Road

  Large improvised explosive device in van made safe

  3 December 1992

  Deansgate and Cateaton Street, Manchester

  Two small devices exploded under bushes causing damage to properties and minor injury to 64 people

  9 December 1992

  Woodside Park Underground Station, London N12

  HME device partially detonated in a van in car park. No injuries

  10 December 1992

  Wood Green Shopping Centre, London N22

  Two devices exploded in litter bins outside shops. Eleven people were slightly injured

  16 December 1992

  John Lewis Department Store Oxford Street W1

  Small device exploded in the gents' toilets on the third floor. One person was treated for shock

  Cavendish Square W1

  Small device exploded in a litter bin. Three people were slightly injured

  22 December 1992

  Hampstead Tube Station

  Small device exploded on emergency staircase

  58

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  6 January 1993

  Reject Shop, Plaza Shopping Centre, London W1

  Incendiary device ignited causing minor damage

  Dillons' Bookshop, Northumberland Avenue WC2 C and A, Oxford Street Wl

  Very small device exploded causing little damage Incendiary device ignited. Very little damage

  Video Shop, 60 Oxford Street W1

  Incendiary device ignited. Minor damage

  7 January 1993

  Dillon's Bookshop, Northumberland Avenue W1

  Unignited incendiary device found

  14 January 1993

  Top Shop, Oxford Circus W1

  Unignited incendiary device found

  28 January 1993

  Harrods, Brompton Road SW1

  Small device exploded in a litter bin. Two people slightly injured and 30 ft of shop front damaged

  3 February 1993

  Train at Kent House Station, Kent

  Small device exploded on train stopped and evacuated following warnings. No casualties

  South Kensington Tube Station, London SW7

  Device exploded in underground passage-way following warning and evacuation. No casualties

  10 February 1993

  London SW1

  Small device exploded in doorway of block of flats. Minor damage. No injuries.

  26 February 1993

  Warrington, Cheshire

  Policeman shot and injured after stopping a van; a car hijacked; and three devices exploded (and unignited incendiary made safe) at gasworks causing extensive damage and no injuries.

  27 February 1993

  Camden High Street NW1

  Small device exploded in litter bin. 18 people injured—two seriously

  20 March 1993

  Bridge Street, Warrington, Cheshire

  Two small devices exploded in litter bins in shopping area. Two children killed and 54 people injured, four extremely seriously

  7 April 1993

  Argyle Square, London WC1

  Small device exploded in builders skip. Minor damage. No injuries

  23 April 1993

  Esso Oil Refinery, North Shields

  Small device exploded next to pipe carrying heavy oil. No injuries. Some damage

  59

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  24 April 1993

  Bishopsgate, London EC2

  Large improvised explosive device exploded killing one person and injuring 44 more. Extensive damage to properties

  Manor House Tube Station, London N22

  Small device exploded in hijacked minicab. No injuries

  Judd Street, St. Pancras, London WC1

  Small device exploded in hijacked minicab. No injuries

  9 May 1993

  Galleries Shopping Centre, Bristol

  Two incendiaries ignited, in the Reject Shop and Waterstone Bookshop. No injuries

  12 May 1993

  Reject Shop, Cornmarket, Oxford

  Incendiary device malfunctioned. No injuries

  9 June 1993

  Gas Installation, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

  Small explosive device detonated causing fire and damage to gas storage tank. No injuries

  Esso Oil Refinery, North Shields

  Two small explosive devices detonated on pipes leading to storage tanks. Little damage, no injuries

  13 August 1993

  Locations in Bournemouth

  Six incendiary devices in retail outlets in Bournemouth. Some ignited causing damage. Two small devices on the pier. One exploded. No injuries

  28 August 1993

  Wormwood Street, London (City) EC2

  Small device discovered containing semtex. Disrupted by controlled explosion. No damage. No injuries

  16 September 1993

  Curzon Phoenix Cinema, Charing Cross Road WC2

  Two small incendiary devices found. Had malfunctioned, no damage, no injuries

  MGM Cinema, Shaftsbury Avenue WC2

  One small incendiary device found. Had malfunctioned, no damage, no injuries

  2 October 1993

  Finchley Road, London NW8

  Three devices exploded. Five people injured some localised damage. One device found and made safe

  4 October 1993

  Tottenham Lane, London N8

  Two devices exploded. No injuries. Some localised damage

  Archway Road, London N19

  Two devices exploded. No injuries. Some localised damage

  60

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  4 October 1993 (Cont.)

  Highgate High Street, London N6

  One device exploded. No injuries, some localised damage. A second device discovered and made safe

  8 October 1993

  Junction of Coles Green Road and Humber Road near the North Circular Road junction of Staples Corner NW2

  One device exploded. No injuries, some localised damage

  Outside the Black Lion Public House at 295 West End Lane NW6

  One device exploded. No injuries, some localised damage

  23 October 1993

  Wooton Underwood, Brill, Buckinghamshire

  Device exploded, damaging footbridge over railway

  24 October 1993

  Reading Station

  One device in toilets made safe. Another device later exploded by the tracks; no injuries and little damage

  24 October 1993

  Basingstoke Station

  One device in toilets made safe

  29 October 1993

  Edwardes Square W8

  Small device exploded beside a car. Extensive damage to car, no injuries

  14 December 1993

  Railway line near Woking station, Surrey

  Small device exploded on railway line. Slight damage to line. No injuries

  16 December 1993

  Railway line, near Brookwood and Farnborough stations, Surrey

  Two devices discovered. Disrupted by controlled explosion

  20 December 1993

  Sorting Office, London EC1

  Postal device discovered. Made safe. No damage. No injuries

  Travellers Tavern, Elizabeth Street, Victoria, London SW1

  6 devices discovered in a holdall. At least one ignited. No injuries, minor damage

  Mount Pleasant Sorting Office, London EC1 Northfields Tube Station, London W13

  Package ignited. No injuries, minor damage Small device ignited in a litter bin. No significant damage and no injuries

  27 January 1994

  C and A, Oxford Street W1

  Incendiary device ignited; little damage

  Mothercare, Oxford Street W1

  Incendiary device ignited; little damage

  Silverdale Travel Goods, Oxford Street W1

  Incendiary device ignited; some damage

  28 January 1994

  C and A, Oxford Street W1

  Incendiary device ignited; little damage

  Mothercare, Oxford Street W1

  Incendiary device made safe

  29 January 1994

  Nightingales, Oxford Street W1

  One incendiary device ignited and another made safe; little damage

  61

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  18 February 1994

  Record shop, 157 Charing Cross Road WC2

  Incendiary device discovered and made safe

  19 February 1994

  Record Shop, 157 Charing Cross Road WC2

  Very small high explosive device exploded; minor damage

  Top Shop, Oxford Circus W1

  Two incendiary devices ignited; little damage

  Hennes Oxford Circus W1

  Incendiary device ignited; little damage

  19 February 1994

  Newsagents, Great Cumberland Place W1

  Incendiary device ignited destroying shop

  Burtons, New Oxford Street WC1

  Incendiary device ignited; little damage. A further device was discovered

  Burtons, Regent Street W1

  Incendiary device ignited and very small high explosive device detonated; little damage

  Liberty's, Regent Street W1

  Incendiary device ignited; little damage

  Mr. Byrite, Oxford Circus W1

  Incendiary device made safe

  22 February 1994

  Mr. Handy, Edgware Road W2

  Incendiary device made safe

  9 March 1994

  Heathrow Airport, London

  4 mortars launched from a car parked at the Excelsior Hotel, landing on or near the northern runway. None exploded and there was no damage

  11 March 1994

  Heathrow Airport, London

  4 mortars launched from waste ground, landing on an aircraft parking area near Terminal Four. None exploded and there was no damage

  13 March 1994

  Heathrow Airport, London

  5 mortars launched from waste ground, landing in the vicinity of Terminal Four. None exploded and there was no damage

  15 March 1994

  Railway line near Sevenoaks, Kent

  IED discovered. Believed to be left over from the series of attacks in December but had failed to detonate

  21 March 1994

  Railway line Orpington, Kent

  Timer of IED discovered. Believed to be left over from series of attacks in December but had failed to detonate

  6 June 1994

  Sevenoaks railway station, Kent

  Device made safe in controlled explosion

  10 June 1994

  Liberty's Oxford Street, London W1

  Two incendiary devices discovered and made safe

  11 June 1994

  Mr. Byrite's, Oxford Street, London W1

  Incendiary device ignited causing little damage. A further device had failed to detonate

  62

  Date

  Location

  Death/injuries

  13 June 1994

  Railway line, one mile from Stevenage station

  Device exploded on embankment by railway line. Little damage

  12 July 1994

  Heysham port, Lancashire

  Lorry found to contain approximately two tonnes of improvised explosive device

  21 July 1994

  Reading railway station

  Stolen suitcase found to contain two incendiary devices along with component parts for six high explosive devices

  13 August 1994

  Shopping centre, Bognor Regis

  Explosive device, left in a bicycle, detonated damaging 15 shops but causing no injuries

  Brighton pier, Sussex

  Explosive device found in bicycle. Made safe by controlled explosion

  22 August 1994

  Regent Street Wl

  High explosive device found in litter bin outside Laura Ashley shop. Device defused—no injuries and no damage

  9 February 1996

  South Quay, Canary Wharf, London

  Two people killed and some 40 injured in an explosion

  15 February 1996

  Junction of Charing Cross Road and Litchfield Street, London WC2

  High explosive device in telephone kiosk disrupted by controlled explosion

  18 February 1996

  Wellington Street, London WC2

  Improvised high explosive device detonated prematurely on a bus, killing the terrorist transporting the device and injuring eight other people

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if holders of Hong Kong special administrative region passports will require visas to visit the United Kingdom from July 1997. [19203]

  Mr. Howard
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is announcing in Hong Kong today, holders of Hong Kong special administrative region passports will not be required to obtain visas for short visits to Britain after 30 June 1997. We will, of course, keep this arrangement under review, as we do with the visa arrangements we apply in every other part of the world.

