Written Answers of 8 March 1996

ENVIRONMENT

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will reply to the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire on 19 January, reference GK/AB/190196. [19210]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 7 March 1996.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in each of the past five years Ministers in his Department have passed(a) hon. Members' letters and (b) hon. Members' questions to agencies for response; and what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of letters and questions received. [19426]

  Mr. Gummer
  The information requested on correspondence could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The number of parliamentary questions answered by the Department's agencies in each of the past five years and the percentage of questions that it represents is as follows:

  year

  Number of questions answered by Agencies

  Total number of questions answered

  Percentage answered by Agencies

  1992

  20

  5,899

  0.3

  1993

  3

  3,750

  0.08

  1994

  5

  3,970

  0.1

  1995

  9

  3,614

  0.2

  1996

  11

  21,031

  0.09

  1This question required a written reply from all four agencies

  2As at 1 March 1995.

  Guidance Notes
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. [18645]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not held centrally, and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Health and Safety Inspections Leaflet
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consultation was undertaken before the recent publication by the Health and Safety 364
  Commission of the leaflet entitled "Your rights when health and safety inspectors take enforcement action", and (a) which organisations were invited to respond, (b) how many responses were received and (c) what proportion favoured the need for the advice leaflet; [19518]

  (2) what cost effective activity by business is promoted by the publication by the Health and Safety Commission of the advice leaflet "Your rights when health and safety inspectors take enforcement action"; and if he will make a statement. [19522]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Health and Safety Commission's leaflet "Your rights when health and safety inspectors take enforcement action" publicises enforcement procedures drawn up by the commission to ensure the health and safety enforcement lines up with the principles in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. The Government accepted the recommendation of the deregulation task force in its first annual report for the widespread adoption of these principles, which were introduced to give business rights of representation before formal enforcement action is taken.

  In drawing up the procedures and the leaflet, the commission sought the views of local authorities, through the health and safety liaison committee, and of the deregulation task force. Heads of all Health and Safety Executive inspectorates were also consulted. All provided helpful comments.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recommendations from the deregulation unit were included in the recent publication by the Health and Safety Commission leaflet entitled "Your rights when health and safety inspectors take enforcement action". [19519]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Officials from the Cabinet Office deregulation unit and the Health and Safety Executive worked closely in drawing up this leaflet to ensure it followed the enforcement principles in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the use of the publication "Your rights when health and safety inspectors take enforcement action" in maintaining and improving standards of health, safety and welfare of workers; and if he will make a statement. [19520]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The procedures set out in the leaflet follow the principles in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 which were designed to improve the fairness, transparency and consistency of enforcement action without jeopardising any necessary protection. The procedures do not weaken the protection afforded by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They do not affect inspectors' powers to take immediate enforcement action against business, or to require business to take immediate remedial action, in any case where it appears to inspectors to be necessary to take such action or impose such a requirement. The commission is monitoring how the procedures are working in practice and will report to me.
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  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the impact of the procedures set down in Health and Safety Commission leaflet "Your rights when health and safety inspectors take enforcement action" will be on the role of the workplace safety representative; and if he will make a statement. [19521]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The role of the workplace safety representative remains unchanged. Inspectors will continue to seek views from employees or their safety representatives and make suitable arrangements to provide them with information on the action required of business. Inspectors also now provide a copy of the commission's leaflet.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b)private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19912]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Neither of these companies are currently bidding for these contracts in the Department of the Environment.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19908]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There are currently no examples of the companies named being involved in bidding for work in the Departments in Northern Ireland.

  EU Peace and Reconciliation Programme
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what mechanisms are being used by his Department to make payments under the EU special support programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. [20495]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Parliamentary approval for the making of payments under the EU special support programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland has been sought in the spring supplementary estimates. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure for new services will be met by repayable advances from the civil Contingencies Fund.

TREASURY

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what officials from the Treasury attended the Scottish Grand Committee meeting in Aberdeen on Monday 19 February; how many of these were press officers; and what was the total cost involved. [18570]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I attended the Scottish Grand Committee meeting in Aberdeen accompanied by a private secretary and a press officer.

  The total cost for their attendance was £555.

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all cases since 1987 where his Department has bought computer capacity from(a) other Departments and (b) the private sector, giving the value of each contract and the name of the private sector contractors. [19456]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury has not purchased any computer capacity from any Government Department or private sector company since 1987.

  Earnings
  Mr. Prescott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the average hourly earnings of(a) full-time and (b) part-time employees in each of the standard regions (i) including and (ii) excluding employees covered by national agreements. [19576]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information available from the new earnings survey is provided in the following table.

  New Earnings Survey 1995 (GB) Hourly earnings (excluding overtime) of employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence

  Full-time Employees covered by national agreements:

  Part-time Employees covered by national agreements:

  Included

  Excluded

  Included

  Excluded

  Standard Region

  £

  £

  £

  £

  South East

  9.77

  9.84

  6.32

  5.80

  East Anglia

  7.49

  7.26

  5.10

  4.75

  South West

  7.77

  7.55

  5.22

  4.86

  West Midlands

  7.58

  7.34

  5.25

  4.82

  East Midlands

  7.42

  7.14

  5.17

  4.78

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  7.43

  7.14

  5.24

  4.86

  North West

  7.81

  7.59

  5.47

  4.95

  North

  7.35

  7.08

  5.08

  4.69

  Wales

  7.41

  7.06

  5.09

  4.61

  Scotland

  7.78

  7.52

  5.25

  4.79

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19899]
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  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury has no current dealings with Capita Management Services or Lusis Business Solutions.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Leavers
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of school leavers have gone directly into higher education in each year since 1980. [19485]

  Mr. Forth
  Numbers of school leavers going directly into higher education are not collected centrally. However, the proportion of young people entering full-time higher education has more than doubled since 1980 as shown in the following list.

  Academic year beginning in:

  1980: 13

  1981: 13

  1982: 13

  1983: 13

  1984: 14

  1985: 14

  1986: 14

  1987: 15

  1988: 15

  1989: 17

  1990: 19

  1991: 23

  1992: 28

  1993: 30

  1994: 311

  1Provisional.

  Figures show the number of young—aged under 21 years—home domiciled initial entrants to higher education in Great Britain expressed as a percentage of the averaged 18 to 19-year-old population. Initial entrants are those entering a full-time course of higher education for the first time.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the budget for repairs and maintenance of school buildings in real terms in each year since 1979. [19448]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows in 1995 prices gross recurrent expenditure by local education authorities in England on repairs and maintenance from 1979–80 to 1994–95.

  Repairs and maintenance of buildings fixed plant and grounds

  1995 prices £000

  1979–80

  580,003

  1980–81

  599,060

  1981–82

  552,319

  1982–83

  581,652

  1983–84

  616,316

  1984–85

  598,008

  1985–86

  565,595

  1986–87

  616,805

  1987–88

  618,385

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  Repairs and maintenance of buildings fixed plant and grounds

  1995 prices £000

  1988–89

  579,596

  1989–90

  631,736

  1990–91

  618,283

  1991–92

  625,818

  1992–93

  583,974

  1993–94

  527,906

  1994–951

  534,295

  1 Provisional.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her Department's estimate for the total parental contribution to higher education student maintenance awards. [19360]

  Mr. Forth
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: The total assessed parental contribution to mandatory awards made by local education authorities in England and Wales for the academic year 1993–94, the latest year for which data are available, was £621 million.

  School Inspections (Don Valley)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for(a) the schools which the Office of Standards in Education plan to inspect in the Don Valley constituency in the next 12 months, (b) the dates during which inspections are to be made, (c) the dates on which inspection contracts were approved and (d) the date by which Ofsted will report the outcome of the inspection. [19689]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in her Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19913]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Capita Managed Services has recently submitted a tender to administer the teachers' superannuation scheme under the contractorisation process of the Teachers' Pensions Agency.

  Capita Managed Services and Lusis Business Solutions are not currently bidding for work in any of the other areas.

DEFENCE

  Air Accidents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when(a) the Royal Air Force Harrier GR 7 which crashed on 20 February at Southorpe, near Peterborough, Lincolnshire, (b) the two RAF Tornados which collided on

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  10 January above the base at Coningsby, (c) the RAF Tornado which crashed on 11 January at RAF Bruggen, Germany and (d) the RAF Hawk trainer which crashed on take-off in February at RAF Valley, Anglesey last had a major service; by whom each was carried out; and if he will make a statement. [17914]

  Mr. Soames
  All RAF aircraft are maintained in accordance with the appropriate authorised servicing cycle and approved maintenance procedures.

  In addition to first and second line maintenance carried out at operating units by RAF tradesmen at 125, 250, 500 and 1,000 flying hours, RAF Tornado aircraft undergo a major service every 2,000 flying hours. This is carried out by the Maintenance Group Defence Agency at RAF St. Athan. Neither Tornado F3 ZE862 nor ZE166 had received their first major service, which would have become due at 2,000 flying hours. They had, however, been subject to appropriate levels of servicing in November 1995 and August 1995 respectively. Tornado GR1 ZD846's last major service was carried out in 1991, but it had been appropriately serviced in December 1995.

  RAF Hawk aircraft undergo a major service every 2,000 flying hours. Hawk XX164's last major service was performed in 1991 at RAF Abingdon. The aircraft has since then received regular servicing, most recently in January 1996 when minor maintenance was carried out by RAF tradesmen at RAF Valley.

  The design philosophy of the Harrier does not require it to undergo major servicing in the same way as the Tornado and Hawk. Harrier GR7 ZG476 completed a period of minor scheduled maintenance, the deepest servicing applicable to the Harrier GR7, at RAF Wittering in December 1995. This work was carried out by RAF tradesmen.

