Written Answers of 12 March 1996

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Ghana
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding Ghana's recent human rights record. [19843]

  Mr. Hanley
  We welcome the improvements that have taken place in the human rights situation in Ghana in recent years. There is respect for the constitution, the rule of law applies, there is press freedom and a high level of personal liberty. Political activity is permitted and further multi-party elections are due in December 1996.

  Burundi
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the meeting between the Minister for Overseas Development and the Foreign Minister of Burundi on 22 February. [19842]

  Mr. Hanley
  Mr. Bakevyumusaya briefed my right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker on the success of his Government's recent "Pacification Campaign". She assured the Minister of our continued support for international efforts to promote dialogue and reconciliation in Burundi and the neighbouring region.

  Equatorial Guinea
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the elections in Equatorial Guinea; and what assessment he has made of the withdrawal of opposition candidates from the presidential elections. [19841]

  Mr. Hanley
  We regret that the presidential elections which took place in Equatorial Guinea on 25 February were not conducted in a free and fair manner. We urge the Government and all political parties to work towards the establishment of democracy.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20096]
  500
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Lord Chancellor's departments sponsor the following advisory non-departmental public bodies:

  Insolvency Rules Committee

  County Court Rule Committee

  Supreme Court Rule Committee

  Land Registration Rule Committee

  Family Proceedings Rule Committee

  Crown Court Rule Committee

  Advisory Council on Public Records

  Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct

  Council on Tribunals

  Law Commission

  Legal Aid Advisory Committee (NI)

  Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax (NI)

  Advisory Committees on JPs in Northern Ireland

  Advisory Committees on Juvenile Court Lay Panel (NI)

  Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax

  Advisory Committees on JPs in England (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster) and Wales

  Judicial Studies Board

  Honorary Investment Advisory Committee

  All but the last seven have a statutory base.

  (a) None is under a statutory requirement to publish its advice to Government;

  (b) The Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct, the Law Commission and the Council of Tribunals are all required by statute to make annual reports to the Lord Chancellor. While there is no statutory requirement on the Advisory Council on Public Records to submit an annual report, there is a requirement that any report by it to the Lord Chancellor should be included in the Public Record Office's own annual report, for which there is a statutory requirement; and

  (c) all of the annual reports in (b) are laid before Parliament by the Lord Chancellor, under a statutory requirement.

  The Legal Aid Advisory Committee (NI) is required to consider the Law Society's annual report on legal aid in Northern Ireland and the Lord Chancellor is required to lay before Parliament a copy of any comments or recommendations made by the committee.

  The other bodies do not publish advice or produce annual reports.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily.[20113]
  501
  Mr. Evans
  For the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department, the answers are as follows:

  (a) none

  (b) The following advisory bodies have carried out public consultation exercises:

  the Supreme Court Rule Committee

  the County Court Rule Committee

  the Family Proceedings Rule Committee

  the Law Commission

  the Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct the Judicial Studies Board.

  (c) the Supreme Court Rule Committee, the County Court Rule Committee and the Family Proceedings Rule Committee regularly consult with individuals and organisations which have a professional or commercial interest in the amendment of rules of court.

  The Law Commission does conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests but this is encompassed within

  (b) above.

  (d) none

  (e) none

  (f) none

  There is no statutory requirement for these bodies in these areas.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20470]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, a recent survey within the Department has shown that 93.8 per cent. of all invoices are paid within agreed terms, or within 30 days of receipt of invoice, where no such terms exist.

SCOTLAND

  Railway Investment
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants under(a) section 56 of the Transport Act 1968 and (b) other legislation have been awarded by the Scottish Office for railway infrastructure in Scotland between 1975 and 1995 in (i) the Strathclyde passenger transport executive area and (b) the rest of Scotland.[19301]

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

  Number of projects

  Grant awarded (outturn prices) £ million

  Section 56 grants

  Within the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE) area

  5

  103.3

  Outwith SPTE area

  2

  11.0

  502

  Number of projects

  Grant awarded (outturn prices) £ million

  Other legislation

  Freight facilities grants within SPTE area

  14

  3.1

  Freight facilities grants outwith SPTE area

  18

  4.7

  Grants for repairs to listed buildings outwith SPTE area

  1

  0.2

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was spent on(a) fixed rail infrastructure in Scotland, (b) investment in new railways, upgrading and re-opening of railways, new and improved stations and new signalling and (c) maintenance of track, signalling, structures and stations in Scotland at outturn prices in each year from 1975 to 1995. [19305]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not available. British Rail keeps only limited historic information on investment on a geographical basis.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures govern applications for railway rolling stock to be used in the highlands objective 1 area where the stock is owned by a leasing company and leased to a train operating company. [19310]

  Mr. Kynoch
  All applications for European regional development fund support must be submitted by a public agency and a minimum level of matching funding must be included within the funding package. Any grant support paid is channelled through the sponsoring public agency.

  In addition, all applications must be eligible under the terms of the single programme document and must also contribute to the outputs anticipated for the programme. applications for mobile infrastructure —that is that which could be readily moved outwith the programme area—would not normally be eligible.

  Squirrels
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made as to whether extending the use of warfarin to control grey squirrels is in breach of the Grey Squirrels and Warfarin Order 1973; and if he will make a statement. [19983]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Extending the use of warfarin to control grey squirrels was approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and is not in breach of the Grey Squirrels (Warfarin) Order 1973.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies into the expansion of grey squirrel distribution have been conducted by his Department. [19161]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 6 March 1996]: The Forestry Commission has undertaken a survey of grey squirrel distribution every year since 1958. The Institute of Terrestrial Ecology's biological records centre also maintains records of the location of grey squirrels.
  503
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of grey squirrel damage to broadleaf trees in each year for the last five years. [19160]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 6 March 1996]: Damage by grey squirrels can kill broadleaf trees, reduce their growth rate, degrade their timber and allow diseases into them. It is difficult to estimate the total cost of this damage as the loss in value of the timber can be calculated only after the trees have been felled, and any assessment of the impact on growth rate and mortality can be only approximate. Recent estimates have suggested that the annual cost of the damage is between £3 million and £20 million.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he had(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of secondary poisoning caused from the use of warfarin for squirrel control. [19162]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 6 March 1996]: We have undertaken several research studies into the risk of secondary poisoning of non-target species by warfarin, and the Forestry Commission commissioned a review of these studies which was carried out by the Central Science Laboratory.

  Forestry Commission (Legal Advisers)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 267, if he will name the firm of solicitors which has been appointed to the Forestry Commission with effect from 1 April. [20389]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Tods Murray, WS.

  Flooding
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effects of flooding in the Grampian area in September 1995; and if he will make a statement. [20641]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Government have decided to trigger the Bellwin scheme for Grampian in respect of the flooding experienced in that area in September 1995. We have already held discussions with local authorities in the area, but will now be writing to all local authorities concerned, inviting them to submit formal claims in respect of expenditure which they believe to be eligible under the terms of the scheme.

  Mr. Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the expenditure incurred by Renfrew district council as a result of flooding in December 1994; and if he will make a statement. [20640]

  Mr. Kynoch
  I am glad to announce that we have decided that Renfrew district council is eligible for a payment of £167,558 under the Bellwin scheme. The scheme was triggered following the flooding for severe weather sustained in Strathclyde in December 1994.

  The district council's claim for assistance has been subject to detailed scrutiny. The payment relates mainly to expenditure incurred in connection with the temporary evacuation of people from their flooded homes and the
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  provision of temporary accommodation, and the hire of plant, including drying and heating equipment, to make homes habitable again.

  Forest Enterprise
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the results of the environmental appraisal conducted under the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" published by the Department of the Environment on the framework document for the new Forest Enterprise agency. [19549]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The framework document for Forest Enterprise will set out its aims, responsibilities and status. It is therefore not an appropriate subject for environmental appraisal under the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment".

DEFENCE

  Air Accidents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the location and circumstances of the accident to(a) a Royal Navy Lynx on 23 February 1994, (b) a Sea Harrier on 16 April 1994, (c) a Royal Navy Sea King on 25 March 1994, (d) a Royal Navy Sea Harrier on 16 April 1994, (e) an RAF VC10 on 5 May 1994, (f) an RAF Tornado on 20 May 1994, (g) an RAF Nimrod on 30 July 1994, (h) a Royal Navy Lynx on 5 September 1994, (i) a Royal Navy Sea King on 12 October 1994 and (j) an Army Air Corps Gazelle on 11 November 1994. [19627]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) We have no record of an accident involving a Royal Navy Lynx on 23 February 1994.

  (b) A Royal Navy Sea Harrier was lost to warring party action on an operational mission over Bosnia-Herzegovina on 16 April 1994. The crew of one ejected safely.

  (c) A Royal Navy Sea King was conducting a medical evacuation from a ship off Lizard point, Cornwall, on 25 March 1994. The stern of the ship yawed rapidly, making contact with the winch wire which was transferring a diver to the vessel. The wire became entangled and snapped, causing the diver to fall approximately 15 ft to the ship's deck, sustaining minor injuries.

  (d) An RAF steward fell from an open door of an RAF VC 10 parked at Dulles airport, Washington on 5 May 1994, sustaining injuries to his elbow, hip and shoulder.

  (e) An RAF Tornado ejector seat fired accidentally during servicing at Boscombe down on 20 May 1994, injuring the arm and leg of an RAF tradesman.

  (f) The wingtip of an RAF Nimrod struck a parked vehicle at RAF Fairford on 30 July 1994 whilst taxi-ing, causing injury to the civilian occupant of the vehicle.

  (g) A Royal Navy Lynx was undergoing maintenance at RNAS Portland on 5 September 1994. While descending from an aircraft servicing platform, a maintenance rating slipped and fell approximately 5 ft, injuring a foot.

  (h) A Royal Marine landed heavily, injuring a leg, during a rapid roping serial from a RN Sea King at RAF Marham on 12 October 1994.

  (i) An Army Air Corps Gazelle belonging to the School of Army Aviation was being used to conduct hover exercises at Middle Wallop airfield on 11 November 1994. During the flight, a student was given limited control of the hovering

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  aircraft. He made a control error and the instructor was unable to stabilise the helicopter before it made contact with the ground; the occupants sustained minor injuries.

  Royal Squadron
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current number and aircraft type flown by 32 Squadron, the Royal Squadron; and if he will list by rank the number of personnel currently attached to the squadron. [19816]

  Mr. Soames
  Number 32 (the Royal) Squadron is comprised of the following aircraft:

  Aircraft type

  Number

  BAe 146 100 Series

  3

  BAe 125 700 Series

  6

  BAe 125 600 Series

  11

  Wessex HCC Mk 4

  2

  Gazelle HT MK3

  22

  1 +1 in use reserve.

  2 +2 in use reserve.

  The Gazelle helicopters will shortly be replaced by two contractor owned-military operated Twin Squirrel AS 355 F1 helicopters.

  The following personnel are assigned to the squadron:

  Rank

  Number

  Wing Commander

  1

  Squadron Leader

  18

  Lieutenant Commander (RN)

  2

  Flight Lieutenant

  29

  Master Air Crew

  2

  Sergeant

  10

  Corporal

  18

  Senior Aircraftsman

  18

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the royal family who are entitled to use flights on(a) official and (b) private travel in aircraft of 32 squadron, the Royal Squadron. [19774]

  Mr. Soames
  Members of the royal family are entitled to make flights in aircraft of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron as follows

  (a) Official travel

  The Queen

  The Duke of Edinburgh

  The Queen Mother

  The Prince of Wales

  The Princess of Wales

  The Duke of York

  The Prince Edward

  The Princess Royal

  The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon

  Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester

  The Duke of Gloucester

  The Duke of Kent

  The Duchess of Kent

  Prince Michael of Kent

  506

  Princess Michael of Kent

  Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy

  (b) Private travel

  The Queen

  The Duke of Edinburgh

  The Queen Mother

  The Prince of Wales

  The Princess of Wales

  Members of the royal family are entitled to use aircraft of the No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron at the discretion of Her Majesty the Queen.