  Prisoners (Sanitation)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of 24-hour access to sanitation for prisoners. [19204]
  63
  Miss Widdecombe
  The deadline for providing all prisoners with 24-hour access to sanitation was 29 February. On 29 February over 99 per cent. of prisoners had 24-hour access to sanitation. If every cell without sanitation had been withdrawn from use on that date there would have been a loss of 267 places in the area between Leeds and Liverpool and this would have increased the likelihood of using police cells in that region. For this reason I approved the retention of some cells without sanitation until early April, when other accommodation opens.

  Since the sanitation programme was announced in 1991, over 19,000 places have been provided with sanitation. During this period the prison population has increased by approximately 30 per cent. I anticipate that all prisoners will have 24-hour access to sanitation by 12 April 1996. The delay has been caused primarily by the need to include necessary security improvements in the refurbishment programme.

  Statistics (Gender Breakdown)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to collect statistics broken down by gender where relevant. [17683]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 29 February 1996]: Statistics about people produced by my Department are normally based on administrative systems which include information on sex. Statistical information about people can therefore usually be broken down by sex.

  East Birmingham Task Force
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the projects which received money from the east Birmingham task force between the years 1988 and 1993 and (b) how much money was given to each of the projects. [17895]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information has been placed in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

  High-voltage Power Cables
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidance notes on health care for people living near to high-voltage power cables; and if he will make a statement. [17133]

  Mr. Horam
  None. The National Radiological Protection Board has advised that there is no convincing evidence that electromagnetic fields present a hazard to public health at domestic levels of exposure. The board further advises that epidemiological studies related to possible risks of cancer do not provide a basis for setting exposure standards as there is no evidence of any adverse effects. The Department will continue to monitor the situation and maintain support for research in these areas, consulting the NRPB and the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment as necessary.
  64
  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent reports he has received regarding health risks posed by high-voltage power lines near busy roads. [17128]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the projects which caused the overspend in class A3 of the 1994–95 class XII, vote 3 appropriation accounts. [17801]

  Mr. Horam
  Additional refurbishment of departmental buildings became necessary leading to additional payments in respect of new works over £150,000 and furniture and fittings. The most significant projects in these categories were:

  refurbishment of toilets;

  installation of new lighting to comply with regulations on VDU use;

  conversion of redundant reprographic facility to offices;

  moving staff into the newly-occupied Hannibal house.

  Lariam
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 January,Official Report, column 243, what (a) representations and (b) reports he has received alleging adverse side effects arising from the anti-malarial treatment lariam; and if he will make a statement. [18221]

  Mr. Horam
  Ministers have received a small amount of correspondence concerning the possible side-effects of lariam—mefloquine.

  From 1990, when lariam was launched in the United Kingdom, to 27 February 1996, the Medicines Control Agency has received 757 reports of 2,054 suspected adverse reactions for mefloquine. This is an increase of 152 reports—the majority of which are not serious—since the answer I gave on 24 January 1996. However, this number of reports is not unexpected in view of recent media attention concerning lariam which encouraged patients to report possible reactions. Receipt of a report of a reaction does not necessarily mean that it has been caused by lariam. The product information for doctors and patients provides information on the adverse effects of lariam.

  The Medicines Control Agency will continue to monitor lariam and review any new evidence that may emerge to ensure that the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

  Breast Screening
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 15 January,Official Report, column 336, if he will make it his policy that health authorities communicate directly with all women over 65 years of age who have previously received breast screening to inform them of their rights to continued screening. [17969]

  Mr. Horam
  It is already policy that health authorities inform all women of 65 years of age who have previously received breast screening of their right to continued
  65
  screening. Screening units are reminded by the national health service screening programme to encourage women to continue to come for three-yearly screening, and this is emphasised in screening and well woman literature available in GP surgeries, clinics and screening centres.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if all mammography screening facilities in the United Kingdom have to obtain certification to a quality assurance standard; and what this standard is based on. [18329]

  Mr. Horam
  No. All mammographic screening facilities have to comply with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 and 1988. This is facilitated by compliance with stringent quality assurance standards set by the national health service breast screening programme.

  Audit Letters
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies receive copies of the audit letter issued to NHS trusts by the Audit Commission. [17928]

  Mr. Horam
  Management letters from statutory auditors are addressed to the national health service trust concerned. They are copied to the appropriate regional health authority.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue instructions to NHS trusts to provide copies of audit letters issued to NHS trusts to(a) constituency hon. Members, (b) members of the public and (c) the local press who request them. [18037]

  Mr. Horam
  National health service trusts may make this information available on request, but these matters are primarily between the appointed auditor and the trust concerned.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require the auditors of NHS trusts to provide copies of their audit letters to(a) constituency hon. Members, (b) members of the public and (c) the local press who request them. [18038]

  Mr. Horam
  Statutory auditors of national health service trusts are appointed by the Audit Commission and it is not for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health to instruct them on these matters.

  Yorkshire Cancer Organisation
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, columns 290–91, on the Yorkshire Cancer Organisation, what proposals the Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority or the NHS Executive have considered to relocate the Yorkshire Cancer Organisation away from Leeds. [18079]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Fraud
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of fraud occurred in each year since 1985 in NHS trusts and health authorities; and what was the total value of such fraud. [17946]
  66
  Mr. Horam
  The cost of fraud is not separately identified in the accounts or the losses and special payments returns submitted by NHS units in England.

  Oncology Centres
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which oncology centres are refusing patients treatment on grounds of lack of money. [17942]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mental Health
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities covered by the survey of mental health provision indicating which categories of 1, 2a, 2b or 3 each falls into. [17937]

  Mr. Bowis
  We already have, in the "Review of the Purchasing of Mental Health Services by Health Authorities in England", issued on 20 February, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Ionising Radiation
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent the ionising radiation regulations apply to patients being exposed to radioactive sources for clinical treatment. [18328]

  Mr. Horam
  The Ionising Radiations (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988 apply to all persons undergoing exposure to radiation for medical purposes.

  Nursery Places
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places were provided in nurseries for children under three years of age in England for each year since 1990. [18248]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information available centrally on day nurseries relates to places for children aged under five and was published by the Department of Health in "Children's day care facilities at 31 March 1994, England, A/F 94/16".

  Information on pupils aged two at the beginning of the school year and attending nursery classes in maintained primary schools or maintained nursery schools was published by the Department for Education and Employment in "Statistical Bulletin 1/96: Pupils Under Five Years of Age in Schools in England—January 1995".

  Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

  Toxic Shock Syndrome
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of toxic shock syndrome from women's use of tampons have been reported to the Medical Officer of Health in each of the last five years. [18562]
  67
  Mr. Horam
  The following information has been collected by the central public health laboratory.

  Number of cases of menstrually-associated toxic shock syndrome in:

  1990: 15

  1991: 14

  1992: 11

  1993: 12

  1994: 8

  The figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Human Embryos
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos have been frozen in each year since the practice was first sanctioned by law. [18317]

  Mr. Horam
  As recorded in the records of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the numbers of embryos stored were as follows:

  1991: 4,920

  1992: 15,932

  1993: 19,717

  1994: 23,484

  Data for 1995 have not yet been validated.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many frozen human embryos have been experimented on and then destroyed since the practice was first sanctioned by law; [18318]

  (2) how many unfrozen human embryos have been experimented on and then destroyed since the practice was first sanctioned by law. [18319]

  Mr. Horam
  The total number of embryos created from 1991 to 1994 was 498,493. Of these, 27,493 embryos were donated for research; it is not, however, possible to give separate figures for frozen or unfrozen embryos.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many cases the parents of frozen embryos are currently untraceable; and what are the figures for parents of embryos frozen in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995. [18320]

  Mr. Horam
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos) Regulations 1996 enables all centres licensed under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to contact couples with embryos in store under the five-year limit arrangements so that the possibility of extension can be considered. It is not possible at this stage to judge how many will not be traced.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects of deep freezing on(a) the human embryo, (b) the likelihood of mutation in the embryo and (c) the chance of achieving a successful pregnancy using a frozen embryo. [18361]
  68
  Mr. Horam
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's working group on embryo freezing considered the scientific and ethical aspects of embryo freezing. It undertook a review of the literature on embryo freezing and established that the evidence suggests that there are no long-term genetic implications arising out of current cryopreservation methods. Nor is there any evidence to suggest that the current freezing protocols are harmful to humans.

