Written Answers of 6 March 1996

TRANSPORT

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed restrictions have been imposed for a period greater than six weeks since 1 April 1994 on the west coast main line. [17153]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack informs me that there are currently 50 speed restrictions in place on the west coast main line. Details of past restrictions are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  RAF Northolt
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress his Department has made in developing new proposals to extend and improve the services offered at RAF Northolt for business users. [18456]

  Mr. Norris
  Following the decision in April 1995 not to proceed with a separate civil enclave at RAF Northolt, and the further consultation with business users and operators, my Department and the Ministry of Defence have been actively assessing what improvements might be implemented.

  Royal Train
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 145, what was the operating cost of the royal train per mile travelled including overheads, maintenance and security when a member of the Royal Family was on board or when the train was being positioned. [17932]

  Mr. Watts
  Rail Express Systems Ltd. has supplied information that the cost of the royal train in 1994–95 including overheads, maintenance and British Transport police security, when a member of the royal family was on board or when the train was being positioned, was £136.30 per mile. This consisted of £21.30 per mile operating costs and £115 per mile for overheads, maintenance and security. Corresponding information for the calendar year 1995 is not yet available.

  M66
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates his Department has made of future traffic flows for the M66 between Denton and Middleton in both directions. [18254]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
  212
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jim Callaghan, dated 6 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about future traffic flows on the M66 Manchester Outer Ring Road.The traffic levels do vary along the length of the motorway, so I have set out below the flows for the sections between the junctions. These forecasts are based on 16 hour daily flows.

  Opening year

  Design year

  M66 motorway section

  Low growth

  High growth

  Low growth

  High growth

  A57 to A635

  81,000

  90,000

  94,000

  113,000

  A635 to A62

  73,000

  82,000

  85,000

  101,000

  A62 to A663

  38,000

  42,000

  44,000

  53,000

  A663 to A664

  43,000

  48,000

  50,000

  60,000

  A664 to A576

  57,000

  64,000

  67,000

  81,000

  A576 to M62

  70,000

  77,000

  83,000

  100,000

  Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sites other than existing airports his Department has in the south-east for airport development. [18452]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport does not itself hold any sites for airport development in the south-east, or elsewhere in the country.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the development of(a) the Lydd and (b) the Manston sites as additional airport capacity in the south-east. [18446]

  Mr. Norris
  Following identification by the Civil Aviation Authority as potential sites for development in air traffic control terms, Lydd and Manston were two of the sites considered by the working group on runway capacity to serve the south-east. RUCATSE concluded that neither Lydd nor Manston would be suitable as sites for providing additional runaway capacity to serve the south-east and should not be subject to detailed assessment.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional work his Department has undertaken in relation to potential development of Heathrow and Gatwick airports following the publication of the RUCATSE report. [18453]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government's response to the RUCATSE report, announced on 2 February 1995, said that the Secretary of State was asking the CAA, in conjunction with the British Airports Authority and others, to carry out further work to examine the gains that might be achieved and the environmental impact involved in making better use of existing runway infrastructure at Heathrow. He also invited BAA to investigate the possibility of less environmentally damaging options for runway development, such as a close parallel runway at Gatwick. In addition, I chair the steering group for the London airports surface access study, which is examining the opportunities for improvements in access to and between London's main airports by rail and through traffic management measures.

  Ferry Inspections (Dover)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the names of ferries inspected in the port of Dover in the last 12 months, indicating the defects found aboard each vessel. [18675]

  Mr. Norris
  In my answer to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 27 April 1995,Official Report, columns 614–15, I stated the Government's belief that there is no benefit to the travelling public to be gained from the release of the results of routine inspections. The technical content of the report would not be easily comprehensible and could be open to misinterpretation.

  In cases where an inspection of a foreign-registered roll-on roll-off ferry reveals serious deficiencies which lead to its detention, the details would be included in the list of ships detained in the UK ports, which is published monthly by the Marine Safety Agency.

  Airport Security
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each major UK airport for each of the last five years the number of security inspections undertaken by his Department. [18677]

  Mr. Norris
  The six major airports in the UK were subject to the following number of security inspections in each of the last four years:

  Airport

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Total

  Heathrow

  89

  124

  136

  115

  464

  Gatwick

  46

  80

  83

  105

  314

  Manchester

  18

  31

  24

  32

  105

  Glasgow

  14

  27

  35

  25

  101

  Birmingham

  18

  11

  16

  22

  67

  Stanstead

  12

  22

  18

  14

  66

  Total

  197

  295

  312

  313

  1,117

  The information is not available for 1991–92.

  Inspectors visited these airports on many other occasions, mainly to audit and test their operations and to inspect, audit and test the operations of the airlines using them.

  Salvage Agreements
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances and under what powers(a) his Department and (b) port authorities may override a salvage agreement. [18602]

  Mr. Norris
  Under section 137 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the Secretary of State may give directions to the owner, master or any salvor in possession of a ship requiring any of them to take, or refrain from taking, any action for the purpose of preventing or reducing oil pollution. The power may be exercised where an accident has occurred to or on a ship, and in the opinion of the Secretary of State, oil from the ship will or may cause pollution on a large scale in the United Kingdom or in United Kingdom waters, and in his opinion the use of the powers is urgently needed.
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  Under the Dangerous Vessels Act 1985, a harbour master may give directions prohibiting the entry into, or requiring the removal from, the harbour of any vessel if in his opinion the condition of that vessel, or the nature and condition of anything it contains, is such that its presence in the harbour might involve a grave and imminent danger to the safety of any person or property or that it might seriously prejudice the use of the harbour by other vessels. Directions may be given to the owner, master or any salvor in possession. Under section 3 of the Act the Secretary of State may give directions on those lines to the harbour master, in effect overriding any directions the harbour master has given. The Dangerous Vessels Act does not affect the exercise by the Secretary of State of his powers under section 137 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

  Harbour authorities generally also have statutory powers to remove a vessel which is sunk, stranded or abandoned, so as to avoid interference with navigation. Some authorities may also have powers to direct a master or other persons having control of a vessel with the object of preventing or reducing pollution.

  Air Accident, Dominican Republic
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates the aircraft involved in the accident off the Dominican Republic on 7 February flew into the United Kingdom. [18672]

  Mr. Norris
  At the time of the crash the Boeing 757 aircraft involved was being operated by the Dominican airline Alas Nacionales on lease from the Turkish carrier Birgenair. Neither airline has operated services to the United Kingdom.

  Between May 1992 and April 1993 the aircraft was one of eight of its type operated by the Canadian carrier Nationair. During that period Nationair operated many charter services to the United Kingdom. Our records do not show whether or not this aircraft was used on any given flight.

  Agency Chief Executives
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the annual salary for the chief executive of each of his Departments' agencies for each year of their operation. [18671]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 4 July 1995,Official Report, columns 119–21.

  The following changes have taken place subsequently to some of the chief executives salaries:

  Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency

  1 August 1995: £55,802

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  1 August 1995: £48,193

  Driving Standards Agency

  1 August 1995: £59,044

  The Coastguard Agency

  1 August 1995: £52,230

  Marine Safety Agency

  1 August 1995: £47,427

  Airport, Redhill
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the possibility of the creation of a feeder or reliever airport at Redhill. [18673]

  Mr. Norris
  None. On 5 April 1995, the Secretary of State for the Environment refused planning permission for an application for development of Redhill as a feeder-reliever to Gatwick.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much(a) has been and (b) remains to be paid to the unsuccessful consortia which bid for the channel tunnel rail link contract. [19096]

  Mr. Watts
  The Government announced in March 1994 that they would be prepared to contribute to the costs of unsuccessful bidders in the channel tunnel rail link competition. That contribution would be £1.5 million or 33 per cent. of costs properly incurred in the preparation of bids submitted in March 1995, whichever was the less. Claims have been settled from the two consortia which were not shortlisted—Union Link and Green Arrow. The Government also indicated in 1994 that an additional contribution might be available in respect of costs incurred after tenders had been submitted. An offer of £1 million or 33 per cent. of costs, whichever was the lower, was subsequently made in respect of the period after shortlisting in July 1995. A claim has not yet been received from Eurorail CTRL Ltd. The decision to reimburse a portion of the bidders' costs reflected their large investment in preparing bids and the benefits derived by maintaining competitive pressure throughout the process. The amounts involved are small in the context of the size of the CTRL project.

  Aircraft (Iceballs)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of iceballs from aircraft hitting houses occurred in the last five years; and how many injuries were caused by such incidents. [19085]

  Mr. Norris
  There have been 51 incidents of icefall from aircraft hitting houses over the last five years. One incident resulted in bruising when ice hit a roof showering the injured party with debris.

  Late Trains
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much compensation has been paid by operating companies of the former British Rail to passengers in respect of late running trains. [19245]

  Mr. Watts
  Under British Rail's passengers charter, compensation is paid in respect of late running and cancelled trains. Between April 1994 and February 1996, British Rail's train operating companies have paid £7.9 million to passengers in the form of season ticket discounts and ex-gratia compensation.

  Highways Agency Information Line
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many calls have been made to the Highways Agency information line in each month since September 1995 on the subject of(a) cones and (b) other matters; and what was the average cost to the agency for each call in each category. [19275]

  Mr. Watts
  The number of calls that have been received in the Highways Agency information line since September 1995 are as follows. The Highways Agency's records distinguish between(a) complaints covering a range of issues on roadworks and (b) general inquiries about roadworks.

  Complaints

  Inquiries

  Totals

  October

  485

  650

  1,135

  November

  331

  746

  1,077

  December

  158

  356

  514

  January

  166

  65

  231

  February

  105

  406

  511

  1,245

  2,223

  3,468

  The Highways Agency does not keep a separate record of costs by category. The average cost to the agency for each call is about £2.50.

  Trans-European Network
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now support the designation of the Penzance-Bristol mainline railway as a high-speed trans-European network route at the Council of Ministers. [18624]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: The Department has relied on advice from British Rail and Railtrack on the categorisation of TENs rail routes in the UK. The TENs maps are not a wish list; they must reflect current realities or investment priorities. The Bristol-Penzance line does not meet the criteria for designation as high-speed and Railtrack has no current plans to upgrade it. It is therefore rightly categorised as a conventional rail link. The feasibility studies for which we are now seeking TENs funding will examine the options for improving journey times on both the Penzance-Bristol and Reading-Taunton routes and form a basis for investment decisions in the future. This is a positive step towards securing the improved rail infrastructure that the west country is seeking.

  Marine Accidents
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he first received a copy of the marine accident investigation branch report into the grounding of the Borga; and what action he has taken to date to implement its recommendations; [18893]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 28 February, Official Report, column 583, if he will place in the Library a copy of the marine accident investigation branch report into the grounding the Borga; [18902]

  (3) what amendments he has made to the report of the marine accident investigation branch on the grounding of the Borga originally delivered to him. [18894]
  217
  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: The report of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch into the grounding of the Borga has not yet been sent to Ministers. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library when it is published. The content of the report is entirely a matter for the MAIB, which is independent of Ministers; Ministers have no part in the drafting of the report.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on which dates a heavy duty salvage tug was(a) present and (b) absent from the vicinity of Milford Haven during the last three months; and if he will make a statement. [17985]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 5 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. Cynog Dafis, dated 6 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Question about tugs.

  A heavy duty salvage tug was in the vicinity of Milford Haven on the following dates:

  14–15 December 1995

  25 December 1995

  24 January 1996

  16–29 February 1996

ENVIRONMENT

  Cement Kilns
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to require that the maximum permissible concentration of heavy metals in secondary liquid fuel burnt in cement kilns shall be no more than the maximum permitted concentration in coal burnt in cement kilns. [18867]

  Mr. Clappison
  There are no limits set for heavy metals in coal. Limits on the heavy metals in the secondary liquid fuels are set on the basis of trial results and the requirement to meet emission limits.

  Secondary Liquid Fuels
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which waste regulation authorities in England have classified secondary liquid fuel as waste; what plans the Environment Agency has to apply the duty of care provisions of part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to secondary liquid fuels(a) in the area covered by each such authority and (b) in other areas of England. [18873]

  Mr. Clappison
  Whether or not a substance is waste must be determined on the facts of the case and the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts. The Department has provided guidance on the interpretation of the definition of waste in DOE circular 11/94. No central record is held of waste regulation authorities' view on the definition of waste in relation to particular substances.
  218
  The duty of care is an essentially self-regulatory system and the Environment Agency will not have a specific duty to enforce it. The effect of regulation 4 of the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 will be to require a person on whom the Environment Agency serves a notice to provide a copy of the written description of the waste and the transfer note which those involved in the transfer of waste are required by regulation 3 to keep.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the cases where Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has used its powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to revoke an authorisation granted under part I of that Act or under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, together with the reasons for each such revocation. [18865]

  Mr. Clappison
  A total of 96 cases have been revoked. However, of these 93 have been at the instigation of the operator. The three cases revoked at Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's instigation are listed as follows:

  Company

  Date issued

  Reason for revocation

  A W Stokes and Sons (Drums) Ltd., West Bromwich

  28 November 1994

  Failed to effect improvement conditions in authorisation

  Beacon Waste (Hanley Swan Incinerator), Hanley Castle, Worcester

  10 February 1995

  Failed to meet authorisation conditions. Company appealed successfully against revocation

  Birds Commercial Metals Ltd., Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

  1 March 1996

  Plant not built, therefore never operated

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Greater Manchester Waste Regulation and Disposal Authority in regard to membership of his regional enviornment protection advisory committee; what reply he is sending; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement. [18947]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Greater Manchester Waste Regulation and Disposal Authority has nominated a councillor for membership of the Environment Agency's north-west regional environment protection advisory committee. The Secretary of State will shorly be taking a decision on the membership schemes proposed for the REPACs by the agency, but decisions on individual members are a matter for the agency itself.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities chosen to implement phase one of the air quality duties under part IV of the Environment Act 1995. [19202]
  219
  Mr. Clappison
  The 14 areas chosen for first phase implementation comprise the following authorities:

  The London boroughs and the City Corporation

  Cambridge county council, Cambridge city and South Cambridgeshire district councils

  Hampshire county council, city councils of Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester; borough councils of Basingstoke and Deane, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Rushmoor and Test Valley; district councils of East Hampshire, Hart, New Forest and the Isle of Wight unitary authority

  Cornwall county council, district councils of Caradon, Carrick, Ken-ier, North Cornwall and Penwith and Restormel borough council

  Bristol city council, Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority—currently Bath city council and Wansdyke district council—South Gloucestershire unitary authority—currently Northav on district council and Kingswood borough council; North West Somerset unitary authority—currently Woodspring district council

  City councils of Birmingham and Coventry; metropolitan borough councils of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton

  District councils of Bolsover, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire; borough councils of Chesterfield and High Peak

  Ribble Valley borough council

  Liverpool city council and the metropolitan borough councils of Knowsley, Sefton, St. Helens and Wirral

  Metropolitan borough councils of Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham

  Newcastle upon Tyne city council and the metropolitan borough councils of Gateshead, North Tyeneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland

  Glasgow city council

  Aberdeen city council

  Swansea and Neath and Port Talbot unitary authorities

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the UK round table meeting on sustainable development on 22 February; and if he will make a statement. [19808]

  Mr. Gummer
  The UK round table met on 22 February, having published in January three initial reports—on freight transport, the domestic energy market, 1998 and beyond, and environmental management and audit. At the 22 February meeting, the round table agreed its first year annual report, which will be published shortly and to which the Government will respond formally. The meeting also discussed the Sea Empress oil spill, progress in the OECD ministerial environment committee and issues arising from the Newbury bypass.

  Emergency Night Shelters
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of(a) the current number of people in emergency night shelters in London, (b) the impact on that number of the implementation of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations and (c) the current number of unoccupied places in the shelters. [19114]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: Information is not held centrally about the numbers of people and of unoccupied places in emergency night
  220
  shelters in London. The impact on the number of people using night shelters of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 will depend on future inflows of people from abroad, the number of those people who choose to seek asylum, when they choose to do so, the lengths of time they choose to stay in this country, and the accommodation options open to them.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what performance targets have been set for the Ordnance Survey executive agency in the year 1996–97. [19341]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The following performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey in 1996–97:

  1. To recover at least 83 per cent. of the costs incurred by the agency.

  2. To ensure that by 31 March 1997, 96 per cent. of existing major details is surveyed and available to customers in the national topographic database at any one time. The target will increase to 99 per cent. by the year 2000.

  3. In order to provide a quality service to customers, to despatch products in response to orders as follows:

  95 per cent. of all Land-Line digital map units within six working days;

  90 per cent. of small-scale maps within five working days.

  To increase by 5 per cent. the annual revenue earned per member of staff employed.

  These targets, some of which are being incrementally increased, are closely associated with the key corporate aims of Ordnance Survey and demonstrate the agency's continuing commitment to customers and to improved value for money for all its stakeholders.

PRIME MINISTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the content of all briefings given by his press office on the subject of the Scott report since 15 February. [19283]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  This would be neither customary nor practicable.