  In accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty the Queen, arrangements agreed by my right hon. and learned Friend, the then Secretary of State for Defence, were introduced on 1 April 1995 under which the costs of private flights in aircraft of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron by members of the royal family would be reimbursed to the MOD.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in order of precedence those members of the royal family who may request a flight by 32 Squadron, the Royal Squadron, to be charged to the privy purse; and if he will make a statement. [19635]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department meets the costs of all official travel in aircraft of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron by entitled members of the royal family. Since the introduction of arrangements on 1 April 1995, costs for the private use of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron by the five entitled members of the royal family are met from their private funds. The sources of private funds used to pay for such private travel is a matter for the royal households.

  Services Clothing Manufacture
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the clothing requirements of the armed forces is manufactured in the United Kingdom. [19626]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DCTA, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Roycroft to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 12 March 1996:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the percentage of the clothing requirements of the armed forces that are manufactured in the UK, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency.In Financial Year 1994/95 the MOD placed over 90%, by value, of its Clothing & Textiles orders with British suppliers. The figure for Financial Year 1995/96 is likely to be similar. Therefore, under 10% of MOD Clothing & Textiles purchases have been from overseas suppliers. However, an increasing number of UK companies are subcontracting or sourcing from overseas because of the advantages in setting up and labour costs.When tendering, companies are required to provide details of any manufacturing source outside the tenderer's premises i.e. the nature of any subcontract work, including the name and address of the contractor who will carry it out. The minimum percentage of UK manufacture is 10% of the order quantity which must be manufactured at the prime contractor's ISO 9000 series certificated site. Apart from this requirement there is no obligation for contractors to provide further detail of the percentage of work to be

  507
  performed overseas, indeed with contractors subject to various factors e.g. exchange rates, extended lines of supply and possible offshore labour problems, percentages of manufacture in UK/offshore can often change during the duration of the contract/enabling arrangement.You will appreciate therefore that I cannot provide you with an accurate percentage of overseas manufacture. I hope that the foregoing is helpful but, if you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact me.

  Regimental Establishment Levels
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Army regiments are currently at their full establishment level; and what is the percentage shortfall in each of the other regiments. [19817]

  Mr. Soames
  The 9th/12th Lancers, The Corps of Royal Engineers, the Highlanders, the Kings Regiment, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, The Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment and the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps are currently manned to their full establishment of soldiers. The percentage surplus or shortfall of soldiers against establishment on 1 February 1996 is shown for each regular army regiment and corps in the table. Officer manning is generally satisfactory with a small surplus.

  Regiment/Corps

  Percentage shortfall/ surplus

  The Household Cavalry

  -9.1

  The Queen's Dragoon Guards

  -5.0

  The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

  -6.9

  The Royal Dragoon Guards

  -11.5

  The Queen's Royal Hussars

  -11.8

  The 9th/12th Lancers

  +44.3

  The King's Royal Hussars

  -10.5

  The Light Dragoons

  -1.8

  The Queen's Royal Lancers

  -2.8

  1st Royal Tank Regiment

  -9.0

  2nd Royal Tank Regiment

  -3.5

  The Royal Regiment of Artillery

  -7.7

  Corps of Royal Engineers

  +.2

  The Royal Corps of Signals

  -4.7>

  The Grenadier Guards

  -2.3

  The Coldstream Guards

  -2.1

  The Scots Guards

  -9.5

  The Irish Guards

  -5.3

  The Welsh Guards

  -8.5

  The Royal Scots

  -10.7

  The Royal Highland Fusiliers

  -13.8

  The King's Own Scottish Borderers

  -7.0

  The Black Watch

  -12.3

  The Highlanders

  +2.3

  The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

  -16.6

  The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

  -13.6

  The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  -5.9

  The Royal Anglian Regiment

  -7.6

  The King's Own Royal Border Regiment

  -7.1

  The King's Regiment

  +4.5

  The Prince of Wales' s Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  -7.2

  The Green Howards

  -4.8

  The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  -7.1

  The Duke of Wellington's Regiment

  +4.2

  The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  -1.6

  The Cheshire Regiment

  -7.8

  The Royal Welch Fusiliers

  -7.6

  The Royal Regiment of Wales

  -11.9

  The Gloucester Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment

  +3.0

  The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment

  –1.1

  The Staffordshire Regiment

  -7.2

  508

  Regiment/Corps

  Percentage shortfall/ surplus

  The Light Infantry

  -7.6

  The Royal Green Jackets

  -16.0

  The Royal Irish Regiment

  -10.2

  The Parachute Regiment

  -18.0

  The Brigade of Gurkhas

  -1.2

  The Army Air Corps

  -8.3

  The Royal Logistic Corps

  -2.6

  The Royal Army Medical Corps

  -1.3

  Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  -1.7

  The Adjutant General's Corps

  -2.5

  The Intelligence Corps

  -5.6

  Corps of Army Musicians

  -.1

  Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps

  +.5

  Argentina (Arms Sales)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) arms and (b) arms-related contracts were approved by Her Majesty's Government with the Argentine Government between the years 1979 and 1982. [19811]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Ministry of Defence is not the licensing authority for exports and does not otherwise normally approve contracts between exporters and overseas customers. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has set out details of contracts for the supply of defence equipment to Argentina in the relevant period,Official Report, 6 March 1996, column 228.

  51 Squadron, Royal Air Force
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the role and function of 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force; what are its annual running costs; and from which subheads of which votes these funds are taken; [19960]

  (2) how many aircraft are currently assigned to 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force; what plans there are to increase the number of aircraft assigned to this squadron; what are the estimated costs of such an increase; and from which subheads of which votes these funds will be taken; [19959]

  (3) on what date 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was established. [19961]

  (4) what is the current assignment of 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force. [19958]

  Mr. Soames
  No. 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was reformed on 21 August 1958 to operate electronic reconnaissance aircraft. The squadron currently comprises two Nimrod R aircraft; a Nimrod MR2 from storage is being converted to replace a third which was lost on 16 May 1995.

  The squadron's forecast running costs for the current financial year are approximately £7.1 million, and are included in Air Officer Commander-in-Chief Strike Command's top level budget, vote 1 section D1.

  There are no plans to increase the squadron's complement of three aircraft.
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  Overseas Training Deployments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what maximum authorised levels of(a) deployed RAF personnel and (b) deployed RAF combat aircraft are being requested of the Canadian authorities under the new multinational memorandum of understanding governing training activities at Canadian forces base, Goose bay, Labrador. [19745]

  Mr. Soames
  The new memorandum of understanding concerning allied military activity at Goose bay specifies that an annual maximum of 18,000 training sorties, of which no more than 15,000 may be at low level, can be flown by all the allied users. The MOU does not specify a maximum level of deployed RAF personnel or deployed RAF combat aircraft and does not require the RAF to request such levels.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for Royal Air Force training deployments to United States marine corps air station Yuma, Arizona. [19637]

  Mr. Soames
  No formal invitations have been received from the United States authorities for future RAF participation in exercises at Marine Corps air station, Yuma.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many investigations were carried out by the Royal Air Force police flying complaints flight in 1994; and how many breaches of low flying regulations were confirmed by these investigations. [19639]

  Mr. Soames
  The RAF police flying complaints flight carried out 632 investigations in 1994 which confirmed 70 breaches of low flying regulations.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the changes made to the minimum weather requirements for visual low flying since 1989. [19636]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the letter the then Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my noble Friend, the Viscount Cranborne, wrote to him on 29 November 1993, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House. There have been no changes to minimum weather requirements for visual low flying since that date.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the nationalities of military aircraft booked into(a) area 5E and (b) area 3A of the night low flying system between 1800 hours and 1930 hours GMT on 6 January 1995. [19746]

  Mr. Soames
  No military aircraft were booked into night low flying sectors 3A and 5E between the times stated on 6 January 1995.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were received about low flying aircraft in the vicinity of Darlington on 12 July 1994. [19640]

  Mr. Soames
  None.
  510

  Warton Airfield
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flights originated from, or bound for, Warton airfield were recorded by the military air traffic control authorities between 1700 hours and 2000 hours GMT on 6 January 1995. [19748]

  Mr. Soames
  Military air traffic control records of this type are normally retained for a maximum of three months. Consequently, the information requested is no longer available.

  Tornado Accident
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the board of inquiry into the accident to a Tornado GR 1A on 1 September 1994 obtained evidence on the routes flown by other aircraft booked to fly in low flying area 14 at the time of the accident. [19754]

  Mr. Soames
  Yes. This was considered fully by the board of inquiry which concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that another aircraft was involved in the accident.

  Exercise Arid Thunder
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the extent, nature and purpose of Royal Air Force participation in Exercise Arid Thunder in December 1995. [19638]

  Mr. Soames
  Exercise Arid Thunder 1995–96 was divided into four two-week periods. RAF participation was as follows:

  Unit

  Dates

  13 Squadron

  3–17 November 1995

  14 Squadron

  20 November–1 December 1995

  617 Squadron

  3–15 December 1995

  17 Squadron

  19 February–1 March 1996

  Eight Tornado aircraft and 122 personnel were deployed from each squadron. The purpose of the exercise was to provide training by expending life-expired BL755 munitions.

  F-117 Aircraft
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many F-117 aircraft were present in the United Kingdom on 6 January 1995. [19749]

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Munitions Dumps
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list(a) the exact location of munitions dumps in the English channel south of the Thames and the Severn estuaries, (b) the exact composition of the materials which were put into those dumps, (c) the ports which were used for that dumping, (d) the periods during which those ports were used for dumping, (e) the ships used for such dumping and (f) all monitoring of the dump sites for environment and safety which has taken place since 1966 or is currently taking place; [20182]
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  (2) what assessment he has made of the adequacies of the registration of munitions dump sites in the English channel. [20183]

  Mr. Soames
  Records of the total tonnages, ports and vessels involved in munitions disposal are not available. From surviving records it has been established that the following general areas, shown more extensively on hydrographic charts, were designated, although not necessarily used, as conventional explosive dumping grounds in the English channel before 1973:

  Area

  Position

  Hurd Deep

  49 30 00 N—3 34 00 W

  St. Catherines Deep

  50 34 00 N—1 12 00 W

  NW of Alderney

  2 sites

  49 50 00 N—2 18 00 W

  NW of Alderney

  49 47 00 N—2 17 00 W

  SSW of Guernsey

  49 18 00 N—2 42 00 W

  Whitesand Bay, Plymouth

  50 18 45 N—4 16 00W

  Current scientific advice indicates that dump sites present no significant risk to safety, human health or the marine environment if left undisturbed.

  Fast Jet Training
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current average period for completion of fast jet training. [20226]

  Mr. Soames
  A qualified fast jet pilot needs to complete successfully three main stages of fast jet training before being deployed to an operational flying squadron. The average length of time it currently takes for a new pilot to progress through the flying training stages is 259 weeks which is longer than usual due to a backlog of pilots in training. From the end of 1996, however, the backlog should have been resolved and the current planned cycle for a new pilot starting training now, will be on average 109 weeks. This includes six weeks of breaks between courses and is dependent on pilot capability, weather and the operational conversion aircraft or course required.

  The main stages, aircraft employed and the minimum flying hours/weeks are as follows:

  Main stages

  Aircraft employed

  Minimum flying hours/weeks

  Basic flying training

  Tucano

  120 hours/42 weeks

  Advanced training and tactics

  Hawk

  103 hours/33 weeks

  Operational conversion

  Various fast jets

  188–129 hours/22 weeks

  1 Average.

  Military Training Assistance (Ghana)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on military training assistance provided to Ghana in the last five years; how many British personnel were involved; and how many Ghanaian(a) military and (b) police officials have visited the United Kingdom for training since 1990. [19840]

  Mr. Soames
  The United Kingdom has provided a number of small teams of United Kingdom military personnel to carry out training of Ghanaian military 512
  personnel in the last five years and a team of several British officers has also assisted at the Ghanaian staff college, one of whom remains. Since 1990, several Ghanaian officers have visited the UK for training. Precise details of military assistance are regarded as confidential between Governments. I understand that 10 Ghanaian police officials have visited the UK for training since 1990.