  The working group also established that there is good scientific evidence from animal studies that viable embryos stored under proper conditions will not suffer harm from cryopreservation over very extended periods of time.

  Two studies on children born from frozen embryos in the UK have shown that the rate of congenital abnormalities is no greater than in the general population.

  In 1993 there were 3,002 treatment cycles using frozen embryos and there were 382 live births, giving a live birth rate of 12.7 per cent. compared with an unfrozen embryo live birth rate of 14.4 per cent.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos have not survived the freezing and defrosting process since the practice became legal. [18362]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available.

  Consultancy Service Index
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the number of inquiries to the Department of Health consultancy service index, (b) the number of individuals who have been notified that they are to be included on the index and (c) the number of individuals who have appealed against inclusion on the index for each year since 1986. [18833]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Deregulation and Contracting Out Act
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the responses to his consultation on the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 and supervised activities and holiday play schemes. [18832]

  Mr. Bowis
  We are considering the responses received to the consultation document. The Government will give their response in due course.

  Renal Services Review
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from kidney patients' associations concerning the publication of the national review of renal services. [18830]

  Mr. Horam
  Representations have been received from the National Kidney Federation concerning the publications of the national review of renal services and they will be meeting me to discuss this in April.

  Alcohol
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the total number of people who died from(a) alcohol poisoning and (b) alcohol-related illnesses in each of the past five years. [18591]

  Mr. Bowis
  The numbers of people who died from alcohol poisoning' in England and Wales in the last five years are as follows:

  1990: 153

  1991: 152

  1992: 126

  1993: 136

  1994: 122

  1(Code 980, International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision).

  I also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman) on 19 December 1995 at column 1148.

  Barnet Hospital
  Sir John Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of the private finance initiative in the development of Barnet hospital. [18683]

  Mr. Horam
  The Wellhouse national health service trust, of which Barnet hospital is part, already has phase 1a of its development under construction and has had approval to the outline business case for phase 1b. It is now investigating the potential advantages to be gained by proceeding with this project under the private finance initiative. The trust is making good progress in its negotiations with potential private sector partners, and it intends to submit its full business case within the next few months.

  District Health Authority Managers
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total remuneration of each NHS district health authority's general manager for 1990. [18743]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is not available centrally.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Domestic Violence Cases
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration he has given to empowering the police to pursue a civil remedy in domestic violence cases on behalf of a victim of violence in the home. [16447]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The question of whether the police should have the power to pursue a civil remedy for domestic violence on behalf of victims has been considered in connection with the Family Law Bill and the former Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill. The Home Affairs Select Committee, in its 1993 report on domestic violence, and the House of Lords Special Bill Committee on the Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill, did not support the police having this power because 70
  this would place unaccustomed responsibilities on them and would create confusion between the criminal and civil law. The Government agree with this view.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the May 1992 Law Commission report on "Domestic Violence and Occupation of the Family Home" relating to police powers in respect of family protection. [16448]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The recommendations of the Law Commission report on domestic violence and occupation of the family home have substantially been included in part III of the Family Law Bill. The Bill strengthens police powers to deal with situations of domestic violence. The Law Commission's recommendations that the police should have the power to pursue civil remedies on behalf of victims has not been included in the Bill because this would place unaccustomed responsibilities on them and would create confusion between criminal and civil law.

  Probate Service
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the conclusions of his Department's consultation process regarding the structure of the probate services. [16449]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No decisions have yet been made. Responses received during the consultation process are currently being considered.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent initiatives are being pursued to ensure the widest possible availability of legal aid; and if he will make a statement. [16450]

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the arrangements governing legal aid; and if he will make a statement. [16452]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I refer the hon. Gentlemen to my oral answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink) earlier today.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has recently received about the payment of legal aid to the apparently wealthy. [16451]

  Mr. Evans
  I have received a number of representations on this subject. As my hon. Friend knows, the Lord Chancellor last week announced a number of measures to tighten up the means assessment process.

  Divorce Law Reform
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the effect of his proposal to require a one-year wait for divorce upon marriages where there is a history of violence. [16453]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The circumstances of marriages with a history of violence were carefully considered in the preparation of the divorce reform proposals. I believe that
  71
  victims of violence are adequately protected by domestic violence legislation. Protection against domestic violence is not, and should not be, linked to the ability to get a divorce.

  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what further plans he has to involve children of divorcing parents in his proposals for divorce law reform. [16446]

  Mr. Evans
  Our proposals will ensure that during the period for reflection and consideration parents will give close attention to the arrangements for children. Generally, our proposals are intended to reduce conflict between the parents, which will be to the advantage of children. Decisions relating to residence of and contact with children after divorce will continue to be dealt with under the Children Act 1989 and the welfare of children will continue to be paramount in these proceedings. We have no plans to increase the involvement of children in the legal process for divorce.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his plans to reform the law relating to divorce. [16813]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Family Law Bill, which implements the proposals on divorce and mediation set out in the White Paper, "Looking to the Future—Mediation and the Ground for Divorce", published in April 1995, was introduced in the House of Lords on 16 November 1995. It received its Second Reading on 30 November, completed its Committee Stage on 30 January 1996 and is currently on Report. The Bill also reintroduces family law and domestic violence proposals, amended from the Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill, which did not complete all its stages in the last session.

  Number of Lord Justices of Appeal appointed

  Number of High Court judges appointed

  Number of circuit judges appointed

  Total number in post and proportion of women

  Total

  Women

  Total

  Women

  Total

  Women

  Total

  Women

  1991

  0

  0

  5

  0

  49

  3

  568

  24 4.2 per cent.

  1992

  5

  0

  11

  2

  54

  4

  594

  29 4.9 per cent.

  1993

  5

  0

  22

  2

  48

  5

  622

  34 5.5 per cent.

  1994

  4

  0

  8

  1

  35

  2

  638

  36 5.6 per cent.

  1995

  9

  0

  12

  1

  41

  6

  645

  37 5.7 per cent.

  Prince and Princess of Wales
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what occasions he has advised or acted as an interlocutor for(a) Her Majesty the Queen and (b) the Prince and Princess of Wales in relation to, or about their respective private property and or other rights consequent on the separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. [18884]
  72

  Confiscation Orders
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what training or guidance he has arranged to provide for judges with regard to the making of confiscation orders in corruption cases at the time of sentencing or shortly thereafter. [16454]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Judicial Studies Board, which is responsible for training judges, covers confiscation orders in its seminars for the Crown court judiciary. The board also recently published in its bulletin an article on the Proceeds of Crime Act 1995, which included confiscation orders.

  EDS Ltd.
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those contracts his Department currently holds with EDS indicating for each the(a) date of inception, (b) value and (c) duration. [17442]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Department currently holds no contracts with EDS.

  Women Judges
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women were appointed as judges in the High Court, county court and the Court of Appeal for each year since 1990; and what proportion these women represent of the total number of judges. [18247]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The table shows the total number and the number and proportion of women appointed to the Court of Appeal, the High Court and as circuit judges in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995. The end column lists the total number of judges in post, as a combined figures, as at 31 December for each year, and the number and proportion of women. The figures for 1990 are not readily available.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The matters raised by the hon. Member are confidential.

  Great Seals
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the
  73
  public holding arrangements for the great seals issued for the period between 1617 and 1831 concerning patents granted. [17156]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer. I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours, dated 4 March 1996:

  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about the public holdings arrangements concerning patents granted.

  Copiers of letters patent issued over the great seal between 1617 and 1831 could be enrolled on the Chancery patent rolls. Under the Public Records Act 1958 these patent rolls are open for consultation by the public in the Public Record Office.

  Not all letters patent were thus enrolled and the system of enrolment broke down from 1648 to 1659, for which period few rolls survive.

  Original letters patent over the great seal were issued to the person to whom the grant was made. They thus passed into private hands, and were not subject to public holdings arrangements.

  Contact Orders
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, columns 718–19, if he will now instruct the court service to begin to collate information of the number of cases where parents with care have been imprisoned following non-compliance with a contact order made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. [17774]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No. On any item of legislation there is a profusion of information which it may or may not be useful to collect. The collection of statistical information places considerable demands on the time and resources of the Court Service, and thus must focus on the areas of central importance. My answer of 23 February gives details of the statistics collected on contact orders and other section 8 orders.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, columns 718–19, what plans his Department has to monitor (a) the workings of the Children Act 1989 and (b) legal cases arising from section 8 orders under the Children Act 1989. [17775]

  Mr. Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 February 1996,Official Report, column 323.