  Hong Kong (Visit)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out his programme during his recent visit to Hong Kong. [19214]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is not my right hon. Friend's normal practice to do so.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister if all his engagements during his recent visit to Hong Kong related to public duty. [19215]
  221
  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  Yes.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) on how many occasions car based and mobile phones allocated to the use of his office have been cloned; to which officers these phones had been allocated; and when this cloning was discovered, in each of the last five years; [18949]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 22 January, Official Report, column 45, to which officer in his personal office the phone cloned in 1994 was allocated; when it became apparent that this phone had been cloned; and what action has been taken by his office to improve the security of the mobile phone in the use of his office; [18950]

  (3) on how many occasions mobile phones allocated for the use of (a) himself and (b) his office have been cloned since his appointment. [18951]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on 22 January, Official Report, column 45. I have nothing further to add.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister which Departments hold information relative to the financing by British banks, since 1980, using their customers' balances, of arms supplied to Iraq and Iran; which British banks were involved; what proportion of such financing went on the supply of Valmara 69 anti-personnel land mines; and if he will make a statement. [17934]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 February 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  Exports of lethal equipment including anti-personnel land mines from the United Kingdom to Iraq or Iran would require an export licence. No such licences have been issued since 1980. The financing by British banks of arms sales from other countries to Iraq and Iran would be a matter for Government Departments only if breaches of United Nations' sanctions were involved. Government Departments hold no evidence of such breaches by British banks. If the right hon. Member has any information regarding possible breaches of United Kingdom export controls or United Nations' sanctions, he should pass it to the relevant authorities.

  Public Appointments (Women)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many appointees to public offices in the list of public appointments were women for each year since 1990; and what proportion these represented of the total for each office. [18249]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  Information about the annual number of women appointed to public office is not maintained centrally. However, it is known that in 1990 and 1991, women held 23 per cent. of the total number of appointments
  222
  to public bodies. In October 1991, at the launch of Opportunity 2000, my right hon. Friend announced a Government initiative aimed at increasing this figure further. Good progress has been made and the percentage of such posts held by women, at 1 September 1995, is 30 per cent. The following table gives the figures for the intervening years:

  Held by women

  Total number of public appointments

  Number

  Per cent.

  1990

  44,057

  10,256

  23

  1991

  39,122

  9,135

  23

  1992

  41,011

  10,701

  26

  1993

  42,606

  12,007

  28

  1994

  42,876

  12,686

  30

  1995

  40,170

  11,898

  30

  European Courts
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages to the United Kingdom of membership of(a) the European Court of Justice and (b) the European Court of Human Rights; and by what mechanism the United Kingdom can withdraw from membership of each. [17766]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  Accepting jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice is an essential element of European Union membership, the advantages and disadvantages of which have been discussed many times in this House. The UK could withdraw from the jurisdiction of the ECJ only by withdrawing from the EU.

  Our policy in respect of the European convention on human rights was set out by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 13 December 1995, Official Report, column 647.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Prime Minister if his negotiations with the constitutional parties in Northern Ireland to determine the electoral process will include the Progressive Unionist party and the Ulster Democratic party. [18943]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  Letters of invitation to the round of intensive consultations with the parties were sent on 28 February and the leaders of the Progressive Unionist party and the Ulster Democratic party were among the recipients.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Employment (Irish Nationals)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of persons resident in the Irish Republic who work in Northern Ireland, broken down by gender; how many of each sex are employed in each sector of the economy; and how many are employed in each council area. [18224]
  223
  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is not available.

  Watercourse Management
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the future organisation of the watercourse management division of the Department of Agriculture. [19739]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Having recently completed the prior options study which was announced to Parliament on 20 July 1994,Official Report, columns 341–42, the Government have decided that the watercourse management division should become a next steps agency from 1 October 1996.

  The division is responsible for the provision of flood defence and river drainage systems and for promoting the sustainable development of inland navigation and water recreation facilities.

  Making the watercourse management division a next steps agency will give it the flexibility to operate within a framework of appropriate efficiency targets and performance indicators, while remaining a part of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inward investment projects have settled in Northern Ireland as a result of guidance given by the Invest in Britain Bureau over the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [17732]

  Mr. Ancram
  I am not aware of any inward investment projects having settled in Northern Ireland over the past three years as a result of guidance given by the Invest in Britain Bureau.

  School Teachers
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will request the Irish Republic's Minister for Education to extend to secondary school teachers her concession on Northern Ireland trained primary school teachers without an Irish language qualification; and if he will seek legal advice on whether the Scrudu Cailiochta sa Ghaeilge requirement breaches European employment law. [18521]

  Mr. Ancram
  These are matters for the Irish Government.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what legal advice he has taken on the compliance of a decision to end the exemption in the Fair Employment Act permitted for the appointment of school teachers with article 2 of the first protocol to the European convention on human rights. [18522]

  Mr. Ancram
  No legal advice has been taken regarding this issue.

  Census Questions
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make representations to the Home Secretary to include a question about Ulster origin in the pilot census on a question on Irish origin. [18523]
  224
  Sir John Wheeler
  As part of the Great Britain small-scale census question testing programme, it has been decided to test various changes to the ethnic origin question, including incorporating a separate Irish category. To date, no case has been made by users to classify people from Ulster separately and therefore this is currently not being considered.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration is being given to(a) including an ethnic origin question and (b) re-wording the religious affiliation question in the Northern Ireland census; and if he will make a statement. [18524]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is planned that an ethnic origin questions will be tested in the 1997 census in Northern Ireland. The wording of all census questions, including a religious affiliation question, will be subject to review before final decisions are made. The finalised census question will be laid before Parliament by way of a Northern Ireland Order in Council, before the census.

  Orders in Council (Debate)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those Orders in Council requiring an affirmative resolution of the House that have been debated in a Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation to date; from what date the current procedures in respect of(a) Orders in Council and (b) consideration in Standing Committees commenced; and which orders he intends to be debated in a Standing Committee in the current Session of Parliament. [18525]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland Act 1974 enables the Government to legislate for Northern Ireland by way of Order in Council. In December 1994, the House agreed that all affirmative statutory instruments would be referred automatically to a Standing Committee, but could be de-referred on a Government motion, with the Government acceding to any reasonable Opposition request for de-referral. This was initially on an experimental basis but was incorporated into Standing Orders at the start of the current Session.

  Since then, the following Northern Ireland Orders in Council have been debated in Standing Committee—prior information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost;

  Orders in council under the Northern Ireland act 1974 debated in Standing Committee

  Date of debate in Standing Committee

  Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order

  16 February 1995

  Fair Employment (Amendment) (NI) Order

  22 February 1995

  Children's Evidence (NI) Order

  28 February 1995

  Wildlife (Amendment) (NI) Order

  28 February 1995

  Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order

  9 May 1995

  Arts Council (NI) Order

  7 June 1995

  Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (NI) Order 1995

  8 June 1995

  Trade Union and Labour Relations (NI) Order 1995

  4 July 1995

  Road Traffic (NI) Order 1995

  17 October 1995

  Police (Amendment) (NI) Order 1995

  18 October 1995

  Financial Provisions (NI) Order

  1 November 1995

  Street Works (NI) Order 1995

  28 November 1995

  225

  Orders in council under the Northern Ireland act 1974 debated in Standing Committee

  Date of debate in Standing Committee

  County Courts (Amendment) NI Order

  29 November 1996

  Education (NI) Order

  7 December 1996

  Gas (NI) Order

  17 January 1996

  Business Tenancies (NI) Order

  7 February 1996

  Juries (NI) Order

  28 February 1996

  The question of whether a forthcoming Order in Council should be debated in Standing Committee will be settled when it arises.

  Rathgael Centre
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residents of the Rathgael centre in Bangor left without permission in each month of 1995; and how many were(a) charged and (b) cautioned with offences committed while out of bounds. [18526]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Rathgael is an "open" training school and the information requested about those absent without leave is as follows:

  1995

  Care1

  Offenders

  Total

  January

  19

  16

  35

  February

  20

  16

  36

  March

  29

  22

  51

  April

  24

  12

  36

  May

  19

  15

  34

  June

  29

  16

  45

  July

  25

  24

  49

  August

  25

  15

  40

  September

  12

  14

  26

  October

  23

  21

  44

  November

  23

  19

  42

  December

  19

  24

  43

  1 Residents requiring care, protection or control are accommodated separately from those given a training school order following a finding of guilt of a criminal offence.

  A total of 70 children who absconded from Rathgael in 1995 were charged with offences. Of these, 15 were there for care reasons and 55 for offending.

  A total of nine children who absconded from Rathgael in 1995 received a caution. Of these, eight were there for care reasons and one for offending.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Access to Work
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of those who applied for access to work before 18 December, but have not yet had their applications processed, will have their applications considered under the criteria used when they applied. [11485]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  226
  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. David Blunkett, dated 6 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about how people who applied for Access to Work before 18 December will have their applications considered.The Secretary of State's announcement said that we would meet existing commitments. Thus everyone who made an application for Access to Work before 18 December will have had their applications considered under the criteria used when they applied.
  I hope this is helpful.

  EDS Ltd.
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those contracts her Department currently holds with EDS, indicating for each the(a) date of inception, (b) value and (c) duration. [17447]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I have been unable to identify any contracts between the Department and the company EDS.

  Further Education (Manchester)
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what change there has been in enrolments on further education courses in the Greater Manchester area from 1987 to 1995. [18260]

  Mr. Paice
  Enrolments on full-time further education courses in Greater Manchester rose from 29,700 in 1986–87 to 44,100 in 1994–95, an increase of 48 per cent. Part-time enrolments fell by 22 per cent., from 104,100 to 81,100. The number of full-time equivalent students rose by 20 per cent. from 49,000 to 58,500.

  Nursery Education Provision
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the level of provision per pupil under the Government's proposed nursery scheme for(a) year 1, (b) year 2 and (c) year 3, for those pupils (i) aged three-and-a-half-years, (ii) in reception class and (iii) aged four years; and how this figure compares with the current provision. [18799]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Local education authority budgets will be reduced only by the voucher value for every four-year-old in maintained provision. They will receive £1,100 for every full voucher redeemed at a local authority-maintained school. If LEA-maintained schools recruit the same number of four-year-olds as now, then their budgets will be unaffected. Moreover, if they currently spend above the voucher value on places for four-year-olds, or on provision for three-year-olds, the funding mechanism ensures that they retain the funds to continue doing so. They will, therefore, continue to be able to fund pre-school places at existing levels.

  The expansion of provision will be largely driven by parental choice and is expected to become universal for four-year-olds within a reasonable time.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local education authorities will suffer financial penalties under the provision of the nursery voucher scheme. [18797]
  227
  Mr. Robin Squire
  No local education authority will lose any funding if it continues to recruit the same number of four-year-olds as it does now. Moreover, the voucher scheme will leave LEAs with funds to make grants to the voluntary sector, and for other related purposes.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received from the Manchester Diocesan Board for Education in regard to her proposals for nursery vouchers; what reply she is making; and if she will make a statement. [17212]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received one Letter from the Manchester diocesan board of education, dated 21 February, about the nursery voucher scheme. My right hon. Friend will shortly send a full reply.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and employment if the calculation of the number of weekly guided learning hours using the criteria set out in the Further Education Funding Council's document "How to Apply for Funding 1996–97," para 164 by a claimant of jobseeker's allowance will be accepted by the Employment Service; and if she will make a statement. [19044]

  Mr. Forth
  Yes, it will.

  Access to Work
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects the review of access to work to be completed; and if she will make a statement. [19146]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. David Blunkett, dated 6 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the review of Access to Work.Further to my earlier reply to you on this subject printed in Hansard, 24 January, column 285, the review of Access to Work is nearly complete, following discussions with organisations principally concerned about the programme's operation.I hope this is helpful.

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on her Department's implementation of the European Union's third medium-term equal opportunities programme for men and women. [17269]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Government supported the third Community action programme on equal opportunities for men and women, which ran from 1991 to 1995. The programme had three broad objectives: the implementation and development of legislation; integration of women in the labour market; and improving the status of women in society. The Government have taken a wide range of actions in all these areas.
  228

  Grant-maintained Schools (Funding)
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made about the projected savings to the Funding Agency for Schools in respect of the introduction of private sector funding for grant-maintained schools' capital expenditure. [18836]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: The contribution of private sector funding to capital expenditure on grant-maintained schools will depend upon the decisions of individual school governors and the private sector. We have made it clear that capital grant from the Funding Agency for Schools will continue to ensure that essential work is funded at GM schools.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Cable and Wireless
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what use the Government have made of their golden share in Cable and Wireless in respect of the appointment of foreign nationals. [17154]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government accepted a request in December from Cable and Wireless to change article 119 of that company's articles of association to facilitate the appointment of a new chief executive. Article 119 relates to the managing and executive directors—paragraph B specifically to the nationality of senior executives—and the Government's agreement as special shareholder is required to amendments to this article. I announced the Government's agreement in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink), on 18 December 1995,Official Report, column 862.

  Argentina (Arms Sales)
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new guidelines were placed on arms sales to Argentina between May 1979 and March 1982; and when and what were the nature of the guidelines. [18091]

  Mr. Lang
  There were no special guidelines on arms sales to Argentina in the period specified. Export licence applications for the sale of defence equipment to Argentina were circulated to the MOD and the FCO, and were considered on the basis of consistency with our strategic, security and foreign policy interests.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what(a) arms and (b) arms-related contracts with the Argentine Government were approved by Her Majesty's Government between the years 1979 and 1982. [19352]

  Mr. Lang
  No substantial contracts for defence equipment were signed and completed after 1978. Some contracts signed before 1979 were fulfilled in 1979–81, and some contracts or spares for existing UK equipment were fulfilled.

  Jordan (Exports)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will now provide information on compliance
  229

  by Jordan with end user certificates covering goods exported between 1985 to 1993, referred to in his answer of 5 May 1993, Official Report, column 106. [18540]

  Mr. Lang
  I have nothing to add to the answer given by my hon. Friend on 5 May 1993,Official Report, column 106.

  Telecommunications (Key Escrow)
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce a key escrow into Britain's telecommunications industry. [18482]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  While there are no specific plans to introduce key-escrow services into our telecommunications system, discussions are taking place between Government Departments on the provision of encryption services on these networks. Such discussions will seek to balance the legitimate commercial needs of the business community, for secure and confidential communications, with those of the law enforcement authorities. Key retrieval services therefore, via a network of trusted third parties, are one of the issues being considered.

  Medical Research Council
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what degree of independence the Medical Research Council has in determining the subjects of its research projects. [19173]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The responsibilities and powers of the Medical Research Council are as defined in the Science and Technology Act 1965 and its supplemental royal charter, dated 16 December 1993.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the statutory role of his Department or agencies of his Department in deciding the subjects of research projects conducted by the Medical Research Council. [19174]

  Mr. Taylor
  My statutory role in relation to the Medical Research Council is as set out in the Science and Technology Act 1965, as amended by the Transfer of Functions (Science) Order 1992 and the Transfer of Functions (Science) Order 1995.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received alleging erosion of independence of the Medical Research Council by his Department or agencies of his Department. [19175]

  Mr. Taylor
  None.

  Launch Aid
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been awarded in launch aid in each year since 1990; and how much has been repaid in each year. [19093]

  Mr. Eggar
  Following is a table showing the amount of launch aid awarded and repaid since 1990.

  £ million

  Financial year

  payments

  Receipts

  1990–91

  141.1

  51.8

  1991–92

  78.7

  83.0

  1992–93

  31.4

  74.7

  230

  £ million

  Financial year

  payments

  Receipts

  1993–94

  0.6

  56.9

  1994–95

  2.0

  47.0

  Launch aid financial information is collated within the Department in financial rather than calendar years.

  Rolls-Royce (Tupolev Aircraft)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he has given to Rolls-Royce to secure contracts for the supply of Rolls-Royce engines for Tupolev aircraft. [19095]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Export Credits Guarantee Department has invited the Russian Ministry of Finance to nominate Rolls-Royce RB211 aeroengines for the Tupolev 204 as a priority for ECGD cover if it wishes to do so. However, the order or priorities is for the Russian authorities to decide.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Government published their strategy for the aerospace industry. [19092]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government work with the Society of British Aerospace Companies, which published its national aerospace framework in January. The SBAC and DTI set out the areas on which they are working together in a joint statement, which I announced on 29 November 1995.

  British Coal Enterprise
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has had about the future of British Coal Enterprise; and if he will make a statement. [18946]

  Mr. Page
  My ministerial colleagues and I have discussions about British Coal Enterprise as necessary. Officials in my Department remain in close touch with British Coal about the future of BCE.

  Nigeria (Arms Sales)
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the types of export licences granted for the sales of arms products to Nigeria since November 1993. [17281]

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Science and Technology on 10 May 1995,Official Report, columns 517–18 and the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 27 February 1996, Official Report, column 459. On 11 November 1995, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a full UK arms embargo against Nigeria and, subsequently, on 20 November the European Union introduced a full scope arms embargo against the country.
  231
  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will write to the hon. Member when the statistical analysis of export licences granted for military, para-military and security equipment during 1995 has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Arms Manufacturers
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the number of companies who are manufacturing arms under licence in the United Kingdom for a foreign parent company. [17282]

  Mr. Lang
  No such estimate has been made.

  Radio and Television Interference
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of Trade what changes will occur the Radiocommunications Agency's investigating interference to domestic radio reception.