  Bulford Camp Primary Schools
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rents or charges he makes to Wiltshire county council in respect of services or land occupied by(a) Haig county primary school and (b) Kiwi county primary school, in Bulford camp, Wiltshire; and if he will make a statement. [20244]

  Mr. Soames
  The following charges have been raised over the last 12 months:

  £

  Haig county primary school

  Land for playground—rental charge

  1130.00

  Sewer connection charge

  120.00

  Water connection charge

  120.00

  Water

  1,390.00

  Electric

  1,011.00

  Kiwi county primary school

  Sewer connection charge

  120.00

  Water connection charge

  120.00

  Water

  559.00

  Electric

  1,984.00

  1 Fixed annual charge.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make representations to Wiltshire county council opposing the proposed closure of Haig county primary school in Bulford camp, Wiltshire; and if he will make a statement. [20243]

  Mr. Soames
  Wiltshire county council has discussed the proposed closure of Haig county primary school with the local military authorities and has consulted with parents, governors and staff. The outcome of these consultations will be considered by the county council's education committee and any proposal to change the current provision will be published by way of public notices. Objections can be registered at this stage and these will be passed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for adjudication.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the service families with children at Haig county primary school in Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, have a parent currently serving in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement. [20247]

  Mr. Soames
  Twelve per cent. of service families with children at Haig primary school have a parent currently serving in Bosnia.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to his Department of security attributable to(a) Haig county primary school and (b) Kiwi county primary school in Bulford camp, Wiltshire; and if he will make a statement. [20245]
  513
  Mr. Soames
  There is no identifiable extra cost to my Department attributable to security arrangements for either school.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has made of(a) the married quarters population and (b) the numbers of nursery and school-age children dwelling in the married quarters and within designated catchments of (i) Haig county primary school, and (ii) Kiwi county primary school in Bulford camp, Wiltshire; and if he will make a statement. [20246]

  Mr. Soames
  The estimated population of the married quarters estates at Bulford camp is 2,564. Within the designated catchment area of Haig county primary school, there are an estimated 49 nursery and 94 school-aged children living in the married quarters. The corresponding figures for the Kiwi county primary school catchment area are estimated to be 118 nursery and 188 school-aged children.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the advisory non-departmental pubic bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20102]

  Mr. Soames
  The independent board of visitors was established in accordance with the Imprisonment and Detention (Army) Rules 1979 for military corrective training centres. This is the only one of the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department which has a statutory base. I regret that in my earlier answer to the hon. Member,Official Report, 27 April 1995, column 695, I erroneously stated that the Dartmoor steering group and working party also had a statutory base.

  There is no statutory requirement for any of MOD's advisory non-departmental public bodies to publish their advice to Government, publish an annual report or lay their annual reports before Parliament.

  The annual reports of the Dartmoor steering group and working party and the review board for Government contracts are placed in the Library of the House on a voluntary basis.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20472]

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

  Letter from T. R. Thurgate to Mr. Clive Betts, dated 12 March 1996:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March 1996, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, if no date was
  514
  specified, older than 28 days. As this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Defence Bills Agency I have been asked to reply.
  As the Defence Bills Agency pays approximately 3 million bills each year, the information requested is only available at disproportionate cost. However, we do monitor our payment performance closely in terms of volume of bills. So far this financial year over 99.9% of bills have been paid within 30 days fo receipt at our office in Liverpool. We also measure our performance against the higher departmental standard of payment within 11 days, we have achieved an average of 97% so far this financial year.

ENVIRONMENT

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the timetable for finalising his Department's proposed waste classification system will be coincident with that for implementation of the landfill tax; and if he will make a statement. [19138]

  Mr. Clappison
  The landfill tax will be introduced on 1 October this year, as my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, confirmed in his Budget speech last autumn. Those wastes subject to the lower rate of tax have been the subject of extensive consultation by HM Customs and Excise and will be set out in a Treasury order. A draft of the proposed contents of the order will be circulated in April. The third stage of the consultation on the national waste classification scheme will be published next month by my Department in conjunction with the Welsh Office, the Scottish Office and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. This will involve the introduction of the scheme on a non-statutory basis from April, so that its use can be fully assessed.

  Water Companies (Pay)
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people were employed by, and how many served on the boards of,(a) Anglian Water, (b) North West Water, (c) Northumbrian Water Ltd., (d) Severn Trent, (e) Southern Water Services, (f) South West, (g) Thames Water, (h) Welsh Water, (i) Wessex Water and (j) Yorkshire Water; and what was the total remuneration paid to those on the board of each company, in the final year before each was privatised. [19430]

  Mr. Clappison
  This information is given in the prospectus for the water share offers published in November 1989. A copy of the prospectus is available in the Library.

  Purchase Grant Scheme
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to consult on his proposals to exempt small rural settlements from the purchase grant scheme; and if he will make a statement. [19763]

  Mr. Curry
  We have today issued a consultation paper asking for comments from local authorities, housing associations, rural groups and other interested parties on how we propose to exempt small rural settlements in England from the new purchase grant scheme.
  515
  As we announced in the rural White Paper, neither the voluntary purchase grant scheme for associations' existing properties, nor the planned statutory scheme for future publicly-funded developments will apply to rural villages with a population of 3,000 or fewer inhabitants. This is because we recognise the particular difficulty there can be in such areas in building or finding replacement properties for rent.

  The Housing Bill currently before Parliament would give the Secretary of State the power to designate by order rural areas where the new right would not arise.

  The consultation paper sets out the way we propose to implement this designation in England. It invites comments on our general approach, and on the rural detailed proposals for 15 broadly representative counties and areas. We will also consult on the remaining areas of England, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will consult on proposals for Wales in due course.

  Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Vote Office, and in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies of supplementary papers providing further details of proposed designations for each individual county or area, including copies of any maps needed, have also been placed in both Libraries.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of part B of the Building Regulations to take account of(a) modern building methods and construction techniques and (b) requirements of current fire safety needs; and if he will make a statement. [19747]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department keeps the Building Regulations and associated technical guidance under review with issues such as these very much in mind.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend part B of the Building Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [19751]

  Mr. Clappison
  At its meeting on 22 February, the Building Regulations Advisory Committee considered a revised draft of the technical guidance approved in support of part B of the Building Regulations. I expect to be able to put these proposals out for public consultation later this year.

  National Spring Clean
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to support the national spring clean from 12 to 21 April. [19952]

  Mr. Clappison
  National spring clean is funded from the Department of the Environment's grant to the Tidy Britain Group. The Tidy Britain Group has received a total grant of £2,897,000 in 1995–96.

  The Department also intends to support publicity events and other activities connected with the national spring clean campaign.
  516

  Deceased Council Tax Payers
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has received about notices issued by local authorities following the death of a council tax payer; [20069]

  (2) if he will issue guidance to local authorities in respect of the appropriate tone to be employed in notices issued following the death of a council tax payer. [20068]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I am aware of only one such representation.

  The form of each notice is for individual local authorities to determine. However, we have issued guidance to authorities suggesting that notices issued in these circumstances should be accompanied by a sympathetic letter to the bereaved.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 5 March,Official Report, column 102, what sanctions are available to the Environment Agency in cases where a company has failed to implement solutions to pollution problems within the time scale agreed with the agency or with a predecessor authority. [20350]

  Mr. Clappison
  Section 13 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, through the Environment Act of 1995, provides for the Environment Agency to serve a company with an enforcement notice if it has failed to comply with the conditions of an authorisation issued under the 1990 Act. Section 23 also makes it an offence to operate a process without complying with all the conditions of such an authorisation.

  Cement Kilns
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 5 March,Official Report, column 101, at what intervals chief inspector's guidance notes are reviewed; and when the chief inspector will next issue guidance notes on meeting the requirements of the hazardous waste incineration directive. [20349]

  Mr. Clappison
  Chief inspector's guidance notes on processes subject to integrated pollution control are reviewed every four years, or sooner where developments in pollution abatement techniques or technology warrant it.

  Revisions to chief inspector's guidance notes for the waste disposal and recycling sector are due to be published in May/June 1996; revised guidance dealing with incineration processes is expected in June, and will give guidance on meeting the requirements of the hazardous waste incineration directive.

  Thoresby Colliery (Accident)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Director General of the Health and Safety Commission about the fatal accident that took place at Thoresby colliery, Nottinghamshire; and if he will make a statement. [18956]
  517
  Sir Paul Beresford
  None. I refer to my written answer of 19 October 1995,Official Report, columns 307–08, about the fatal accident at Thoresby colliery on 12 October 1995. I hope to be in a position to write to the hon. Gentleman later this month following the conclusion of the Health and Safety Executive's investigation and the inquest into the miner's death.

  Child Employees
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) injuries and (b) deaths occurred in the last year for which figures are available among employed children where the source of injury or death was a direct consequence of employment. [19369]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  For 1994–95, the provisional figures for fatal and other injuries to employees under 16 years reported to the Health and Safety Executive's field operations division and local authorities are:

  Severity of injury

  Number of injuries1

  Fatal

  1

  Non-fatal2

  39

  Total

  40

  1 Includes trainees/pupils on work experience.

  2 Includes major and over three-day injuries as defined by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.

  Education Authority Funding
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, columns 153–54, on the total amounts of grants provided to local authorities responsible for education if he will provide the figures separately for each local authority.[20278]
  518
  Mr. Curry
  I have arranged for the figures for all local authorities to be placed in the Library.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily.[20100]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Details of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department are listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1995". A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.

  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 27 April 1995, Official Report, column 616. The information contained in that answer remains correct.

  None of the advisory bodies has a statutory requirement to publish an annual report or lay it before Parliament. The following advisory NDPBs publish annual reports on a voluntary basis: the Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Local Government Commission for England and the Property Advisory Group, the report for 1995 being its first.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20478]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested is not held centrally by my Department and is available only at disproportionate cost.
  519

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to end subsidies to the arms export trade; and if he will make a statement. [17915]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  It has been long-standing Government policy for the Export Credits Guarantee Department to support defence exports on no more favourable terms than apply to civil sales. The ECGD operates to a financial break-even objective on its new business, applying the same prudent underwriting criteria, cover policy and premium rates to civil and defence business.

  Although there is the possibility of a subsidy arising from fixed rate export finance supported by the ECGD, the United Kingdom has been at the forefront of international negotiations to progressively eliminate the potential for such subsidy. The minimum interest rates supported under FREF are determined by international agreements, and fixed by reference to market levels.

  While defence-related exports are not covered by these agreements, the ECGD applies the same rules in financing support for defence sales as for civil sales.

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he 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. [19467]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department does not purchase raw computer capacity as such. Instead, a range of computer-related services is procured from a variety of sources. Following decentralisation of related budget responsibilities to individual management units, central records do not cover all uses of such services. In addition, the costs of those services reflect not only the computer capacity required but the specialist manpower and communication facilities needed to deliver them.

  The majority of these services are currently delivered to my Department by Hoskyns plc following its success in a market test in 1994. The total value of services delivered during the first year of the contract was £6.7 million. Prior to the market test these services were delivered from in-house capacity. In addition, my Department has used the Treasury's Chessington Computer Centre for staff pay and pensions since 1980 at a current annual cost of £354,000.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) where inward investment seminars and conferences were held by his Department in 1995; and what was the range of numbers participating; [19939]

  (2) how many inward investment seminars or conferences were held by his Department in 1995 and at
  520
  what cost; and what cost was incurred in renting the venues. [19946]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  For the financial year 1995–96, my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau has been involved with the following seminars and conferences for inward investors:

  Where held

  Overall costs

  Cost of venue £

  Number of participants

  Copenhagen, Denmark

  Seminar sponsored by Den Danske Bank

  Nil

  15

  Munich

  £25,000

  864.8

  130

  Stuttgart

  Sponsored by BW Bank

  Nil

  50

  Seminar with IHK Frankfurt

  Arranged by Chamber of Commerce

  Nil

  20

  Osaka, Japan

  1£80,075

  14,678

  153

  Aomori, Japan

  1£1,952

  11,861

  35

  Akita, Japan

  1£1,623

  11,664

  36

  Morioka, Japan

  1£2,415

  12,254

  46

  Yamagata, Japan

  1£1,709

  11,407

  24

  Taipei Computer Association, Taiwan

  2£140

  Nil

  6

  1 £1 = 140 Yen.

  2 £1 = 40 NT$.

  Bankruptcy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 5 March,Official Report, columns 135–36, if he will give powers to shareholders of public companies to enable them to receive a detailed explanation of the reasons for a creditor company's refusal to initiate an action for bankruptcy in instances where the debt is in excess of £50,000 and where the debtor is an hon. Member. [19936]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  In general, shareholders of companies delegate to their board to management decisions such as the enforcement of debts owed to the company. A power for shareholders to intervene in these specific circumstances would not be appropriate.