SCOTLAND

  Police Officer Numbers
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors, other than population, determine police officer numbers per division in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland. [18054]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is for individual chief constables to decide the factors which are used to determine police officer numbers in their divisions.
  74

  William James McKay
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the work of the Crown Office in the case before Lord Hope in the Court of Criminal Appeal on 28 February. [18685]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The case concerned a note of appeal by the Lord Advocate in terms of section 228A(a) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975. On 5 December 1995 William James McKay pled guilty in the High Court at Glasgow to four charges of possessing quantities of controlled drugs with intent to supply them to another and one charge of unlawfully possessing a controlled drug. Following upon a plea in mitigation to the effect that the accused was now drug free and counselling young drug addicts, the trial judge deferred sentence for six months for good behaviour. The trial judge stated that were he to sentence the accused on the basis of his record of previous convictions and the offences to which he pled guilty, the sentence that he would have been thinking of imposing would have been one of seven years.

  On 6 December 1995 the Lord Advocate became aware of the trial judge's decision to defer sentence in light of that plea in mitigation. On 11 December 1995, on the instructions of the Lord Advocate, the Crown Office wrote to the clerk of court asking to be provided with copies of all reports and documentation which were available to and placed before the trial judge. A written note, incorporating information provided by the trial advocate depute, was prepared by a Crown Office official for the Lord Advocate.

  Appeals under section 228A(a) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 require to be taken within 28 days. On 27 December 1995 the Lord Advocate decided to proceed with an appeal on the basis of the information available at the time. On the basis of that information it appeared to the Lord Advocate that, having regard to the whole circumstances of the case, the deferment of sentence by the trial judge had been inappropriate.

  On 29 December 1995 a note of appeal was lodged on behalf of the Lord Advocate. It contained grounds of appeal to the effect that the deferment of sentence was inappropriate having regard to the gravity of the offences of which the accused had been convicted, the value and quantities of the various drugs referred to in the indictment, the fact that the accused was found in possession of the drugs in Her Majesty's prison Barlinnie, on the day following the imposition of a sentence of 18 months imprisonment in respect of a previous contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the criminal record of the accused.

  The grounds of appeal did not invite the court to lay down minimum sentences in respect of contraventions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 committed in prisons. The trial judge's report about the case was sent to the Crown Office on 22 February 1996. It was accompanied by the documentation requested on 11 December 1995. When an appeal is taken under section 228A(a) of the 1975 Act, the Lord Advocate's position in respect of the appeal is reviewed after the trial judge's report becomes available. On receipt of the trial judge's report on the present case the papers were reviewed by Crown counsel. They were

  75
  then placed before the Lord Advocate. After studying the trial judge's report, the documentation which had been before the trial judge and a further report dated 16 February 1996 from the Glasgow community drugs project, the Lord Advocate decided not to proceed with the appeal which had been taken.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how employment levels in the Benefits Agency will be affected by the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance; [9792]

  (2) how many surplus staff there will be in the Benefits Agency as a result of the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance. [9791]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Benefits Agency will be taking over payment of the contributory element of what is currently unemployment benefit when jobseeker's allowance is introduced. There will be no jobs cut in the Benefits Agency as a result of the implementation of jobseeker's allowance nor will there be any surplus staff.

  Income Support
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claims ceased within four weeks of liable relatives action in each year since 1989. [14457]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is in the table:

  Year

  Number

  1989–90

  47,122

  1990–91

  60,056

  1991–92

  80,261

  1992–931

  16,142

  1993–94

  24,383

  1994–95

  12,937

  1995–962

  15,186

  1 Figures for 1992–93 onwards relate to spousal maintenance and sponsored immigrants only.

  2 To December 1995.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in respect of how many claims involving liable relatives income support ceased within four weeks in(a) 1989–90 and (b) 1990–91. [15831]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The information is not available.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the benefit savings attributable to the Child Support Agency if a multiplier of 21 weeks were used when considering the savings due to the withdrawal of income support claims. [15754]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is as follows:

  1993–94: £327 million

  1994–95: £348 million.

  These figures include savings where:
  76

  the level of child maintenance reduced the amount of income support in payment;

  the level of child maintenance removed the need for income support;

  the claim for income support was withdrawn following Child Support Agency involvement;

  and resultant housing benefit, council tax benefit, family credit and disability working allowance savings.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the liability of an individual served with a detachment of earnings order in the event of an employer not making prompt payments to the Child Support Agency; [17705]

  (2) who has responsibility for the collection of money when an employer has failed to comply with a detachment of earnings order. [17707]

  Mr. Mitchell
  Absent parents who have a liability to make payments of child support maintenance remain liable until the payment in question is made to the appropriate person irrespective of the way in which that payment is collected. However, employers have a duty to pass on, to the Secretary of State, moneys collected direct from an absent parent's earnings under a deduction from earnings order. Payments must be made by the 19th day of the month following the month in which the deduction is made. Failure to comply with the requirements of a deduction from earnings order is an offence punishable by a fine.

  Where, for any reason, a deduction from earnings order proves ineffective as a method of collecting payments of child support maintenance it is for the Secretary of State to consider what further action may be appropriate.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 January,Official Report, column 568, relating to the financial memorandum of the Child Support Bill, how he intends to quantify long-term effects on expenditure resulting from the activities of the Child Support Agency; and how he will ensure that any savings are solely the result of the activities of the agency. [18169]

  Mr. Mitchell
  As part of the process of evaluation of child support policy, estimates will be made of the possible pattern of public expenditure if the scheme had not been introduced. These will attempt to isolate the behavioural changes arising from the child support scheme compared with, for example, those resulting from other changes made in the benefit system, and demographic changes. Such an evaluation is necessarily long term, because of the staggered take-on of the Child Support Agency's caseload, and because the full impact of the new departures system will not be apparent for several years.

  Isle of Wight (Expenditure)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total expenditure of his Department on the Isle of Wight in 1994–95 broken down by category. [16772]

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Industrial Injuries Scheme
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average annual amount paid to individual claimants of prescribed diseases under the industrial injuries scheme; and what is the average duration of claims for those diseases. [17219]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information is not available in the format requested. Available figures relate to the number of assessments, not to claimants, and a person can be in receipt of more than one assessment. Based on prescribed disease assessments current at 2 April 1994, the average annual amount paid per industrial injuries disablement benefit assessment as a result of a prescribed disease was £1,669 at the 14 April 1993 rates. Of 43,184 assessments, current at 2 April 1994, 21,979 were for life awards and the average duration of the remainder was 46 months.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that the parliamentary constituency of Don Valley is covered by a single weather station in respect of cold weather payments; and if he will make a statement. [17373]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The choice of weather stations for local areas is decided after consultation with the Meteorological Office. These linkages are constantly kept under review, and the Government have made a number of adjustments in successive years to ensure that weather stations are as representative as possible of the conditions in the areas they cover. Current Meteorological Office advice is that Leeds and Waddington are appropriate weather stations for the area in which the Don Valley constituency lies.

  Where it can be shown that particular post code areas covering a large geographical area are not reasonably represented by the designated weather station or stations, the Department would consider, in consultation with the Meteorological Office, whether a change of weather station was appropriate. This would occur when the operation of the scheme is reviewed with the Meteorological Office after the end of March each year.

  Housing Benefit
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of housing benefit paid to families living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Argyll and Bute; what was the total for Scotland last year; and if he will make a statement. [17103]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently receiving invalidity benefit in the Rhondda benefit district; what percentage this is of the total population of working age; and what are the average percentages for(a) Wales and (b) England and Wales. [17506]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is as follows:
  78
  There were 32,814 people in receipt of incapacity benefit at the short-term—higher—and long-term rates in the Mid Glamorgan district of the Benefits Agency at 31 January 1996.

  Notes:

  1. Incapacity benefit replaced sickness and invalidity benefit on 13 April 1995.

  2. Figure obtained from a 100 per cent. clerical count of cases in Benefit Agency offices.

  3. The Mid Glamorgan district includes the following branch offices: Porth, Pontypridd, Tonypandy, Aberdare and Bridgend.

  People in receipt of Invalidity Benefit on 2 April 1994 by country and percentage of working population

  Country

  People in receipt of invalidity benefit

  Percentage of the working population

  Wales

  181,000

  10

  England

  1,265,000

  4

  England and Wales

  1,446,000

  5

  1 The working population has been taken to be 16 to 64 for men and 16 to 59 for women.

  2 Invalidity benefit information based on a 1 per cent, sample of claimants, rounded to the nearest thousand at 2 April 1994.