  The separate boards of inquiry into these aircraft losses are ongoing. A summary of the board's findings will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the accident and involving a Royal Navy Harrier T 4N at RNAS Yeovilton on 27 June 1994; and if this accident is included in the accident rate figure for Royal Navy fixed-wing aircraft published in the 1995 edition of "UK Defence Statistics". [19759]

  Mr. Soames
  The circumstances of the accident are as follows. During the final stages of approach for landing, following a general flying practice sortie, the aircraft's rate of descent increased, causing it to land heavily. Subsequent investigation revealed that the aircraft had struck the leading edge of the runway with sufficient force to remove the main undercarriage. Fuller details are given in the "Military Aircraft Accident Summary", copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  I can confirm that this accident was included in the accident rate figures for Royal Navy fixed-wing aircraft published in the 1995 edition of "UK Defence Statistics".

  Dismissals (Sexuality)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been dismissed over the last five years for reasons regarding their sexuality. [19449]

  Mr. Soames
  During the period 1990–94, 309 service personnel left the armed forces for reasons of their sexual orientation.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19914]

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

  Railhead Transfer Equipment
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the Arbau-Klaus railhead transfer equipment has been deployed outside the United Kingdom in conjunction with other equipment in the demountable rack offloading and pick-up system logistic supply chain. [19968]

  Mr. Soames
  The Arbau-Klaus railhead transfer equipment has been deployed in Germany since 1989. It carries out a range of mechanical handling functions and is regularly deployed with a variety of other systems within the demountable rack offloading and pick-up system—DROPS—logistic supply chain.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Arbau-Klaus railhead transfer equipment has required modification for use as part of the demountable rack offloading and pick-up system logistic supply chain since purchased by his Department. [19969]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Arbau-Klaus equipment has not required modification to meet the operational requirement. However, in the current financial year the Ministry of Defence has purchased a further complement of spreader frames to reflect the changed pattern of operational use. This option was provided for in the original contract.

  Construction Contract
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the construction contract at Coulport and the role of Tarmac in respect of that contract. [19790]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  A number of major construction contracts were placed in the 1980s to prepare the Royal Naval armament depot, Coulport, Scotland for the introduction into service of the Trident strategic weapon system. Two large contracts were awarded to Tarmac Construction Limited as main contractor. One was for the provision of access roads and dockside weapon handling
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  facilities. The other, for which a final price remains to be agreed, was for warhead and missile storage facilities and warhead processing arrangements.

  Military Equipment Sales (Argentina)
  Mr. Pope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if military equipment made in the United Kingdom was sold to Argentina between May 1979 and May 1982. [18581]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Details of arms sales to Argentina since 1976 were given to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee in November 1982. A copy of this—HC31-i—is available in the Library of the House. These figures indicate that, in fulfilment of contracts signed before 1979, two Lynx anti-submarine helicopters were delivered to Argentina in 1979, one type 42 destroyer was commissioned in November 1980 and some Sea Dart missiles were delivered up to 1981.

  Nuclear-powered Vessels
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the decommissioned nuclear-powered vessels in the ownership of his Department, giving the location of each and the cost of any work undertaken on each vessel since decommissioning; and what are his plans for the disposal of these vessels. [19510]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The location of each nuclear-powered submarine that has left service is as follows, with the approximate costs, where available, of undertaking the defuelling, de-equipping and lay-up preparation—DDLP. In addition to DDLP costs, the average annual maintenance cost of storing a decommissioned nuclear-powered submarine afloat is some £50,000. A docking of each submarine is also carried out every 10 years at an approximate cost of £3 million per submarine. So far, only Dreadnought has undergone a 10-yearly docking. The policy for final disposal is still under consideration.

  Submarine

  Location

  DDLP cost £ million

  HMS Dreadnought

  Rosyth

  1—

  HMS Warspite

  Devonport

  11.3

  HMS Churchill

  Rosyth

  11.2

  HMS Conqueror

  Devonport

  10.6

  HMS Swiftsure

  Rosyth

  11.5

  HMS Courageous

  Devonport

  10.8

  HMS Revenge

  Rosyth

  18.7

  HMS Valiant

  Devonport

  2—

  HMS Resolution

  Rosyth

  2—

  HMS Renown

  Rosyth

  2—

  1 It is not possible to provide costs of the decommissioning of HMS Dreadnought, which was the first nuclear submarine to be withdrawn from service in 1982; the information, insofar as it may be available, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  2 HMS Valiant, HMS Resolution and HMS Renown have not yet completed their DDLP.

  Atomic Weapons Test Programme (Australasia)
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much compensation has been paid since 1966 to the Australian Government or nationals by Her Majesty's Government in respect of claims by or on 372
  behalf of persons who suffered death or injury as a consequence of the United Kingdom's atomic weapons test programme in Australasia in the 1950s. [18880]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: As announced to the House on 10 December 1993, Official Report, column 421, the Government agreed to make an ex gratia payment of £20 million to the Federal Government of Australia as a contribution to the cost of the further clean-up of the Maralinga site. A copy of the note giving effect to this agreement was placed in the Library of the House. The note also records that the Government of Australia indemnified the Government of the UK against claims from Australian nationals or residents. We understand, however, that since then the Australian Government have paid no compensation to anyone claiming to have been injured by radiation from the British nuclear test programme.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Welsh Grand Committee
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission what estimate he has made of the annual cost of the proposed reforms of the Welsh Grand Committee. [18467]

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: On the assumption that the Welsh Grand Committee meets four times in Wales during the financial year 1996–97, an estimate of £36,000 is forecast. This estimate includes travel, accommodation, communications, security and additional staff costs; but excludes any additional costs incurred by Government Departments. Full details will be given, in due course, in the next sessional return.

  Deregulation Committee
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission what is the total estimated cost of maintaining the Deregulation Committee, broken down by office costs, staffing costs and printing costs. [18639]

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: It is not possible to give a total estimated cost of maintaining the Deregulation Committee.

  Currently the Committee has three full-time staff and three staff who also serve the European Legislation Committee. The Committee also receives assistance from the staff in the Committee Office providing general support for the work of Select Committees. Details of the staffing of the Committees are given in the sessional return. It is not possible to calculate office costs for individual Select Committees. The return for Session 1994–95 was published on 28 February as House of Commons Paper 132 of the current Session.

  The cost of printing the reports of the Committee was £2,070 in financial year 1994–95; and in the current year, to the end of December 1995, has been £29,337. The costs relate to publication of nine reports.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all cases since 1987 where his Department has bought computer capacity from(a) other Departments and (b) the private sector, giving the value of each contract and the name of the private sector contactors. [19461]

  Mr. Willetts
  My Department has not purchased any computer capacity, in the sense of buying time on someone else's computer, from other Government Departments or the private sector since 1987.

  Health and Safety Inspections Leaflet
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role the deregulation unit had in the preparation of the recently published Health and Safety Commission leaflet entitled "Your rights when health and safety inspectors take enforcement action". [19575]

  Mr. Freeman
  Officials from the Cabinet Office deregulation unit and the Health and Safety Executive worked together closely in drawing up this leaflet to ensure it followed the enforcement principles in the Deregulation and Contracting out Act 1994.

  Deregulation Unit
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff are employed by the deregulation unit; what indicators are used to measure its performance; and what are its total annual manning costs. [19572]

  Mr. Freeman
  Staffing numbers, staffing costs and performance measures were set out in the annual MINIS 95 return for the Department of Trade and Industry, as the unit was at that stage part of that Department. The return was published on 12 June 1995 and a copy placed in the Library of the House.

  The staff complement of the deregulation unit at January 1996 was 43.5.

  HMSO
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many jobs have been lost in Her Majesty's Stationery Office in each year since 1990; [19776]

  (2) what is the projected cost of redundancy payments for HMSO in 1996; [19777]

  (3) what is the cost of redundancy payments within HMSO for each year since 1990; [19778]

  (4) what estimate he has made of the change in the number of jobs in HMSO in 1996. [19791]

  Mr. Freeman
  As these questions relate purely to operational matters, I have asked the chief executive of HMSO to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mike Lynn to Mr. Gerry Sutcliffe, dated 7 March 1996:

  I have been asked by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to reply to your four Parliamentary Questions (Nos 41–44) about job losses and redundancy payments.
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  I am afraid it is not possible to identify precisely how many jobs have been lost in quite the way you are seeking. HMSO operates in a dynamic environment and has to react to changing market conditions. Accordingly, whilst changes in technology or customer requirements have meant that many operational jobs have been surrendered, we have at the same time needed to recruit sales and marketing staff to ensure that we can compete effectively, and we have moved some staff from support roles into the front line.

  Similarly, some jobs have been lost as a result of market tests, but market testing by other Departments has enabled us to capture additional work on a Facilities Management basis, involving the transfer into HMSO of some 230 staff. The net result is that total permanent staffing has fallen from 3,220 at 1.1.90 to 2,696 at 1.3.96, and we expect a further significant decrease by the end of the year.

  The total cost of redundancy payments (excluding any pay in lieu of notice, and provision for future annual compensation payments) for each year since 1990 is given below. These figures are recorded against the year in which provision was made in our Annual Accounts and in some cases the actual departures occurred in the following year. In particular, the 1995 figure includes some £8,450,000 in respect of the 1996 programme.

  1990: £477,000

  1991: £163,000

  1992: £1,245,000

  1993: £4,789,000

  1994: £3,843,000

  1995: £15,040,00

  1996: —.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Contributions and Benefits Agencies, Scotland
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the number of(a) contributions agencies and (b) benefits agencies in Scotland. [17106]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Contributions Agency undertook an extensive analysis of its field operations business in 1993 and a review of the management structure in 1994, to increase efficiency and reduce costs, in line with the Government White Paper, "Continuity and change in the Civil Service".

  The recommendations of the reviews were subject to a feasibility study and then an extensive trial period in rural and urban areas during 1995.

  The proposed changes to the field operations structure will be implemented over a two to three-year period.

  Although the efficiency and running costs of the Contributions Agency are constantly under review, there are no proposals to undertake a further reorganisation.

  The Benefits Agency regularly reviews its estate.

  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the number of and access to contributions and benefits agencies. [17107]

  Mr. Heald
  The Contributions Agency has been in existence since 2 April 1991, details of inquiries made to the Secretary of State about access to, and the number of Contributions Agency offices are not available prior to 1 January 1995. Since 1 January 1995 the Secretary of
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  State has received 17 direct inquiries on this subject; 16 written inquiries from hon. Members and one independent inquiry.