  Departmental Inquiries
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) internal and (b) MOD police inquiries have been carried out within his Department since 1993. [17806]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The agency's charge to visit householders to diagnose their reception arrangements will be increased from £35 to £40 with effect from 1 April 1996. This will bring it more into line with the private sector's charges for this type of work. The agency will continue to check specific sources of interference to television and radio reception free of charges as part of its regulatory duties.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he will publish the Government's response to the recommendations of the interdepartmental review of fire safety legislation and enforcement in the United Kingdom, which reported to Ministers in June 1994; [18966]

  (2) what plans he has to transfer the functions of the Fire Service in respect of general fire safety legislation and enforcement, to (a) local authority bodies, (b) private inspectors and (c) the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will make a statement. [18967]

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have been considering the findings of the review and the views expressed by interested parties, including the deregulation task force. We have also been further considering the fire safety aspects of the EC framework and workplace directives. An announcement on both will be made soon.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what has been the cost of the installation of telephones; and how many were installed for the use of hon. Members' staff at(a) Stirling, (b) Inverness, (c) Aberdeen and (d) Kilmarnock in respect of meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee. [17119]
  232
  Mr. Beith
  Telephones are installed for Members' use at meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee when there are insufficient existing lines. These telephones may also be used by Members' staff. Additional telephone lines have been installed as follows:

  Stirling: six

  Inverness: nil

  Aberdeen: three

  Kilmarnock: six (ordered for 4 March)

  The cost for the installation at Stirling was £919.60. Costs for the other locations are not yet available.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Inquiries
  Mr. Keen
  To ask Secretary of for Defence how many(a) internal and (b) MOD police inquiries have been carried out within his Department since 1993. [17806]

  Mr. Soames
  Information on the number of internal inquiries carried out within my Department since 1993 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Details of the numbers of MOD police inquiries are contained in the Chief Constables's annual report for 1993–94 and 1994–95, which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Deterrent
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual cost of maintaining the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. [18088]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The running costs of the Polaris boats in 1994–95 was £65 million. The average annual operating cost of Trident over its life is expected to be about £200 million.

  Military Equipment Exports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he has made to this policy relating to the release of information concerning the export of military equipment to Iraq in the last six years; and if he will make a statement. [18534]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is contained in the background note, "Ministerial Accountability and the Release of Information on Defence Related Exports", which was placed in the Library of the House on 26 February 1996.

  Sea Water (Charted Depths)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to revise chart datum; on how many occasions since 1 January the charted depth has been lower than the lowest astronomical tide; and by how much charted low water depths were below chart datum during the storms and spring tides of early 1996. [18608]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Hydrographic Office. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  233
  Letter from John Clarke to Mr. Barry Field, dated 6 March 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question (0528H) to the Secretary of State for Defence about chart datum as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Hydrographic Office Defence Agency.There are no plans to revise chart datum in UK waters. Chart Datum (CD) is defined as a level so low that the tide will not frequently fall below it. In the United Kingdom this level is taken as approximately the level of Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). LAT is defined as the lowest level which can be predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions and any combination of astronomical conditions.The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) maintains and monitors records for three permanently established tide gauges, at Plymouth (Devonport), Portsmouth and Rosyth. These records show that at all three ports the water level has fallen below CD/LAT on one occasion since 1 January 1996. In each case this occurred on 20 February 1996 when at Plymouth the recorded level was 0.18 metres below CD, at Portsmouth 0.10 meters below CD and at Rosyth 0.13 metres below CD. Tidal records for other ports are not held by the UKHO on a permanent basis.I hope this response is of assistance.

  Air Vice-Marshall Howard
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 February 1996,Official Report, column 318, what (a) reprimand or (b) penalty was issued to Air Vice-Marshall Howard for his failure to seek permission for a business appointment. [19046]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  None. Air Vice-Marshal Howard retired in October 1988 and the Department did not become aware of his consultancy with Tripod Engineering Ltd. until May 1993.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Ex-service Personnel (Pension Appeal Tribunals)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many ex-service people with attributable hearing loss were on waiting lists for hearings by the pension appeal tribunals at the latest date for which figures are available and at the same date in each of the preceeding 10 years; what action he is taking to reduce the average waiting time; and if he will make a statement. [18955]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Specific information about hearing loss cases is not available as the pensions appeal tribunals do not record appeals by the type of disability or injury which is subject to appeal.

  In order to reduce waiting times in all cases, extra staff and judicial officers have been appointed which has enabled an increase in tribunal sittings and cases heard. A scheme has been introduced to give priority to appellants aged over 68 and those who are terminally ill. Administrative changes are being made to enable more hearings in the absence of the appellant and more flexible listing procedures are planned which will allow appeals to be heard at short notice.

TREASURY

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what considerations underlay the choice of extracts from the Scott report cited at the top half of the second page of the press release 26/96 issued by his Department on 15 February. [18553]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  They demonstrated that the allegations of deliberately misleading Parliament levelled against my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary before publication of the Scott report were not endorsed by Sir Richard Scott.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the memorandum submitted by his Department in appendix A in volume V of the Scott report, for what reasons he included guns in the first heading on the third page of his departmental press release 26/96 issued on 15 February. [18587]

  Mr. Clarke
  The items included in parentheses were chosen as good examples in general of lethal equipment.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make changes in the personnel of his Department following criticisms contained in the report of the Scott inquiry. [16570]

  Mr. Clarke
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 February 1996, Official Report, column 239.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [16608]

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

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members of his Department who saw the report of the Scott inquiry before it was presented to the House; and when each saw the report. [16536]

  Mr. Clarke
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: A small number of civil servants in my Departments had access to the report prior to publication for the purpose of preparing the Government's response. Such access was in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Scott inquiry.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr Marlow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer. what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom's capacity(a) to revalue and (b) to devalue sterling in a partial EMU excluding the United Kingdom. [17277]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  If the UK exercises its option not to join stage 3 of EMU the Government will continue to decide what exchange rate arrangements for Sterling are in the country's best interests.
  235
  In this context, the Prime Minister secured agreement at the Madrid European Council that the ECOFIN Council, together with, in their respective fields of competence, the Commission and the European Monetary Institute, study the range of issues raised by the possibility that some countries may not initially participate in the Euro area, including issues related to monetary stability and exchange rate relations.

  National Savings
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his plans for the Department for National Savings. [19740]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has decided that the Department for National Savings should be launched as an executive agency of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 1 July 1996.

  As a next steps executive agency, National Savings will continue to provide a source of funds for Government and a safe home for savings. The agency will have more freedom to manage its affairs and clearer responsibilities within a framework of objectives, annual performance targets and resources agreed with Ministers. It will be set clear targets to continue to improve value for money for the taxpayer and the level of service to customers.

  Barlow Clowes
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans his Department has to ensure that former small investors of the investment company run by Barlow Clowes are fully compensated for losses caused by fraudulent activity; [18324]

  (2) for what reasons the compensation package offered to former small investors of the investment company run by Barlow Clowes was limited to 90 per cent. of losses. [18380]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: On 19 December 1989, the Government announced their decision to offer substantial payments, without admission of fault or liability, to investors who suffered loss as a result of the Barlow Clowes collapse.

  In determining the levels of the ex-gratia payments, the Government considered it important to maintain the principle of co-insurance. Investors must be expected to have some responsibility for their own decisions and, therefore, bear some of the loss themselves. The payments made by the Government provided for the early relief of hardship caused to large numbers of investors. It also ensured swifter relief than would have been the case had investors pursued their interests through the courts.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent on 21 February 1996,Official Report, column 157, if he will set out the improvements in the way the Customs and Excise handles major prosecutions arising from alleged breaches of export control regulations to which he refers. [18533]
  236
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The improvements referred to are encapsulated in guidelines which were first issued in July 1991 and later revised and reissued in June 1995. These guidelines cover the handling of sensitive cases, including those concerning breaches of export controls. They reinforce established procedures and introduce a system of formal reviews to ensure that the strength of the evidence and the overall progress of the case are monitored. They formalise a system of consultation and monitoring between investigators, case solicitor and the policy administrators at an early stage in an investigation.

  The guidelines provide for a "case co-ordinator" who is appointed from the administrators. They also specify that responsibility for the conduct of a case falls to the Customs solicitor's office and that the case solicitor must regularly review the evidence, reporting regularly to the case co-ordinator in writing and making additional reports as circumstances and changes in the case require.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishermen
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will instruct the Director of the Marine Safety Agency(a) to meet the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and (b) to provide officials to assist the national federation's safety and training committee in respect of EEC regulations on health, hygiene, safety and medical stores. [18857]

  Mr. Baldry
  I met Viscount Goschen, the Department of Transport Minister responsible for the Marine Safety Agency, on 16 February, to discuss a number of issues that fishermen have raised with me. I know that he is aware of the needs of the fishing industry and we agreed to meet again soon. I also understand that the Marine Safety Agency has arranged a meeting with representatives of the fishermen's federations on 26 March to discuss the industry's concerns about a framework for future consultation.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what hectarage is given up to(a) set-aside land and (b) each of the 10 highest land area covering crops; and how many kilometres length of river bank runs along set-aside land in (i) the UK, (ii) each other member state of the EU and (iii) the EU in total. [18621]

  Mr. Baldry
  The latest figures for the area of land set-aside in the EU as of 15 January 1995 are set out in the table.

  The latest complete details of the 10 highest land area covering crops are given in section 3.5.2.2. of "The Agricultural Situation in the EU 1994", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  The information about the length of river bank that runs along set-aside land in the other member states and the EU in total is not available. In the UK, this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  237

  Land set-aside as of 15 January 1995

  Country

  Rotational set-aside (HA)

  Non-rotational set-aside (HA)

  UK

  337,281

  266,579

  Belgium

  14,126

  7,860

  Denmark

  46,503

  200,682

  France

  748,937

  977,590

  Germany

  469,482

  855,228

  Greece

  9,677

  8,456

  Ireland

  19,053

  13,107

  Italy

  182,650

  65,042

  Luxembourg

  1,641

  456

  Netherlands

  9,406

  2,441

  Portugal

  n/a

  n/a

  Spain

  418,767

  1.007,202

  Austria

  57,902

  65,268

  Finland

  153,000

  59,000

  Sweden

  82,855

  246,328

  EU 15

  2.551,280

  3.775,239

  Fisheries Closures
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultations his Department has had with inshore fishermen north of Bridlington in relation to the closure of the Dover sole fishery for boats under 10 m; [19163]

  (2) what action he has taken to ensure that future closure of fisheries will not be taken without consultation with the sector of the fishing industry most directly involved. [19164]

  Mr. Baldry
  Before the closure of the North sea sole fishery to vessels 10 m and under in length from 1 January to 31 March 1996, the Ministry consulted both the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations which represents inshore fishermen in England including those north of Bridlington, and the Yorkshire and Anglia Fish Producers' Organisation based at Bridlington which also includes inshore fishermen among its members. Ministry officials also met with representatives of the NFFO and fishermen from the north-east on 5 February. At the request of the NFFO, the Ministry has agreed to consult directly with the NFFO's constituent organisations on any future proposals to effect a temporary closure of a fishery. Such consultation will not, however, extend to those fishery closures which are necessary because of the full utilisation of quota allocations.

  Dredging (The Wash)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to ensure that dredging activities in the Wash will not affect local inshore fisheries. [19165]

  Mr. Baldry
  MAFF will not agree to any aggregate dredging licence being issued unless it is satisfied that the interests of the marine environment and commercial fishing activities can be adequately protected. Current dredging operations near the Wash are subject to extensive conditions to minimise the effect of the operation including liaison arrangements and post-dredge surveys.

  In addition, an extensive monitoring programme is being undertaken to assess the effects of the dredging.

  Departmental Suppliers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that his Department identifies the size of its suppliers by the number of their employees. [15607]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 20 February 1996]: It is planned that the Ministry's resource management system will be able to generate the requisite information within the financial year 1996–97.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which projects in the county of Mid Glamorgan have benefited from lottery funding; and what sums they have received. [17568]

  Mr. Sproat
  To date, 51 awards totalling £6.7 million have been made to organisations in Mid Glamorgan. I attach a complete list for information.

  National Lottery awards in Mid Glamorgan

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Location

  Amount

  Arts

  24 March 1995

  Coliseum Operatic and Drama Society

  Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan

  2,115.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  8th Cynon Valley Scout Group

  Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan

  1,200.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Penywaun Community Centre

  Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan

  3,000.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Bargoed, Aberbargoed and Gilfach Credit Union Ltd.

  Bargoed, Mid Glamorgan

  69,695.00

  NLCB

  23 October 1995

  Arthritis Care— Bridgend Branch

  Bridgend

  3,000.00

  Sports

  15 December 1995

  Bridgend Canoe Club

  Bridgend

  7,058.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Multiple Sclerosis Society

  Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan

  1,620.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  West Ward Community Association

  Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan

  40,946.00

  Sports

  21 December 1995

  Port Talbot Borough Council

  Cymmer

  436,553.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Maerdy Ferndale Tenants Board

  Ferndale, Mid Glamorgan

  6,200.00

  Sports

  15 December 1995

  Gilfach Goch Community Association

  Gilfach Goch

  3,930.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Antur Enfys

  Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan

  144,606.00

  Sports

  13 October 1995

  Clwb Rygbi'r Bala

  Meirionnydd

  80,547.00

  Sports

  13 October 1995

  Troedyrhiw Boys and Girls Club

  Merthyr Tydfil

  25,900.00

  Sports

  13 October 1995

  Penydarren Girls and Boys Club

  Merthyr Tydfil

  112,000.00

  NHMF

  23 November 1995

  Cefn Coed Viaduct Restoration

  Merthyr Tydfil

  375,000.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Galon Uchaf Residents Association

  Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan

  23,152.00

  239

  National Lottery awards in Mid Glamorgan

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Location

  Amount

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Cefn Coed Community Centre

  Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan

  37,500.00

  Sports

  7 June 1995

  Abercynon RFC

  Mid Glamorgan

  295,908.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Llwynypia Primary School Parents Association

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,910.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Mid Glamorgan Citizen Advocacy

  Mid Glamorgan

  44,895.00

  NLCB

  23 October 1995

  Mid Glamorgan Referral Scheme

  Mid Glamorgan

  60,000.00

  Arts

  13 February 1996

  Ynyshir Welfare Band

  Mid Glamorgan: Rhondda

  32,711.00

  Arts

  13 February 1996

  Penyrheol Modenairs Jazz Band

  Mid Glamorgan: Rhymney Valley

  2,610.00

  Arts

  13 February 1996

  Taff Ely Borough Council

  Mid Glamorgan: Taff Ely

  23,484.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Caerphilly and District Victim Support

  Newport, Mid Glamorgan

  4,700.00

  Arts

  17 July 1995

  Ogmore Valley Male Voice Choir

  Ogmore Vale

  71,338.00

  Sports

  7 June 1995

  Pencoed Comprehensive School/Ogwr Borough Council

  Ogwr

  72,255.00

  Sports

  29 June 1995

  Tondu Cricket Club

  Ogwr

  67,860.00

  MC

  11 September 1995

  Garw

  Ogwr

  1,150,000.00

  MC

  11 September 1995

  Tondu Industrial Estate

  Ogwr

  2,000,000.00

  Sports

  13 October 1995

  Ewenny and Corntown Cricket Club

  Ogwr

  40,000.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Ystrad Rhondda Boys Club

  Pentre, Mid Glamorgan

  30,000.00

  Sports

  13 October 1995

  Pontyclun Rugby Football Sports Club

  Pontyclun

  295,737.00

  Arts

  17 July 1995

  Menter Taf Elai

  Pontypridd

  2,100.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Pontypridd Gingerbread

  Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan

  3,000.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1996

  Age Concern Mid Glamorgan

  Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan

  180,282.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Gilfach Goch Netball Club

  Porth, Mid Glamorgan

  22,612.00

  Arts

  12 May 1995

  Rhymney Valley Recreational Activities Club

  Rhymney Valley

  14,275.00

  NLCB

  23 October 1995

  Rhymney Valley Mind

  Rhymney Valley

  19,406.00

  Arts

  18 December 1995

  Taff Ely Borough Council

  Taff Ely

  56,314.00

  Sports

  3 May 1995

  Y Pant Comprehensive School

  Taff-Ely

  4,500.00

  Sports

  13 October 1995

  Llantrisant Lawn Tennis Club

  Taff-Ely

  12,351.00

  Sports

  13 October 1995

  Llantwit Fadre Cricket Club

  Taff-Ely

  39,382.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Clydach Vale Boys Club

  Tonypandy, Mid Glamorgan

  58,500.00

  240

  National Lottery awards in Mid Glamorgan

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Location

  Amount

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Penygraig Community Project

  Tonypandy, Rhondda, Mid Glamorgan

  301,999.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Tonyrefail Boys and Girls Club

  Tonyrefail, Mid Glamorgan

  20,000.00

  NLCB

  15 December 1995

  Cwmpare Community Welfare Association

  Treorchy, Mid Glamorgan

  147,900.00

  Sports

  21 July 1995

  Cowbridge Comprehensive School

  Vale of Glamorgan

  2,381.00

  Sports

  21 July 1995

  Penarth Motor Boat and Sailing Club

  Vale of Glamorgan

  235,212.00

  Sports

  26 October 1995

  Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council

  Vale of Glamorgan

  28,450.00

  Sports

  26 October 1995

  Llantwit Major Surf Lifesaving Club

  Vale of Glamorgan

  25,475.00

  Total (51 awards)

  6,717,094.00

  Arts Council
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent discussions she has had with the Arts Council regarding change to distribution rules to create a stability fund to enable lottery funds to be spent on staff restructuring and if she will make it her policy to resist such a change. [18225]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Arts Council has approached me with a proposal for a scheme to be financed from the lottery to provide ways of putting arts organisations on a firmer financial basis without entering into continuing commitments for revenue funding. The Arts Council is currently working up detailed proposals in consultation with my Department and others.

  Broadcasting Bill
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the consultants employed to advise her Department upon the technical aspects of the Broadcasting Bill, with particular reference to the operation of multiplexes. [17930]

  Mr. Sproat
  In March 1995 my Department commissioned the National Economic Research Association to prepare a study of methods of media market measurement. The results of this study informed the preparation of Government policy on cross-media ownership which is reflected in the Broadcasting Bill.

  My Department did not commission any work from consultants on digital broadcasting, but relied on the technical advice of the Radiocommunications Agency and the broadcasting authorities.