  3 Estimated mid-year 1994 population figures supplied by OPCS publication, "Population Trends".

  Absent Parents
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average net income, after deductions for tax and national insurance, of those absent parents with full maintenance assessments who receive earned income. [17664]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The average net income of absent parents with earned income—including the self-employed—who have a full maintenance assessment is £194.52. The average child support liability for this group is £38.66, which is less than 20 per cent. of their average net income.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make changes to the discretionary social fund; and if he will make a statement. [18907]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We are introducing some minor amendments to the Secretary of State's directions and guidance on the help available from the discretionary social fund, the need for which we have identified in the course of our routine monitoring of the social fund.

  Details of the amendments and a revised copy of the Secretary of State's directions and guidance to take effect from 1 April 1996 have been placed in the Library.

  Supply Estimates
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out for each year since 1990–91 in respect of the supply estimates for each sub-head of the votes accounted for by the Department of Social Security(a) the original estimate, the amount of increase or

  79
  decrease for which approval was sought in the (b) summer, (c) winter and (d) spring supplementary estimates and the (e) amount of any excess vote; and which sub-heads were subject to a cash limit. [16678]

  Mr. Burt
  The table sets out the original estimate provision, the changes secured in the summer, winter, and

  £000

  Vote Number

  Vote title

  Original/revised

  Summer

  Winter

  Spring

  Excess

  1990–91

  Class XIV, Vote 1

  Pension and disability benefits (non-contributory)

  3,641,000

  —

  1,881,000

  39,000

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 2

  Income support

  8,461,000

  —

  14,747

  213,000

  206,438

  Class XIV, Vote 3

  Family benefits

  5,314,000

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 4

  Social fund

  152,000

  —

  —

  11,400

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 5

  Housing benefit, community charge benefit and transitional payments

  3,536,041

  444,000

  —

  166,480

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 61

  Housing benefit administration and community charge benefit administration

  114,464

  —

  5,500

  —

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 71

  DSS Administration and miscellaneous services

  1,703,179

  3,080

  116

  59,013

  —

  1991–92

  Class XIV, Vote 1

  Gentral government administered social security benefits and other payments

  20,719,198

  210,000

  1,680,076

  804,496

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 2

  Housing benefit, community charge benefit, payments, into the NI fund and payments into the social fund IRO regulated expenditure

  4,581,930

  —

  236,531

  45,900

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 31

  Housing benefit administration and community charge benefit administration, payments into the social fund IRO discretionary expenditure and other grants

  292, 625

  —

  32,918

  —

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 41

  DSS administration and miscellaneous services

  1,838,770

  42,658

  19,789

  22,716

  —

  1992–93

  Class XIV, Vote 1

  Central Government administered social security benefits and other payments

  25,623,405

  145,000

  1,435,000

  448,745

  353,952

  Class XIV, Vote 2

  Housing benefit, community charge benefit, payments into the NI fund and payments into the social fund IRO regulated expenditure

  5,725,652

  —

  286,620

  215,128

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 31

  Housing benefit administration and community charge benefit administration, payments into the social fund IRO discretionary expenditure and other grants

  351,991

  13,981

  4,250

  —

  —

  Class XIV, Vote 41

  DSS administration and miscellaneous services

  2,270,076

  —

  1,922

  21,426

  —

  1993–94

  Class XIII, Vote 1

  Central government administered social security benefits and other payments

  30,332,625

  —

  —

  790,000

  141,339

  Class XIII, Vote 2

  Housing benefit, council tax benefit, payments into the NI fund and payments into the social fund IRO regulated expenditure

  14,141,567

  —

  886,600

  63,955

  —

  Class XIII, Vote 31

  Housing benefit administration and council tax benefit administration, payments into the social fund IRO discretionary expenditure and other grants

  402,647

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Class XIII, Vote 41

  DSS administration and miscellaneous services

  2,526,356

  810

  30,958

  1,870

  —

  1994–95

  Class XIII, Vote 1

  Central government administered social security benefits and other payments

  32,006,440

  —

  —

  395,365

  139,668

  80
  spring supplementary estimates, and the amounts of any excess votes, for each of the votes accounted for by the Department of Social Security and for each year since 1990–91. Details of grants, expenditure, and receipts in respect of individual subheads of the votes are contained within the published appropriation accounts for each vote which are available in the Library.
  81

  £000

  Vote Number

  Vote title

  Original/revised

  Summer

  Winter

  Spring

  Excess

  Class XIII, Vote 2

  Housing benefit, council tax benefit, payments into the NI Fund and payments into the social fund IRO regulated expenditure

  13,628,051

  —

  375,000

  152,238

  —

  Class XIII, Vote 31

  Housing benefit administration and council tax benefit administration, payments into the social fund IRO discretionary expenditure and other grants

  425,044

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Class XIII, Vote 41

  DSS administration and miscellaneous services

  2,724,356

  —

  45,825

  —

  —

  1 This Vote is subject to a cash limit, the figures quoted above represent the NET provision.

  Departmental Expenditure (Waveney)
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total expenditure by his Department in Waveney in 1994–95; what it will be in 1995–96, broken down by category; and if he will make a statement. [17841]

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Lone Mothers
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone mothers were in receipt of family credit in each year since 1994. [18250]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  There were 235,000 lone mothers receiving family credit in July 1994 and 266,000 in July 1995, the latest date for which figures are available.

  Source: Family Credit Statistics Quarterly Enquiry July 1994 and July 1995.

  Pension Rights (Divorce)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has commissioned on international comparisons of the treatment of pension rights on divorce; if he will set out the terms of reference of the project, the names of the researchers, the period of study and the estimated cost; what is the present status of the research; and when he expects to publish a report on the findings. [17591]

  Mr. Heald
  In September 1995, the Department commissioned Watson Wyatt, actuaries and consultants to carry out an International Comparison of the treatment of pension rights on divorce. Using local consultants in each country and drawing upon available literature, this work will provide comprehensive information on how pension rights are treated on divorce in nine countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the USA, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden. Work is currently in progress and the first draft report is expected in the Department at the end of March 1996. A final draft report should be available by the summer. Decisions on publication will be taken when the final draft is received. The cost of this research is £81,000.
  82

  Residential Care
  Mr. MacGregor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of excluding the family home from calculation of means for the purpose of determining liability to pay for nursing home and other residential long-term care.

  Mr. Bowis
  I have been asked to reply.

  No detailed estimates have been made. To raise the upper capital limit used by local authorities when charging for residential care to the value of the average house would, we broadly estimate, cost some half a billion pounds. This is based on the current number of people who pay the total cost of such care; it takes no account of variation in usage which could result from such a change.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to implement the MacSharry proposals to modulate the common agricultural policy, with specific regard to(a) a taper on milk support and (b) restructuring of the hill livestock compensation allowance; and if he will make a statement. [18604]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Commission's proposals to modulate CAP payments were rejected by the Agriculture Council when it agreed to reform the CAP in May 1992.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the active ingredients used in the dispersant used on the oil spill at Milford Haven in February. [17979]

  Mr. Baldry
  The dispersants used on oil spilt from the Sea Empress at Milford Haven contained the following ingredients:

  Butyl glycol

  Dioctyl sodium sulphosucinate

  Ethoxylated fish

  Ethoxylated sorbitan tri-tallate

  Ethoxylated tall oil

  Iso octanol

  Odourless kerosene

  Paraffin solvent

  Polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester

  83

  Propylene glycol

  Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate propylene glycol

  Sorbitan monooleate

  Sorbitan monooleate ethoxylate

  Tall oil

  Water.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  National Continence Day
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to support National Continence Day on 19 March; and what plans he has to improve the incontinence service in Northern Ireland in 1996–97. [17140]

  Mr. Moss
  The Department of Health and Social Services will be funding a freephone helpline and arranging publicity for National Continence Day. In addition, continence advisers will be manning stands at shopping and health centres throughout Northern Ireland. A report will also be issued making recommendations for developments in continence services in 1996–97 and beyond.

  Restraint and Confiscation Orders
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many restraint and confiscation orders have been obtained in each of the last three years; and for what amounts. [17148]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Restraint orders for the confiscation of the proceeds of drug trafficking and other crime are made under the Criminal Justice (Confiscation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990. Details for the last three years are as follows:

  Year

  Number of confiscation orders

  Total value £

  Number of restraint orders

  1993

  nil

  nil

  2

  1994

  2

  5,083.89

  1

  1995

  39

  28,106.39

  3

  Values for a restraint order cannot be accurately given since these are made against a person to prohibit him from dealing with property rather than for a specific amount.

  Arts Council
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of co-operation between the Northern Ireland Arts Council and the arts council in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the Irish Republic; and what plans there are to enhance co-operation and promote more jointly funded projects. [17096]

  Mr. Ancram
  The chairmen and chief executives of the four Arts Councils in the United Kingdom meet from time to time to consider matters of common interest. Close co-operation has also evolved between the four 84
  councils in relation to their function as distributing bodies for the proceeds of the national lottery, with regular meetings at official level.

  The chief executives of the Arts Councils in Northern Ireland, in the Republic of Ireland, in Scotland and in Wales meet annually to exchange information and ideas. Officers of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland are in frequent contact with officers of all four of the other Arts Councils about areas of mutual interest and individual projects which extend to more than one territory.