  Government Contracts
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what procedures are in place to verify the credentials of private companies who tender for Government contracts. [20189]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A copy of the chapters from my Department's procurement manual providing guidance on the procedures for verifying the credentials of private companies which tender for DTI contracts has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Reform Assistance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the criteria used for establishing areas eligible for regional assistance in the United Kingdom are identical with those used in other EU countries; and if he will make a statement. [20009]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The criteria for eligibility for grants under the regional objectives of the EC structural fund are, in general terms, identical. They are contained in Council regulation (EEC) 2052/99 as amended by 2081/93 (OJ L193 of 31 July 1993). The criteria for designating areas eligible for support under the regional
  521
  selective assistance scheme are based on travel-to-work areas and are not therefore identical to those used in other EU countries.

  Compliance Unit
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what cases are currently being pursued by his Department's single market compliance unit.[20221]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The single market compliance unit is currently pursuing about 70 cases. The details of these are commercially confidential.

  Manufactured Exports (Germany)
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to investigate the extent of German non-tariff barriers against the import of manufactured goods from the United Kingdom. [20220]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  My Department has issued studies on the operation of the single market in public procurement, the chemicals sector and in respect of standards, testing and certification. The Department also analyses the complaints to its single market compliance unit. The unit received 13 complaints in 1995 alleging specific unjustified German non-tariff barriers to trade in manufactured goods. The Department has taken all of these up with the European Commission, the German Government, or both.

  Fuel Suppliers
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received(a) during 1995 and (b) since 1 January alleging that certain fuel suppliers are (i) practising selective price support in favour of company-owned sites and (ii) discriminating against independent dealers through allegedly uncompetitive contracts; what representations have urged him to refer this matter to the Director General of Fair Trading; and if he will make a statement. [20214]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department has received a number of representations on behalf of independent retailers during 1995 and this year regarding the pricing policies of fuel suppliers. These have been brought to the attention of the Director General of Fair Trading, who has responsibility for investigating allegations of anti-competitive behaviour or abuse of monopoly power. The Office of Fair Trading investigated these complaints, which included some concerned with Esso's pilot pricewatch campaign, and concluded that action under competition legislation was not appropriate. However, the Office of Fair Trading will continue to monitor the market.

  Plutonium Exports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will specify the origin of the reactor, the isotopic composition, point of departure, mode of transport and final 522
  end use of the United Kingdom plutonium exported to the United States of America between 1967 and 1988 in the form of fuel elements. [20268]

  Mr. Page
  Plutonium exported from the United Kingdom to the United States of America under civil bilateral agreements was used for fuel elements as part of the US civil programme. All such exports were, where applicable, subject to the application of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Plutonium exported for civil purposes was derived from UK reactors. Given the period over which these exports were made, information relating to the isotopic composition and mode of transport could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Cost Accounting
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the proposal of the Accounting Standards Board for abandonment of historical cost accounting. [20269]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The draft of the proposed "Statement of Principles for Financial Reporting" published for public comment by the Accounting Standards Board does not propose an abandonment of historical cost accounting. Present practice already incorporates certain current values. The draft statement of principles makes clear the ASB's belief that, as markets develop, current values will become increasingly relevant and reliable. The ASB therefore encourages the development of practice in that direction but has stressed that it will not move faster on this subject than the business community will accept.

  I welcome the publication of the draft statement as apart of the ASB's valuable work on improving the quality of financial reporting. I hope that the business community will consider what the statement has to say on the numerous important issues it addresses and will take the opportunity to contribute to the debate on them.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the total number of workers in receipt of the national minimum wage in(a) the USA, (b) Japan. (c) Australia, (d) Canada, (e) New Zealand and (f) each EU state; and what percentage this represents of the total work force in employment in (a) to (f).[20318]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government do not collect this information, and believe that it could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Employment Rights
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the number of claims referred in each of the last three years to(a) the commission for the rights of trade union members and (b) the commission for protection against unlawful industrial action; and in each case how many were successful; [203371

  (2) what was the expenditure of (a) the commission for the rights of trade union members and (b) the commission for protection against unlawful industrial action in each of the last three years; [20342]
  523
  (3) if he will list (a) the numbers employed and (b) the expenditure on administration by (i) the commission for the rights of trade union members and (ii) the commission for protection against unlawful industrial action in the last three years; [20341]

  (4) if he will list (a) the hours of work per week and (b) the remuneration of (i) the Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members and (ii) the Commissioner for Protection against Unlawful Industrial Action. [20340]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There is no commission for the rights of trade union members nor commission for protection against unlawful industrial action. One person, Mrs. Gill Rowlands, currently, occupies both the office of Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members, CRTUM, and the Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action, CPAUIA. The CPAUIA was established in August 1993. The number of formal applications made to the CRTUM and the CPAUIA, and the numbers supported by the commissioners in each year are as follows.

  CRTUM

  CPAUIA

  Total applications supported

  Total applications supported

  1993–941

  47

  8

  1

  -

  1994–95

  57

  12

  -

  -

  1995–962

  85

  9

  3

  -

  1 For the CPAUIA, August 1993 to 31 March 1994.

  2 1 April 1995 to 8 March 1996.

  The expenditure of each of the commissioners for each of the last three years has been as follows:

  CRTUM £

  CPAUIA £

  1993–941

  274,941

  85,880

  1994–95

  293,716

  104,543

  1995–9622

  287,888

  86,218

  Five staff have provided support for both Commissioners for the last three years.

  1 For the CPAUIA, August 1993 to 31 March 1994.

  2 1 April 1995 to 8 March 1996.

  Expenditure on administration (comprising staff salaries, accommodation and fuel and utilities) has been:

  CRTUM £

  CPAUIA £

  1993–941

  100,910

  24,342

  1994–95

  100,555

  50,277

  1995–961

  109,885

  50,709

  1 For the CPAUIA, August 1993 to 31 March 1994.

  2 1 April 1995 to 8 March 1996.

  The CRTUM is contracted to work two days per week, 7.5 hours each day and, for 1995–96, her remuneration, comprising salary, social security and pensions costs, will amount to £36,194. The CPAUIA is contracted to work one day, 7.5 hours per week and, for 1995–96, her remuneration will amount to £18,079.
  524

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20474]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) on 24 November 1995,Official Report, column 417. Information on the basis requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Green Claims
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made of the National Consumer Council report on green claims; [19982]

  (2) what plans he has to implement the National Consumer Council's recommendations on green claims and to amend the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. [19981]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The report referred to was jointly commissioned from the National Consumer Council by my Department and the Department of the Environment. The Government will be responding to the report as soon as possible following its publication.

  AEA Technology plc
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the chairmanship and composition of the boards of AEA Technology plc and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. [20718]

  Mr. Lang
  AEA Technology plc will be vested with the property, rights and liabilities of the commercial activities of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority on 31 March. On that date, Sir Anthony Cleaver will relinquish his appointment as chairman of the authority and become chairman of AEA Technology plc. Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton will succeed Sir Anthony as chairman of the authority. Sir Kenneth's leadership qualities and his extensive experience of nuclear planning and procurement will be of particular value in this role.

  In addition to Sir Anthony, the board of AEA Technology plc will comprise the following:

  Executive directors

  Dr. Peter Watson (Chief Executive)

  Mr. Ray Proctor

  Mr. Mike Watson

  Non-executive directors

  Dr. Brian Eyre (Deputy Chairman)

  Professor Mike Brady

  Mr. Gordon Campbell

  Mr. Colin Sharman

  Mrs. Steve Shirley

  525
  The non-executive directors currently serve as members of UKAEA and will relinquish their appointment at vesting.

  From 31 March, the members of the authority will be:

  Chairman:

  Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton

  Executive members:

  Dr. Derek Pooley (Chief Executive)

  Mr. John Baxter

  Mr. James Bretherton

  Dr. Roy Nelson

  Mr. Paul White

  Non-executive members:

  Mr. Chris Appleton

  Dr. Rex Gaisford

  Mr. Trevor Harrison

  Mr. Neil Hirst

  Mr. Clive Pickford

  All currently serve as members of the management board of UKAEA Government division.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the implications of the late filing of annual accounts of Capita Managed Services Ltd. for the suitability of that company as the sole bidder for the Companies House central inquiry unit and postal search section in Cardiff. [19783]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: According to Companies House records, the most recent accounts, for the period to 31 December 1994, were filed by the deadline. Accounts for 1995 do not have to be filed until 31 October 1996.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [19910]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: Those activities within my Department in respect of which (i) Capita Managed Services and (ii) Lusis Business Solutions are currently involved in bidding are as follows:

  (a) Facilities management consortia:

  (i) None

  (ii) None

  (b) Private Finance Initiative:

  (i) None

  (ii) None

  (c) Management Buyout Consortia:

  (i) None

  (ii) None

  (d) Contractorisation schemes:

  (i) Companies House (Cardiff)

  Central Enquiry Unit and Postal

  Search Services

  526

  (ii) None

  (e) Market Testing schemes:

  (i) None

  (ii) None

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made of the implications of the resignation of the chairman of Capita Managed Services Ltd. on the suitability of Capita Managed Services as the sole bidder of the central inquiry unit and postal search sections of Companies House;[19781]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the implications of the resignation of John Jasper as chairman of Capita Managed Services Ltd. for that company's status as the sole bidder for the central inquiry unit and postal search sections at Companies House, Cardiff; and if he will make a statement. [19784]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answers 8 March 1996]: I have not yet taken a decision about whether to award a contract for the running of the central enquiry unit and postal search accounts service at Companies House, Cardiff. Mr. Jasper has no current involvement in the running of Capita Managed Services Ltd.

  Electrical Goods
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has received an interim report from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on the activities of suppliers of electrical goods; and if he will make a statement. [20083]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: I have not received an interim report from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. The MMC has until 31 October 1996 to report.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to report on the retail pricing of certain types of electrical goods; and if he will make a statement. [20007]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced on 14 February that he has given the Monopolies and Mergers Commission until 31 October 1996 to report on the monopolies references on the supply of eight categories of electrical goods.

  Scientists and Engineers
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many professional scientists and engineers of each category were employed at each grade in the headquarters division of his Department in each year from 1991 to the current year. [19797]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The information requested is shown in the table.
  527

  1 January 1991

  1 January 1992

  1 January 1993

  1 January 1994

  1 January 1995

  1 January 1996

  Science group

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Scientific Officer

  11

  6

  8

  7

  7

  8

  Higher Scientific Officer

  16

  14

  22

  23

  23

  22

  Higher Scientific Officer (Development)

  1

  2

  7

  10

  10

  9

  Senior Scientific Officer

  38

  28

  34

  33

  33

  33

  Professional and technical group

  Professional and Technology Officer

  1

  3

  3

  3

  3

  1

  Higher Professional and Technology Officer

  13

  12

  13

  18

  13

  13

  Senior Professional and Technology Officer

  30

  32

  35

  38

  37

  32

  Totals

  111

  98

  122

  132

  126

  118

  The figures exclude executive agencies and regional offices, and those specialist grades which are unique to this Department.

  Birds Eye Wall's
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what factors will be taken into account in assessing the public interest in arriving at the decision over proceedings against Birds Eye Wall's under section 93B of the Fair Trading Act 1973 for knowingly or recklessly providing misleading information to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its recent inquiry into ice cream exclusivity; [19582]

  (2) when he expects to make a decision on proceedings against Birds Eye Wall's under section 93B of the Fair Trading Act for knowingly or recklessly providing misleading information to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its recent inquiry into ice cream exclusivity. [19581]

  (3) what account will be taken of the integrity of the processes of competitive regulation in the decision on proceedings against Birds Eye Wall's under section 93B of the Fair Trading Act 1973 for knowingly or recklessly providing misleading information to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in its recent inquiry into ice cream exclusivity. [19583]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: It is not the practice of the Department to comment publicly on individual cases under consideration. Any decisions which need to be taken will be announced in due course.

  Computer Disc Theft
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what responsibility he had for the decision not to prosecute the person against whom sufficient evidence had been accumulated to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for alleged theft of a DTI computer disk and blackmail. [20052]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: No DTI computer disk has been stolen in the incident referred to by the hon. Member. The President had no responsibility for the decision not to prosecute for the misuse of information held by the Treasury Solicitor.
  528

  Insolvency Service
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to public funds of the proposed contracting out of insolvency casework as broken down into(a) the pre-feasibility study, (b) the feasibility study, (c) the 1995 advertisements, (d) the handling of the 149 expressions of interest, (e) the requirements scoping document, (f) the sifting of the 91 initial proposals, (g) the negotiations with 34 companies, (h) the invitation to tender, (i) the identification of three tenders offering value for money and (j) the stringent technical and financial evaluation; and what was the total cost of this exercise. [19584]

  Mr. Phillip Oppenheim
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The cost of the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies into the scope for private sector involvement in the work of official receivers was £65,251 and £61,500 —excluding VAT—respectively.