  Royal Armouries (International) plc
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what sums have been made available to Royal Armouries (International) plc to create a museum. [19105]
  241
  Mr. Sproat
  The new Royal Armouries museum, Leeds is being funded by the public and private sectors. My Department is providing £20 million from its existing resources.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which (i) directors and (ii) senior employees of Royal Armouries (International) plc are(a) former public servants, (b) hon. or former hon. Members and (c) Peers. [19107]

  Mr. Sproat
  General Sir James Glover, formerly Commander-in-Chief, United kingdom Land Forces, is the chairman of Royal Armouries (International) plc. No other director or senior employee falls into any of the categories listed.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what terms armour and other material will be provided to Royal Armouries (International) plc for exhibitions. [19106]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Royal Armouries is making available a substantial part of its collection to Royal Armouries (International) plc for exhibition in the new Royal Armouries museum, Leeds. Royal Armouries (International) plc will meet the costs of conserving and displaying the collection. The Royal Armouries will retain ownership of the collection.

  Oflot (Hospitality Costs)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much has been spent by Oflot on official hospitality since its setting up. [18239]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 29 February 1996]: This is a matter for the Director General of the National Lottery. I have therefore asked the Director General to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.

  Civil Servants (Company Directors)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [18142]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: Officials in this Department who are currently directors of companies must under departmental rules declare their interest to senior managers who must be satisfied that there is no conflict of interest between officials' public duties and private activities. Staff who disclose relevant interests do so on the understanding that the declaration, like all employment matters, is confidential between them and the Department.

  Tourism
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what advice she has supplied to the know-how funds on tourism projects; and in respect of which projects. [16327]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department has not provided advice on tourism projects supported by the know-how funds.
  242
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many tourists visited(a) the north-west of England and (b) Lancashire in 1990 and 1995. [16381]

  Mr. Sproat
  Visitor figures are not yet available for 1995. The figures for 1990 and 1994 are as follows:

  Million

  1990

  1994

  North-West

  Domestic visitor trips

  7.5

  8.6

  Domestic visitor expenditure

  £755

  £1,090

  Overseas visitor trips

  0.98

  1.12

  Overseas visitor expenditure

  £228

  £395

  Lancashire

  Domestic visitor trips

  3.6

  3.7

  Domestic visitor expenditure

  £450

  £552

  Overseas visitor trips

  0.18

  0.18

  Overseas visitor expenditure

  £43

  £51

  These figures relate to overnight visitor trips and expenditure. The north-west is defined as the area covered by the north-west tourist board—that is, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what figures he has for each year since 1990, of the number of non-United Kingdom citizens granted(a) leave to enter the United Kingdom and (b) the right of settlement in the United Kingdom, on the basis of a personal relationship outside marriage with a United Kingdom based person of the opposite sex; and what representations he has received alleging that these arrangements have been, or can be, abused for the purposes of illegal immigration. [18502]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells) on 1 May 1995,Official Report, column 102. The corresponding figure for common-law spouses accepted for settlement in 1995 is provisionally 550. The immigration rules do not provide for a person to seek admission to the United Kingdom on the basis of a common-law relationship.

  Investigation of applications for leave to remain on the basis of a heterosexual common-law relationship has uncovered abuse of these arrangements.

  Crimes Against Children
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account he has taken of the recent extension of the powers of coroners to investigate deaths occurring outside the United Kingdom in the context of his consideration of legislation relating to crimes against children committed by United Kingdom citizens abroad. [18612]
  243
  Mr. Maclean
  Coroners have jurisdiction to inquire into deaths abroad only where the deceased has been returned to England or Wales and there is reason to suppose that the statutory grounds for holding an inquest are met. The evidential requirements and the procedures applicable in coroners' courts are, of course, different from those of criminal courts and it is difficult therefore to make any meaningful comparisons between the two systems.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what external legal advice he has received about enacting United Kingdom legislation relating to crimes committed abroad by United Kingdom citizens against children of other countries. [18611]

  Mr. Maclean
  As part of its consideration of what measures might be taken to tackle the problem of British nationals committing offences against children in other countries, the Government have sought advice and information from a number of sources. In particular, we have contacted the relevant authorities in a number of countries, and received from them details about their law, and its application, in this area.

  We have also received advice from non-governmental organisations. The Coalition on Child Prostitution and Tourism, for example, submitted independent legal advice in connection with one aspect of our research, and has also undertaken to provide further information in connection with the inter-departmental review of extra-territorial jurisdiction, which was announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary on 1 February.

  Fire Service
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account has been taken of the geographic area in which fire brigades have to operate in calculating the size of management teams. [18657]

  Mr. Sackville
  Responsibility for the management of fire brigade services in their areas is a matter for individual fire authorities.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage shortfall of finance for the provision of fire service pay increases; and what assessment he has made of its impact upon Cheshire county council. [18732]

  Mr. Sackville
  The impact of national pay awards on individual fire authorities will vary according to their particular circumstances. Like every other fire authority, Cheshire county council has a responsibility to set its budget having regard to all the relevant circumstances, including the size of the nationally agreed pay awards.

  Police and Fire Service Pensions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a common inquiry into the funding of police and fire service pensions. [18678]

  Mr. Maclean
  No. The Government are not convinced that any radical change is needed on the funding arrangements for police and fire service pensions. In determining support for police authority and local government revenue funding, the Government already 244
  take into account the increasing amount which currently needs to be spent on pensions for police officers and firefighters.

  For 1996–97, an additional £80 million is being made available to police authorities to help fund pension costs. A refinement of the model on which the pensions element of the police funding formula is based will help to ensure that money available for pensions goes where it is most needed.

  For the fire service, £14 million has been added to the total in 1996–97 to assist fire authorities in meeting the cost of firefighters' pensions. An additional indicator to reflect pension costs has been built into the distribution formula for the standard spending assessment total.

  The details of police and fire pension schemes have both been under review. The results will shortly be the subject of consultation with police and fire interests.

  Immigration Consultants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines exist for former members of immigration and nationality departments who leave the service to become immigration consultants. [18574]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  There are no specific guidelines. All former members of staff remain bound by the provisions of the Official Secrets Acts and by their duty of confidentiality to the Crown. In addition, all staff who leave are reminded of their obligations under the business appointment rules.

  Asylum and Immigration Bill
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received concerning the Asylum and Immigration Bill; and how many have been in favour of the proposals and how many against. [18576]

  Miss Widdecombe
  In the period 23 November 1995 to 1 March 1996, the asylum division recorded 1,037 representations about the Asylum and Immigration Bill: 800 of these representations have been critical of the Bill and 158 have supported it; the views of the remainder are not recorded. A total of 2,134 names have been submitted on petitions against the Bill. Many of the letters were sent by supporters of a campaign which has been mounted by groups opposed to the Bill and I do not regard them as an accurate barometer of public opinion.

  Prisoners' Brains
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Ronald Kray's brain was not buried with his body; and what consents were obtained. [18908]

  Mr. Sackville
  I understand that at the time of Ronald Kray's funeral the brain was not buried with the body since it was still subject to an investigation to establish the cause of death. I am informed that the necessary consents were obtained from the coroner for East Berkshire.

  Guidance Notes
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pages of guidance notes have been issued by(a) his Department, (b) regulatory authorities and (c) non-departmental public bodies in each of the last three years. [18637]

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

  Children's Certificates
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 158, for what reasons it has not proved possible to move as quickly as originally hoped in respect of children's certificates. [18760]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The main difficulties have been divergent practice in different licensing areas, and the absence of firm data on expected take-up rates.

  Prisoners' Wives and Families Society
  Mr Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide additional financial assistance to the Prisoners' Wives and Families Society; and if he will make a statement. [18948]

  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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Clive Soley, dated 6 March 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about plans to provide additional financial assistance to the Prisoners' Wives and Families Society.Although in recent years the Prison Service has made a small number of ex-gratia payments to selected organisations known to be in crisis over funding, there are currently no funds available for financial assistance to organisations supporting prisoner and family ties.

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners, having failed to return from authorised leave, are on the run from Buckley Hall prison; and what are the equivalent average figures for other prisons. [18116]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 29 February 1996]: 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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 6 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 how many prisoners, having failed to return from authorised leave, are on the run from Buckley Hall prison, and what are the equivalent average figures for other prisons.246 The number of prisoners who failed to return from authorised leave from HM Prison Buckley Hall from its date of opening on 14 December 1994 until 26 February 1996 and who are still unlawfully at large is 10.The equivalent average figure for similar establishments, male category C training prisons, for the same period is 1.06.

  West Midlands Fire and Civil Defence Authority
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the standard spending assessment for the west midlands fire and civil defence authority for each of the last five years; and if he will express the figures in(a) real terms and (b) as a percentage change on the previous year. [19053]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: The information is as follows:

  £ million

  Actual

  Percentage change

  Real terms

  1992–93

  67.29

  +7.6

  70.55

  1993–94

  69.07

  +2.6

  70.36

  1994–95

  68.35

  -1

  68.35

  1995–96

  68.96

  +0.9

  67.11

  1996–97

  69.57

  +0.9

  65.9

  1. Standard spending assessment figures include capital financing.

  2. Figures up to 1993–94 include civil defence. Subsequent figures do not.

  Key Performance Indicators (Prisons)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost per in-use certified normal accommodation place in accordance with key performance indicators during the financial year 1994–95 for(a) Blakenhurst, (b) Doncaster, (c) Bullingdon, (d) Holme House and (e) Elmley gaols. [18937]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: 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 Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 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 the cost per in use certified normal accommodation place in accordance with key performance indicators during the financial year 1994–95 for (a) Blakenhurst, (b) Doncaster, (c) Bullingdon, (d) Holme House and (e) Elmley establishments.The figures are given in the attached table. The figures for public and private sector establishments are not directly comparable. The costs for training, uniforms, equipment, materials, etc are included in costs to private sector establishments but not in those for public sector establishments.

  Establishment

  Net current expenditure £ million

  Average in use CNA

  Cost per in use CNA place £

  Blakenhurst

  11.6

  649

  17,874

  Doncaster

  11.6

  589

  19,694

  Bullingdon/Oxford

  14.4

  746

  19,303

  Elmley

  11.4

  633

  18,009

  Holme House

  11.9

  649

  18,336

  The cost per in use CNA place is calculated by dividing net current expenditure by average in use CNA.
  247

  Prison Administration Expenditure
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of headquarters administration expenditure is included in the cost per certified normal accommodation place in public prisons. [18938]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: 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 Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 March 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking what proportion of headquarters administration expenditure is included in the cost per certified normal accommodation place in public prisons.The costs per baseline certified normal accommodation place quoted in the annual report for individual public sector prisons do not include any element of headquarters administration expenditure.The cost per place figure for the Service does include headquarters expenditure.

  Prison Assaults
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which local prison in England and Wales had the highest assault rate during the period April to September 1995. [18940]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: 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 Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 March 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking, which local prison in England and Wales had the highest assault rate between April and September 1995.Provisional information shows that the female section of Risley prison, a multi purpose prison in Warrington, had the highest assault rate among all local establishments at 48 per 100 population, between April and September 1995.

  Visa Restrictions (Hong Kong)
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that holders of the new Hong Kong Special Administrative region passport will be able to enter the United Kingdom without visa restrictions; and if he will make a statement. [18941]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff) on 4 March 1996, Official Report, column 62.

  Standard Spending Assessment (Fire Services)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what factors the standard spending assessment for fire services is decided; and what plans he has to change them. [19052]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: The fire standard spending assessment is distributed in England by means of a formula which takes into account
  248
  a number of factors including population, population density and fire calls. From 1996–97 it has been adjusted to include factors for firefighters' pensions and fire safety enforcement.

  The formula is reviewed each year in consultation with local authority representatives and this process is about to start for 1997–98.

  Census Questions
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) of 18 December,Official Report, column 940, what consideration is being given to the classification of people from Northern Ireland within a possible Irish category in the next census. [18527]

  Mr. Horam
  I have been asked to reply.

  It has now been decided to test various changes to the ethnic origin question, including incorporating a separate Irish category. To date no case has been made by users to classify people from Northern Ireland separately and therefore this is currently not being considered.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people aged(a) 15 and (b) 16 years were remanded into prison custody in 1995 and in each of the last 10 years; and how many in each age group and in each year subsequently received a custodial sentence. [18376]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: 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 Mr. Alun Michael, dated 6 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 the number of 15 and 16 year olds who were remanded into prison custody in 1995 and in each of the last 10 years; and how many subsequently received a custodial sentence.The available information is given in the attached tables. The remand receptions include those received either as untried prisoners or as convicted unsentenced prisoners; those received both as untried and convicted unsentenced are counted once.For 1994, separate figures for untried and convicted unsentenced receptions are given in table 3.10 of "Prison statistics England and Wales 1994" Cm. 3087, a copy of which is in the Library.The information on the proportion of young remand prisoners in England and Wales subsequently receiving a custodial sentence is given in table 2.9 of "Prison statistics England and Wales 1991", a copy of which is also in the Library. This has been extended to include 1992 and 1993 data; later results are not available.

  The number of 15 and 16-year-olds remanded into prison custody, 1986 to 1995

  Males Aged 14 to 16

  Females Aged 14 to 16

  1986

  1,702

  5

  1987

  1,861

  3

  1988

  1,604

  12

  1989

  1,459

  6

  249

  Males

  Females

  Aged 15

  Aged 16

  Aged 15

  Aged 16

  1990

  380

  883

  0

  3

  1991

  412

  752

  2

  2

  1992

  377

  720

  0

  1

  1993

  453

  906

  1

  1

  1994

  635

  1,100

  0

  3

  19951

  640

  1,242

  2

  5

  1 Provisional.

  Receptions into Prison Service establishments of untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners aged less than 17: proportion known to have been subsequently received under sentence: by type of first remand and sex, 1986 to 1993

  Percentage

  First received as untried and not subsequently received as convicted unsentenced

  First received as untried and subsequently received as convicted unsentenced

  First received as convicted unsentenced

  Males

  1986

  55

  73

  58

  1987

  50

  68

  62

  1988

  43

  63

  46

  1989

  32

  53

  31

  1990

  32

  48

  47

  1991

  28

  60

  50

  Females

  1986

  —

  —

  67

  1987

  —

  —

  —

  1988

  —

  50

  60

  1989

  50

  —

  100

  1990

  —

  —

  50

  1991

  —

  —

  100

  Percentage

  Proportion of male remand receptions subsequently received under sentence

  Proportion of female remand receptions subsequently received under sentence

  Aged 15

  Aged 16

  Aged 15

  Aged 16

  1992

  37

  42

  —

  100

  1993

  42

  49

  100

  —

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  House of Commons (Cars)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will instruct drivers working in the Government car pool that car engines are not to be kept running while the car is parked within the precincts of the House. [18264]

  Mr. Freeman
  This is an operational matter on which I have asked the chief executive of the Security Facilities Executive—SAFE—to write to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from J. C. King to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 5 March 1996:

  I have been asked by Mr Freeman, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (who now has Ministerial responsibility for the Government Car Service (GCS), to let you have a response to your Parliamentary Question concerning the running of GCS car engines
  250
  within the precincts of the Palace of Westminster. I am the Chief Executive of the Agency with operational responsibility for the GCS.

  Government Car Service drivers remain under clear instructions, while parked with in the precincts of the Palace of Westminster, to keep their vehicle engines running to a minimum consistent with passenger and security requirements. To reinforce this, I have arranged for GCS Management to issue a fresh notice to all GCS drivers.

  "Guidance on Guidance"
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place a copy of "Guidance on Guidance": "An Index of Useful Documents", in the Library. [18617]

  Mr. Freeman
  Yes. As soon as the current version of "Guidance on Guidance: An Index of Useful Documents" has been printed, copies will be placed in the Library.

  Illiteracy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those areas of public service or activity where illiteracy is a disqualification from participation. [18782]

  Mr. Freeman
  Information on the public service as a whole is not held centrally. As far as the civil service is concerned, Departments and agencies are responsible for prescribing the recruitment criteria, including literacy skills, necessary to ensure that recruits are able to do the work required.

  EU Legislation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library details of fiches d'impact sent to Government Departments by the European Commission. [18738]

  Mr. Freeman
  Details of fiches d'impact sent to individual Government Departments are not kept centrally.

  Civil Servants (Company Directors)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [18144]

  Mr. Freeman
  Staff in the Departments and agencies for which I am responsible, and other areas which fall to the Cabinet Office vote, are required to declare any business interest, such as directorships, which might conflict with their oficial duties and to comply with any subsequent instructions regarding the retention, disposal and management of such interests. It is not my practice to disclose information on the personal interests of officials.

  Non-executive directorships for civil servants for developmental reasons or on an ex officio basis are encouraged under a Government-sponsored scheme. They provide an opportunity for interchange between the civil

  251
  service and outside organisations, particularly with the private sector. At present, however, no officials of the Cabinet Office hold directorships under this scheme.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [18145]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  For these purposes, my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster today.

  Her Majesty's Stationery Office (Privatisation)
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy that public libraries will receive a 50 per cent. discount on official publications after the privatisation of HMSO. [19231]

  Mr. Freeman
  I can confirm that there are no plans to end the current arrangements for subsidising public libraries in this respect. After privatisation, the subsidy will continue to be administered from within Government by the residual HMSO, and will be entirely separate from the privatised business.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy that no restriction will be imposed on the copying of official publications for private study after the privatisation of HMSO. [19233]

  Mr. Freeman
  The current arrangements for administering Crown copyright allow documents covered by it to be copied for purposes of private study. As I explained in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 9 February,Official Report, column 370, privatisation of HMSO will not alter these arrangements, and control of Crown copyright will remain in the Government.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the safeguards he proposes to ensure the continued efficiency of the distribution of official publications after the privatisation of HMSO. [19276]

  Mr. Freeman
  The criteria for selecting the winning bid for HMSO will place great emphasis on the commitment and ability of each bidder to meet customers' requirements.