  The Arts Councils of Northern Ireland and of the Republic of Ireland have held annual joint meetings since the mid-1970s at which areas of co-operation are explored. In 1994, the two councils established a joint committee, with four representatives from each council, which meets twice a year to explore and develop a variety of further cross-border initiatives with particular emphasis on the involvement of youth. The two Arts Councils already jointly fund a number of all-Ireland activities and organisations, and have agreed to make joint appointments of staff as and when necessary. They currently jointly employ an arts co-operation officer to encourage north/south co-operation and co-ordinate touring arts events in both territories.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the chairman of the Northern Ireland Arts Council met the chairmen of the arts councils in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the Irish Republic in 1995. [17097]

  Mr. Ancram
  The chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland met his Scottish, English and Welsh counterparts on one occasion in 1995 while he had three meetings with the chairman of the Arts Council of the Republic of Ireland.

  In addition to the above, the vice-chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland substituted for the chairman at one meeting with the chairmen of the Scottish, the English and the Welsh councils.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what projects were jointly funded between the Northern Ireland Arts Council and the arts council in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the Irish Republic in 1995; and at what cost. [17098]

  Mr. Ancram
  In 1995, the four UK Arts Councils and the Arts Council in the Republic of Ireland funded a five cities tour of poetry readings. The cost to the Arts Council of England was £22,000, with the other four councils contributing £1,000 each.

  Jointly funded projects between individual councils were as follows:

  (a) The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Scottish Arts Council jointly commissioned from Piers Hellawell a musical composition for the Highland festival in June 1996 at a cost of £650 to each Council.

  (b) There were no projects jointly funded between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council of England.

  (c) There were no projects jointly funded between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council of Wales.

  (d) There were a large number of projects jointly funded between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Arts Council in the Republic of Ireland. My officials are currently

  85
  gathering the information requested and I will write to the right hon. Gentleman as soon as it is available, and place the information in the Library of the House.

  Community Work Programme
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the number of applicants against the available places on the community work programme at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement. [18078]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for the reply to be given.

  letter from Ian Walters to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 1 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about applicants for the pilot Community Work Programme.

  At 23 February 1996, the Partnerships established to manage the pilot Community Work Programme had received 708 applications for the 1,000 places targeted. At the same date 509 places were filled.

  I hope that you find this reply useful.

  Action for Community Employment Scheme
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to replace the action for community employment scheme with the community work programme; and if he will make a statement. [18090]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for the reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 28 February 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about the pilot Community Work Programme and ACE.

  There are no plans to replace the Action for Community Employment programme with the Community Work Programme (CWP). The Training and Employment Agency will undertake during 1996/97 an evaluation of the CWP pilot as well as an in depth review of its policies and measures aimed at helping the long term unemployed back to work. It is not possible at this stage to say what changes, if any, to present programmes might result from these exercises.

  I hope that you find this reply useful.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed reduction in the funding of the action for community employment scheme on the achievement of the objectives of the policy appraisal and fair treatment initiative. [17676]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  86
  Letter from Ian Walters to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about the PAFT initiative and ACE.

  Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment guidelines were applied to decisions regarding the future funding of the Action for Community Employment programme. The affect of the reduction in funding should not have a differential impact on the overall balance of the programme to PAFT target groups.

  A report of the assessment which was made will be submitted for inclusion in the 1995 PAFT Annual Report due to be published later this year.

  I hope that you find this reply useful.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been allocated to the Northern Ireland ACE training scheme to protect the jobs of core workers; for how long such protection will be extended; and which Department provided the funds. [18682]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. Eric Illsley, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about the Action for Community Employment programme.

  In her announcement on 19 February 1996 Baroness Denton indicated that up to £2 million would be made available in 1996–97 to allow ACE schemes more time to manage the reduction of their activities. It is not possible at present to say exactly how much of this sum will be used to help schemes which are losing core workers to phase them out over the year. The Agency is continuing to consult the Northern Ireland Federation of ACE Schemes on the implementation of the assistance package.

  Until actual expenditure patterns become clearer during 1996–97 it will not be possible to say with certainty which Department has provided the funds. The Agency will seek to provide at least some of the funding from savings in other Agency programmes.

  I hope that you find this reply helpful.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the funding of the action for community employment scheme came from the European structural funds in the last 12 months; how much of this money is to be allocated to the company development programme; and if he will make a statement. [17677]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 4 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about European Union funding for the Action for Community Employment Scheme.

  During the past 12 months, no European Union funding was awarded to the ACE scheme and therefore nothing was reallocated to the Company Development Programme from this source.

  I hope that you find this reply useful.

  Household Formation
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the rate of new household formation in each year since 1993; and what is the projected rate to the end of 1996. [18630]

  Mr. Moss
  Latest information available shows the following rates:

  Year

  Rate of new household formation

  July 1993–June 1994

  3.1 per cent. (17,530 new households)

  July 1994–June 1995

  2.5 per cent. (14,570 new households)

  July 1995–June 1996

  2.7 per cent. (15,870 new households)

  Homelessness
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by county the total numbers of(a) families, (b) single men, (c) single women and (d) men and women under the age of 18 years, who were registered as homeless during (i) 1994 and (ii) 1995. [18631]

  Mr. Moss
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by the chief executive that figures can be provided only for those applicants who were accepted as homeless and awarded A1 priority status. The information is available only on a financial year basis and by Housing Executive region, not by county.

  The information is as follows:

  Housing executive region awarded A1 status

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Belfast

  Families

  550

  508

  Single Men 18–59

  144

  125

  Single Women 18–59

  110

  107

  Men and Women under 18

  55

  37

  South-east

  Families

  511

  478

  Single Men 18–59

  71

  91

  Single Women 18–59

  96

  95

  Men and Women under 18

  29

  50

  South

  Families

  345

  342

  Single Men 18–59

  52

  66

  Single Women 18–59

  79

  72

  Men and Women under 18

  28

  33

  North-east

  Families

  330

  325

  Single Men 18–59

  72

  69

  Single Women 18–59

  67

  67

  Men and Women under 18

  23

  19

  West

  Families

  679

  658

  Single Men 18–59

  114

  141

  Single Women 18–59

  140

  163

  Men and Women under 18

  55

  52

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the percentage change of the number of A1 applicants in each Housing Executive region between 1994 and 1995; [18680]
  88
  (2) if he will list by Housing Executive region the total numbers on housing waiting lists and the number of A 1 applicants. [18681]

  Mr. Moss
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by its chief executive that the total numbers on the housing waiting list, the number of applicants granted A1 status and the percentage change in A1 status at 31 March 1994 and 1995, by Housing Executive region, were as follows:

  Northern Ireland housing executive region

  A1 Status

  Percentage change

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Belfast

  557

  648

  +16

  South-east

  325

  331

  +2

  South

  156

  146

  -6

  North-east

  214

  240

  +12

  West

  438

  557

  +27

  Housing associations Belfast Improved Houses/Oaklee1

  63

  81

  +28

  Total

  1,753

  2,003

  +14

  1 These housing associations are included as they take prospective tenants exclusively from the Housing Executive waiting list.

  Northern Ireland housing executive region: waiting list

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Belfast

  5,686

  6,268

  6,195

  South-east

  4,416

  4,367

  4,423

  South

  2,805

  2,652

  2,678

  North-east

  4,493

  4,103

  4,082

  West

  4,512

  4,782

  4,512

  Housing Associations Belfast Improved Houses/Oaklee1

  1,050

  1,183

  1,347

  Total

  22,962

  23,355

  23,237

  1 These housing associations are included as they take prospective tenants exclusively from the Housing Executive waiting list.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Arts (Public Funding)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of overall public funding provision for the arts. [16371]

  Mr. Sproat
  Funding for the arts in this country is at a higher level now than ever before. Through the four arts councils, the Government are giving £229 million this year. Local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales are providing revenue funding of around £237 million. Support last year from the business community reached a new peak at nearly £83 million. On top of this, the lottery has provided more than £277 million towards improving and increasing the availability and quality of the arts for everyone in the UK.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many charities which assist young people have been awarded funds from the national lottery. [16373]
  89
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Over 1,000 awards, to a value of £75 million, have been made to organisations directly concerned with young people, 114 of which, worth more than £16 million, have been made directly to schools.