  The costs of the contracting out exercise undertaken by the Insolvency Service, in the period beginning October 1994 when the Government announced their intention to pursue the preferred option identified by the then consultants to the announcement on 28 February 1996 of the outcome was £2,288,594. This figure could be broken down into the areas specified only at disproportionate cost.

  As a result of the drive for greater efficiency implemented during the period of the contracting-out exercise, the service will achieve a reduction this financial year of 3 per cent. in the unit costs of bankruptcy and company liquidations.

  I expect to announce shortly the targets which I have set for the Insolvency Service in 1996–97, which will look to the service to delivery substantial further savings above that level.

  Structural Funds
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if there will be a revision of the areas eligible for grant from the EU structural funds under objective 2. [9379]

  Mr. Eggar
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 January 1996, Official Report, co. 293]:

  On 8 March, the Commission announced that member states' total populations eligible for objective 2 grant will remain unchanged.
  529
  This is welcome news for the United Kingdom, preserving our national share of the total population in objective 2 areas, which is the largest of all member states. It follows strong representations made by the Government to the Commission and reflects the consensus at the meeting of EC Ministers in Madrid on 1 December in favour of complete continuity between the current list and the new list of areas.

  The Commission is, however, inviting member states, if they wish, to make in the near future proposals for marginal additions to the list, to be balanced by proposed deletions of areas of equal population. I have considered carefully the question of proposing marginal changes to the list of UK objective 2 areas.

  The programmes for current eligible areas have been running for less than 18 months. This is insufficient time to address the long-term structural problems which led to their designation under objective 2. I have had some representations in favour of additions to the list, and some in favour of no change, but only one proposing deletions, in a different part of the country from the proposer. I therefore do not intend to put forward any proposals for changes in the UK list. The list of eligible British areas will therefore remain unchanged.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [19429]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Roxborough and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 16 February 1996,Official Report, column 728.

  These figures as a percentage are:

  1992–93: 0.19 per cent.

  1993–94: 0.13 per cent.

  1994–95: 0.19 per cent.

  1995–96: 0.62 per cent.

  There is no record of any letters from hon. Members being transferred to executive agencies.

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [19459]

  Mr. Hanley
  There have been no contracts of this nature since 1987.
  530

  Sudan
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise at the forthcoming meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, the subject of violations of human rights in Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [20223]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We deplore the continual and widespread violations of human rights in the Sudan. Together with our EU partners, we will seek to ensure continued monitoring of the situation by the UN Commission on Human Rights.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the evidence of violations of human rights in Sudan presented by Baroness Cox and John Eibner of Christian Solidarity International; and if he will make a statement. [20222]

  Mr. Hanley
  We read the reports of Baroness Cox and John Eibner with interest and concern. They contain many disturbing first-hand accounts of human rights abuses. We expect the Government of Sudan to investigate them fully and take appropriate action when allegations are well founded. Investigating human rights abuses in Sudan is not easy, but it is important to establish the facts. We look to the Government of Sudan to allow human rights monitors, including the UN Special Rapporteur, free access to all areas of Sudan.

  British Council
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the British Council now has to withdraw facilities and services previously available to its staff. [21227]

  Mr. Hanley
  The provision of facilities and services to its staff is principally a matter for the British Council, but I am not aware of any proposed changes.

  War Crimes Tribunal
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards widening the remit of The Hague war crimes court to include actions in Kosova; and if he will make a statement. [20277]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia's mandate covers the whole territory of the former Yugoslavia.

  China (Missile Testing)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what occasions the testing of missiles by China near Taiwan's main ports has been raised in the European Union; and if he will make a statement; [20119]

  (2) if Her Majesty's Government will protest at the Government of China's decision to have missile tests close to Taiwan on 11 to 15 March; and if he will make a statement. [20118]
  531
  Mr. Hanley
  The European Union partners issued the following statement in Rome on 8 March:"The EU deeply regret the firing by the People's Republic of China of missiles, beginning in the morning of March 8th, into test zones in the Taiwan Straits. The planned week-long exercise could lead to further tension in the region and increase the possibility of any miscalculation eventually leading to confrontation.
  The EU, recalling the pledge always made by the PRC to stick to its fundamental policy on the Taiwan issue, which is to seek a peaceful solution, call on the PRC to refrain from activities which could have negative effects on the security of the entire region and urge early resumption of the cross-Strait talks".

  We continue to monitor this difficult situation very closely.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20099]

  Mr. Hanley
  I have nothing to add to the answer that the then Minister for State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury, (Mr. Goodlad) gave to the hon. Member on 27 April 1995,Official Report, columns 707–08.

  Mr. Imshah Syed
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which Mr. Imshah Syed was refused leave to board a plane for Pakistan on 6 February to attend the Human Rights International General Assembly in London. [20120]

  Mr. Hanley
  We assume that the question relates to Mr. Syed Imdad Shah. We understand that Mr. Shah was refused leave to board a flight from Islamabad on 6 March on the instructions of the Pakistani authorities.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the United Nations draft declaration on human rights defenders and its inclusion on the agenda of the 52nd session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. [20369]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have participated actively in the working group preparing this declaration and regret that it has not been possible to reach agreement yet on a text. The UN Commission at its forthcoming session will consider a recommendation that the working group chairman should prepare a consolidated and refined text for further consideration by the group.

  EU Member States (Territories)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 260, if he will list for
  532
  each EU member state those territories for whose external relations it is responsible; and in each case if the territory is (a) a member of the EU and (b) elects representatives to the European Parliament. [20396]

  Mr. David Davis
  The information requested is as follows:

  Territory

  Part of EU?

  Vote in EP elections?

  Denmark

  Faroe Islands

  No

  No

  Greenland

  No (since 1982)

  No

  France

  (The French Overseas Departments are an integral part of France and so are part of the EU and take part in elections to the European Parliament)

  French Polynesia

  No

  No

  New Caledonia

  No

  No

  Wallis and Futuna

  No

  No

  St. Pierre and Miquelon

  No

  No

  Mayotte

  No

  No

  Netherlands

  The Netherlands Antilles

  No

  No

  Aruba

  No

  No

  Portugal

  (The Azores and Madeira are autonomous regions of metropolitan Portugal and so are part of the EU and take part in elections to the European Parliament)

  Spain

  (The Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla are integral parts of metropolitan Spain and so are part of the EU and take part in elections to the European Parliament)

  UK

  Anguilla

  No

  No

  Bermuda

  No

  No

  British Antarctic Territory

  No

  No

  British Indian Ocean Territory

  No

  No

  British Virgin Islands

  No

  No

  Cayman Islands

  No

  No

  Falklands Islands

  No

  No

  Gibraltar

  Yes

  No

  Hong Kong

  No

  No

  Montserrat

  No

  No

  Pitcairn Henderson Ducie and Oeno

  No

  No

  Islands

  St. Helena and Dependencies

  No

  No

  S. Georgia and S. Sandwich Islands

  No

  No

  Turks and Caicos

  No

  No

  Sovereign Base Areas (Cyprus)

  No

  No

  The Channel Islands and Isle of Man apply some parts of the EU treaties, but do not elect representatives to the EP

  Germany

  Buesingen

  Yes

  Yes

  Heligoland

  Yes

  Yes

  Italy

  Livigno

  Yes

  Yes

  Campione d'Italia

  Yes

  Yes

  Finland

  Aaland Islands

  Yes

  Yes

  Austria, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg and Sweden have no overseas territories for whose external relations they are responsible

  533

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20479]

  Mr. Hanley
  We are committed to the Confederation of British Industry prompt payment code, which requires all invoices to be paid within the agreed credit period, or within 30 days of receipt where no credit period has been agreed. Details of the past performance of the FCO was given in a reply to the hon. Member on 14 December 1995,Official Report, column 754.

  Figures for outstanding payments within the FCO on 5 March could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [19911]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: Capita Managed Services and Lusis Business Solutions are not currently involved in bidding to the FCO for any of these services.

  EU Working Time Directive
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to implement the European Union's working time directive; and if he will make a statement. [20332]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have no intention of implementing any part of the working time directive in advance of the decision by the European Court of Justice on the UK's legal challenge to the directive.

PRIME MINISTER

  Government Policies (Lichfield)
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the impact of Government policies on the people of the city of Lichfield. [18422]

  The Prime Minister
  Lichfield has benefited fully from the Government's policies, which have given this country a stronger recovery than any other large European country and the longest run of low inflation for almost 50 years. Unemployment in Lichfield has fallen by 40 per cent. since its peak.

  Department of Employment
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Prime Minister what functions of the former Department of Employment have been transferred to(a) the Department of Trade and Industry,
  534
  (b) The Department for Education and Employment and (c) other Government Departments; and what plans he has for the further transfer of such functions. [20338]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the press notice released by No. 10 Downing street on 5 July 1995, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. It was subsequently decided that the Department for Education and Employment would have responsibility for work permits.

  I have at present no plans for the further transfer of functions.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 March. [18979]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 March. [18980]

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

  Children (Exploitation)
  Mr. Alison
  To ask the Prime Minister what invitations he has received from the Swedish Government for United Kingdom governmental participation in the world congress against commercial exploitation of children, to be held in Stockholm in August; what response has been made to the invitation; and which individuals will represent the United Kingdom. [20399]

  The Prime Minister
  We intend to take part in this congress in response to an invitation I have received from the Swedish Prime Minister. The British embassy is in close touch with the organisers in Stockholm, but a final decision has still to be made on the composition of the United Kingdom delegation.

  Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Prime Minister what changes he has made to the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the parliamentary assembly of the OSCE. [20659]

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. Friend the Member for Rochford (Dr. Clark) has resigned as a substitute delegate to the assembly and will be replaced by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks). This change takes effect from today.

  Conservative Party Functions
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions upon which Government-owned premises were used for Conservative party functions in 1995, including details of the purposes for which each event was held, the name of each event's host and the date, time and place of each event. [17614]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: This information is not held centrally.
  535

  EU Legislation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister how many EU regulations have been passed; how many of these have altered United Kingdom law; and how many have been the subject of the fiche d'impact in each of the last five years. [18649]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The table provides a breakdown of the number of European Community regulations introduced since 1991.

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Council1

  335

  383

  319

  274

  242

  Commission2

  1,107

  1,125

  1,055

  963

  748

  Source:

  1 Annual general reports of the activities of the European Communities from 1991–95.

  2 Commission's CELEX database of Community legislation. The figures exclude short-term or temporary regulations—eg. those measures relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters. for 1995, the figures include regulations adopted up to 12 December 1995; full year figures are not yet available.

  All European Community regulations are directly applicable in United Kingdom law. Information on how many proposals have been the subject of a fiche d' impact is not held centrally. However, it is the Government's policy to press for all proposals for Community legislation which may have a significant impact on business to be accompanied by a fiche d'impact.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of remand prisoners(a) nationally and (b) in the Greater Manchester area who have been held in custody for a period in excess of three months. [18255]

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Jim Callaghan, dated 12 March 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking for the current number of remand prisoners (a) nationally and (b) in the Greater Manchester area who have been held in custody for a period in excess of three months.
  The latest information is for 30 June 1995. On that date, 4,230 remand prisoners in England and Wales had first been remanded to custody more than three months previously. This figure includes both those who are awaiting trial and those who have been convicted and are awaiting sentence. The period since first remand into custody includes any intervening time spent on bail into prison. 265 of these remand prisoners were held in either Manchester prison or Hindley remand centre.
  536

  Departmental Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and its agencies in each of the past five years, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [19036]

  Mr. Howard
  The cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen or are otherwise unaccounted for in each of the past five years are:

  Value £

  1991–92 Equipment/Furniture

  4 items below £5,000

  7,615

  Information Technology (IT) Equipment

  3 items below £5,000

  3,270

  1992–93 Equipment/Furniture

  6 Items below £5,000

  3,482

  IT Equipment

  1 item below £5,000

  1,000

  Items stolen costing £5,000 or more

  23 heat lamps

  7,050

  Horsebox and tools

  6,500

  Total

  13,550

  1993–94 Equipment/Furniture

  7 items below £5,000

  7,283

  IT Equipment

  3 items below £5,000

  5,127

  Items stolen costing £5,000 or more

  3 computer systems and equipment

  5,000

  Computer system

  5,000

  Total

  10,000

  1994–95

  Equipment/Furniture

  6 items below £5,000

  5,272

  IT Equipment

  13 items below £5,000

  15,517

  1995–96

  Equipment/Furniture

  6 items below £5,000

  6,435

  IT Equipment

  6 items below £5,000

  11,000

  Items stolen costing £5,000 or more

  4 Computer systems

  6,000

  Computer components

  55,000

  Total

  61,000

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Gatsometer speed cameras are in use on trunk roads in England and Wales. [19619]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  537
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for speeding have resulted from the introduction of Gatsometer speed cameras; and how many have resulted in convictions. [19620]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the number of prosecutions for speeding offences detected by automatic cameras is published in the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Motoring Offences, England and Wales 1994", issue 23/95, Table B, copies of which can be found in the Library.