  Arrangements for distributing official publications, whether by HMSO or otherwise, are determined by the originating Department. After privatisation, each customer will have a legally binding contract with the privatised stationery office, or another supplier, for those services. The contracts can specify all aspects of a customer's requirements.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the findings made by consultants to estimate the probable effect of the proposed privatisation of HMSO on the prices to the public of official publications. [19278]
  252
  Mr. Freeman
  There is no reason to believe that prices of official publications will be adversely affected by privatisation. HMSO's publications business already operates on a fully commercial basis, receiving no subsidy, and meets all of its costs by charging customers. After privatisation, it will remain open to originating Departments to specify cover prices, where necessary, in their contracts with the stationery office or elsewhere.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he will take to ensure that the "Daily List" and other lists of official publications, include the same material and are produced to the same time scales at present, after the privatisation of HMSO. [19277]

  Mr. Freeman
  The "Daily List" and other HMSO bibliographic information is maintained as it is essential for the operation of HMSO's publication and distribution functions. It is also in the commercial interests of HMSO to make the information generally available as it increases access to its products. The same internal needs and commercial pressures will apply to the new owner.

  Civil Servants (Conduct)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the implications for the civil service of the findings of the Scott report. [19287]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government's proposals for taking forward the recommendations of the Scott report were set out by the President of the Board of Trade and myself during the debate on 26 February. A number of these will have implications for the civil service.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to inquire into the conduct of individual civil servants following the publication of the Scott report. [19281]

  Mr. Freeman
  Where civil servants criticised in the Scott report have acted conscientiously, in good faith, and in accordance with Government policy, disciplinary action would not be appropriate. If any civil servants appeared to fall outside this category, disciplinary action would be considered in accordance with normal departmental procedures.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Africa (Criminal and Social Issues)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will next meet African heads of state to discuss criminal and social issues affecting their countries. [17279]

  Mr. Hanley
  Criminal and social issues are a normal feature of our regular discussions with African Governments and, when appropriate, African heads of state.
  253

  Jasrrunt Singh Kalra
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from the Indian Government regarding the disappearance of Jasrrunt Singh Kalra. [17283]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Indian Government have told us that the case is sub judice. The Supreme Court has asked the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the case. We understand that it is expected to report in the next few weeks.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts concerning the situation in the former Yugoslavia. [17285]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  European Union Foreign Ministers had their most recent discussion on peace implementation in former Yugoslavia at the 26 February Foreign Affairs Council. Discussion will continue at an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 9 to 10 March.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts about the forthcoming intergovernmental conference on the future of the European Union. [17286]

  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular discussions with his European counterparts about the IGC, most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on 25 to 26 February in Brussels.

  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the first meeting of the 1996 IGC will take place; and how long it is scheduled to last. [17294]

  Mr. Davis
  The first meeting of the IGC is scheduled to take place in Turin on 29 March. The IGC has no fixed end-date.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to propose treaty amendments at the intergovernmental conference to make more open the proceedings of the institutions of the European Union. [17295]

  Mr. Davis
  We are committed to making the European Union institutions more open and have supported a number of initiatives to achieve this, for example, by making more Council documents publicly available. We are considering how we might take this forward at the IGC.

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the content of Her Majesty's Government's proposed White Paper on the intergovernmental conference of the European Union. [17274]
  254
  Mr. Davis
  The White Paper will set out the Government's approach to the forthcoming intergovernmental conference.

  Council of Ministers (Majority Voting)
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the advantages and disadvantages of majority voting in the Council of Ministers of the European Union. [17290]

  Mr. David Davis
  Qualified majority voting already applies to most of the day-to-day decisions taken by the European Community. It has been a useful factor, for example in completing the single market. But the Government see no case for extending qualified majority voting further.

  Export Licensing
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to change the criteria used for recommending countries for inclusion on the list of countries for which special export licensing procedures are required; and if he will make a statement. [17291]

  Mr. David Davis
  The list is drawn up in accordance with foreign policy objectives, international understandings or embargoes to which we are party, the non-proliferation credentials of the country concerned and the effectiveness of its export controls. A revised list was published on 19 July 1995 and is printed in the Official Report. The list is kept under constant review. The Government will consider future arrangements for export control legislation in the light of comments by Sir Richard Scott and the responses to the consultation paper announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Political Representation of Women
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met members of the European Parliament to discuss the political representation of women. [17292]

  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary, other Ministers and I regularly meet Members of the European Parliament to discuss a wide range of issues. Our discussions have not included the political representation of women.

  Sudan
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Government and opposition groups in Sudan. [17293]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have regular diplomatic contacts in Khartoum and London. In addition, there are regular meetings with opposition groups in London, Cairo, Khartoum and Nairobi. Most recently, in January our ambassador accompanied the Bishop of Bradford to the Nuba mountains where they met the Wali (regional governor), state ministers and provincial commissioners.

  United States Relations
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current state of relations between the United Kingdom and the United States; and if he will make a statement. [17296]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Relations between the United
  Kingdom and the United States are excellent.

  United Nations (Financial Position)
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new proposals he is putting forward to improve the financial position of the UN. [17275]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  In his speech to the UN summit last October, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stressed the importance of prompt and full payment of contributions; clearance of arrears; reform of the system of assessment; and greater focus on efficiency. Together with the French Government, we have now developed a package of proposals reflecting these concerns and designed to resolve the UN financial crisis. This package has been endorsed and adopted by the EU.

  Greece and Turkey
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to assist in preventing the rise of conflict between Greece and Turkey. [17280]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are encouraging both sides to eschew provocative actions or statements and look for ways of developing constructive dialogue. We have suggested to both that, on the specific question of Imia, the best way forward must be to submit the dispute to arbitration.

  Embassies and Missions (EU)
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the embassies and missions established by the European Union to date, indicating the total cost, including staff and administration costs for the last year for which figures are available. [18768]

  Mr. David Davis
  The following list of all European Commission delegations in third countries is taken from the latest version of the Commission's external directory—the asterisk indicates countries where the Commission delegate is non-resident.

  Albania

  Algeria

  Angola

  Antigua and Barbuda*

  Argentina

  Australia

  Austria

  Bangladesh

  Barbados

  Belize*

  Benin

  Bolivia

  256

  Botswana

  Brazil

  Bulgaria

  Burkina Faso

  Burundi

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Cap Verde

  Central African Republic

  Chile

  China

  Colombia

  Comores

  Congo

  Costa Rica

  Cyprus

  Czech Republic

  Djibouti

  Dominican Republic

  Dutch Antilles

  Egypt

  Eritrea

  Ethiopia

  Fiji

  Gabon

  Gambia

  Georgia

  Ghana

  Grenada*

  Guinea

  Guinea Bissau

  Equatorial Guinea

  Guyana

  Haiti

  Hong Kong

  Hungary

  India

  Indonesia

  Israel

  Ivory Coast

  Jamica*

  Japan

  Jordan

  Kazakhstan

  Kenya

  Korea

  Lesotho

  Lebanon

  Madagascar

  Malawi

  Mali

  Malta

  Morocco

  Mauritius

  Mauritania

  Mexico

  Mozambique

  Namibia

  257

  New Caledonia*

  Niger

  Nigeria Norway

  Occupied Territories

  Pakistan

  Papua New Guinea

  Peru

  Philippines Poland

  Romania Russia

  Rwanda

  Sao Tome E Principe*

  Senegal

  Sierra Leone

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Solomon Islands

  Somalia

  South Africa

  Sudan

  Suriname

  Swaziland

  Switzerland

  Syria

  Tanzania

  Tchad

  Thailand

  Togo

  Tonga*

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tunisia

  Turkey

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  Uruguay

  USA Washington

  USA New York

  Vanuatu*

  Venezuela

  Vietnam

  Western Samoa*

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Zaire

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe

  The latest costs are shown in the 1996 European Community Budget. The total cost of all European Commission delegations in third countries in 1996 is 179.712 mecu or £151.03 million, comprising 72,247 mecu or £60.72 million in salaries, allowances
  258
  and reimbursements of expenses for officials and temporary staff, and 107.465 mecu or £90.31 million in other non-staff related costs. This budget comes under the administration section of the EC Budget—budget title A–6, pages 506–514 of the Official Journal of 29 January 1996.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the negotiations on Cyprus's application for membership of the EU. [17266]

  Mr. David Davis
  We welcome the prospect of accession and think it should contribute to a settlement. The Madrid European Council reaffirmed that accession negotiations will start six months after the conclusion of the IGC and taking account of its results.

  East Timor
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to raise the violation of human rights in East Timor by the Indonesian Government at(a) the forthcoming 52 session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and (b) other intergovernmental conferences. [18848]

  Mr. Hanley
  Together with our EU partners, we shall raise our concerns about the human rights situation in East Timor at the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and at all other appropriate international forums.

  Turks and Caicos Islands
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a Minister of the British Government last visited the Turks and Caicos Islands; and for what purpose. [19140]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The last ministerial visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands was in April 1995, when the Solicitor-General paid a familiarisation visit to the islands, en route to the Caribbean Dependent Territories Attorney-General's conference in the Cayman Islands.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff presently serve in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and of what grades. [19141]

  Mr. Hanley
  Three Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff are serving in the Turks and Caicos Islands. One diplomatic service grade 4 officer; one diplomatic service grade 7 officer; and one secretary.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from Ministers in the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands about the conduct of the governor of the islands; and from which Ministers. [19142]
  259
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  On 20 May 1994, the then Chief Minister wrote to the then Foreign Secretary, the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd). The Chief Minister subsequently wrote on 27 June 1994 to the then Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, claiming that his original letter was meant as a direct criticism not of the governor, but of the balance of constitutional powers.

  On 21 February this year, all six Ministers of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, together with the other elected members, and two out of the three nominated members of the Legislative Council, signed a petition to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary demanding the recall of the governor.

  Mr. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands; and if he discussed with him the incidence of corruption in the islands. [19143]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) the then Foreign Secretary, met the Governor-designate of the Turks and Caicos Islands in May 1993, shortly before Mr. Bourke took up his appointment. They discussed the importance of good government in the islands, but did not discuss specific instances of corruption.

  Gibraltar
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that the people of Gibraltar are represented at the European Parliament. [19280]

  Mr. David Davis
  Annex II of the 1976 EC Act concerning direct elections to the European Parliament states that the UK would apply its provisions only in respect of the UK. We are committed to ensuring that Gibraltar's views are fully taken into account through the UK in EU decision making.

  Paris Embassy (Meetings)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 758, if staff of Her Majesty's embassy in Paris met Mr. de Kemoularia or Jean Pierre Mace in 1995 and 1996; who was present at the meetings; and for what purpose they were held. [19279]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Embassy staff had no working meetings with Mr. Kemoularia during the period in question, although he attended several social events at the embassy. The embassy has no record of any meetings with Mr. Mac00E9.

  European Parliament
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which areas of the EU residents do not elect representatives to the European Parliament. [19286]
  260
  Mr. David Davis
  Representation in the European Parliament covers all member states of the EU. For the purposes of EP elections, the UK member state is defined as the United Kingdom only, and does not include those European territories for whose external relations it is responsible.

  Angola
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress of the peace process in Angola. [17278]

  Mr. Hanley
  The UN Secretary-General, in his report to the Security Council of 2 February, acknowledged substantial delays in the implementation of the Lusaka protocol, but considered that sufficient progress had been made to recommend the renewal of the mandate of UNAVEM III. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development urged both sides to reach a speedy conclusion to the peace process during her visit to Angola on 19 to 21 February.

  India
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government concerning the deaths and injuries suffered by civilians in Azad Kashmir on 26 January from fire across the UN line of control from Indian-occupied Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [18897]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: We have not made any specific representations to the Indian Government about this incident. We regret the tragic loss of life that occurred during an exchange of fire that day. We have repeatedly urged both sides to exercise restraint, and to resolve their difference over Kashmir through bilateral dialogue.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government about assassination attempts made against Kashmir leaders living in Indian-occupied Kashmir with special reference to Yasin Malik; what reports he has received about the identity of those responsible for such attacks; and if he will make a statement. [18896]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: The British high commission in India is in contact with the Indian Government about the security situation in Kashmir. The precise identity of those responsible for the attack on Yasin Malik and others in Anantnag on 21 February remains unclear. HMG condemn all such acts of violence in Kashmir.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has requested from the United Nations concerning information from UN observers on the line of control between Kashmir and
  261
  Azad Kashmir concerning the shelling on 26 January of Azad Kashmir from Indian-occupied Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [18898]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: We would expect the UN military observers group to report an incident of this nature to the UN Secretary-General in the normal way. The incident has not so far been brought before the Security Council.

  Civil Servants (Company Directors)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each(a) the name of the
  262
  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. [18137]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 1 February, Official Report, column 854.

  I also refer the hon. Member to the answers given in another place on 22 January, Official Report, House of Lords, column 51, by the Minister for State for Overseas Development and on 1 February, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 119–122 by the Under-Secretary of State for Defence. In accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, such non-executive directorships are unpaid.

SCOTLAND

  Civil Servants (Interviews)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those civil servants, their names and Departments who in the past year(a) have given on-the-record interviews to (i) radio and (ii) television and (b) have written articles or letters for newspaper correspondence columns, indicating in each case the relevant date. [13281]

  Mr. Michael Frosyth
  The information requested is as follows:

  Civil servant

  Date

  Item

  The Scottish Office

  Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department

  Tony Cameron

  16 June 1995

  Radio interview for BBC Scotland on the Agriculture Council

  Ian Campbell

  5 February 1995

  TV interview on fisheries

  Ian Conroy

  15 November 1995

  TV interview for BBC "Here and Now" programme on regulatory role in Dundee local authority incinerator

  Derek Saward

  13 November 1995

  TV and radio interviews on fisheries research vessel survey on Beaufort's Dyke

  Central Services

  Shelagh Quinn

  22 February 1995

  STV "The Time and the Place" programme on equal opportunities

  Colin MacDonald

  21 November 1995

  BBC TV "Frontline Scotland" programme on ageism

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  Captain Tom Henderson

  5 February 1995

  TV interview on fisheries

  Captain Tom Henderson

  5 February 1996

  BBC "Panorama" programme

  Captain Douglas Temple

  14 January 1996

  Radio 5 Live programme

  J. Torrie

  5 February 1996

  BBC "Panorama" programme

  Development Department

  David Dare

  9 March 1995

  BBC Radio Scotland on planning issues

  Historic Scotland

  Gordon Barclay

  Date unavailable

  Central FM Radio on the work of a castle custodian

  Nick Bridgeland

  Date unavailable

  Radio 4 "Breakaway" programme on Jedburgh abbey

  Doreen Grove

  Date unavailable

  BBC "Report Scotland" on world war II defences

  John Hume

  Date unavailable

  BBC Radio Scotland on historic lighthouses

  Neil Hynd

  Date unavailable

  Scotland on Sunday briefing on Edinburgh castle

  Frank Lawrie

  Date unavailable

  BBC Radio Scotland Tom Morton programme on listed policy

  Frank Lawrie

  Date unavailable

  Radio 5 Live programme on doors open day

  Frank Lawrie

  Date unavailable

  Evening News article on restoration of ruined castles

  Bob McIlwraith

  Date unavailable

  BBC Radio Shetland on Scalloway castle

  Bob McIlwraith

  Date unavailable

  BBC Radio 5 Live on Fort George

  Ingvall Maxwell

  Date unavailable

  "Country Life" interview on Duff house

  Graeme Munro

  Date unavailable

  Talk Radio on historic Scotland

  Graeme Munro

  Date unavailable

  "Scotland on Sunday" briefing on Edinburgh castle

  Chris Watkins

  Date unavailable

  BBC "Good Morning Scotland" programme on Braveheart party in Stirling

  Education and Industry Department

  Nisbet Gallacher (HM Chief Inspector of Schools)

  19 June 1995

  Interview for The Times Educational Supplement Scotland on "Higher Still"

  264

  Civil servant

  Date

  Item

  Nisbet Gallacher

  31 August 1995

  On the record briefing for all education correspondence on publication of "Higher Still" Framework document

  Douglas Osier

  1 March 1995

  Interview for The Scotsman on lay members of HMDSCI inspection teams

  Douglas Osier

  10 April 1995

  Interview for The Times Educational Supplement Scotland on lay members of HMDSCI inspection teams

  Dr. John Rigg

  10 October 1995

  Newspaper article on Government expenditure and revenue in Scotland 1993–94

  Department of Health

  Dr. Robert Kendell (Chief Medical Officer for Scotland)

  1 August 1995

  TV and radio interviews on AIDS/HIV spending

  Dr. Robert Kendell

  7 August 1995

  Radio interview for SCOT FM on maintaining medical excellence

  Dr. Robert Kendell

  9 August 1995

  BBC TV "Reporting Scotland" interview on AIDS/HIV spending

  Dr. Robert Kendell

  5 September 1995

  TV and radio interviews on annual report

  Dr. Robert Kendell

  14 November 1995

  BBC Radio Scotland on BSE and CJD

  Dr. Robert Kendell

  7 December 1995

  BBC Radio Scotland on BSE and CJD

  Dr. Robert Kendell

  18 January 1996

  TV and radio interviews on coronary heart disease report

  Geoff Scaife (Chief Executive, NHS in Scotland)

  9 October 1996

  TV and Radio interviews on crisis in the NHS

  Geoff Scaife

  18 January 1996

  Letter to editor of The Scotsman and Herald on staffing in the NHS

  Geoff Scaife

  25 January 1996

  Letter to editor of Press and Journal and Daily Record on rate of return on capital within NHS trusts

  Geoff Scaife

  29 January 1996

  TV and radio interviews on cardiac surgery waiting times

  Robin Wild (Chief Dental Officer)

  18 December 1995

  STV—launch of oral health strategy for Scotland

  Home Department

  John Boyd (HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary)

  1 June 1995

  Two radio interviews on annual report.