  The Benefits Agency could obtain this information only at disproportionate cost.

  Company Pension Schemes
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what incentives he plans to introduce to encourage individuals to contribute to company pension schemes. [18850]

  Mr. Heald
  Measures to be introduced under the Pensions Act 1995 will enhance the security of occupational pension schemes, increasing pubic confidence in them. Members of occupational schemes contracted out of the state earnings-related pension scheme pay lower rates of national insurance contributions. Tax relief is given on individual contributions to occupational schemes, including additional voluntary contributions. Similarly, national insurance rebates and tax relief are available to employees in individually-arranged and group personal pension schemes. The Department of Social Security is developing a range of material explaining the benefits of planning early for retirement and providing pensions information in plain English for employers, the public and the pensions world.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19909]

  Mr. Burt
  Neither Capita Managed Services nor Lusis Business Solutions are part of any of the consortia bidding for any of this Department's facilities management, private finance initiative projects, management buy-outs, contractorisation schemes or market-testing schemes. It is possible that these companies may be employed by bidding consortia, but that is a matter for the consortia concerned.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for those areas of(a) Greenock and (b) Port Glasgow within the parliamentary constituency of Greenock and Port Glasgow entitled to receive cold weather payments, the weather station used as the basis for calculations; in respect of how many days each area has received cold weather payments in winter 1995–96; what has been the total amount paid to date; and if he will make a statement. [18055]

  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.
  376
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 7 November 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will list for those areas of (a) Greenock and (b) Port Glasgow within the Parliamentary Constituency of Greenock and Port Glasgow entitled to receive Cold Weather Payments (CWPs), the weather station used as the basis for calculations; in respect of how many days each area has received CWPs in winter 1995–96; what has been the total amount paid to date; and if he will make a statement.

  The information is not available in the format requested. CWP statistics are not kept which are specific to Parliamentary Constituencies or for individual Benefit Offices, but are kept for Benefit Agency (BA) Districts. The BA District Clyde Coast and Cowal comprises of the BA Offices of Greenock and Port Glasgow and covers the postal codes: KA25, KA28 to KA30 inclusive, PA 11 and PA13 to PA27 inclusive. This District is linked to the weather station at Glasgow Airport.

  The weather station at Glasgow Airport has had 21 days of identified cold weather. The total amount of CWPs paid from December 1995 to date is £231,854.50. Statistics are not yet available for any clerical payments which may have been made in February by the District.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which weather stations are used as the basis of calculations for cold weather payments in the constituency of Perth and Kinross; for how many days each eligible area has received cold weather payments in winter 1995–96; and what has been the total amount paid. [19168]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 7 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about which weather stations in the Parliamentary constituency of Perth and Kinross were used to calculate Cold Weather Payments (CWPs), how many days each eligible area received CWPs in winter 1995–96, and the total amount paid.

  The information is not available in the format requested. This is because statistics are not kept which are specific to Parliamentary constituencies but are kept by Benefit Agency Districts. The constituency of Perth and Kinross is dealt with by the Agency's Tayside District. Postal codes within the District are linked to weather stations at Aberdeen Airport, Aviemore, Edinburgh Airport and Leuchars. Details of the postal codes which are linked to each weather station are available in the Library.

  The weater station at Aberdeen Airport has had 21 days of identified Cold Weather, Aviemore has had 42 days, Edinburgh Airport has had 14 days and Leuchars has had 21 days.

  This winter, to date, Tayside District has made CWPs amounting to £535,568. This does not include any clerical payments which may have been made by the District in February as these details are not yet available.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action is being taken by his Department to minimise the variations in monetary errors made in the award of income support by differing Benefits Agency offices. [18041]
  377
  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.

  Letter form Peter Mathison to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what action is being taken by his Department to minimise the variations in monetary errors made in the award of Income Support (IS) by differing Benefits Agency offices.

  The BA has a continuing programme of action to improve IS accuracy and minimise monetary errors. These include increasing the level of mandatory checks in local offices, redesigning training material and introducing refresher training workshops. The BA has also set up a team to carry out a fundamental review of IS processes.

  To help individual offices identify error trends and training needs we have set up Quality Support Teams who visit every District at least once a year to give advice and support and spread good practices. Additionally, Territorial Teams have carried out Management Reviews in offices where performance is not reaching the standards set.

  One of the main reasons for variation in office performance is the number of mortgage cases dealt with by each office. Mortgage cases are by far the most complex because of the many differing types of loans, the complexity of the regulations and the frequency of interest changes. The BA scrutinised all mortgage cases in 1994 and has recently implemented a change in legislation, from October 1995, to standardise the treatment of eligible interest costs. As a result of the change less clerical input is required and therefore the opportunity for error is reduced.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19906]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Neither company is currently bidding under any of(a) to (e).

  Magistrates, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will take steps to eliminate age discrimination in respect of those aged over 50 in advertisements to recruit magistrates in Doncaster. [18823]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The intention of the advertisement is not to be discriminatory but the Lord Chancellor's advisory committees seek to maintain a balance on benches in terms of age. Of the 185 magistrates currently on the Doncaster bench, 73 per cent. are aged 50 and above.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of justices of the peace aged(a) under 30, (b) 30 to 40, (c) 40 to 50, (d) 50 to 60, (e) 60 to 65 and (f) over 65 years of age for Doncaster magistrates court. [18822]
  378
  Mr. Evans
  The figures are as follows:

  Number

  (a) under 30

  0

  (b) 30 to 40

  6

  (c) 40 to 50

  43

  (d) 50 to 60

  86

  (e) 60 to 65

  27

  (f) over 65

  23

  Juries
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will amend section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to allow research to be undertaken into the functioning of juries. [18777]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The royal commission on criminal justice recommended the amendment of section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to enable research to be conducted into jurors' reasons for their verdicts. The Government are sympathetic to this recommendation and recognise the significant potential value of some forms of jury research. Consultation is currently taking place and the senior judiciary have been asked for their views.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the statistical probability of an eligible individual being called for jury service. [18773]

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

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your question about jury service.

  I regret that the information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

SCOTLAND

  Arts Councils
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of co-operation between the Scottish arts council and the Northern Ireland arts council; what projects have been jointly funded in the last year; and what future joint projects are planned. [17109]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Regular meetings and discussions are held between the chairmen, chief executive and other senior staff, as appropriate, to discuss matters of common interest. In the last year the four UK Arts Councils and the Arts Council in the Republic of Ireland funded a five cities tour of poetry readings in December 1995, and the Scottish arts council and the arts council of Northern Ireland jointly commissioned from Piers Hellawell a musical composition for the Highland festival in June 1996.

  Live Births
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many live births were registered in Scotland during 1995. [18861]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The provisional total of live births registered in Scotland in 1995 is £60,053.

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what civil servants attended each meeting of the Scottish Grand Committee in the current parliamentary Session; what have been the total costs associated with their attendance on each occasion; and how many of them were from the Scottish information office; [18568]

  (2) what civil servants he proposes should attend future meetings of the Scottish Grant Committee; what estimate he has made of the total cost involved; and how many of the officials and what amount of the costs relate to staff of the Scottish information office. [18569]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The number of officials attending meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee depends on the subjects for debate. In the current parliamentary Session an average of 15 departmental officials have attended each meeting. That number includes three officials from the Scottish Office information directorate and four ministerial private secretaries. As officials attending meetings do so as part of their normal duties no additional staff costs are incurred. There are of course travelling costs associated with each meetings.

  Attendance at future meetings will depend on the business to be handled and travelling costs on the venue but I expect the same pattern will continue.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school children were excluded(a) permanently and (b) temporarily from schools in (i) Perth and Kinross district council area and (ii) Tayside regional council area in 1995. [19169]

  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 adult unit of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools, is as follows.

  Number of pupils permanently excluded from schools in 1994–95

  Number of half days of temporary exclusions from schools in 1994–95

  Perth and Kinross

  0

  3,956

  Tayside

  0

  20,702

  380

  Racism in Schools
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many racial incidents were reported in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each educational authority in Scotland in 1995. [19170]

  Mr. Robertson
  This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Office.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which education authorities in Scotland have specific programmes to deal directly with the incidence of racism in schools. [19171]

  Mr. Robertson
  The management of schools is the responsibility of education authorities and head teachers. Information on which education authorities in Scotland have specific programmes to deal directly with the incidence of racism in schools is not held by the Scottish Office.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19900]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Neither of these companies is currently involved in biding for any of these schemes or initiatives within the Scottish Office.

  Education Directorates
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are(a) the numbers employed in the education directorate of each of the new councils, (b) the numbers of schools for which each is responsible and (c) the ratio for each council of the numbers so employed to the number of schools for which it is responsible. [20383]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The information at present available is shown in the table. I am asking my officials to update these figures as soon as councils have finalised their staffing structures.

  New Scottish Councils: numbers employed in educational directorates and numbers of schools

  Officers1

  Schools2

  Ratio

  Aberdeen

  16

  95

  1:6

  Aberdeenshire

  31

  196

  1:6

  Angus

  11

  65

  1:6

  Borders

  32

  82

  1:2.5

  Clackmannan

  8

  29

  1:3.5

  Dumfries and Galloway

  19

  134

  1:7

  Dundee

  14

  65

  1:4.5

  East Lothian

  21

  48

  1:2.2

  East Renfrewshire

  11

  36

  1:3

  Edinburgh

  63

  158

  1:2.5

  Falkirk

  17

  67

  1:4

  Fife

  45

  192

  1:4.2

  Midlothian

  10

  51

  1:5

  Moray

  16

  64

  1:4

  Perth and Kinross

  14

  92

  1:6.5

  Renfrewshire

  14

  88

  1:6

  381

  New Scottish Councils: numbers employed in educational directorates and numbers of schools

  Officers1

  Schools2

  Ratio

  South Ayrshire

  17

  65

  1:4

  West Lothian

  41

  92

  1:2.2

  1 Officers comprise Director (Tier 1), Deputy/Assisted Director (Tier 2), Education Officer/Operations Manager (Tier 3) and Adviser/Quality Assessor/Development Officer (Tier 4).