  The information available to me suggests that some 94 per cent. of these prosecutions completed during 1994 led to a conviction.

  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reliability of evidence gained by Gatsometer speed cameras. [19621]

  Mr. Maclean
  All radar speed meters, such as the Gatsometer, have to be type approved by the Secretary of State under the provisions of section 20 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, as amended, before they can be used for traffic law enforcement. To obtain type approval, such equipment must first be evaluated by the police service and it is then subjected to independent laboratory testing in which it has to meet published standards, including ones for accuracy and reliability, which have been set by the police scientific development branch. Police procedures also provide for other checks to be made on the reliability and accuracy of the equipment when it is in use.

  Chinese Community
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations made in the 1985 report of the Home Affairs Committee on the Chinese community in Britain. [19644]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Football-related Offences
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British citizens were arrested in Munich before Nottingham Forest's match with Bayern Munich in the UEFA cup; and how many of them had previously been convicted in England for football-related offences. [19876]

  Mr. Maclean
  Of the 56 English fans arrested, three are known to have been previously convicted in England and Wales for football-related offences.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the German Government to seek to reach a bilateral agreement with that Government so that domestic courts can impose restriction orders on those convicted of football-related offences in Germany. [19875]

  Mr. Maclean
  Approaches were made to the German Government shortly after the Football Spectators Act 1989 was implemented. However, there has been no progress so far in reaching an agreement, largely because of the federal structure of Germany.
  538
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he is making to the German authorities to ensure that all those arrested for alleged offences in Munich before Nottingham Forest's match with Bayern Munich in the UEFA cup are prosecuted in Germany. [19874]

  Mr. Maclean
  The prosecution of those who commit offences in another country is entirely a matter for that country.

  Prisoners' Brains
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who is responsible for decisions to remove deceased prisoners' brains; [19955]

  (2) who was responsible for the decision to remove Ronald Kray's brain. [19954]

  Mr. Sackville
  If organs or tissue are required to be removed for further examination to establish the cause of death, the decision is taken by the pathologist under the direction of the coroner.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each of the locations in which Ronald Kray's brain was stored before being returned to the body. [19963]

  Mr. Sackville
  Arrangements for the care of the material are a matter for the pathologists involved.

  Electoral Registration
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted and fined for refusing to enter their names on the electoral register in each of the last five years. [19690]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to use improved technology to provide for a closing date for absent vote applications nearer the date of elections; what proposals he has to abolish dies non in future calculations of election timetables; and if he will make a statement. [19803]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government have been considering the question of changing the closing date for the receipt of absent voting applications and hope to make an announcement soon. There are no plans to abolish dies non.

  Mr. Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to use improved technology to provide for a qualifying date for electoral registration nearer the publication of the electoral register; and if he will make a statement. [19804]

  Mr. Sackville
  The great majority of electoral registration officers already make extensive use of technology, but still require all the time between the qualifying date and the publication of the register to meet the current statutory provisions. There are no plans to change either date.

  Crime (Bournemouth)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the level of recorded crime in Bournemouth in each quarter since 1992. [19815]
  539
  Mr. Maclean
  Information on recorded crime below police force level is not collected centrally.

  Body Parts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all those who have made contact with(a) his Department and (b) the Prison Service in order to solicit body parts for (i) organ donation and (ii) medical research; and what was the response to each request. [19964]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is a matter for the relatives and the person in lawful possession of the body to authorise the removal of body parts for these purposes and we are not aware of any such applications made to the Department or to the Prison Service. The donation of organs and the removal of body parts for medical research are governed by the Human Tissue Act 1961.

  Visas
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries whose nationals are able to enter the United Kingdom without a visa. [20070]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  A list of those countries or territories whose nationals require visas to enter the United Kingdom is set out in the appendix to the Immigration Rules, as amended, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Betting
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to enforce the original contract where a gambler places a series of ante-post bets which are subsequently successful and the bookmaker fails to pay out on the accumulator and sets maximum winnings at a significantly lower level. [19372]

  Mr. Kirkhipe
  In law, all wagering contracts are unenforceable. However, under the Licensed Betting Offices Regulations 1986, bookmakers are required to display a notice setting out the terms on which they invite persons to bet on those premises including any maximum limit on the amount of winnings and the procedure for the resolutions of disputed bets.

  Forensic Science Laboratory, Chepstow
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes his Department plans which will affect the forensic science laboratory in Chepstow; and if he will make a statement. [19933]

  Mr. Maclean
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Chief Executive of the Forensic Science Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Janet Thompson to Mr. Alun Michael, dated 12 March 1996:
  You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question about the future of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) laboratory at Chepstow. As you know, the arrangement now is that the Chief Executive of an Executive Agency, with the agreement of the Minister, replies to Members of Parliament on operational matters. I am therefore replying on behalf of the FSS.
  540
  The FSS announced on 29 February that, as part of a national restructuring programme, it was looking at proposals to close three laboratories. These are first the laboratory at Aldermaston and subsequently, depending on the success of the earlier restructuring, those at Huntingdon and Chepstow. The proposals are subject to staff consultation. They were announced at this early stage to allow staff to be fully involved in their development. They are also subject to consultation with the police, both nationally and with individual Chief Constables, in particular on the development of a new national network of local forensic offices to bring forensic science closer to the investigator.
  It may be helpful if I briefly explain the background to the proposals. As you may be aware, on 1 April 1996, the FSS is to merge with the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory to form a new integrated national Forensic Science Service providing an improved and streamlined resource throughout England and Wales.
  Joint research conducted by the FSS with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), together with regular FSS Customer Satisfaction surveys, have identified that substantial improvements could be achieved by the creation of a new national service, organised in national business areas. This would combine centralisation of scientific analysis to reduce cost and improve asset utilisation, with the development of a number of local forensic outlets to bring the service closer to its customers. We propose therefore, to concentrate scientific analytical resources at four key sites in London, Birmingham, Chorley and Wetherby. In addition to these four sites, there will be a network of new small forensic offices and satellite laboratories across the country. This will enable the FSS to provide a wide range of scientific support that will be geographically much more closely linked to the operational centres of the various county constabularies and metropolitan forces. The FSS is working with the Association of Chief Police Officers in developing the restructuring proposals to ensure that the changes support their forensic requirements.
  As I explained earlier, the proposed closures are provisional at this stage. Moreover for all three laboratories, there is a guarantee that jobs will be available for all existing scientific caseworking staff. There will be some reductions in support staff at each site, but these will be small. The proposed restructuring will involve no diminution of service. Indeed the aim is to provide a better one. The increasing success of forensic science in the detection of crime and the conviction of offenders means that as a resource it must be made as easily available to the greatest number of police in the most cost effective way possible.

  Child Abuse Cases
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the treatment of victims and witnesses in child abuse cases. [20024]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government have introduced a range of measures in recent years to make it easier for children in these cases to give their evidence. The Criminal Justice Act 1988 made provision for children, with the leave of the court, to give their evidence by live television link so that they need never appear in court. The Criminal Justice Act 1991 prohibited the defendant from cross-examining the child and provided for a video-recorded interview to serve as the child's evidence-in-chief at the trial, again with the leave of the court.

  These changes have helped to reduce stress for children who have to give evidence, but we are determined to implement further improvements. The Criminal Procedure

  541
  and Investigations Bill provides for binding rulings to be made so that children will have greater certainty about whether a video-recorded interview will be admitted as evidence-in-chief and whether they can give their evidence by live television link. We are pursuing a range of other measures, including further consideration of ways to reduce delays, improved arrangements for preparing the child for what to expect and promoting best practice in dealing with child witnesses, which will secure practical benefits for children.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is undertaken by those responsible for the video taping of victims' evidence in child abuse cases; and if he will make a statement. [20025]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government issued a memorandum of good practice following the introduction of the measures in the Criminal Justice Act 1991 which allow a video-recorded interview with the child to serve as their evidence-in-chief. The memorandum was drawn up with the assistance of professionals and organisations with the experience of working with abused children and provides practical guidance to police officers and social workers who conduct video-taped interviews.

  Number of offenders convicted, at all courts, for certain crimes 1984–94

  England and Wales

  Offence description

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Violent crime1

  58,496

  58,564

  53,201

  58,925

  65,450

  70,890

  69,215

  63,599

  61,596

  57,335

  58,408

  Car crime>2

  37,651

  37,821

  35,048

  35,214

  32,735

  29,836

  30,252

  30,472

  24,914

  22,091

  21,612

  Serious crime3

  449,449

  443,936

  384,209

  386,419

  386,236

  339,547

  342,759

  337,608

  324,910

  307,584

  314,148

  1 Includes the indictable offence groups of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery and the summary offences of common assault.

  2 Includes the indictable offences of theft from a vehicle, theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance and aggravated vehicle taking.

  3 Taken as all indicatable, including triable either way, offences (including those in (1) and (2) above).

  Stalking
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on(a) the effectiveness of current legislation and injunctions to combat stalking and (b) his plans for legislation to combat stalking. [20026]

  Mr. Maclean
  The existing criminal law can be used to deal with a number of aspects of stalking behaviour. It is an offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour under the Public Order Act 1986; to make an indecent, obscene or menacing telephone call under the Telecommunications Act 1984; and to send an indecent, offensive and threatening letter under the Malicious Communications Act 1988. As a recent successful prosecution has shown, more serious acts by stalkers, such as causing grievous bodily harm, are caught by the criminal law.

  Under civil law, a plaintiff may claim an injunction where he or she can demonstrate an actionable tort and once this is established the courts have a wide discretion to grant injunctions to meet the circumstances of a case.

  Notwithstanding these powers, the Government are considering whether there is a need for wider measures specifically to combat the conduct of stalkers.
  542
  In addition to the memorandum, training for interviewing was provided by courses under the auspices of the Metropolitan police training centre and supplemented by an Open university training pack. Police officers and social workers now receive joint training known as the CAMAT—child abuse management and training course. Advice on interviewing child witnesses and victims is also included in the national investigative interviewing course which is available to all police officers and is now incorporated in mainstream police training.

  We have commissioned further research to identify and promote best local practices for training child abuse investigators.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of convictions for(a) violent crime, (b) car crime and (c) serious crime in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [20049]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is given in the table.

  Director of Health Care for Prisoners
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to publish the fourth report of the Director of Health Care for Prisoners and the Health Advisory Committee's commentary on the report. [20823]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The report and commentary are published today. Copies are available from the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Drink Driving
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total expenditure incurred in the production and advertising of the "Never Ever Drink and Drive" campaign on(a) television, (b) radio and (c) printed media. [19868]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is as follows:

  Television: £328,6001

  Radio: Nil

  Printed media: £17,400

  1Includes contribution from private sector.
  543
  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the production and advertising of the "Never Ever Drink and Drive" campaign went to(a) public tender and (b) quotation. [19870]

  Mr. Moss
  The Northern Ireland Department of the Environment advertising agency briefed film production companies on 14 August 1995. Their quotations were submitted on 24 August 1995.