  Clive Fairweather (HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland)

  13 April 1995

  Radio interviews on report on women offenders.

  Clive Fairweather

  29 June 1995

  Radio interviews on report on Dungavel prison.

  Clive Fairweather

  29/30 June 1995

  TV and radio interviews on prison suicides.

  Clive Fairweather

  31 August 1995

  TV and radio interviews on annual report.

  Clive Fairweather

  12 October 1995

  TV and radio interviews on Barlinnie prison brutality.

  Clive Fairweather

  15 October 1995

  Radio interview on law and order.

  Clive Fairweather

  4 December 1995

  Radio interview on prison suicides.

  Clive Fairweather

  7 December 1995

  Radio interview on prison suicides.

  Clive Fairweather

  17 January 1996

  Radio interview on prison work.

  Clive Fairweather

  25/26 January 1996

  TV and radio interviews on Peterhead prison.

  Jim Innes (Director of Roads)

  25 July 1995

  Radio interview on route action plans.

  Jim Innes

  24 November 1995

  Interview on A74 opening.

  Jim Innes

  6 December 1995

  TV interview on M8 extension.

  Jim Innes

  12 December 1995

  TV interview on M8 extension.

  The Scottish Prison Service

  The chief executive, directors, governors, senior managers and members of the Scottish Prison Service communications branch, as appropriate, respond to media inquiries and/or comment about operational matters on a daily basis. No central record is kept of the number of occasions on which this occurs, nor of the specific content of these contacts since this could be done only at disproportionate cost.

  EDS Ltd.
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [17454]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has no contracts with EDS.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schoolchildren were excluded(a) permanently and (b) temporarily from schools in (i) Inverclyde and (ii) Strathclyde in 1995. [18047]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Information on the number of school children excluded temporarily from schools is not available. The available information, consistent with that set out in the report on attendance and absence in Scottish schools 1994–95, published by the audit unit of HM inspectorate of schools, is as follows.

  Number of pupils permanently excluded from schools in 1994–95

  Number of half days of temporary exclusions from schools from January-July 1995

  Inverclyde

  0

  4,515

  Strathclyde

  0

  110,060

  Infertility
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland ( I) which health authorities provide NHS treatment for(a) assisted and (b) surrogate pregnancy for childless couples; and if he will make a statement; [17966]

  (2) what plans he has to designate (a) assisted and (b) surrogate pregnancies for childless couples on the NHS as clinically essential; and if he will make a statement. [17968]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information about which health boards provide NHS treatment for all assisted and surrogate pregnancies is not available centrally. It is for individual health boards to decide whether to purchase high technology infertility procedures and surrogate pregnancy services.

  Waste Disposal
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the number of landfill sites by district council; [18277]

  (2) if he will list by district council area, the number of tonnes of special waste arising and deposits for each of the last four years; [18281]

  (3) if he will list, for each year, for the last four years, by district council area, the number of tonnes of special waste arising (a) within the district and deposited within the district, (b) within the district and exported out of the district and (c) outside the district and deposited within the district. [18276]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Data on waste management in Scotland are published in the Scottish Office Statistical Bulletin, "Waste Collection, Disposal and Regulation Statistical".
  266
  The most recent issue of this document, containing data for 1993, was published in December 1995. A copy is in the House Library.

  Table B18 of the bulletin shows the number of waste management facilities by district and islands councils. Landfill operations form the bulk of these numbers but are not specifically identified. Of the 1,054 licences and resolutions in table B 18, a total of 635 were associated with landfills–458 licences and 177 resolutions.

  Table B9 of the bulletin shows the quantity of special waste arisings and deposits in Scotland for 1993. Corresponding information for 1992 is detailed in table B9 of the 1992 bulletin, a copy of which is in the House Library. There is no district level information available before 1992. Table A2.2 of the 1993 bulletin provides a time series of data over the five-year period 1989 to 1993 for the total quantities of special waste arising, imported, exported and retained in Scotland. Table B22 of the 1993 bulletin and table B21 of the 1992 bulletin also contain relevant information on special waste.

  Household Waste Recycling
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the percentage of household waste recycled for each year in Scotland over the past five years; and if he will make a statement regarding the target of recycling 25 per cent. of all household waste by the end of the century; [18279]

  (2) which Scottish local authorities currently operate recycling schemes; and what was the expenditure for each. [18280]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The table shows the reported rate of household waste collected for recycling over the four-year period 1990 to 1993 in the form of a percentage of all household waste.

  Household waste collected for recycling (percentage of all household waste)

  1989

  No data

  1990

  2.5

  1991

  3.3

  1992

  3.9

  1993

  4.1

  As regards the target of recycling 25 per cent. of all household waste in the UK by the end of the century, it should be noted that provision of local recycling facilities is a matter for local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors. The Government's initiative on producer responsibility for waste packaging will play a key role in developing local infrastructure and encouraging higher rates of recycling, together with other factors, such as the rising costs of waste disposal, including the proposed landfill tax, and improved markets for secondary raw materials.

  There are recycling activities in all district and islands councils areas. There are no current data available on expenditure relating to these schemes.

  Monofilament Nets
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to seek a Europe-wide agreement on the use of monofilament nets; and if he will make a statement. [18287]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Government have no plans to seek such an agreement, but I have written to the European Commission to notify it of our proposal to allow a derogation for the carriage of large-mesh monofilament nets in Scottish waters.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he will be taking to ensure that lifting the ban on the use of large mesh monofilament nets by Scottish boats will not conflict with Government commitments to the conservation of marine wildlife under the agreement on conservation of small cetaceans in the Baltic and North seas, the European Union wild birds directive (79/409/EEC) and the European Union habitats directive (92/43/EEC); and if he will make a statement. [18286]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Arrangements for monitoring by-catches of marine mammals are already in place and will be extended to any large mesh monofilament nets that are used. These nets are unlikely to pose a threat to marine bird species as we expect the nets to be bottom set in deep water.

  Forestry Commission (Legal Advisers)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what length of time Pearsons has been the principal legal advisers to the Forestry Commission; and for how long he estimates this relationship will be maintained. [18566]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Pearsons has provided legal services to the Forestry Commission in Scotland for some 70 years. The Commission recently invited tenders for this work and has appointed another firm of solicitors with effect from 1 April.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds are being made available to further education colleges for the administration costs that will be incurred from the transfer of responsibility for bursary administration from local authorities. [18615]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Following consultation with local authorities and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, £45 million was transferred from the aggregate external finance settlement to fund the provision of further education bursaries in colleges in Scotland in 1996–97. This settlement is based on historic trends of local authority expenditure and includes an element to reflect administrative costs.

  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what transfer arrangements have been made for bursary administration staff in local authorities in respect of the transfer of this function to further education colleges. [18614]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  It is the responsibility of each college's board of management to determine its staffing requirements for this new responsibility. The 268
  Association of Scottish Colleges has encouraged its members to ensure that local authorities and their bursary staff are made aware of opportunities as they arise. Liaison has also been maintained with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

  NHS Dentists
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients were registered with NHS dental practices in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1995, showing this as a percentage of the population of Scotland. [17986]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Registration of patients with a dentist was introduced in October 1990. Patients are registered with an individual dentist, not a dental practice. The information requested is in the table.

  Patients registered with general dental practitioners in Scotland

  Year1

  Number of registered patients at 31 December

  Registered patients as a percentage of population

  1990

  812,057

  15.9

  1995

  2,649,100

  51.7

  1 Registration was introduced only from October 1990.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dental practices in Scotland have accepted new NHS patients in 1993, 1994 and 1995. [17987]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No information is held on dental practices. General dental practitioners are independent contractors who are free to decide whether to offer NHS treatment to each individual patient. The table shows the number of individual dentists who accepted new NHS patients or NHS patients on referral during each of the years in question.

  General dental practitioners in Scotland who accepted new or referred NHS patients

  Dentists

  1993

  1,749

  1994

  1,773

  1995

  1,799

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and the Environment's letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 12 January, what conclusions he has reached in respect of the official study of the Scottish Crop Research Institute report on the computation of safe isolation distances for field-grown genetically modified crops. [17907]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The findings contained in the final report of Scottish Office funded research projects are normally published to inform the wider scientific community and the industries which might benefit. Research conclusions may also have a bearing on policy or legislative considerations and provide a justification for further study.

  The conclusion from this particular four year project is that viable pollen will disperse to distances of up to 1.5 km from source. This broadly supports the accepted

  269
  views on pollen dispersal which are taken into account in each relevant case for the release of genetically modified crops.

  Homeworkers
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of(a) the number of homeworkers in Scotland and (b) how many are (i) self-employed and (ii) employers. [19167]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Labour Force Survey estimates that in spring 1995 there were 44,000 homeworkers in Scotland working at their own homes. Of these, 27,000 were self-employed. No reliable estimate is available for Scotland for the number of homeworkers who were employers.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16179]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: The information requested is as follows.

  All executive NDPBs sponsored by my Department have a statutory base except for the following which have no statutory base: Hannah Research Institute, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Rowett Research Institute, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee, Scottish Community Education Council, Scottish Film Council, Scottish Further Education Unit, Scottish Vocational Education Council and those which operate under royal warrant or charter—i.e. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Sports Council.

  The river purification boards and Livingston development corporation admit members of the public to board meetings on a voluntary basis.

  The following bodies hold on a voluntary basis open meetings or open days which may be attended by members of the public: Crofters' Commission, Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee, National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Sports Council.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests, indicating in each case if this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [16828]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]: The information required is as follows.

  Those executive NDPBs which are covered by the Companies Acts are required to publish annual reports and some other bodies are also required by the statute creating them to publish annual reports. These bodies are:

  Hannah Research Institute

  270

  Macaulay Land Use Research Institute

  Moredun Research Institute

  Rowett Research Institute

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  River Purification Boards

  Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust

  Scottish Seed Potato Development Council

  Scottish Vocational Education Council.

  In a number of other cases the body is required by statute to produce an annual report on the exercise and performance of its functions for the Secretary of State which he is obliged to lay before Parliament. These bodies are:

  Crofters Commission

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland

  National Museums of Scotland—required by statute at least every three years, but voluntarily produces an annual report

  National Galleries of Scotland—required by statute every three years, but voluntarily produces an annual report

  New Town development corporations

  Red Deer Commission

  Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

  Scottish Agricultural Wages Board—as part of the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries annual report, which is a Command Paper

  Scottish Enterprise

  Scottish Examination Board

  Scottish Homes

  Scottish Legal Aid Board

  Scottish Natural Heritage

  Scottish Tourist Board.

  Some bodies publish reports on a non-statutory basis. They are:

  Accounts Commission for Scotland

  Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee

  National Library of Scotland

  Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

  Scottish Arts Council

  Scottish Community Education Council

  Scottish Film Council

  Scottish Further Education Unit

  Scottish Higher Education Funding Council

  Scottish Medical Practices Committee

  Scottish Sports Council.

  Those bodies which are required to publish their annual accounts under the terms of the Companies Acts, the Friendly Societies Acts or other legislation are:

  Hannah Research Institute

  Macaulay Land Research Institute

  Moredun Research Institute

  Rowett Research Institute

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  River Purification Boards

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  271

  Scottish Hospital Endowments Research Trust

  Scottish Seed Potato Development Council

  Scottish Vocational Education Council.

  Some bodies are required by statute to submit annual accounts to the Secretary of State who is obliged to pass them to the Comptroller and Auditor General. He is then obliged to lay copies of them before Parliament. These bodies are:

  Accounts Commission for Scotland

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland

  National Library of Scotland

  National Galleries of Scotland

  National Museums of Scotland

  New Town Development Corporations

  Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

  Scottish Enterprise

  Scottish Examination Board

  Scottish Higher Education Funding Council

  Scottish Homes

  Scottish Legal Aid Board

  Scottish Natural Heritage

  Scottish Tourist Board.

  The Scottish Sports Council makes its accounts available on a voluntary basis.

  No executive NDPB sponsored by my Department is required to publish the minutes of its meetings on a statutory basis. Livingston development corporation voluntarily makes available for public inspection the minutes of those parts of its meetings which it opens to members of the public.

  No executive NDPB sponsored by my Department is required to publish the agenda of its meetings and none does so.

  Information about members' interests is available from Companies House in relation to executive NDPBs which are covered by the Companies Acts and the Friendly Societies Acts. These bodies are:

  Hannah Research Institute

  Macaulay Land Use Research Institute

  Moredun Research Institute

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  Scottish Vocational Education Council.

  Although registers of members' interests are held by a number of other executive NDPBs none is required to publish them. The National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland and Scottish Homes voluntarily publish a register of members' interests. The Scottish Legal Aid Board will be publishing a register in its annual report, which will be available about July. Some other bodies hold registers which are, or will be during the course of this year, available for inspection at the offices of the body. These are: Highlands and Islands Enterprise—financial decisions relating to registered interests are published in the annual report; National Museums of Scotland—available from August 1996;
  272
  Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise—summary available at time of annual report and financial transactions involving board members published in annual report and accounts; Scottish Film Council and Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.

  Holyroodhouse
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by job title and salary the staff of the palace of Holyroodhouse. [17899]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: The staff of the palace of Holyroodhouse paid for by Historic Scotland are:

  Post

  Salary £

  Head of security

  16,023

  16 security officers

  112,836

  3 craftsmen

  115,386

  2.5 porters

  18,624

  1 Average.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply of 13 February 1996,Official Report, column 566, if he will give details of the professional and central administration costs connected with the palace of Holyroodhouse in (a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95. [17977]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: Administrative and professional input to the conservation and maintenance of the palace forms only a part of the duties for a wide range of staff. Records are not collated in a manner which allows the specific palace costs to be extracted without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people visited the palace of Holyroodhouse in each of the last three years; and what income was derived from visitors. [17901]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: The Number of visitors to the palace of Holyroodhouse and the income derived from them in each of the last three years was as follows:

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Number of visitors

  276,866

  299,722

  253,714

  £'000s

  £'000s

  £'000s

  Operating profit

  307

  358

  340

  Central costs

  (59)

  (56)

  (92)

  Curatorial expenditure

  (41)

  (47)

  (49)

  Net visitor income

  297

  255

  199

  Red Deer (Culling)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring he has undertaken of the culling methods of red deer on the Balmoral and Dalnadamph estates. [17900]
  273
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: The Red Deer Commission provides advice to land owners and their representatives in Scotland on deer matters and the Commission has been involved in discussions from time to time in connection with the Balmoral and Dalnadamph estates. In addition, the Deer (Scotland) Act 1959 prescribes the permitted methods for culling red deer in Scotland.

  Experimental Nuclear Reactor Sites
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on land ownership and lease arrangements applying to the experimental nuclear reactor sites operated by the Scottish universities research and reactor centre at the former national engineering laboratory in East Kilbride. [18065]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: Ownership of the site of the former National Engineering Laboratory at East Kilbride now rests with Scottish Enterprise. The lease arrangements which apply to that site are an operational matter for that organisation. I will ask the chairman of Scottish Enterprise to write to the hon. Member.

  European Social Fund
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the funding contribution(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of total funding from the European social fund to each local enterprise company for the (i) youth training, (ii) youth credits, (iii) modern apprenticeships and (iv) training for work programmes. [18745]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Drug-related Deaths
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many heroin-related deaths have occurred in each of the past five years in Wales; and if he will make a statement; [17529]

  (2) how many deaths have occurred in Wales in each of the past five years as a result of Ecstasy use; and if he will make a statement; [17515]

  (3) how many deaths have occurred in Wales in each of the past five years as a result of LSD use; and if he will make a statement. [17557]

  Mr. Richards
  The table, provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from information on death certificates, shows the number of deaths to residents of Wales registered between 1990 and 1994 with mention of heroin, Ecstasy and LSD.

  Heroin

  Ecstasy

  LSD

  1990

  0

  0

  0

  1991

  1

  0

  0

  1992

  3

  0

  0

  274

  Herroin

  Eestasy

  LSD

  1993

  0

  0

  0

  1994

  1

  2

  0

  Investors in People
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employers, and of what size, hold investor in people status; and what percentage of all employers of that size these constitute(a) in Wales and (b) in Mid Glamorgan. [17931]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office's records show that, in Wales, 142 organisations employing fewer than 200 people and 54 organisations with 200 employees or more have achieved the investors in people standard. The equivalent figures for Mid Glamorgan are 24 and 13 organisations respectively.

  These achievements represent 18 per cent. of eligible organisations in Wales employing 200 or more people and almost 20 per cent. in Mid Glamorgan. Percentage figures for those with fewer than 200 employees are not yet available.

  Sea Empress Incident
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he will take to compensate the local seafood sector following the tanker disaster in Milford Haven; and if he will make a statement. [17597]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral statement made by my right hon. Friend on 29 February 1996, column 1024–98.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the loss of life among each species of wild bird for the spillage from the Sea Empress; what support he is providing for those agencies seeking to save the bird populations; and if he will make a statement; [17938]

  Mr. Jones
  The latest estimate–28 February—on bird kills and birds oiled, by species is given on the following list. Compensation for cost incurred as a result of the oil pollution damage from the Sea Empress is available from the shipowners insurer and from the International oil pollution compensation fund, which is funded by levies on the oil industry.