  2 Schools comprise secondary schools, primary schools special schools nursery schools.

  1. Information from the following eleven councils is awaited: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Highlands, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire.

  New councils—special responsibility allowances (SRAs) and numbers of administrative staff earning in excess of £42,000

  Council

  Number of councillors

  Number of SRAs

  Cost

  Cost per councillor

  Number of staff earning in excess of £42,000

  Aberdeen

  50

  28

  251,095

  5,022

  17

  Aberdeenshire1

  47

  9

  84,565

  1,799

  19

  Angus

  26

  25

  184,800

  7,108

  28

  Argyll and Bute

  33

  15

  125,450

  3,802

  13

  Scottish Borders

  58

  19

  118,700

  2,047

  13

  Clackmannan

  12

  10

  75,660

  6,305

  14

  Dumfries and Galloway

  70

  36

  244,837

  3,497

  39

  Dundee

  36

  24

  200,000

  5,556

  32

  East Ayrshire

  30

  17

  143,500

  4,783

  27

  East Dunbartonshire

  26

  16

  161,000

  6,192

  24

  East Lothian

  18

  16

  138,500

  7,694

  11

  East Renfrewshire

  20

  14

  113,125

  5,656

  23

  Edinburgh

  58

  55

  405,450

  6,991

  54

  Falkirk

  36

  25

  231,275

  6,424

  35

  Fife

  92

  50

  395,200

  4,296

  74

  Glasgow

  83

  58

  396,500

  4,777

  65

  Highlands

  72

  54

  253,794

  3,525

  24

  Inverclyde

  20

  15

  196,950

  9,847

  18

  Midlothian

  15

  14

  125,625

  8,375

  11

  Moray

  18

  15

  159,375

  8,854

  8

  North Ayrshire

  29

  27

  242,874

  8,096

  21

  North Lanarkshire

  69

  30

  264,800

  3,838

  38

  Perth and Kinross

  32

  22

  201,000

  6,300

  16

  Renfrewshire

  40

  17

  126,209

  3,155

  29

  South Ayrshire

  25

  18

  161,700

  6,468

  24

  South Lanarkshire

  73

  49

  419,760

  5,672

  43

  Stirling

  22

  22

  135,625

  6,165

  12

  West Dunbartonshire

  22

  12

  120,250

  5,466

  13

  West Lothian

  27

  22

  250,125

  9,264

  19

  1 Subject to further revision to reflect proposed area structures.

WALES

  Welsh Economic Council
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 February,Official Report, column 59, on what date he sought the view of local authorities on the future of the Welsh Economic Council; what other bodies he has consulted on the WEC's future; if he will give details; and if he will make a statement. [17349]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 27 February 1996]: I consulted the local authorities on 20 November on their views on the future of the Welsh Economic Council. I also refer the hon. Member to my announcement in the House on 29 February, Official Report, columns 1024–98.
  382

  Local Authority Expenses
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are(a) the number of councillors, (b) the number of special responsibility allowances being paid, (c) the total cost of these allowances, (d) the cost per councillor and (e) the number of administrative staff earning in excess of £42,000 in respect of each of the new local authorities. [20384]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The information, as supplied by the councils and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, is shown in the table:

  Buildings (Flintshire)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to meet the new Flintshire county council to discuss repairs and improvements to new buildings. [18920]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  North Wales Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to meet the North Wales TEC to discuss the consequences of job losses at(a) Raytheon jets and (b) British Aerospace at Broughton, Clwyd. [18925]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department is keeping in close touch with the employment position in the aerospace industry in north-east Wales. I have no current plans to meet the local training and enterprise council.

  Development Area Status
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the loss of development area status on those constituencies which have lost such status; and if he will make a statement. [18927]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Regional selective assistance is evaluated regularly. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy told the Trade and Industry Committee on 18 October 1995, another evaluation is to start this year.

  In the meantime, the Welsh Office has been monitoring the volume of RSA applications. The introduction of the new map in August 1993 caused a rush of applications immediately prior to the expiry of the old map. This makes it difficult to identify trends at present. The Welsh Office will continue to monitor applications as this distortion becomes less important.

  In the travel-to-work areas all or part of which lost development area status in 1993, average unemployment in the 12 months to January 1996 was 20.4 per cent. below that in the 12 months to July 1993 compared with a fall of 18.3 per cent. in Wales as a whole.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the reductions in expenditure that will be made in each of the next 10 years as a result of the reorganisation of local government in Wales, on the basis of extrapolated past costs. [19284]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  It is for councils to decide how much they spend. The level of savings from the reorganisation will depend on their decisions. My right hon. Friend will take this decision on the level of total standard spending for 1997–98 as part of the forthcoming public expenditure round.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 395, if he will place a copy of his letter to the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation in the Library. [19917]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is a confidential communication with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation. It would not be appropriate for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the foreign currency borrowings by NHS trusts in Wales; and if he will list the dates on which his approval was(a) sought and (b) given for such borrowings. [19915]

  Mr. Hague
  My approval has not been sought by any NHS trust in Wales to engage in foreign currency borrowing.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the borrowings by NHS trusts in Wales from persons other than the Secretary of State; and what amounts are outstanding. [19837]
  384
  Mr. Hague
  All loans taken out by NHS trusts in Wales have been obtained from the Exchequer. To facilitate short-term cash management, I have approved bank overdraft guarantees to enable the following trusts to borrow up to the amounts shown.

  NHS Trust

  Amount £

  Llandough Hospital and Community

  100,000

  Bridgend and District

  250,000

  Gwynedd Community

  100,000

  Llanelli/Dinefwr

  250,000

  Glan Clwyd District General Hospital

  100,000

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19901]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information about bidders for Welsh Office contracts is commercially confidential.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications he has received for total fundholding; in which health authority they are located; how many he has approved; what is the total annual fund budget in each case; and how many patients are on the lists of the practices concerned. [19916]

  Mr. Hague
  Eight proposals were received for projects to test the development of total purchasing by GP fundholders, of which four have been approved.

  Two projects, involving approximately 50,000 patients each, are in Gwent. Both the new Morgannwg and Dyfed health authority areas will include one project covering about 20,000 patients in each case.

  The purchasing budgets for these projects have not yet been set. These will be agreed between the health authorities and the fundholding practices involved.

  Sea Empress Incident
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to assist local authorities who have expended resources on the Sea Empress disaster clean-up and will not qualify for compensation from the existing industry compensation funds. [19786]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  All local authorities involved in the clean-up operation are qualified to claim reimbursement of costs incurred form the ship's insurers and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Attorney-General how many public interest immunity certificates are current in(a) civil cases and (b) criminal cases. [18810]
  385
  The Attorney-General
  On the basis of the information available, which relates only to cases involving Government Departments, there are known to be(a) two civil cases1 and (b) seven criminal cases currently before the courts in which public interest immunity certificates have been signed.

  1Includes one PII claim made by affidavit.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19902]

  The Attorney-General
  None.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Study
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times and upon what subjects he has asked KPMG to undertake a study for his Department since 1 January 1995. [18816]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department has let four contracts centrally with KPMG for external consultancy since 1 January 1995. The subjects of these studies were:

  Study into the North American service sector;

  Study of outward investment;

  Post Office performance review—operational efficiency;

  National Grid Flotation—Share option and dividend issues.

  In addition, one contract, for a job evaluation exercise, was let by the former executive agency, the National Engineering Laboratory.

  I have asked the chief executives of the existing agencies to reply separately.

  Letter from Adrian Wilson to Mr. John Battle, dated 8 March 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question: 95/1413 with regard to how many times and upon what subjects KPMG have been asked to undertake a study for the Department of Trade and Industry since 1 January 1995.

  We have one such contract with KPMG, in respect of Human Resources Computer System.

  Letter from David Durham to Mr. John Battle, dated 6 March 1996:

  You recently asked the President of the Board of Trade about the frequency and subjects of study undertaken by KPMG for his Department. I have been asked to reply in respect of Companies House Executive Agency.

  KPMG have not undertaken any studies for this Agency since 1 January 1995.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. John Battle, dated 8 March 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about the use of KPMG to undertake studies for The Insolvency Service since 1 January 1995.
  386
  I confirm that KPMG have not been asked to undertake any study for The Service since that date.

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. John Battle, dated 8 March 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply for the Patent Office to your question about how many times, and upon what subjects KPMG has been asked to undertake a study since January 1 1995. The Patent Office had no such dealings with KPMG in that period.

  Letter from Seton Bennett to Mr. John Battle, dated 8 March 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question about studies undertaken by KPMG.

  KPMG have undertaken no study for this Agency in the period since 1 January 1995.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. John Battle, dated 8 March 1996:

  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about KPMG. I can confirm that the Radiocommunications Agency have not asked KPMG to undertake any studies since 1 January 1995.

  Redundancies
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in what circumstances employers are required to notify his Department of proposed redundancies. [19970]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  An employer proposing to dismiss as redundant 20 or more employees at one establishment within a period of 90 days or less is required, under section 193 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 as amended by the Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations 1995, to notify the Secretary of State of that proposal in writing.

  Iraq (Military Equipment)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he possesses on the role of(a) Apremont S.A. Company of Panama, (b) Muiden Chemie Company of the Netherlands, (c) GEA Company, Remie Ltd. and Erber Ltd. of Italy, (d) SPEL Company of Portugal and (e) Banco Nazionale del Lavoro in facilitating the export of United Kingdom-origin military equipment to Iraq since 1985. [18535]

  Mr. Lang
  Muiden Chemie Company of the Netherlands and SPEL company of Portugal feature in chapter E7 of Sir Richard Scott's report. There is also a reference to the Atlanta, Georgia branch of the Banco Nazionale del Lavoro in paragraph A1.3 of the report. I understand that Sir Richard Scott intends to publish shortly on CD-ROM as many of the source documents for report as he considers necessary.

  So far as can be ascertained my Department has no further information concerning the role of the companies mentioned in the hon. Gentleman's question in facilitating the export of United Kingdom origin military equipment to Iraq.