  Public tendering rules do not apply to the purchase of advertising time and space. Production costs for the "Never Ever Drink and Drive" campaign were subject to quotation and extensive negotiation with all candidates during the months of September and October 1995.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rules and regulations covered the tendering and awarding of the "Never Ever Drink and Drive" campaign; and how many tenders were requested. [19869]

  Mr. Moss
  The Northern Ireland Department of the Environment appointed the advertising agency, McCann-Erickson Belfast, by public tender, to carry out its road safety advertising campaigns. The "Never Ever Drink and Drive" campaign is part of that contract and the successful production company appointed to produce the television and cinema commercial was selected from bids from eight competing firms.

  There are no published guidelines or regulations for advertising agencies when selecting production companies to produce a film.

  Schools and Colleges (Expenditure)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the capital building programme for schools and colleges in Northern Ireland for the next five years. [19682]

  Mr. Ancram
  No. My Department's capital programme is published on an annual basis. The capital programme for 1996–97, totalling £48 million, was published on 5 February 1996.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the capital expenditure on schools and colleges in Northern Ireland in(a) real and (b) constant price terms in each of the past 10 years. [19681]

  Mr. Ancram
  Capital expenditure on schools and colleges by education and library boards and grants paid by the Department of Education on approved capital expenditure incurred by voluntary and grant-maintained integrated schools for each of the financial years 1984–85 to 1993–94 is set out in the table. Capital expenditure by boards is set out in the statements and the summary of the education and library boards' accounts, copies of which are available in the Library. The boards' figures for 1994–95 will be published in July 1996.
  544

  £ million

  Year

  Real price terms

  Constant price terms (1993–94)

  1984–85

  15.763

  25.311

  1985–86

  16.621

  25.420

  1986–87

  26.108

  38.754

  1987–88

  27.308

  38.313

  1988–89

  35.485

  46.662

  1989–90

  48.72

  59.884

  1990–91

  63.916

  72.731

  1991–92

  66.56

  71.289

  1992–93

  76.603

  78.838

  1993–94

  72.355

  72.355

  Education and Library Boards
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what estimate he has made of the maintenance backlog of each education and library board in Northern Ireland; [19683]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the maintenance backlog of the education and library boards in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; [19684]

  (3) what action he has taken in response to the report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office "Education and Library Boards: Maintenance of Board Property". [19685]

  Mr. Ancram
  The current estimated maintenance backlog of each board is as follows:

  Belfast: £33.6 million

  North-eastern: £12.7 million

  South-eastern: £30.3 million

  Southern: £22.3 million

  Western: £14.8 million

  The extent of the maintenance backlog in any year is dependent on the previous level of investment by the boards and any additional demands which may arise. Estimates of the total maintenance needs for the three years ending 1999–2000 are not available.

  The Northern Ireland Audit Office report has been considered in consultation with the education and library boards and a programme of action has been agreed to address the report's recommendations. This matter is the subject of on-going Public Accounts Committee consideration and my Department will be responding in detail to the PAC report in due course.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20094]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is in the table.
  545

  Advisory non-departmental public bodies

  Publish their advice to the Government

  Publish an annual report before Parliament

  Lay an annual report before Parliament

  Statutory requirement

  Voluntarily

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Boundary Commission

  Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Advisory Committee of the Therapeutic Professions Allied to Medicine

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Central Dental Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Central Medical Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Central Nursing Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Central Personal Social Services Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Central Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Charities Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Clinical Engineering and Medical Physics Services Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Clinical Imaging Services Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Distinction and Meritorious Service Awards Committee for Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Laboratory Services Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Poisons Board

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Drainage Council for Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Northern Ireland Water Council

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Northern Ireland Building Regulation Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Historic Buildings Council

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Historic Monuments Council

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Industrial Development Board

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Training and Employment Agency (Advisory Board)

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Health and Safety Agency

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Statistics Advisory Committee

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Committees for the Employment of Disabled People

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Industrial Research and Technology Board

  No

  No

  No

  Yes

  No

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20111]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In respect of all advisory non-departmental bodies in Northern Ireland, the answers to questions(a), (d), (e) and (f) is nil. The information requested at questions (b) and (c) is as follows:

  Advisory body

  Body

  Conduct public consultation exercises

  Conduct public consultation exercises with outside interests

  Law Reform Advisory Committee

  Yes

  No

  The Northern Ireland Higher Education Council

  Yes on a voluntary basis

  No

  The Northern Ireland Building Regulation Advisory Committee

  Yes on a voluntary basis

  No

  546

  Advisory body

  Body

  Conduct public consultation exercises

  Conduct public consultation exercises with outside interests

  The Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland

  Invites representations on published Provisional Revised Recommendations for parliamentary constituencies; may hold public Local Inquiries, all as a matter of statutory requirement

  By convention holds talks with the main political parties in NI

  Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights

  Yes for research purposes

  No

  In respect of all other advisory non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland, the answer is nil.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20483]
  547
  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Attorney-General what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, if no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20473]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) on 19 December 1995,Official Report, column 1007.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Staff
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff work in(a) the Palace of Westminster and (b) each of the outbuildings. [19326]

  Mr. Beith
  Six hundred and thirty full-time and 80 part-time staff employed by the Commission work in the Palace of Westminster. Five hundred and forty-nine full-time and 82 part-time staff work in other buildings on the parliamentary estate.

  Recycling
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what plans there are to discontinue the use of styrofoam cups in refreshment facilities in the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding office buildings. [19290]

  Sir Colin Shepherd
  This is a matter for the Director of Catering Services; I have ask her to write to the hon. Member.

  Ms Anderson
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans there are to increase recycling facilities in the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding office buildings in the future. [19294]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The policy of the two Houses of Parliament is to recycle waste whenever possible. Under the waste collection contract for the Palace of Westminster and parliamentary outbuildings the contractor is required to sort waste into its constituent streams. These waste streams are sent for recycling wherever practicable. This process is audited to ensure compliance. In addition, bulk waste paper from the Vote Office and Fees Office is collected separately for recycling.

  Any further increases in recycling facilities would be subject to space and staffing constraints.

  Ms Anderson
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee when the use of recycled stationery and envelopes began in the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding office buildings. [19295]
  548
  Mr. Martin
  Stocks of recycled A4 size writing paper with the crowned portcullis embossed plain and in green, blue and red, together with recycled plain post-paid envelopes became available from the Serjeant at Arms Stores with effect from June 1991.

  Ms Anderson
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee (1) what plans there are to ensure that all parliamentary stationery and envelopes are derived from recycled material; [19296]

  (2) what was the breakdown of the collection of recycled goods for each of the buildings within the parliamentary estate for each year since 1992–93; [19292]

  (3) what steps have been taken to ensure that people working in the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding office buildings are aware of recycling initiatives; [19297]

  (4) if he will set out the facilities currently available within the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding office buildings for the purpose of recycling; [19293]

  (5) what is the average tonnage of (a) paper, (b) glass, (c) metal and (d) plastic from the Palace of Westminster and surrounding office buildings recycled each year; [19291]

  (6) what studies have been undertaken to determine how much money could be realised through the collection and sale of recycled goods in the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding office buildings; [19289]

  (7) if he will list the incentives currently in place in the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding office buildings to promote the use of recycling facilities. [19288]

  Mr. Martin
  These are matters for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what differences in cost would arise if all parliamentary stationery and enveloped were derived from recycled material; and if he will make a statement. [20233]

  Mr. Martin
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]At present prices it is estimated that the House would save £14,000 per annum if all paper and envelopes were from recycled paper. The hon. Member may be interested to note that recycled paper is now becoming more expensive than good quality paper, whereas 12 months ago it was the reverse, and costs are likely to change.

TREASURY

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Walden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional revenue which would accrue from taxing child benefit as income. [19346]

  Mr. Jack
  If child benefit were taxed, the yield for 1996–97 from taxing it as part of the father's or lone mother's income would be about £1,300 million. If it were taxed as part of the mother's or lone father's income, the yield would be about £700 million.
  549

  Investment Statistics
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the capital value of(a) £1,000, (b) £2,000, (c) £3,000, (d) £4,000 and (e) £5,000 invested 18 years ago in (i) Government bonds, (ii) the average building society savings account and (iii) the average unit trust. [18862]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Capital values of £1,000 invested 18 years ago are as follows:

  Investment

  Capital value

  Period of investment

  (i) Government bonds

  £7,587

  End December 1977 to December 1995

  (ii) average building society savings account

  data not available over this period

  (iii) Unit trusts

  £14,230

  End February 1978 to February 1996

  The earliest published data for average building society savings account rates start in January 1984. The capital values of £1,000 invested 12 years ago are as follows:

  Investment

  Capital value

  Period of investment

  (i) Government bonds

  £3,616

  end December 1983 to December 1995

  (ii) average building society savings account

  £2,295

  end December 1983 to December 1995

  (iii) unit trusts

  £4,795

  end December 1983 to December 1995

  All the above figures assume that interest and dividend payments are reinvested in the same investment instruments.

  Source:

  FT Actuaries Government All Stock index of total returns.

  Building Societies Commission, published in CSO Financial Statistics.

  UK Growth unit trust sector, on an offer to bid basis; data collated by Micropal.

  Financial Services Act
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy that it is up to the investor, alone, to identify a breach of section 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [19966]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  No. It is also for those authorities with prosecution powers under section 47 to take what action they consider appropriate in the light of information they receive.

  Farmers Union of Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has recently received from the Farmers Union of Wales; and if he will make a statement. [20078]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury has recently received no representations from the union.
  550

  DIY Housebuilders
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims by do-it-yourself housebuilders for the refund of value added tax under the provisions of customs and excise notice number 719 were met in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995. [19646]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Details of the number of claims met in 1993 are not available. The number of claims met— partly estimate—in 1994 was 8,671 and the number met in 1995 was 10,423.

  Landfill Tax
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make it his policy that capital already invested by companies in research and installation of the best practicable environmental option for the disposal of waste materials can be set against liability for landfill tax; [19993]

  (2) what definition of qualifying material for the lower rate of landfill tax will be the benchmark for fiscal decision; [19994]

  (3) what are the fiscal objectives of the landfill tax; [19976]

  (4) when he expects to receive the report on the consultation process on the scope of the lower rate of the landfill tax; and if he will publish the results; [19975]

  (5) what research he has commissioned into whether reduction in employers' national insurance contributions will provide the intended benefit to industry in relation to the landfill tax; [19979]

  (6) if he will consider the zero-rating the landfill tax for those companies whose processes already comply with the environmental objectives of the tax; [19977]

  (7) if he will consider extending the scope of the lower rate of landfill tax to include (a) waste materials which are commonly termed as inert or inactive, other than those listed in category 1 of the proposed natural waste confiscation system in the Finance Bill; [19978]

  (8) what are the environmental objectives of the landfill tax; [19693]

  (9) what are the definitions of active and inactive waste used for the purposes of the landfill tax in the consultation exercise on the system for classifying waste for the national waste classification system; [19694]

  (10) if water, brine or other natural elements used to carry waste materials for landfill will be included in the weight measure for the landfill tax where they are recycled for re-use; [19695]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The objectives of the landfill tax are essentially environmental. It will play a key part in achieving the aims of the Government's waste strategy in reducing our reliance on landfill and promoting more sustainable alternatives such as waste minimisation, re-use and recovery. In fiscal terms it will also enable us to reduce employer national insurance contributions which will benefit industry by cutting the cost of employment by some £500 million a year, rather more than landfill tax is expected to raise. This follows extensive consultation with

  551
  business and marks a shift in the burden of taxation on business, away from employment and towards taxing its environmental impact.

  We have included a number of provisions in the legislation which will reinforce the environmental objectives of the tax. The associated proposal for environmental trusts, which has the potential to generate about £100 million of private sector investment for environmental improvement, will complement and reinforce our policies for sustainable waste management.

  We also wish to facilitate the recycling and re-use of materials which are sent to landfill sites. Therefore, by agreement with the local customs officer, operators will be able to define tax-free zones within their sites to enable them to carry out non-taxable activities, such as waste separation for recycling and composting. There will also be provision for credits where an operator removes waste from his landfill site for recycling or re-use within 12 months of it being landfilled. And for certain wastes that contain added water to assist with waste disposable or for mineral extraction, local customs officers will be able to agree formulae with operators so that the tax is levied on the naturally occurring weight of the waste, provided that the added water does not increase the risk of pollution through leaching. This will ensure that there is no incentive for operators to reduce the addition of water where it is needed for environmental purposes. The categories of waste to which this applies will be set out in regulations, on which we shall be consulting.