  Sea Empress spillage

  Total oiled birds to date (1 March 1996)

  Species

  Dead total

  RSPCA rescued

  Manx Shearwater

  1

  0

  Fulmar

  1

  0

  Great Northern Diver

  4

  4

  Black Throated Diver

  1

  1

  Red Throated Diver

  8

  35

  Little Grebe

  0

  0

  Great Crested Grebe

  2

  1

  Red necked Grebe

  0

  4

  Slavonian Grebe

  0

  0

  Shag

  1

  10

  Cormorant

  27

  0

  Grey Heron

  0

  0

  Little Egret

  0

  0

  Mute Swan

  0

  9

  275

  Sea Empress spillage

  Total oiled birds to date (1 March 1996)

  Species

  Dead total

  RSPCA rescued

  Canada Goose

  0

  0

  Shelduck

  1

  0

  Scoter

  1,202

  2,452

  Velvet Scoter

  0

  1

  Eider

  0

  9

  R-B Merganser

  0

  1

  Oystercatcher

  6

  3

  Turnstone

  2

  0

  Black-H Gull

  2

  1

  Common Gull

  1

  0

  Lesser B-B Gull

  0

  0

  Herring Gull

  2

  7

  Great B-B Gull

  0

  0

  Kittiwake

  2

  2

  Guillemot

  643

  418

  Razorbill

  160

  21

  Unidentified

  142

  0

  Total

  2,208

  2,979

  Notes:

  These are minimum figures as the complete data set is not yet available. There may also be birds which have been picked up and cared for my members of the public, or taken to other bird hospitals which are not included in the RSPCA figures.

  Many dead birds will remain at sea, or come ashore in inaccessible places, and not be counted.

  Caution should also be noted with regard to the identification of oiled birds.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional financial assistance he will make available to maritime local authorities in Wales to enable them to minimize the pollution impact of the Sea Empress disaster. [17885]

  Mr. Hague
  While local authorities are responsible for the clean-up of any oil which comes ashore, the clear principle is that the polluter must pay. The costs will be reimbursed by the ship's insurers and by the International oil pollution compensation fund. In the intervening period, as I said on 29 February Official Report, column 1033, the Welsh Office will consider sympathetically any representations from local authorities about covering costs incurred.

  South-East Wales Ambulance Trust
  Mr Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what severance payments have been made to the former chief executive of the South-east Wales ambulance trust. [18080]

  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) on 28 February 1996,Official Report, columns 603–04.

  Higher Education Inquiry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what involvement his Department will have in the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education; and if he will make a statement. [18450]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend will be fully involved in deciding on the composition of the committee, and on its terms of reference. The Welsh Office will ensure that the committee is fully appraised of the features 276
  of the higher education sector in Wales. It will be for the committee to decide on its methods of proceeding but the Welsh Office will be involved in presenting evidence and information to the committee. In due course, my right hon. Friend will be involved in deciding on the Government's response to the committee's report.

  German and French Companies
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed by(a) German and (b) French companies in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [18266]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  French-owned manufacturing companies employ 4,620 people in Wales and German-owned manufacturing companies in Wales employ 5,630 people in Wales. They make a valuable contribution to the Welsh industrial base.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received since 1990(a) for and (b) against proposals for wind farm developments in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [18268]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Since 1990, my right hon. Friend has received numerous representations about proposals for wind farm developments. The majority of representations have been against the proposals.

  Teachers' Pay Award
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the impact of the teachers' pay award on class sizes; and if he will make a statement. [18449]

  Mr. Richards
  Class sizes will depend upon decisions taken by local education authorities about the allocation of funding, the decisions taken by schools about the deployment of resources and by parents choosing the school they wish their child to attend. If local authorities decide to give priority to schools, we see no reason why class sizes should rise on average.

  Bala-Dolgellau Main Road
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received during the past two years on the Bryncoedifor section of the Bala-Dolgellau main road. [18620]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There has been one item of ministerial correspondence and 10 letters from the public addressed to the Highways Directorate about the temporary traffic lights near Drws y Nant on the A494 trunk road.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when work will commence on the Bryncoedifor section of the Bala to Dolgellau main road; and if he will make a statement. [18609]

  Mr. Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24 January 1996, column 297. The Drws y Nant
  277
  improvement on the A494 trunk road is programmed to start in 1997, subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of finance.

  New Patients
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many NHS family doctor practices have accepted new NHS patients in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement; [18820]

  (2) how many dental practices in Wales have accepted new NHS patients in each year since 1993; and if he will make a statement. [18658]

  Mr. Richards
  The information is not available centrally.

  NHS Dentists
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients were registered with NHS dental practices in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1995, showing this as a percentage of the population of Wales. [18659]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on the number of patients registered with general dental practitioners in Wales was collected centrally—by the Dental Practice Board—for the first time at the end of 1990. However, as it took some time for patients to register, meaningful data were not available until 1991. The available information is given in the following table:

  Number of patients registered

  Percentage of population

  30 September 1991

  1,229,875

  43

  30 September 19951

  1,622,426

  56

  1 1994 population figure has been used to calculate the percentage as 1995 data is not yet available.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many NHS eye tests were given in Wales in(a) 1991, (b) 1993 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [18805]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on sight tests paid for by family health services authorities during the period in question is given in the following table:

  Number of NHS sight tests

  1991–92

  332,240

  1993–94

  397,310

  1994–95

  420,900

  GP Practice Charters
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of family doctor practices in Wales at present produce their own charters; and if he will make a statement. [18804]

  Mr. Richards
  As at December 1995, 59 per cent. of GP practices in Wales had practice charters.

  Rhondda Healthcare Trust
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has received from the Rhondda Healthcare NHS trust during the past year; and if he will make a statement. [18619]

  Mr. Richards
  Routine discussions between my Department and the Rhondda Healthcare NHS trust have taken place during the normal course of business. I have received one formal representation in response to the consultation on the formation of the North Glamorgan NHS trust.

  Charter Mark
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many NHS Wales organisations were awarded the charter mark for outstanding service in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995, and if he will make a statement. [18806]

  Mr. Richards
  The information is as follows:

  Number of awards to NHS Wales

  1993

  3

  1994

  1

  1995

  7

  Schoolchildren (Exclusions)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schoolchildren were excluded(a) permanently and (b) temporarily from (i) junior and (ii) secondary schools in Wales in (1) 1993, (2) 1994 and (3) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [18818]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on pupil exclusions has not been collected centrally in the past. Returns to the January 1996 schools census, which asked how many boys and girls were excluded in the 1994–95 academic year, will provide information in due course and supplementary data have also been sought recently from local education authorities.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which applications from schools for grant-maintained status are being considered. [18922]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend is currently considering an application for grant-maintained status from St. Brigid's independent school, Denbigh, Clwyd.

  Special Education, Flintshire
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional funds he will make available to assist special educational needs in infant and primary schools in the new Flintshire county council. [18915]
  279
  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend's final decisions on the Welsh local government revenue settlement for 1996–97 were approved by Parliament on 8 February. It is for individual local authorities to determine how the resources that are made available are allocated between services, including education, in the light of their statutory responsibilities and their perception of local needs and priorities.

  Guidance Notes
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pages of guidance notes have been issued by(a) his Department, (b) regulatory authorities and (c) non-departmental public bodies in each of the last three years. [18638]

  Mr. Hague
  This information cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Overseas Voters
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people living overseas applied to be registered to vote in the general election of 1992 in each of the Welsh parliamentary constituencies; and if he will make a statement. [18618]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on numbers of overseas applicants is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the numbers of overseas electors by constituency on the 1992 election register is given in table 1.4 of "Electoral Statistics 1993" (Series EL no. 20), a copy of which is in the Library.

  SOCIAL SECURITY
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the reasons for the low outturn of payments of the non-contributory pensioners' Christmas bonus in 1994–95. [17803]

  Mr. Heald
  The estimates for non-contributory Christmas bonus were based on previous projections of the demographic and case load data. The forecasts proved to be too high, resulting in an underspend against provision. However, the outturn for contributory Christmas bonus was greater than forecast, with the result that total out-turn on contributory and non-contributory Christmas bonus was in excess of forecast.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many written parliamentary questions were passed for answer to executive agencies and non-governmental departments in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [14985]
  280
  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table:

  Session

  Written answers provided by agency chief executives

  1992–93

  495

  1993–94

  442

  1994–95

  389

  1995–96 to date

  155

  Note:

  Written parliamentary questions concerning matters which have been delegated to the chief executive of an executive agency in its framework document, normally receive a reply from the Minister to the effect that he or she has asked the chief executive to reply direct to the Member by letter.

  Source:

  Departmental archive of written answers; figures were obtained by a clerical count and may be subject to error.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 30 January concerning a constituent. [17440]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  A reply was issued on 23 February.

  Contributions and Benefits Agencies
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) contributions and (b) benefit agencies there have been in Scotland in each of the past 10 years; and how many are located in rural districts. [17105]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables:

  Contributions Agency

  Year ended

  Locations

  1990

  63 (including 20 rural)

  1991

  55 (including 18 rural)

  1992

  39 (including 17 rural)

  1993

  38 (including 17 rural)

  1994

  32 (including 17 rural)

  1995

  26 (including 17 rural)

  The Contributions Agency was established in April 1990.

  Benefits Agency

  Year ended

  Locations

  1991

  99 (including 34 rural)

  1992

  100 (including 34 rural)

  1993

  101 (including 34 rural)

  1994

  99 (including 32 rural)

  1995

  97 (including 30 rural)

  The Benefits Agency was established in April 1991.

  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Secuity what was the total number of staff working for(a) benefits agencies and (b) contributions agencies in Scotland for each year since 1993. [17108]

  Mr. Evans
  This information is set out in the table.
  281

  1 January 1993

  1 January 1994

  1 January 1995

  1 January 1996

  Staff

  BA

  CA

  BA

  CA

  BA

  CA

  BA

  CA

  Permanent

  5,755

  324

  5,940

  329

  6,336

  290

  6,610

  219

  Casuals

  239

  0

  281

  0

  351

  2

  354

  26

  Total

  5,994

  324

  6,221

  329

  6,687

  292

  6,964

  245

  Notes:

  BA = Benefits Agency.

  BA = Contributions Agency.

  Source: Personnel Data from each Agency.

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from the Industrial Injuries advisory council on the draft regulations on reduced earnings allowance. [18275]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The council was content with the substance of the draft regulations, but suggested an amendment to the wording of the prescription for carpal tunnel syndrome and a delay in implementation of the provisions limiting to 12 months the backdating of new awards of reduced earnings allowance. A copy of the council chairman's letter and my response have been placed in the Library. The regulations have now been laid before Parliament as the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are(a) the total costs of administering the cold weather payment scheme and (b) the annual value of the contract with Meteorological Office for forecasting in respect of the scheme; and what proportion of the total budget for the scheme each of these sums represented in 1994–95. [18301]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  A detailed breakdown of the administration costs of the cold weather payment scheme

  Percentage by which retirement pension uprated (Column A)

  Percentage by which income support uprated (Column B)

  Amount by which retirement pension increased (Column C)

  Amount by which income support increased (Column D)

  Column D as a percentage of column C (Column E)

  1995

  2.2

  1.8

  £1.25

  £1.15

  92 per cent.

  1996

  3.9

  3.0

  £2.30

  £1.95

  85 per cent.

  1. Amounts are for a single pensioner aged under 75 who is not disabled.

  2. Figures in column E are to the nearest whole number.

  Hearing Loss
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will meet representatives of the Royal British Legion to discuss the effects on the ex-service community of the abolition of lump sum payments for attributable hearing loss below 20 per cent.; [18952]

  (2) if he will meet representatives of the Royal British Legion to discuss the effects for the ex-service community of the abolition of lump sum payments for attributable hearing loss below 20 per cent. [18954]
  282
  is not available. Payments are issued automatically, so, administration costs are comparatively low.

  The cost of the cold weather payment scheme is dependent on weather conditions in any particular year. During the mild winter of 1994–95, 10,969 payments were made at a total cost of £76,786. Administration costs were therefore minimal.

  Out of a total of £15,806 charged by the Meteorological Office for the cold weather payment scheme during 1994–95, £7,755 was for forecasting. These costs are negotiated annually and are fixed costs regardless of actual weather conditions.

  As a breakdown of the total budget for the scheme, including administration, is unavailable, it is not possible to say what proportion of the total the charge for forecasting represents.
  Note:
  1. This figure will not sum as a multiple of the 1994–95 £7 cold weather payment figure, due to clerical awards made at amounts other than £7

  Retirement Pensions and Income Support
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage by which the state retirement pension and income support were uprated in April 1995 and will be uprated in April 1996; and if he will provide figures on(a) the amount and (h) the percentage that the applicable amount for income support for a single pensioner aged under 75 years has changed relative to the level of the state retirement pension. [18337]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Mr. Heald
  The removal of payment of gratuities for service-attributable noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss of less than 20 per cent. was part of a package of measures which included an increase from April 1993 of up to £5 a week above the rate of inflation for all war disablement pensioners. The most severely disabled gained most. Almost 265,000 war pensioners are now gaining from this increase at an estimated annual cost of over £26 million. The package was therefore of considerable benefit to the disabled ex-service community.
  283
  This matter has been discussed on several occasions at meetings between Ministers and representatives of ex-service organisations, including the Royal British Legion. I see no point in a further meeting at this time.

  Social Fund (Southampton)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of(a) social fund grants and (b) social fund loans which were (i) claimed and (ii) granted in each year since 1989 in the area covered by Benefits Agency offices serving Southampton; and what was the expenditure in each year on each benefit. [18844]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Denham, dated 5 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what was the total number of (a) Social Fund grants and (b) Social Fund loans which were (i) claimed and (ii) granted in each year since 1989 in the area covered by Benefits Agency offices serving Southampton; and what was the expenditure in each year on each benefit.The information requested is not available for the financial year 1989–90.When the Benefits Agency was formed in April 1991, existing Local Offices were grouped into Districts. Annex A gives the figures for the Southampton Local Office prior to the change. Southampton Office forms part of Solent and New Forest District, which also includes the Fareham and New Forest Branch Offices. Annex B, gives the figures for Solent and New Forest District from April 1991 to date. Figures are only available for the District as a whole.I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Annex A: Number of applications, awards and expenditure in Southampton office

  April 1990—March 1991

  Type

  Applications

  Awards

  Expenditure (£)

  Loans

  6,999

  4,531

  535,698

  Grants

  2,312

  934

  209,817

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Annex B: Number of applications, awards and expenditure in Solent and New Forest District

  April 1991—January 1996

  Type

  Applications

  Awards

  Expenditure £

  1991

  Loans

  14,200

  9,767

  1,315,691

  Grants

  6,742

  1,927

  475,818

  1992

  Loans

  16,256

  11,671

  1,603,254

  Grants

  7,838

  2,210

  509,998

  1993

  Loans

  16,153

  11,932

  1,839,088

  Grants

  7,807

  1,939

  507,242

  1994

  Loans

  17,431

  11,160

  2,079,101

  Grants

  11,642

  1,846

  547,542

  284

  Annex B: Number of applications, awards and expenditure in Solent and New Forest District

  April 1991—January 1996

  Type

  Applications

  Awards

  Expenditure £

  1995

  Loans

  12,988

  9,504

  1,896,291

  Grants

  6,215

  1,363

  445,735

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Family Credit, Southampton
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of households claiming family credit in each year since 1989, in the area covered by Benefits Agency offices serving Southampton; and what was the expenditure in each year in current prices. [18843]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of family credit is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Denham, dated 5 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what was the total number of households claiming Family Credit (FC) in each year since 1989, in the area covered by Benefits Agency (BA) offices serving Southampton; and what was the expenditure in each year in current prices.

  The information is not available in the format requested. This is because the FC computer system holds records of the total number of claims received, awarded and disallowed on a national basis. Details are not broken down into individual towns or areas. The information is only available from 1993 as details relating to FC claims are normally destroyed after 18 months.

  However, statistics are available which indicate the number of families in receipt of FC within a BA office area at a particular date. Unfortunately, the scan does not identify at what stage of the 26 weeks entitlement the awards are at that date. The statistics available for the Southampton Branch Office are as follows. They are provisional and subject to change.

  Date of scan

  Families in receipt of family credit at that date

  20 August 1993

  1,966

  15 April 1994

  2,051

  10 November 1994

  2,224

  13 April 1995

  2,292

  10 November 1995

  2,462

  16 February 1996

  2,534

  Details of benefit expenditure is only available on a national basis.

  I hope you find this reply useful.

  Benefits, Southampton
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of households in receipt of benefits in the area covered by Benefits Agency offices serving Southampton in each year since 1989. [18845]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of income support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  285
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Denham, dated 5 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate he has made of the number of households in receipt of benefits in the area covered by Benefits Agency (BA) offices serving Southampton in each year since 1989.
  The information is not available in the format requested. This is because statistics are collected on the number of benefit recipients and not by household. Information relating to centrally administered benefits such as Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Disability Working Allowance, Family Credit, Invalid Care Allowance and Retirement Pension are only collated on a National basis.

  Annex A gives details of the number of benefit recipients whose claims are administered by the BA Solent and New Forest District. The District consists of the Southampton, Fareham and New Forest Branch Offices. It should be noted that customers may receive more than one benefit. The information is only available from 1991 when the BA was formed.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Solent and New Forest District Number and types of benefit recipients from November 1991 to November 1995

  November

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Income Support

  44,283

  51,394

  52,053

  50,322

  49,577

  Sickness Benefit

  3,515

  3,853

  3,609

  4,385

  —

  Short term Incapacity Benefit

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,750

  Invalidity Benefit

  8,253

  9,329

  10,342

  11,011

  —

  Long term Incapacity Benefit

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10,651

  Maternity Allowance

  205

  210

  154

  167

  180

  Severe Disability Allowance

  2,729

  2,795

  2,897

  3,057

  3,065

  Sickness Benefit figures include customers who claimed but were not awarded Sickness Benefit as they had paid insufficient National Insurance contributions, but were awarded National Insurance credits only.