  If the hon. Gentleman has any additional information suggesting that a breach of UK export controls has been committed, he should inform HM Customs.

  Domestic Gas (Standing Charges)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions are placed on the levying of standing charges by companies supplying gas to domestic consumers. [19818]

  Mr. Eggar
  In general, it will be for gas suppliers competing in the domestic market to make their own judgments as to standing charges and for customers to take them into account in their choice of supplier. Prospective suppliers operating in the south-west are generally offering standing charges lower than those of British Gas and two are offering a standing charge of zero.

  British Gas remains subject to a standing charge cap, equal in real terms to the level at privatisation.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Sport
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress has been made on implementing the initiatives set out in the policy statement "Sport: Raising the Game". [20382]

  Mr. Sproat
  Since the publication of the statement last July, the Department of National Heritage, the Department for Education and Employment, the Sports Council and other organisations have been working on the implementation of its initiatives. Already, significant progress has been made in a number of areas.

  In schools, a revised physical education curriculum with greater emphasis on team games was introduced in August 1995.

  The Department of Education and Employment is consulting on the inclusion of information on sporting aims, provision and achievements in annual reports and prospectuses, with a view to implementation from the 1996–97 academic year.

  The new Office for Standards in Education framework for inspection will ensure that inspectors will look at team games and sport as well as PE in the national curriculum as part of all school inspections.

  The Ofsted survey of good practice in school PE and sport was published in December, and a summary was sent to all schools in January 1996.

  Ofsted is also carrying out an audit of initial teacher training for PE. Its report is due in the summer, and will assist with the development of performance indicators.

  The Department for Education and Employment has also carried out a survey of sporting provision in schools, the results of which are expected in April. In addition, the Sports Council has distributed 35,000 copies of its "Why PE" leaflet to support the PE profession.

  The responses to the consultation paper published in July on the sportsmark and gold star award schemes, which was sent to all secondary schools, have been analysed. The Sports Council is now preparing detailed guidance on the implementation and assessment of both schemes. The aim is to have the schemes up and running
  388
  in secondary schools in the 1996–97 academic year and in primary schools, following a further consultation exercise, in the 1997–98 academic year.

  The Sports Council's working group on coaching schemes has been set up and will report in April.

  The Sports Council is also carrying out audits of available governing body courses and on the number of teachers working on primary and secondary education.

  The Department for Education and Employment has consulted on the playing fields elements of the Education (School Premises) Regulations being retained and the regulations were laid in February.

  In addition, the Department of the Environment issued a consultation paper on 15 January on the Sports Council becoming a statutory consultee on all planning applications affecting playing fields. Comments were invited by 15 March.

  In order to stimulate more good quality lottery applications from schools, the Sports Council provided additional information and advice via publications and roadshows in November.

  The council will identify gaps in provision through a facilities planning model, and has produced new guidelines for deprived areas. Funding levels have also been raised to 90 per cent. for these areas. A progress report will be produced shortly and action begun in April 1996. The Department of National Heritage has also sent leaflets to all schools in the UK providing information on how they can benefit from lottery funds. The Institute of Sports Sponsorship is consulting the Department for Education and Employment on ways of promoting greater business sponsorship of school sport.

  The working group on university sports scholarships, which is being chaired by Sir Roger Bannister, commenced work in October, has been meeting regularly, and will report in April.

  The Sports Council's consultation paper, setting out what the structure and content of the British Academy of Sport might be, was published on 5 December. The closing date for responses was 31 January and an analysis of these is currently being carried out by independent consultants on behalf of the council. Once the structure and content of the academy have been agreed, bids will be invited to establish the academy. The aim is to invite bids in the spring.

  The Sports Council has also met the Sports Aid Foundation, British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association to discuss the co-ordination of support for elite athletes. In addition, the Secretary of State has written to the Sports Council proposing changes to the way in which sports lottery money is distributed. The proposals include helping talented young people, including elite sports people, to develop their skills.

  Between now and July, progress will be made on several other action points, including: from April, the Sports Council will be allocating an additional £1 million to provide opportunities for teachers to gain coaching qualifications. Priorities will be decided by the council's coaching working group. The council is also considering

  389
  the details of the £2 million fund for promoting links between schools and clubs. Sportsmatch will also be earmarking £1 million for schools projects from April.

  In April, the Sports Council's national junior sports programme which is being run in conjunction with the Youth Sport Trust will commence. The programme is designed to provide around 4 million children with sports equipment, qualified coaches and places to play. The scheme will cost around £12 million over three years with £7.7 million of lottery money being made available, £2 million to £3 million of grant-in-aid from the Sports Council and some private sector funding. British Telecom has already announced that it will be sponsoring the programme with a total of £750,000 over three years.

  The regional offices of the new Sports Council for England will be introducing programmes to improve school-club links in April. Also in April the Sports Council will be publishing revised planning guidelines for governing bodies with a strengthened section on youth sport, which will further encourage the promotion of school-club links.

  The Further Education Funding Council is currently drafting a report on sporting provision in the FE sector, which will be published in the next few months. Further education institutions will also publish details of their sporting facilities and the sporting opportunities available to their students from the 1996–97 academic year. The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals and the Standing Conference of Principals are recommending to their members that higher education institutions should publish details of the sporting facilities and the sporting opportunities available to their students from the 1996–97 academic year.

  The Sports Council is giving advice to governing bodies on planning, including planning for youth sport, and its grant assessment panel is assessing these plans with particular attention to governing bodies having targets for athlete support. An improved monitoring system will be in place by April 1996 which will give more detailed information on governing body performance. The council is also drawing up new governing body planning guidelines with special reference to provision for youth sport.

  I am pleased that various governing bodies have recently produced programmes for the improvement of their sport and to increase sporting opportunities:

  (i) the Football League has designated this season as "School Year" and aims to strengthen links between member clubs and their local schools through, for example, a competition for secondary schools organised by local league clubs, sponsored by Auto Windscreens with matching funding from the £1 million Sportsmatch has set aside for schools projects;

  (ii) the Lawn Tennis Association's plan for the development of tennis in Great Britain 1996 to 2001 which looks at the part which the LTA, its county associations, clubs, schools, further and higher education institutions and local authorities can play in expanding participation in tennis, encouraging regular competition in the game and, ultimately, producing world-class tennis players;

  (iii) the Rugby Football Union's review of student rugby which aims to encourage maximum participation by students in rugby union;

  390

  (iv) the Football Associations of England, Wales and Scotland have also combined on the Coca-Cola Football Crazy initiative which is making available professional coaching and skills training to around 300,000 children and is free to all.

  A follow-up policy statement, to be published in July, will report progress on all action points from "Sport: Raising the Game" and on new initiatives following on from them, as well as other relevant new initiatives.

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list all cases since 1987 in which his Department has bought computer capacity from(a) other Departments and (b) the private sector, giving the value of each contract and the name of the private sector contractors. [19462]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department of National Heritage has never bought computer capacity, either from other Departments or from the private sector.

  Sport (Drugs)
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money the Government have spent in conducting drug tests on sportsmen and women in each year since 1979. [19316]

  Mr. Sproat
  From April 1988, when the Sports Council's doping control unit was established, until March 1995 a total of £5,261,778 has been spent on anti-doping activities, including £4,951,828 on testing. The sports councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland contributed a total of £667,773.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to receive from the Sports Council statistics as to the number of sportsmen and women who failed drug tests in 1995. [19318]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Sports Council will be publishing a report on doping control activities from 1995–96 by early June.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list(a) the number of drug tests carried out on sportsmen and women, (b) the number of sportsmen and women who failed drug tests and (c) the drugs that those who failed the tests were found to be abusing in each year since 1979. [19313]

  Mr. Sproat
  Between 1988, when the Sports Council's doping control unit was set up, and April 1995, 26,869 tests have been carried out on sportsmen and women of many nationalities participating in sport in the United Kingdom or UK sportsmen and women training abroad. There have been 357 substances found, and 58 refusals to be tested. The number of reports to the governing bodies of sport for consideration as doping offences would be lower, as in some cases more than one substance has been detected in a sample. Action taken by various governing bodies is monitored by the Sports Council.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much extra money the Government have made available to the Sports Council to fulfil the pledges in "Sport: Raising the Game" to provide additional emphasis on educating young sportsmen and women about the dangers of drug abuse. [19315]
  391
  Mr. Sproat
  Government grant-in-aid to the Sports Council is not earmarked for specific purposes. However in 1996–97, £80,000 will be made available for education and information programmes by the Sports Council under the doping control programme.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money the Government have spent on educating sportsmen and women on the dangers of drug abuse in each year since 1979. [19317]

  Mr. Sproat
  Between 1988, when the independent testing programme was established, and March 1995, £309,950 has been spent on education and information programmes.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take as a result of the finding of the Scott inquiry that the letter written to the hon. Member referred to in paragraph D4.26 concerning changes in the Government's policy on the supply of arms to Iraq was misleading. [16951]

  Mrs. Clywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take as a result of the finding of the Scott inquiry that the letter written to the hon. Member referred to in paragraph D4.27 concerning changes in the Government's policy on the supply of arms to Iraq was misleading. [16952]

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 256, to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) and pursuant to paragraph D4.62 of the Scott report, what steps he has taken to contact the right hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benn) and the hon. Members for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams), for Clwyd, South-West (Mr. Jones), for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) and for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) in respect of the findings of Sir Richard Scott that the answers given to those hon. Members were inadequate and misleading. [17871]

  Mr. Hanley
  We continue to take the view that the Howe guidelines were not changed. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary does not consider that further action is necessary.

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has anything to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), on 9 December 1992,Official Report, column 663, on changes made in guidelines covering defence-related exports to Iraq since 1979. [18537]

  Mr. Hanley
  No.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Security Council resolutions which preclude the release of interest from frozen Iraqi assets in the United Kingdom to produce money to compensate claimants. [18512]
  392
  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]None of the United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq provide for the interest on funds in frozen Iraqi accounts in the United Kingdom to be made available by the Government to meet the claims of UK nationals against Iraq.