  Helping the nation's young people is an investment in our future. That is why I have recently announced plans to widen the distribution of lottery proceeds—with a particular emphasis on youth. My proposals will give the lottery distributors the ability to provide revenue support for initiatives to help develop sporting and artistic excellence in our country's young people.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the conclusions of monitoring the distribution of national lottery funds in relation to charities. [16374]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  Monitoring of the distribution of lottery proceeds is on going. To date 4,394 awards worth £556.2 million have been made to charities and voluntary organisations.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to overcome the difficulties for lottery funds applications in inner city areas arising from the need to identify partnership funding. [16376]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  I recently met the chairmen of the lottery distributing bodies and encouraged them, within the existing directions issued under section 26 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, to take a flexible approach on partnership funding requirements, particularly when considering applications from areas in need of regeneration and in remote rural areas. The Sports Council has recently announced that it would be setting a lower limit for applicants based in any of 70 areas throughout England of economic and sporting deprivation. The partnership requirement can also be met by contributions in kind, such as voluntary labour, or the donation of land or equipment.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To asks the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will provide a breakdown of ticket sales for the national lottery on the same regional basis as the breakdown of value of all awards published in the December 1995 report on the distribution of national lottery proceeds; and if she will include such a breakdown of ticket sales in future monthly lottery reports. [16972]

  Mr. Sproat
  The breakdown of national lottery ticket sales is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. The Director General of the National Lottery has licensed Camelot to run the national lottery and he regulates its operations. I have therefore asked the director general to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.

  Sport (Televising)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received since the publication of her consultation document on the televising of sport. [16375]
  90
  Mr. Sproat
  My Department has received representations from members of the public, Members of Parliament and from organisations representing consumers, broadcasters, sports bodies and regulatory authorities.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent consultations she has had with representatives of the film industry. [16377]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I meet film industry representatives on a regular basis and had meetings last week with Sir David Puttnam and Sir Sydney Samuelson.

  National Stadium (Manchester)
  Sir Fergus Mongomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received about the siting of a new stadium in Manchester for the Commonwealth games in 2002. [16378]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have received a number of representations about Manchester's plans for the Commonwealth games stadium but have not been directly involved in the decision making process. However, my officials have been kept in touch with progress.

  Tourism Industry (Deregulation)
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress she has made in reducing excessive regulation in the tourism industry. [16365]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Good progress has been made. Measures such as the reforms of liquor licensing law, Sunday trading law and food hygiene regulation have all benefited tourism. My Department worked closely with the Department of Transport on the recent relaxation of the rules governing white-on-brown road signs. This will help a wide range of tourism-related businesses.

  River Thames (Tourism)
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has for developing the tourist potential of the River Thames. [16370]

  Mr. Sproat
  In January my right hon. Friend launched the "Focus London" initiative to revitalise London's image as a tourist destination. Four million pounds of public money will be made available to be matched by the private sector. This will undoubtably boost tourism to the river area. We are working closely with the London tourist board and the Government office for London and private sector partners to ensure that we take full advantage of the excellent opportunities for sustainable tourism offered by the river.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will place in the Library a list of all overseas visits made by all Ministers of her Department since 1992, including(a) details of the places visited and brief reasons for the visit, (b) details of the size, composition and cost to public funds of the delegation

  91
  and (c) the names of non-ministerial members of each delegation and the capacity in which each was present. [17488]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: I have today placed in the House Libraries a list detailing all overseas visits made by all Ministers of my Department since 1992.

  Total overseas travel and subsistence costs for Ministers and accompanying private secretaries were £15,807.57 in 1993–94; £46,125.09 in 1994–95; and £23,800.89, so far in 1995–96. Figures for 1992–93 are not available.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Attorney-General what consultations he has had with the Secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16607]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature or the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.

  Confiscation Unit
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if he will review with the service heads the resources allocated to the confiscation unit; [17146]

  (2) if he will review with the Director of Public Prosecutions the resources allocated to the confiscation unit. [17143]

  The Attorney-General
  The central confiscation branch is part of the central casework area of the Crown Prosecution Service. Whilst the allocation of resources within the service is primarily a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions I regularly discuss with her the allocation of resources to the service as a whole.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Attorney-General how many full-time staff there are in the confiscation unit of the Crown Prosecution Service. [17141]

  The Attorney-General
  The central confiscation branch, which is part of the central casework area of the Crown Prosecution Service, has eight lawyers, two accountancy technicians, and eight caseworkers working full time. In addition, there are two lawyers and one accountancy technician working part time.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Attorney-General what monitoring is undertaken of the documents relating to PII claims; and if he will make a statement. [17792]

  The Attorney-General
  It is for the Minister or other responsible person advancing a PII claim to satisfy himself that the documents fall within the scope of the claim as formulated.
  92
  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what is the definition his Department follows of public interest in relation to a PH certificate; and if he will make a statement; [17555]

  The Attorney-General
  The law on public interest immunity is judge-made. The courts have held that a PH claim may be advanced with respect to a document either on the basis of its contents or because it belongs to one of the established PII classes.

  As to the future, I have announced that the Government are considering carefully the recommendations in the Scott report in relation to PII and are seeking the views of interested parties. The Government intend that the House will have an opportunity to consider the circumstances in which PH should be claimed by Ministers and the criteria for those claims, Official Report, 26 February 1996, column 684.

  Prince and Princess of Wales
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General on what occasions he has advised, or acted as an interlocutor, for(a) Her Majesty the Queen and (b) the Prince and Princess of Wales in relation to, or about their respective private property and/or other rights consequent on the separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales. [18885]

  The Attorney-General
  The matters raised by the hon. Member are confidential.

WALES

  Health Care Budget
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the total annual budget in Wales is designated for health care; and if he will make a statement. [17516]

  Mr. Richards
  Provision for the national health service in Wales currently represents about 33 per cent. of total expenditure within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  A470
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's future plans concerning the improvement of the A470 in Powys. [17528]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Plans for major improvements on the A470 in Powys in 1996–97 and future years will be included in the 1996 Welsh Office departmental report to be published later this month. In addition there are five schemes in the medium—under £3 million— programme for construction in the next three years. Further schemes are planned.

  Gwent Health Commission
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he was(a) consulted or (b) informed beforehand about the decision to appoint Maggie Adman as director of finance of the Gwent Health Commission. [17545]
  93
  Mr. Richards
  An official from the Welsh Office was one of two independent assessors present during the interviews. The decision to appoint Mrs. Aikman was taken by Gwent health authority on the basis of appropriate information about each of the candidates.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the director of Invest in Britain to discuss trends in the number of inward investment company visits arranged by Invest in Britain which led to visits by these companies to Wales. [17228]

  Mr. Hague
  No. My Department and the Welsh Development Agency work closely with the bureau on this and other matters. I am keen to see as many company visits to Wales as possible.

  Sheep
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage and the number of lame sheep in the national flock. [17504]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government have been funding the Royal Veterinary college to carry out a study into ovine lameness. The first part of the study, a survey of a random sample of sheep holdings, found a reported incidence of lameness of about 8 per cent. in 1993–94. This is now being followed up by on-farm investigations into the different causes of lameness with a view to developing improved methods of control.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance he has given the abattoir industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17439]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Seven companies have accepted grant aid for assistance towards the abattoir industry in Wales under regional selective assistance and agricultural and marketing grants, with a total value of £2.3 million. These projects were forecast to create or safeguard 408 jobs and involve £10.5 million of private investment.

  Wales European Centre, Brussels
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial assistance is being made available this year by his Department towards the maintenance of the Wales European Centre in Brussels. [17886]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Electricity Supply
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will examine the reasons for the interruption to electricity supplies in Wales during the recent severely cold weather; and if he will make a statement about the adequacy of the electricity supply network in Wales and of the quality of maintenance and frequency of replacement of parts of that network. [18363]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I met SWALEC's chief executive recently to discuss these matters. Action on the issues you raise is properly the responsibility of the company itself and the Director General of Electricity Supply.
  94

  Telecommunications Masts
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is pursuing in Wales to regulate the construction of telecommunications masts, electricity towers and wind generators in areas of outstanding natural beauty and on high ridges. [18364]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government are committed to the protection of the countryside generally and to high quality landscapes in particular, while providing for the growth of telecommunication systems and renewable energy sources. Policy guidance to local planning authorities on these matters is contained in planning policy guidance note 8 "Telecommunications" and note 22 "Renewable Energy". The regulation of overhead electricity lines is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Urban Design
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to encourage higher standards of urban design in respect of new developments in towns and villages in Wales. [18365]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend and I want to see a high standard of design which contributes to the quality of people's lives and can help to revitalise our urban areas and attract business and investment to them. Responsibility for good design rests with designers and developers. What Government must do is to encourage and not prescribe. Planning policy guidance note 1 advises planning authorities that good design should be the aim of all involved in the development process.

  Domestic Services (Prices)
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) by what percentage the price of gas for industrial and commercial customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the changes; [18462]

  (2) by what percentage the price of electricity for commercial and industrial customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the changes; [18464]

  (3) by what percentage the price of telecommunications for industrial and commercial customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the changes; [18460]

  (4) by what percentage the price of telecommunications for domestic customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the changes; [18461]

  (5) by what percentage the price of gas for domestic customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the changes; [18463]

  (6) by what percentage the price of electricity for domestic customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the changes. [18465]
  95
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is not available separately for Wales.