  Sickness Benefit was replaced by short term Incapacity Benefit from April 1995.

  Invalidity Benefit was replaced by long term Incapacity Benefit from April 1995.

  Information has been provided by the BA's Central Data Unit, the data is provisional and may be subject to change.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for further consultations on the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [19625]

  Mr. Burt
  I am pleased to announce a joint consultation exercise that begins today on the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  The Government will phase in the access rights in part III of the Act. Around the end of 1996, we will make it unlawful to refuse service, or offer it to a lower standard, or on less favourable terms, simply because someone is disabled. At the same time, we will prohibit discrimination against disabled people by those selling or renting property.

  We are consulting on proposals to regulate how these initial rights will operate in certain areas—insurance, services ancillary to education, and agents appointed to act on behalf of those unable to give an informed consent.
  286
  At the same time the National Disability Council is consulting on its proposals for a code of practice on these initial rights.

  The remaining rights in part III require service providers to make reasonable adjustments to allow or facilitate access for disabled people. The Government are also consulting on the timetable for bringing these duties into force.

  Copies of the consultation package are available in the Library.

HEALTH

  Casualty Departments
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of casualty departments by region in each of the five years up to 1993–94. [18072]

  Mr. Horam
  The latest available figures are shown in the table. Information is collected on the basis of trusts and directly managed units with accident and emergency services. Some trusts include more than one hospital each with its own accident and emergency department.

  Figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are not available centrally.

  Trusts and directly managed units1 with accident and emergency department2 by region in England

  Region

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Northern

  20

  19

  16

  Yorkshire

  18

  17

  17

  Trent

  15

  18

  14

  East Anglian

  10

  9

  10

  North-west Thames

  17

  13

  15

  North-east Thames

  17

  16

  16

  South-east Thames

  17

  15

  16

  South-west Thames

  15

  14

  15

  Wessex

  15

  14

  12

  Oxford

  11

  8

  10

  South Western

  15

  12

  15

  West Midlands

  26

  27

  27

  Mersey

  12

  11

  12

  North Western

  26

  29

  20

  SHAs

  4

  4

  3

  Total

  238

  226

  228

  Notes:

  1 A trust or directly managed unit may consist of a number of hospitals each with its own accident and emergency department.

  2 With medical staff on site and where the intention is to open 168 hours per week.

  Source:

  KHO3 returns.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what time limits have been placed on the period of service contracts entered into with those providing hospital buildings under the private finance initiative. [188251

  Mr. Horam
  The period of service contracts entered into with those providing hospital buildings under the private finance initiative is a subject for negotiation between national health service trusts and their potential private sector partners, and will vary from contract to
  287
  contract and from service to service. The two criteria for approval of NHS private finance initiative contracts are that they should offer best value for money and that they should reduce risks for the NHS by transferring risks to the private sector.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals are currently seeking PFI contracts in England; what estimate he has made of the number of contracts which will have been signed by 30 March(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; and if he will make a statement. [19230]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on PH contracts in(a) Amersham and High Wycombe, South Buckinghamshire NHS trust, (b) Swindon and (c) North Durham. [19229]

  Mr. Horam
  No. Contracts are currently being negotiated between the trusts and their private sector partners. These are commercially sensitive and confidential.

  Solihull Hospital
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will refer the determination of the future of Solihull hospital to an independent tribunal; and if he will make a statement; [18779]

  (2) if he will meet a delegation from the parliamentary constituency of Meriden to discuss the future of Solihull hospital as a stand-alone trust hospital. [18783]

  Mr. Horam
  The proposal to establish Solihull district general hospital as a national health service trust has already been considered thoroughly and rejected. The proposal to dissolve Birmingham Heartlands NHS trust and to establish a new NHS trust with Solihull hospital is still a matter for public consultation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make his decision about the future of Solihull hospital after careful consideration of the outcome of consultation, taking into account all the views expressed. I am, of course, willing to meet my hon. Friend and a delegation from his constituency and to listen to their views.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether Solihull hospital could provide accident and emergency facilities on a 24-hour basis with full consultant, medical and support facilities if the hospital merged with Birmingham Heartlands hospital. [18781]

  Mr. Horam
  This issue is being considered as part of the consultation exercise currently under way on the proposal to merge Solihull district general hospital and Birmingham Heartlands NHS trust.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will postpone the final date of the consultation period on the proposals for the future of Solihull hospital to allow fresh proposals to be considered. [18780]

  Mr. Horam
  No. If my hon. Friend has any comments to make in response to the consultation exercise I would ask that he forward these to the West Midlands regional health authority as a matter of urgency.
  288
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received during the independent consulting period about the role of Heartlands hospital in Birmingham in respect of the proposed merger with Solihull hospital. [18778]

  Mr. Horam
  All representations about the proposed merger between Solihull district general hospital and Birmingham Heartlands National Health Service trust have been referred to the West Midlands regional health authority, which is conducting the public consultation exercise on this proposal. Once the exercise is concluded, the regional health authority will report the results to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and we will give careful consideration to the views expressed.

  Redundant Hospital Buildings
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the cost of maintaining redundant or empty hospital buildings(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in London and (c) on the site of the former Westminster hospital; [18851]

  (2) how many square feet of former hospital buildings remain (a) empty, (b) derelict and (c) unsold. [18852]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Dentists and Pharmacists (Premises)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated by the NHS executive in each region for funding the improvement of premises occupied by(a) dentists and (b) pharmacists. [18776]

  Mr. Malone
  Dentists and pharmacists are independent contractors who make their own business decisions about any improvements that may be necessary for their premises. Their national health service fees cover remuneration and expenses.

  Northern and Yorkshire Outpost Headquarters
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, columns 919–20, if the Yorkshire regional health authority's building at Park parade, Harrogate was (a) placed on the open market and (b) advertised for sale on the basis of competitive tenders before its sale; who provided an independent valuation of the building for the NHS before its sale; what the valuation was; and on what basis this figure was calculated. [18829]

  Mr. Malone
  The sale of the former Yorkshire regional health authority building at Park parade, Harrogate was linked to the procurement of new premises for the NHS Executive Northern and Yorkshire regional office, in Durham. This was to avoid the serious risk, confirmed by independent property experts, that the Harrogate offices might remain as a liability to the health service, unsold and unlet for a considerable period.

  The linked sale and procurement was put to competitive tender, and the tender was let to Dysart Developments Ltd. on the basis of the best financial return to the health service.
  289
  The building was valued prior to tender by the district valuer, at £2.5 million, on the basis of his appraisal of the property and his knowledge of the local market. The successful tender incorporated an offer for the Harrogate building in excess of this figure, at £2.825 million.

  Hospital Doctors
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of(a) junior and (b) other hospital doctors in (i) 1985, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1995. [18740]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table. Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Total numbers of junior doctors and other hospital doctors in England

  As at 30 September

  Year

  1985

  1990

  1994

  Junior doctors

  21,520

  23,630

  25,780

  Other hospital doctors

  22,030

  24,970

  26,260

  Public Health Link
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the review of the public health link procedure; and if he will publish his conclusions. [18788]

  Mr. Horam
  The Chief Medical Officer has recently met leaders of the medical profession to discuss how arrangements for transmitting urgent communications to doctors should be improved. Based on the principles agreed, finalised proposals will shortly be put to the medical profession and to other interested parties to ensure procedures are understood by all concerned.

  Anaesthetists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of qualified anaesthetists in the NHS; and what is the shortfall for each NHS trust. [18775]

  Mr. Malone
  The number of qualified anaesthetists—consultant grade—employed in the national health service was 2,350' as of 30 September 1994. The Department does not hold information about vacancies at trust level.

  Note:

  1This number is rounded to the nearest 10.

  Transplant Surgery
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what examinations, and of what nature, his Department(a) has conducted (b) is conducting and (c) has asked other organisations to conduct into the use for transplantation or other surgical procedures on humans of transgenic or genetically-modified animals or organs or parts therefrom. [18802]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health has asked a committee chaired by Professor Ian Kennedy to review the acceptability of, and ethical framework within which, xenotransplantation—the transplant of animal organs,290
  cells and tissue across species—may be undertaken, and to make recommendations. The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens is considering the potential infection risks which might arise following xenotransplantation.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of planned savings in management costs which will result from more effective use of information technology. [18786]

  Mr. Horam
  Information technology pervades most of the activity of the national health service. Whilst benefits, including potential savings in management costs, are known for the use of information technology in some of these activities, the Department of Health does not maintain a total across all of them.

  Research
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all Department of Health funded pilots, trials and research studies which have been conducted since 1990 in(a) Doncaster, (b) Mexborough, (c) Doncaster travel-to-work area and (d) Mexborough travel-to-work area identifying (i) title, summary and duration of the pilot or trial, (ii) target population and total number of participants and (iii) whether each pilot, trial or research finding was published and the date of publication; and if he will list all other non-Deaprtment of Health research bodies or organisations involved in each pilot, trial or research scheme. [19089]

  Mr. Malone
  Research commissioned within the Department's policy research programme is set out in "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme" and "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme: Commissions 1994–95" copies of which are available in the Library.

  The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Keith Jones, chairman of the Doncaster district health authority, for available information on local health studies.

  Patient Information
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish guidance to the NHS on the protection and use of patient information; and if he will make a statement. [19807]

  Mr. Horam
  We will be issuing guidance to national health service and other interested bodies tomorrow. Copies will be placed in the Library. The guidance will emphasise the legal duty of all NHS bodies and staff to protect patient confidentiality, as well as the importance of informing patients of the essential uses to which personal information, anonymised wherever possible, may be put.

  Childhood Cancers
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the funding of the National Radiological Protection Board, NRPB-R276, pages 100 and 109 in respect of the incidence of childhood cancers linked to natural background alpha radiation. [18761]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health and the Scottish Office provide core-funding to the National Radiological Protection Board which covers many areas, including assessment of the risk of childhood cancer from exposure to natural background alpha radiation. The work of the board on this topic as described in NRPB R–276 was resourced by this funding.

  Embryo Research
  Mr. Morely
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for new legislation on embryo research. [19159]

  Mr Horam
  There are currently no plans for further legislation.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to identify the donors of embryos for research; and if he will make a statement. [19155]

  Mr. Horam
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's code of practice requires all licensed centres to keep records in which the source of gametes and embryos is accurately and securely recorded.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for new measures on frozen embryos when the current five-year holding period ends. [19156]

  Mr. Horam
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos) Regulations 1996 No. 375 were laid before both Houses on 23 February 1996 and will come into force on 1 May 1996.

  Human Fertility and Embryo Authority
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring his Department conducts of the operation of the Human Fertility and Embryo Authority. [19158]

  Mr. Horam
  Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is required to produce an annual report which is laid before Parliament. Between reports there is regular contact between Ministers, departmental officials and the authority. It is Government policy that all non-departmental public bodies should be reviewed after five years in existence. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) on 19 October 1995,Official Report, column 367, which announced that a full review by the Department of Health is now in progress.

  In Vitro Fertilisation Centres
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often each registered IVF centre is inspected. [19157]

  Mr. Horam
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority inspects all licensed in vitro fertilisation centres annually.

  Professions Supplementary to Medicine
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he plans to take to ensure that an adequate number of free placements are available within the national health service for those students in training for professions supplementary to medicine who require such placements for clinical practice during their courses. [19216]

  Mr. Horam
  Responsibility for negotiating clinical placements rests with education providers. National health service organisations were reminded of their obligation to assist education providers to secure sufficient placements in guidance issued in August 1995. Where charging for placements currently exists, it is being phased out.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which bodies within the national health service will have responsibility after 1 April for fulfilling contract obligations entered into by regional health authorities with educational institutions providing training courses for professions supplementary to medicine; [19212]

  (2) which bodies within the national health service will have responsibility after 1 April for providing bursaries for students on courses of training for professions supplementary to medicine. [19213]

  Mr. Horam
  From 1 April 1996 regional offices of the Department of Health will have responsibility for the contracts with education institutions and for the provision of bursaries for students for the professions allied to medicine.

  Health Authority Appointments
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the new health authorities indicating their gender and occupation. [19217]

  Mr. Malone
  A list of all appointments to national health service authorities and trusts will be published in the summer of 1996. This will include both the gender and occupation of appointees.

  Meningitis
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases there have been of meningitis (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) C in each of the last five years(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in each EU country. [19225]

  Mr. Horam
  In the past five years the numbers of cases of meningococcal infection reported in England and Wales, including cases of meningitis and septicaemia, and due to each group of Neisseria meningitidis are as shown in the table.

  Isolates of N meningitidis received at the Public Health Laboratory Service's meningococcal reference laboratory 1990–95, England and Wales

  Group

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  11995

  A

  13

  6

  7

  2

  1

  0

  B

  997

  959

  923

  929

  789

  866

  C

  466

  394

  326

  319

  291

  444

  Other groups

  24

  39

  45

  47

  48

  64

  All groups

  1,500

  1,398

  1,301

  1,297

  1,129

  1,394

  1 Provisional date for 1995

  293
  Data for each European Union country is not routinely collated by the Public Health Laboratory Service and may not, in any case, be comparable between different countries because of different reporting systems and differing access to grouping and typing facilities.

  Information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which countries in the EU give routine meningitis vaccinations to children. [19226]

  Mr. Horam
  Eleven of the 15 countries in the European Union give routine Hib vaccine, which protects against cases of meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type b infections. Hib vaccine was introduced into the United Kingdom childhood immunisation programme in 1992 and has been a great success. The vaccine has virtually eliminated Hib meningitis in young children.

  No countries in the European Union currently give routine vaccination against meningococcal meningitis—that is, cases caused by Neisseria meningitidis.

  Public Finance
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the percentage change in each of the last five years of public finance in the NHS capital programme. [19228]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is shown in the table.

  Hospital and community health services gross capital expenditure (£ million)

  Change (Per cent.)

  1990–91

  1,576

  9.1

  1991–92

  1,659

  5.3

  1992–93

  1,815

  9.4

  1993–94

  1,783

  -1.8

  1994–95

  2,049

  14.9

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received on the accountancy error made in calculating the income of the South Manchester University Hospitals NHS trust; what replies he has made; and if he will make a statement on the effects of the error in terms of(a) bed closures and (b) numbers of people waiting for hospital treatment. [19274]

  Mr. Horam
  We have received two letters on this subject. The trust has drawn up a recovery plan which involves selective bed closures and estimates that its proposals will add approximately two months to in-patient waiting times for Manchester residents.

  Hepatitis B
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the annual cost of universal vaccination of children against hepatitis B. [19218]

  Mr. Horam
  At manufacturers' current listed prices, annual vaccine costs for one birth cohort would be in the region of £17 million. The total cost of universal immunisation against hepatitis B will comprise of vaccine costs, the costs of administering the vaccine, and other costs of carrying out the immunisation programme. Costs of administering the vaccine could vary depending on the immunisation programme chosen.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the World Health Organisation's recommendation on hepatitis B vaccination. [19219]

  Mr. Horam
  Hepatitis B vaccine has been used in this country since 1982 and is currently recommended for those at increased risk of infection. The Department of Health is considering the implications of the World Health Organisation's recommendation for countries such as the United Kingdom, which has one of the lowest prevalence rates of chronic hepatitis B carriers in the world.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the cost-effectiveness of universal hepatitis B vaccinations for children. [19220]

  Mr. Horam
  The cost-effectiveness of universal hepatitis B vaccination for children is dependent on many factors, including the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in the population, the age at which immunisation is offered, the coverage achieved, vaccine efficiency, changes in the risks of exposure to the virus, the cost of the immunisation programme chosen, and the morbidity and mortality prevented as a result of that programme. The Department has commissioned research to develop a mathematical model of hepatitis B transmission dynamics to assist in this work.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the duration of antibody response in children vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccination. [19221]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health has not commissioned research on this subject.

  Vaccinations (Cancer Prevention)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the relationship between vaccination and cancer prevention. [19222]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health has not commissioned from central funds research into the relationship between vaccines and cancer prevention.

  However, the Department of Health, Medical Research Centre, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Glaxo/Wellcome—a leading pharmaceutical company—have jointly set up the Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research, with Professor Peter Beverley as its first scientific head.
  295
  The overall research strategy of the institute will be
  "to improve understanding of the immune response and apply that knowledge to the development of new vaccines to prevent diseases resulting from infections and malignancies (cancers)."

  Chronic Liver Disease
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new diagnoses of chronic liver disease there have been in each of the last five years. [19223]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available.

  Methadone
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were prescribed and how many and what percentage of doctors prescribed methadone in each region, district, family health services authority area and nationally in each of the last five years. [19227]

  Mr. Malone
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Natural Resources Institute
  Natural Resources Institute
  Mr. Yasar Kemal
  Mr. Yasar Kemal
  Bosnia: Military Equipment and Training
  Bosnia: Military Equipment and Training
  Bosnia and Turkey
  Bosnia and Turkey
  Former Yugoslavia: War Crimes Investigation
  Former Yugoslavia: War Crimes Investigation
  Prevention of Illegal Working: Consultation Responses
  Prevention of Illegal Working: Consultation Responses
  Family Separation
  Family Separation
  Patient Information: Protection and Use
  Patient Information: Protection and Use
  Ordnance Survey: Performance Targets
  Ordnance Survey: Performance Targets
  Passenger Rolling Stock: Slam Door Fatalities
  Passenger Rolling Stock: Slam Door Fatalities