  As required by the provisions of UNSCR 778, all funds in the UK representing the proceeds of the sale of Iraqi petroleum or petroleum products, paid for on or after 6 August 1990, have been transferred to the United Nations' escrow account provided for in UNSCRs 706 and 712. Under SCR 778, sequestrated funds are net of any amounts needed to meet third party rights over such funds existing at the time of its adoption. Funds in the UN escrow account are available to the UN Compensation Commission—UNCC—for meeting the costs of compensation arising out of the Gulf war. They are also available for meeting the costs of UN activities and humanitarian relief. The relevant UNSCRs do not make provision for the Government to have access to these funds or interest on them for the purpose of meeting claims by UK nationals against Iraq other than through the mechanism of the UNCC.

  British Council
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on British economic and trade interests resulting from the closure of operations by the British Council in some countries following the reductions in its budget; [19604]

  (2) if he discussed with the British Council the effects of the total closure of activities in some countries, and the closure of branch offices and libraries elsewhere following the reductions in its grant funding over the next three years; and if he will make a statement; [19605]

  (3) what progress is being made to alleviate the impact of the reduction in the FCO grants in aid to the British Council. [19615]

  Mr. Hanley
  The council and its board, of which the hon. Lady is a member, are considering how best to adjust their programme and activities to the financial allocations announced in the 1995 budget. The council intends to alleviate the impact of reductions in grant in aid in various ways including through efficiency savings. We will carefully assess proposals made by the council with a view to ensuring that these have the least possible impact on overall British interests.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work his Department will carry out on deregulation issues in the run-up to the intergovernmental conference. [18643]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: The deregulation unit of the Cabinet Office is the lead Government Department on deregulation issues. Its work is fully supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Government are committed to improving European regulatory systems and reducing the regulatory burden of European law. Not all this work requires treaty change, and most of it will continue outside the IGC.

  Vegetables (Nitrate)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current status of negotiations on the European Commission proposals on nitrate in vegetables. [20381]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The draft Commission regulation on nitrate in lettuce and spinach was discussed at the European Commission's Standing Committee for Foodstuffs on 20 February. During those discussions the United Kingdom indicated that it would, reluctantly, support the Commission's latest proposal—Doc VI/3080/93 Rev 7.

  The UK objects to the principle of this legislation, deeming it unnecessary and lacking in scientific justification. However, there is considerable weight of opinion across the EU for various reasons in favour of legislation in this area. For this reason we have been negotiating with the Commission for a number of years to secure an arrangement that is satisfactory for UK interests and that will allow our growers to harvest and market their excellent and healthy produce. As a result of our pressure, allied to considerable assistance from the NFU and growers, we have secured significant concessions from the Commission which will enable British growers to continue production.

  I have taken the view that these hard fought gains should not be put at risk by continuing to oppose the Commission, particularly given the uncertainty over the voting intentions of other member states. I believe that the current proposal represents the best possible outcome for the UK given the determination of the Commission and other member states to introduce legislation in this area. However, we made it clear that we would not countenance any diminution of the considerable concessions that we have secured to date. We will maintain this negotiating position until the regulation is formally adopted.

HEALTH

  Mr. Robert Cooper
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the resignation of Mr. Robert Cooper, former head of the financial development unit at the NHS executive. [17951]

  Mr. Malone
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what audit controls are in place to check public moneys allocated to general practitioners involved in total fundholding; [18046]

  (2) what controls are in place to ensure that money allocated to general practitioners involved in total fundholding is not used to improve the property value of medical premises form which doctors may obtain personal financial benefits; [18040]

  (3) what is the amount so far allocated to general practitioners involved int total fundholding. [18058]
  394
  Mr. Malone
  Total purchasing pilots operate under devolved purchasing arrangements from health authorities and are subject to the same rules and audit controls as health authorities. Resource allocation is an important element in the three-year evaluation of the pilots. Resources are allocated according to locally-agreed methodologies governed by criteria such as historical activity, demography, epidemiology and other local factors. Detailed information about allocations is not therefore collected centrally.

  Pharmacists' Pay
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the correspondence between the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and his Department, concerning the time scale for 100 per cent. payment for prescriptions; [18458]

  (2) if he plans to implement the recommendation in the Pharmacists Review Panel 1994 report, that pharmacists should be paid by the NHS at the time at which they have to pay their suppliers; and if he will make a statement. [18429]

  Mr. Malone
  Letters, or the relevant extracts therefrom, between the Department and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee relating to the timetable for pharmacists' pay since December 1994 have been placed in the Library. We continue to explore the pharmacists' concerns about the present payment arrangements.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for the more efficient use of information technology within the NHS. [18794]

  Mr. Horam
  A national information management and technology strategy for the national health service is being implemented. A major component of the strategy is achieving a common information management and technology infrastructure, which will enable more efficient communication and processing of information within and between NHS organisations, in a secure and controlled environment.

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what qualifications to the NHS accounts for 1993–94 were due to alleged or actual irregular payments by Yorkshire regional health authority; [19026]

  (2) how many alleged irregular payments from the Yorkshire regional health authority, to whom, and for what amounts, have been investigated in the last five years; and what has been the result of these investigations; [19024]

  (3) what conclusions he has reached on the NHS executive report into alleged irregular payments by the Yorkshire regional health authority; [19028]

  (4) if he will publish the NHS executive report into the alleged irregular payments received by Mr. Keith McLean and Mr. David Martin of the Yorkshire regional health authority; [19023]
  395
  (5) how many people, and of what grade, were investigated by the NHS executive over alleged irregular payments by the Yorkshire regional health authority; which of these people are still employed by the NHS; and in what capacity; [19027]

  (6) what action has been taken within the last three years by (a) the Yorkshire regional health authority, (b) the NHS executive and (c) his Department to recover irregular payments made by the Yorkshire regional health authority; and what disciplinary action has been taken, or is proposed against (i) the recipients and (ii) the authorisers of such payments; [19025]

  (7) what is the total amount of money paid out under the irregular payment scheme operated by the Yorkshire regional health authority; how much of this has so far been recovered; and what action is being taken to recover the remainder. [19029]

  Mr. Horam
  The report of the inquiry into matters raised by the district auditor on the former Yorkshire regional health authority has been provided to the National Audit Office. I understand that it will be published shortly.

  Gender Identity Disorder
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many United Kingdom citizens have been treated surgically for gender identity disorder in each of the last five years(a) on the NHS and (b) privately. [19271]

  Mr. Horam
  The number of combined operations for sexual transformation as reported in finished consultant episodes in national health service hospitals for the last five years are shown in the table. Information on operations carried out in the private sector is not available centrally. Responsibility for the NHS in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for by right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Year

  Combined operations for sexual transformation

  1990–91

  38

  1991–92

  27

  1992–93

  43

  1993–94

  20

  1994–951

  13

  Note:

  11994–95 figures are provisional.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Factor 8
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received, and from whom, concerning the VAT status of recombinant factor 8 and plasma-derived factor 8. [19566]

  Mr. Horam
  My Department has received six representations—principally—about the value added tax status of factor 8 since September 1995. Three were from hon. Members writing on behalf of constituents, one from the Haemophilia Society, one from a clinician and one from a member of the public. In addition, three 396
  parliamentary questions have been asked on the subject. VAT is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards "The Health of the Nation" targets on coronary heart disease and strokes in people(a) under 65 years and (b) aged 65 to 74 years. [19561]

  Mr. Horam
  Coronary heart disease mortality fell by 10.7 per cent. in the under 65-year-olds and by 7.7 per cent. in those aged 65 to 74 years between 1993 and 1994. During the same time period stroke mortality fell by 5.6 per cent. for those under 65 and by 3.8 per cent. for those aged 65 to 74.

  Cancer
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the recommendations of the "Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" report have been accepted by his Department; which have been implemented; which have been rejected; and what action he proposes to take on the remaining recommendations. [19513]

  Mr. Horam
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has accepted the recommendations in "Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services". Further guidance is being issued on the developing process of implementation and substantive changes to the delivery of cancer services are expected in 1997–98. Health authorities and trusts are already working together to develop local strategies and making preliminary steps in designating cancer units and cancer centres to provide specialised services for cancer care.

  Free Prescriptions
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the additional revenue from limiting free prescriptions to those on income support. [19322]

  Mr. Malone
  No such estimates have been made.

  Guidance Notes
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [18644]

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

  General Medical Services Council
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters sent by the General Medical Services Committee, details of which have been sent to him. [18977]

  Mr. Malone
  I reply promptly to letters I receive from the General Medical Services Committee. I know, however, that there is ongoing correspondence which is yet to be concluded.

  Human Embryos
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos were used in treatment cycles from 1991 to 1994. [19787]

  Mr. Horam
  As recorded in the records of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the number of embryos used in treatment cycles between 1991 and 1994 was 140,410. This includes fresh and frozen embryos.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos were destroyed between 1991 and 1994 at the request of their parents. [19788]

  Mr. Horam
  The number of embryos that were not frozen or used for treatment or for other purposes during the period in question was 90,756. As required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 decisions about these embryos would have been taken only with the consent of the couple involved.

  Capital Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19904]

  Mr. Horam
  There are none.

TRANSPORT

  Road Maintenance (Funding)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sum of money was transferred from revenue to capital in 1992–93 for structural maintenance on local authority roads in 1996–97; and for what reason the money was transferred. [19771]

  Mr. Norris
  A total of £100 million. The transfer reflected the importance the Government attached to the condition of local authority principal roads.