  Water Services
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) by what percentage the price of water and water services for domestic customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the changes. [18466]

  (2) by what percentage the price of water and water services for commercial and industrial customers has changed in Wales over the past five years, on a year-by-year basis; and what assessment he has made to the reasons for the changes. [18372]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The yearly average percentage increases in water and sewerage charges to household customers in Wales served by Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig are as follows:

  Financial year

  Annual percentage increase

  1991–92

  15.92

  1992–93

  8.11

  1993–94

  9.41

  1994–95

  9.45

  1995–96

  3.25

  Source:

  Office of Water Services.

  Meaningful average increase figures are not available for commercial and industrial customers as the average commercial customer and average commercial use can change significantly from year to year.

  Sample bills for non-household customers are provided in Ofwat's report on tariff structure and charges, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  M4 (Fencing Contract)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will make final settlement to Haycan Ltd. in respect of the fencing contract for the M4 Brynglas tunnels which was completed in May 1995. [18510]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a matter between Haycan Ltd. and the main contractor for the scheme.

  Housing Development (Gelliwion)
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will examine the circumstances surrounding the decision by Taff Ely district council to proceed with a planning application to develop private housing on a greenfield site at Gelliwion, next to a listed site of special scientific interest, in Pontypridd. [18366]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has received requests to call in this planning application for his own determination. After careful consideration he has issued an article 14 direction. This prevents the local planning authority from granting planning permission, but does not prevent it continuing to process the application, or refusing planning permission. I will ensure that the hon. Member is informed of the final decision on call-in.
  96

  Town and Village Centres
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the measures proposed by the Welsh Office to revitalise town and village centres in Wales. [18368]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A wide range of existing Welsh Office measures, in conjunction with local authorities, development agencies and other bodies are being used to promote the regeneration of town and village centres in Wales. These measures include the strategic development scheme; urban investment grant; the programme for the valleys; the Wales tourist board's historic towns and resorts integrated development programme; the Land Authority for Wales; and the Welsh Development Agency's urban and rural development programmes.

  The forthcoming White Paper for rural Wales represents a comprehensive review of the Government's policies as they affect life in rural Wales. Reflecting the responses to the extensive White Paper consultation exercise which has been undertaken, it will address the need to support communities, to encourage economic diversification and enterprise and to protect and conserve the Welsh countryside.

  Landfill Tax
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the environmental impact in Wales of the proposed landfill tax; and if he will make a statement. [18369]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The landfill tax will contribute towards reducing the impact of waste on the environment by encouraging businesses and consumers to produce less waste and to recover value from more of the waste that is produced.

  Housing Stock (Valleys)
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the measures proposed by the Welsh Office to underpin financially the improvement of existing housing stock in the south Wales valleys. [18370]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Around £85 million is being made available in 1996–97 for capital improvements to the housing stock in the south Wales valleys.

  Energy Conservation
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures have been proposed by the Welsh Office to improve domestic energy conservation in Wales. [18371]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Domestic energy conservation can currently be improved under the renovation grant system and the home energy efficiency scheme. In 1997 Welsh councils will prepare energy conservation reports to meet the requirements of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

  Antisocial Tenants
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to help local authorities in Wales deal with anti-social tenants. [18513]
  97
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Part V of the Housing Bill, which would apply to England and Wales, contains a number of such proposals including:

  (a) giving councils a discretionary power to introduce a scheme of one year introductory tenancies allowing for quicker and easier repossession where new tenants behave irresponsibly;

  (b) extending the grounds for possession to include nuisance or annoyance by anyone visiting or in the locality of a tenant's property;

  (c) introducing a new ground for possession relating to domestic violence;

  (d) allowing a power of arrest to be attached to injunctions where there is actual or threatened violence.

  Farmers Charter
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he published his farmers charter; and how many copies have been distributed to farmers. [18876]

  Mr. Hague
  "Helping Farmers in Wales", the charter standard for farmers in Wales, was published on 5 October 1995. Approximately 7,300 copies have been issued through the offices of the Country Landowners' Association, the Farmers' Union of Wales, the National Farmers' Union and my Agriculture Department.

  Health Promotion Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the guidelines to health authorities on the repatriation to them of funds hitherto allocated to the Health Promotion Authority for Wales; if such guidance will cover the impact of rental payments by the HPAW for its headquarters buildings on its(a) operating costs and (b) total costs in bidding for health promotion work from health authorities; and if he will make a statement. [18838]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department issued a circular letter (DGM(96)(12) on 30 January 1996, giving guidance to health authorities on the future arrangements for health promotion in Wales and the role of Health Promotion Wales. Copies of the letter have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Health Promotion Wales will be expected to meet all of its costs through the contracts it secures with health authorities, the Welsh Office and other organisations.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list capital projects in excess of £0.5 million gross cost under consideration by Welsh training and enterprise councils in which some expenditure may be committed in the final quarter of the 1995–96 financial year. [18592]

  Mr. Hague
  There are no projects with a gross capital cost in excess of £0.5 million being considered by Welsh training and enterprise councils which will entail capital expenditure commitments during the last quarter of the current financial year.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the EU Commissioner 98
  responsible for regional development and his departmental officials concerning a review of objective 2 status in industrial south Wales. [18593]

  Mr. Hague
  I met Commissioner Wulf Mathia on 4 October 1995 when I discussed continued objective 2 status for industrial south Wales and the Government have made clear to the Commissioner that we see no case for changing the current UK objective map.

  My officials, together with the partnerships, are already developing the new single programming document for industrial south Wales.

  Emergency Medical Admissions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 27 February,Official Report, column 498, on emergency admissions and elective surgery, if he will place in the Library a copy of the emergency admissions action plan. [18623]

  Mr. Hague
  A copy of the outline action plan agreed by senior NHS representatives has been placed in the Library of the house. The action plan continues to be developed and I expect to receive a further report later this month.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, (1) pursuant to his answer of 27 February,Official Report, column 497, if he will give the available figures since 31 March 1995 for the levels of unspent balances of general practitioner fundholders (a) broken down by family health service authority and (b) for Wales to the latest available date; [18626]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 27 February, Official Report, column 498, if he will list the figures indicating balances as at 31 December 1995; and what assessment he has made of how these figures related to business plans provided to his Department before the start of the financial year. [18629]

  Mr. Hague
  GP fundholder health plans are not submitted to the Department. It is for FHSAs in Wales to assess the plans against national and local priorities for improving health and health services.

  Information on fundholder balances is shown in the annual accounts of family health services authorities. The Department does not collect this information during the financial year.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 27 February,Official Report, column 496, what assessment he has made of the impact of containing the total outturn expenditure figure on the Cardiff bay barrage project on completion of (a) the environmental island in the lake, (b) the announced number of water mixers, (c) the sea angling pier, (d) the combined rain and foul sewer outfalls to a standard of not more than three spills per summer, (e) three boat locks, and (f) the reduction of the lake water depth to 1.5 m; and if he will make a statement. [18627]
  99
  Mr. Hague
  An assessment of these costs is an operational matter for the Cardiff Bay development corporation. I have asked the chief executive of the corporation to respond and will place a copy of that response in the Library of the House.

  Hospital Trusts (Job Plans)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Welsh NHS hospitals trusts have completed and agreed job plans for all their consultants. [18839]

  Mr. Hague
  This information is not held centrally. It is up to local management to ensure that consultants 100
  have an agreed job plan setting out their fixed commitments and other responsibilities.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 27 February,Official Report, column 496, which two non-executive directors of the South East Wales Ambulance trust have their terms of office expiring on 30 April. [18679]

  Mr. Hague
  The two non-executive directors whose terms of appointment expire on 30 April 1996 are Mr. Ian Gray and Mr. Brian John Webb. Information on all current public appointments is contained in "Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Foreign Affairs Council, 26th and 27th February
  Foreign Affairs Council, 26th and 27th February
  EU Financial Perspective
  EU Financial Perspective
  Swiss Banks: Acceptance of Funds
  Swiss Banks: Acceptance of Funds
  Scotland: Grants for Environmental Work
  Scotland: Grants for Environmental Work
  Armed Services: House Purchase Assistance Scheme
  Armed Services: House Purchase Assistance Scheme
  Privatised Rail Companies: Compulsory Purchase Powers
  Privatised Rail Companies: Compulsory Purchase Powers
  Public Interest Immunity Claims
  Public Interest Immunity Claims
  Public Interest Immunity: Counsel's Opinions
  Public Interest Immunity: Counsel's Opinions
  Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport Holders: Visas
  Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport Holders: Visas
  Prisoners: 24-Hour Access to Sanitation
  Prisoners: 24-Hour Access to Sanitation
  Immigrants and Refugees: Family Reunion Policy
  Immigrants and Refugees: Family Reunion Policy
  Immigrants: Family Credit
  Immigrants: Family Credit
  Sports Events: Broadcasting Rights
  Sports Events: Broadcasting Rights
  Rough Sleepers Initiative
  Rough Sleepers Initiative