  Foreign Aircraft
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries for which permission has been granted for aircraft to operate by his Department. [19082]

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom has agreements with the following countries, in addition to those of the European Economic Area, for the operation of air services:

  Afghanistan

  Albania

  Algeria

  Antigua and Barbuda

  Argentina

  Armenia

  Australia

  Azerbaijan

  Bahamas

  398

  Bahrain

  Bangaladesh

  Barbados

  Bahrain

  Belarus

  Botswana

  Brazil

  Brunei

  Bulgaria

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Chile

  China

  Colombia

  Croatia

  Cuba

  Cyprus

  Czech Republic

  Dominican Republic

  Ecuador

  Egypt

  Estonia

  Ethiopia

  Fiji

  Gabon

  Gambia

  Georgia

  Ghana

  Hong Kong

  India

  Indonesia

  Ivory Coast

  Iran

  Israel

  Jamaica

  Japan

  Jordan

  Kazakhstan

  Kenya

  Korea (South)

  Kuwait

  Kyrgyzstan

  Latvia

  Lebanon

  Liberia

  Lithuania

  Macedonia

  Malawi

  Malaysia

  Maldives

  Malta

  Mauritius

  Myanmar (Burma)

  Mexico

  Moldova

  Morocco

  Namibia

  Nepal

  New Zealand

  399

  Nigeria

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Panama

  Peru

  Philippines

  Poland

  Qatar

  Romania

  Russia

  Saudi Arabia

  Senegal

  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Singapore

  Slovak Republic

  Slovenia

  South Africa

  Sri Lanka

  St. Lucia

  Sudan

  Switzerland

  Syria

  Tajikistan

  Tanzania

  Thailand

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tunisia

  Turkey

  Turkmenistan

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  United Arab Emirates

  United States of America

  Uruguay

  Uzbekistan

  Venezuela

  Vietnam

  Yemen

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Zaire

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe.

  In addition to these, the Department of Transport has issued permits to the airlines of Rwanda, Swaziland and Taiwan for the operation of air services to the United Kingdom.

  Late Trains>
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate how much money Railtrack has saved by cancelling timetabled services to avoid compensation payments for a delayed service. [19244]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack has agreed contracts with train operating companies to pay compensation for any cancellations of timetabled services. I understand from Railtrack that penalties have been set with the intention of ensuring that it does not gain financially by cancelling services to avoid paying compensation for delayed services.

  Mercy Crossing
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will commission a further evaluation of the proposed route for the new Mersey crossing having regard to strategic communications from Wales, Cheshire, the Liverpool airport and the Wirral area as a whole. [19324]

  Mr. Watts
  A study into such a crossing was completed in 1994 and copies of the study report were sent to MPs, MEPs and local authorities in the vicinity of the suggested crossing routes. It is not available generally. It was supplied to MPs and local authorities confidentially. The situation has not changed significantly since that time, when my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) said that a publicly-funded crossing could not be justified either on environmental or economic grounds. There is no justification for a further study by the Government.

  Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the current runway capacity of each of the UK's major airports and in each case the projected date that this capacity will be reached; [18440]

  (2) what is the current terminal capacity of each of the United Kingdom's major airports and in each case the projected date that this capacity will be reached. [18428]

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter for individual airport Trinidad and operators.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents involving heavy goods vehicles have resulted in (i) personal injury and (ii) fatalities; and how many people were(a) injured or (b) killed in these accidents, (1) nationally and (2) in Berkshire in each of the past five years. [19666]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Road accidents involving HGVs, and resulting casualties: Great Britain and Berkshire: 1990–94

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HGVs

  Great Britain

  Fatal accidents

  791

  683

  650

  608

  540

  Other injury accidents

  14,272

  12,933

  12,366

  12,565

  12,638

  Total

  15,063

  13,616

  13,016

  13,173

  13,178

  Berkshire

  Fatal accidents

  8

  10

  5

  3

  7

  Other injury accidents

  125

  132

  146

  157

  165

  Total

  133

  142

  151

  160

  172

  CASUALTIES IN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING HGVs

  Great Britain

  Killed

  885

  782

  742

  699

  620

  Injured

  20,044

  18,610

  17,732

  17,956

  18,528

  Total

  20,929

  19,392

  18,474

  18,655

  19,148

  Berkshire

  Killed

  10

  20

  5

  4

  7

  Injured

  163

  208

  213

  220

  223

  401

  Road accidents involving HGVs, and resulting casualties: Great Britain and Berkshire: 1990–94

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Total

  173

  228

  218

  224

  230

  Figures for 1991 include 10 killed and 8 injured in a multiple vehicle accident on the M4 in Berkshire.

  Road Maintenance
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what capital provision was made available for the structural maintenance of local authority roads in 1996–97; and for what reasons structural maintenance provision has been reduced. [19772]

  Mr. Norris
  A total of £86.7 million has been allocated to English local authorities in 1996–97, for the structural maintenance of their principal roads. Transport has had to make its contribution to the overriding need for strict control of public expenditure. There are joint arrangements with local authorities to monitor the condition of local authority roads. There is no evidence at present of any significant deterioration in the condition of local authority principal roads.

  Oil Pollution (Sea Empress Incident)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Norway what plans he has to address any shortfall in the compensation funds available to those who have suffered from the Sea Empress disaster. [19785]

  Mr. Norris
  Assessments undertaken to date indicate that it is unlikely that there will be any shortfall in compensation funds from the ship's insurer or the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 755, if he will list the 67 member states involved in the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. [19480]

  Mr. Norris
  The 67 member states are:

  Albania

  Algeria

  Australia

  Bahamas

  Barbados

  Belgium

  Benin

  Brunei Darussalam

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Cote d'Ivoire

  Croatia

  Cyprus

  Denmark

  Djibouti

  Fiji

  Finland

  France

  Gabon

  402

  Gambia

  Germany

  Ghana

  Greece

  Iceland

  India

  Indonesia

  Ireland

  Italy

  Japan

  Kenya

  Kuwait

  Liberia

  Malaysia

  Maldives

  Malta

  Marshall Island

  Mauritania

  Mauritius

  Mexico

  Monoco

  Morocco

  Netherland

  Nigeria

  Norway

  Oman

  Papua New Guinea

  Poland

  Portugal

  Qatar

  Republic of Korea

  Russian Federation

  Saint Kitts and Nevis

  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Slovenia

  Spain

  Sri Lanka

  Sweden

  Syrian Arab Republic

  Tunisia

  Tuvalu

  United Arab Emirates

  United Kingdom

  Vanuatu

  Venezuela

  Yugoslavia

  In addition, Tonga is expected to become a member of the fund from 1 May 1996.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what co-ordination arrangements he has established for claims for compensation arising from the Sea Empress disaster. [19438]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government have brokered an arrangement with the vessel's insurers and the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund to enable
  403
  them to establish a joint claims handling office in Milford Haven. Interim payments will be made to individuals and small businesses suffering financial hardship.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what amount will be available from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund for claims arising from the Sea Empress disaster. [19437]

  Mr. Norris
  Under the 1969 international convention on civil liability for oil pollution damage and the 1971 international convention on the establishment of an international fund for compensation for oil pollution damage, implemented in the United Kingdom by the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, of the total of approximately £57 million available for claims for the Sea Empress, about £49 million will be available from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund and about £8 million from the Sea Empress insurers.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 1996,Official Report, column 755, who will meet costs associated with the Sea Empress disaster in the event that the special drawing rights are exhausted. [19481]

  Mr. Norris
  Assessments undertaken to date indicate that it is unlikely that there will be any shortfall in compensation funds from the ship's insurer or the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. Under the international convention on the establishment of an international fund for compensation from oil pollution damage of 1971, should the amount of established claims exceed the amount available, the compensation shall be distributed in such a manner that the proportion between any established claim and the amount of compensation actually offered shall be the same for all claimants. There are also voluntary industry schemes, which may provide further compensation for the damage. The Government have agreed not to press their claim until other compensation is agreed.

  Bus Companies (Privatisation)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage the privatisation of local authority-owned bus companies. [20449]

  Mr. Norris
  The great majority of bus services in the United Kingdom are now provided by private sector bus companies. Since 1988, 28 local authority-owned bus companies, including the eight largest, have moved 404
  successfully into the private sector. We welcome this, and are continuing to encourage the other bus company owners to consider seriously the options for privatisation.

  At present there is a targeted relaxation in the set-aside rate for receipts by local authorities from sale of shares in their bus companies of 25 per cent.—and it had been intended that this would revert to the normal 50 per cent. rate with effect from 1 April. In order to assist local authorities planning to sell their bus companies in the next financial year, we have decided to extend the present set-aside rate of 25 per cent. for these sales to 31 March 1997.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buy-out consortia, (d) contractorisation schemes and (e) market-testing schemes in his Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding. [19898]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested about current competitions cannot be disclosed on the ground of commercial confidentiality.

  Rail Freight (London)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many freight trains run along the Catford loop line towards London on Sundays between the hours of 11 pm and 9 am; and how many freight trains run along the Catford loop lines away from London on Sundays between the hours of 11 pm and 9 am; [19973]

  (2) how many freight trains run along the Catford loop line towards London from Monday to Friday between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am; and how many freight trains run along the Catford loop line away from London from Monday to Friday between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am; [19971]

  (3) how many freight trains run along the Catford loop line towards London on Saturdays between the hours of 11 pm and 8 am; and how many freight trains run along the Catford loop line away from London on Saturdays between the hours of 11 pm and 8 am. [19972]

  Mr. Norris
  The number of freight trains that are normally expected to run on the Catford loop line, in the direction and between the hours shown, are as follows:

  Direction and time

  Number of trains

  Toward London between the hours of 11 pm (Sundays to Thursdays) and 7 am (Mondays to Fridays)

  Up to 20

  Away from London between the hours of 11 pm (Sundays to Thursdays) and 7 am (Mondays to Fridays)

  Up to 21

  Toward London between the hours of 11 pm Friday and 8 am Saturday

  Up to 5

  405

  Direction and time

  Number of trains

  Away from London between the hours of 11 pm Friday and 8 am Saturday

  Up to 15

  Toward London between the hours of 11 pm Saturday and 9 am Sunday

  Up to 4

  Away from London between the hours of 11 pm Saturday and 9 am Sunday

  Nil

  There may be a need to run additional or replacement freight services due to diversions from other routes owing to night track maintenance or disruptions elsewhere. Similarly, fewer trains would run on the Catford loop line while track maintenance is carried out on that line.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make public the terms of the contracts he has signed with London and Continental Railways Ltd., the private sector promoter of the channel tunnel rail link; and if he will list the benefits of the channel tunnel rail link project to the nation. [20456]

  Mr. Watts
  Further to the undertaking given to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 29 February 1996,Official Report, column 1008, I have today placed in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office copies of a memorandum which summarises the most significant obligations of both London and Continental Railways and the Government under the terms of the contracts which were signed last week. Some of the aspects of the contracts are, and will remain, commercially confidential and have therefore been excluded. The memorandum provides further details of the benefits of the Channel tunnel rail link project to the nation.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mr. Abdul Quaayum Raja
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of those convicted of similar offences to Mr. Abdul Quaayum Raja (c48348) who have(a) received reductions in their security categories, (b) been guaranteed home leave and (c) granted parole; and if he will make a statement. [19775]

  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 front Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking for a list of names of those convicted of similar
  406
  offences to Mr. Abdul Quaayum Raja who have (a) received reductions in their security categories, (b) been guaranteed home leave and (c) granted parole.

  A prisoner's security category is reviewed on a strictly individual basis and decisions are taken in the light of all the particular circumstances of the individual case. Comparisons with the cases of other prisoners is not therefore appropriate or useful in determining the security category of an individual prisoner.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will disclose to solicitors representing Abdul Quaayum Raja (C 48348)(a) reports and documentation on which the Security Category Review Committee reached conclusions about Mr. Raja's dedication to a political cause, (b) the full summary of the committee's June 1995 decision concerning Mr. Raja and (c) any new documentation available for Mr. Raja's 1996 review; and if he will make a statement. [19477]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 7 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about disclosure to solicitors representing Abdul Quaayum Raja of (a) any reports or documentation on which the Security Category Review Committee reached conclusions about Mr. Raja's dedication to a political cause, (b) the full summary of the Committee's June 1995 decision concerning Mr. Raja and (c) any new documentation available for Mr. Raja's 1996 review.

  It is not the policy of the Prison Service to provide prisoners or their representatives with copies of reports prepared for the purposes of security category reviews. In accordance with the judgement, in December 1993, in the case of Regina v the Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Duggan, a prisoner is, subject to any necessary exceptions arising out of the public interest immunity, informed of the gist of any matter of fact and/or opinion relevant to the determination of his security category; and given reasons for any decision which results in him remaining as a category A prisoner.

  Mr. Raja's security category was last reviewed by the Category A Committee on 21 June 1995. The Committee's recommendation, which was subsequently approved by the Prison Service Director of Security, was that Mr. Raja should remain as a category A prisoner. The reasons for this decision were notified to Mr. Raja on 25 September 1995.

  Arrangements for the 1996 review of Mr. Raja's security category are underway and reports have recently been requested from Long Lartin prison. He will in due course be provided with a gist of all information relevant to the determination of his security category and given an opportunity to comment before any decision is taken.

  Thames Valley and Hampshire Police
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make additional resources available to Thames Valley and Hampshire police forces for the year 1996. [19780]

  Mr. Maclean
  Spending on the police in 1996–97 will increase in Thames Valley by 5 per cent. and in Hampshire by 3.9 per cent. over the previous year. This represents additional resources of £9.7 million and £6.6 million respectively.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of policing the construction of the Newbury bypass to date. [19974]

  Mr. Maclean
  Policing of the bypass site is a joint operation between Thames Valley police and Hampshire constabulary.

  As at 8 March, additional policing costs have been estimated by Thames Valley police to be about £930,000 and by Hampshire constabulary at about £240,000.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees there were in each establishment in which they were held in January 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. [18895]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: The available information on persons detained solely under Immigration Act 1988 powers on 31 January 1996 is given in the table; the data exclude non-asylum port cases in detention for less than a month, as information on these cases is not available centrally. Corresponding information for 1993 to 1995 is not available.

  Persons1 recorded as detained on 31 January 1996 solely under Immigration Act powers

  Place of detention

  2Number detained

  Prison Service establishment

  HMP Rochester

  152

  HMP Haslar

  92

  HMP Winson Green

  49

  HMP Brixton

  19

  HMP Greenock

  12

  HMP Wandsworth

  12

  HMP Wormwood Scrubs

  12

  HMP Crumlin Road

  11

  HMP Holloway

  4

  HMP Armley

  3

  HMP Belmarsh

  3

  HMP Bristol

  3

  HMP Craiginchess

  3

  HMP Liverpool

  3

  HMP Doncaster

  2

  HMP Elmley

  2

  HMP Pentonville

  2

  HMP Preston

  2

  HMP The Mount

  2

  HMP Winchester

  2

  HMYOI Feltham

  3

  Other establishments

  23

  416

  Immigration Service detention centres3

  Campsfield House

  153

  Harmondsworth

  90

  Gatwick

  37

  Queen's Building

  19

  Newhaven

  16

  Stansted

  16

  Dover

  15

  Manchester

  9

  Birmingham

  4

  Other posts

  13

  372

  408

  Persons1 recorded as detained on 31 January 1996 solely under Immigration Act powers

  Place of detention

  2Number detained

  Other places of detention

  Police cells

  84

  Unknown4

  5

  89

  Total

  877

  1 Excluding non-asylum port cases in detention for less than a month.

  2 Data are subject to recording error (eg in respect of delayed notification of reception into, and release from, detention).

  3 Including detention accommodation at ports.

  4 Venue is not recorded in the statistics.

  Mohd Riaz
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for Mohd Riaz, detained in Durham, to be transferred to a prison nearer his parents; and if he will make a statement. [19478]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 7 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Mr. Riaz being transferred to a prison nearer his parents.

  Mr. Riaz will be considered for a transfer later this year, in the light of prison reports which are due in August.

  Prisons (Illegal Drugs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of Her Majesty's prisons is now free of illegal drugs use by inmates; and in which there is illegal drug use by 5 per cent. or more of their inmates. [18628]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 4 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Max Madden, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about illegal drug use in prisons.

  Mandatory drug testing had been introduced in 120 prisons by the third week of February and will be introduced in remaining prisons by 31 March.

  It is too early to identify trends in drug misuse because many prisons have been testing for three months or less and others have yet to begin.

  Football
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the premier league and football league clubs giving the total cost of policing and the number of officers involved for each season since 1990–91. [19308]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not held centrally.

  Fire Service College
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received from the Fire Service College concerning its future; and if he will make a statement. [19892]

  Mr. Sackville
  None. The Fire Service College is a part of the Home Office. It will continue to operate as a next steps agency.

  Prisons (Greater Manchester)
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual cost per prisoner in each prison in the Greater Manchester area. [18256]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Jim Callaghan, dated 8 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 annual cost per prisoner in each prison in the Greater Manchester area.

  In 1994–95 the annual net operating cost per prisoner for each of the prisons in Greater Manchester was:

  Buckley Hall: £108,333

  Hindley: £27,985

  Manchester: £22,894.

  Buckley Hall did not start to take prisoners until 14 December 1994. The figure above is not a true annual cost but reflects the start-up costs and low initial prisoner population figures.

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of prison inmates in each of the prisons in the Greater Manchester area who have been put on report for being in possession of illegal drugs, in each of the last 12 months. [18258]

  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. Jim Callaghan, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question concerning the number of prison inmates in each of the prisons in the Greater Manchester area who have been put on report for being in possession of illegal drugs.

  Provisional figures for the period February 1995 to January 1996 for proved a djudications for possession of controlled drugs are given in the attached table.

  Offences1 for possession of a controlled drug in Prison Service establishments in the Greater Manchester area, February 1995-January 1996

  Establishments2

  Manchester

  Hindley

  1995

  February

  13

  3

  March

  15

  9

  April

  12

  6

  May

  13

  2

  410

  Offences1 for possession of a controlled drug in Prison Service establishments in the Greater Manchester area, February 1995–January 1996

  Establishments2

  Manchester

  Hindley

  June

  11

  3

  July

  28

  2

  August

  18

  10

  September

  10

  12

  October

  18

  8

  November

  15

  15

  December

  13

  13

  1996

  January

  15

  10

  1 Including incite or assist the possession of controlled drugs.

  2 Provisional information.

  Open Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms exist to inform the community in the vicinity of an open prison of the presence of an inmate serving a life sentence for rape; and if he will make a statement. [18089]

  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. Tom Cox, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about informing the community in the vicinity of an open prison of the presence of an individual prisoner serving a life sentence for rape.

  There are no mechanisms in existence to inform the community in the vicinity of an open prison of the presence of an inmate serving a life sentence for rape.

  However the Board of Visitors, whose members are drawn from the local community, do have free access to the prisoners and their records.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of assaults on prison officers working in special hospital units of prisons in England and Wales during 1995. [18086]

  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. Tom Cox, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of assaults in 1995 on prison officers working in special hospital units of prisons in England and Wales.

  Provisional figures show that in 1995 the number of proven adjudications for assaults on staff of prison officer grade or another member of staff in prisons was 2,774. This figure includes any proven charges of attempting, inciting or assisting in an assault. Information is not available on the location of the assault within the establishment.

  Hewell Grange, Worcestershire
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the handling by his Department of its earlier responsibility for Hewell Grange, Worcestershire and the present state of this matter. [17809]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the 412
  Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Andrew Faulds, dated 8 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the handling of responsibility for Hewell Grange, Worcestershire and the present state of this matter.

  The future of Hewell Grange prison will be considered in the context of the recently completed review of open prisons.

  Department of Agriculture: Watercourse Management Division
  Department of Agriculture: Watercourse Management Division
  Jubilee Line Extension: Private Sector Contributions
  Jubilee Line Extension: Private Sector Contributions
  HGV Drivers: Vision Tests
  HGV Drivers: Vision Tests
  Railfreight Distribution: Study
  Railfreight Distribution: Study
  Bus Companies: Local Authority Ownership
  Bus Companies: Local Authority Ownership
  Rheumatoid Arthritis
  Rheumatoid Arthritis
  Malnutrition Screening
  Malnutrition Screening
  Antidepressant Drugs: NHS Costs
  Antidepressant Drugs: NHS Costs
  Electroconvulsive Therapy: Related Deaths
  Electroconvulsive Therapy: Related Deaths
  Electro-shock Treatment
  Electro-shock Treatment
  Nitrate in Vegetables: EC Legislation
  Nitrate in Vegetables: EC Legislation