  I recognise that, for a range of wastes, landfill will remain the best practical environmental option and I am aware that in some cases industry has been responsible and invested to reduce the pollution potential of its waste. However, the fact that waste from a particular industrial process is disposed of in accordance with the best practical environmental option does not in itself ensure that the full environmental cost of landfill disposal is reflected in the price paid for waste disposal. The underlying purpose of the tax is to make environmental costs explicit and ensure that those contemplating activities with environmental impacts take account of these costs. The tax will also provide an incentive for waste producers to look for new ways to reduce the amount of waste which they produce.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget that there will be two rates of landfill tax—a lower rate for inactive material and a standard rate for other wastes. Customs consulted on a proposal that all wastes falling within category one, the inactive category, of the Department of the Environment's national waste classification scheme should be liable to the lower rate of landfill tax. Inactive wastes are those that do not physically or chemically react, decay or adversely affect other matter with which they come into contact in a way that is likely to give rise to environmental pollution. The term active waste is not one which is used in the context of the landfill tax—wastes which will be liable at the standard rate will be all those which are not inactive or exempt.

  In considering what will be included in the list of lower rate materials, we will take account of whether the materials are commonly described as inert or inactive. But that does not necessarily mean listing only those wastes which are set out in category 1 of the waste
  552
  classification scheme. There are wastes currently listed in other categories of the scheme where the risk of pollution is minimal. We will consider including such materials in the lower rate list in the light of the replies to the consultation exercise.

  Customs is currently analysing these replies and will submit its findings to Ministers shortly. Once these have been evaluated, we will announce our decisions and publish a report on the consultation. The Treasury order containing the list of items to be included in the lower rate will be laid during the summer.

  Income Tax (Probation Service Trainees)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what considerations led the Inland Revenue not to repay income tax to those probation service trainees from whom it was illegally deducted before 1992; and if he will make a statement. [18507]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: Payments to candidates sponsored by the Home Office to undertake training as probation officers were originally considered to be taxable and tax was deducted by the Home Office. However, following a decision of the special commissioners in 1990, it was accepted that the payments constituted a scholarship and were therefore exempt from tax. Repayments have been made to students who had tax deducted in error back as far as 1985–86. The Inland Revenue is considering further the position for earlier years with its legal advisers.

  Tax Office Closures
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he is undertaking into the proposed closure of the LP30 income tax office in Stockport and the LP12 and LP13 offices in Old Trafford and their relocation to Manchester; and what estimate he has made of the(a) cost and (b) savings from relocation. [18973]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 5 March 1996]: The Inland Revenue is engaged in a programme to reorganise the structure of all local tax and collection offices to ensure the right operational framework is in place to deliver its business objectives. As part of this programme, the controller of Inland Revenue north-west regional office is looking at all London provincial tax offices in the Greater Manchester area together to rationalise accommodation and form a coherent reorganisation package.

  Private finance initiative options are under consideration but further detailed work is required before a final decision can be made. Preliminary indications are that the proposed reorganisation will offer significant financial savings as well as providing opportunities to provide a better quality service to the taxpayer and improve the working environment of staff.

  National Health Service (VAT)
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of total VAT receipts from the NHS in each year from 1979 to 1995. [20266]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: Estimates of the total VAT on expenditure by the NHS are as follows for each year from 1979 to 1994. Figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  553

  £ billion

  1979

  0.1

  1980

  0.2

  1981

  0.2

  1982

  0.2

  1983

  0.2

  1984

  0.3

  1985

  0.3

  1986

  0.3

  1987

  0.4

  1988

  0.4

  1989

  0.4

  1990

  0.6

  1991

  0.8

  1992

  1.2

  1993

  1.3

  1994

  1.5

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Media Ownership
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations have been received from, or on behalf of, regional newspapers in respect of the cross-media ownership proposals in the Broadcasting Bill; and if she will make a statement. [19339]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department has received a large number of letters on this issue from the local newspaper industry. Ministers and officials have met its representatives on many occasions. We have listened carefully to the industry's concerns and amended the Government's proposals in the light of them. We remain of the view, however, that limits on cross-ownership between newspapers and broadcasters are needed both at the national level and at the local level.

  Wrecks
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to ensure the adequate publication of the results of archaeological excavation of designated wreck sites off England and Wales. [19760]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has responsibility for designated wreck sites in English territorial waters. Those in Welsh waters are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales. The Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites, which advises on all matters concerning designated wreck sites throughout United Kingdom waters, actively encourages licensees to publish results of their investigations. I understand that an independent body is considering a publication recording survey and excavation work on all designated sites since the introduction of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.

  Television Licences
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what powers exists to confiscate the television set from a household where the licence has not been paid and where the owner of the set refuses, or is unable to pay; and if she will make a statement. [19878]
  554
  Mr. Sproat
  The only penalty available for television licence fee evasion under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, as amended, is a fine of up to £1,000. Non-payment can lead to the seizure of goods which may be sold to realise the value of the fine, but there is no power for the courts to order seizure of specific goods. In addition, following conviction, the courts in England and Wales have the power to order forfeiture of any property in an offender's possession which was used or was intended to be used in the commission of an offence, irrespective of whether the offender is dealt with in any other way. In making the order, however, the court must have regard to the value of the property and the effects, financial or other, on the offender. We are unaware of any licence evasion cases in which the courts have ordered forfeiture of a TV set.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what deregulation orders her Department has made under sections 1 to 4 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [20717]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department laid its first deregulation order before the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees on 4 March 1996. This will ease the burden on business by abolishing the existing statutory requirements for television dealers both to register with the BBC and to hold and pay a fee for a dealer demonstration licence.

  International Sporting Events
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on her Department's response to the fifth report of the National Heritage Select Committee's report "Bids to Stage International Sporting Events", HC (1994–95) 493. [20716]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department responded to the National Heritage Select Committee's report on 11 January and I have today placed copies of the response in the House Libraries.

  Guidance Notes
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [18651]

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

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interest, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20112]
  555
  Mr. Sproat
  The following is the information:

  (a) None

  (b) None

  (c) Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  (d) None

  (e) None

  (f) None

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government,(b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20095]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Theatres Trust has a statutory base.

  (a) Library and Information Commission

  (b) Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  Library and Information Commission1

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Royal Fine Art Commission

  Theatres Trust

  Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee

  (c) (i) None

  (ii) Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Royal Fine Art Commission

  Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee

  1 The Library and Information Commission is less than a year old and has not yet published an annual report. When it does so it will decide if it will lay the report before Parliament.

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the(a) facilities management consortia, (b) private finance initiative bids, (c) management buyout 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. [19907]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer Friday 8 March 1996]: Neither my Department nor its two agencies are involved in any bids with either Capita Managed Services or Lusis Business Solutions for any of the five categories mentioned.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the implications of the resignation of John Jasper as chairman of Capital Managed Services Ltd. the liquidation of Midsummer Computer Exchange and his appointment as a director of Lusis Business Solutions on the transfer of the Midsummer contract to Lusis for the supply of software to UK public sector museums. [19782]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer Friday 8 March 1996]: I have no plans to make such an assessment. The procurement of software by individual museums is a matter for the museums concerned.
  556

  Military Knights
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 19 February 1996,Official Report, column 63, if she will state the current level of gross income set by the keeper of the privy purse for the military knights of Windsor. [19440]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer Friday 8 March 1996]: The current level of gross income set by the keeper of the privy purse for officers wishing to apply for the appointment of military knights of Windsor is £10,000.

  Royal Palaces Estate
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list those members of the royal family who occupy self-contained residential accommodation on the occupied royal palaces estate. [19439]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer Friday 8 March 19961: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 February, Official Report, column 547.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the names of the pensioners and the location of their accommodation within the occupied royal palaces estate. [19435]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]There have been several retirements over the past 18 months and there are now 34 pensioners in housing maintained from the grant in aid provided by my Department.

  Nine were previous stables staff or are the widows of previous stables staff, four were previously members of the domestic staff or are widows of previous members of the domestic staff, one is the sister of a previous member of the domestic staff, four were previously gatekeepers or are widows of previous gatekeepers, one is the widow of a previous curator at Hampton Court palace, 11 were previously officials in the royal household and four are grace and favour occupants.

  One pensioner lives in Marlborough House mews, eight in or adjacent to the Royal mews at Windsor castle, seven in Windsor Home park, eight in Windsor Great park, nine in or near to the Royal mews at Hampton court and one in Hampton court paddocks.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the names of the grace and favour pensioners and the accommodation they have within the occupied royal palaces estate. [19434]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: There are four grace and favour pensioners. One is a cousin of the Queen, one is a retired principal of the foundation of St. Catherine, one is the daughter of a wartime chief of the general staff and one is a former nanny to the Queen's children.

  Three of the pensioners are housed in Windsor Great park and one in Windsor Home park.

  Windsor Castle
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to her answer of 17 January 1996,Official Report, column 731, if she will make a statement of the way in which the public funds

  557
  contribution to the costs of fire damage to Windsor castle was calculated; and what specific restoration costs will be met from the expected £10.8 million contribution from public funds. [19482]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: Following the fire at Windsor castle, the royal household offered to fund 70 per cent. of the cost of the restoration by opening the state rooms at Buckingham palace to the public and introducing charges for entry to the precincts of Windsor castle. The balance of 30 per cent. was to be found from the existing level of funding provided by my Department for the general maintenance of the estate.

  Total expenditure will be split on a 70 per cent. basis and no specific items will be allocated to either tranche.

  Prince and Princess of Wales (Accommodation)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what accommodation at Kensington palace is occupied by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and her staff. [19365]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]The Princess of Wales has an apartment at Kensington palace and two of Her Royal Highness's domestic staff occupy flats there.

  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what accommodation at St. James's palace is occupied by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and his staff. [19364]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]The Prince of Wales has an apartment at St. James's palace. None of his staff has self-contained residential accommodation at St. James's palace, although His Royal Highness's office is there.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Fire Services
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he plans to make an announcement on the role of the fire service arising out of the report of an interdepartmental review of fire safety legislation and enforcement completed in June 1994. [20274]

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) on 6 March, column 231.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regulations relating to safety at work have been(a) repealed and (b) modified as a result of recommendations by the deregulation unit. [19574]

  Mr. Freeman
  In its review of regulation, the Health and Safety Commission identified 100 regulations and seven pieces of primary legislation as outdated or unnecessary which could be removed or reformed without reducing necessary protection. This represents 40 per cent. of health and safety regulations affecting the generality of business. The removal of a number of these regulations has also been recommended by the sectorial task forces under Lord Sainsbury, and the deregulation task force,558
  chaired by Mr. Francis Maude, also recommended that the burden of health and safety needed to be significantly reduced.

  As a result of these reviews, 12 sets of regulations affecting business generally and 18 other sets now have been removed, as well as some partial repeals such as 53 requirements to display posters and notices.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regulations have been(a) repealed and (b) modified as a result of work by the deregulation unit and in which subject areas. [19573]

  Mr. Freeman
  We have so far repealed or amended over 500 regulations out of a target of over 1,000 regulations. Examples include the simplification of food temperature control regulations which will save business about £40 million per annum and simplification of trade marks legislation which is saving business about £30 million a year. Details of other key areas of reform are identified in "Deregulation: The Way Forward" published in May 1995 and in "The Government's Response to the First Annual Report of the Deregulation Task Force" published in September 1995, copies of which are available in the House Libraries.

  Local Government Performance Indicators
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representation he has made to the Audit Commission to receive advance copies of the Audit Commission's local government performance indicators due to be published on 21 March. [20326]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  None.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of member' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20116]

  Mr. Willetts
  The answers to each part of this question are:

  (a) The Standing Committee on Standards in Public Life and The Citizens Charter Panel of Advisers.

  (b) The Standing Committee on Standards in Public Life and The Citizens Charter Panel of Advisers.

  (c) None.

  (d) The Standing Committee on Standards in Public Life and The Advisory Committee on Advertising.

  (e) None.

  (f) None.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20103]
  559
  Mr. Willetts
  None of the advisory non-departmental public bodies, for which I am responsible has a statutory role.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days.[20476]

  Mr. Willetts
  The information requested is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost. However, the value of invoices paid by the finance division of the Department and its agencies, excluding Security Facilities Executive, during February 1996, which were more than one month old, was £1,476,334.

  The value of invoices paid by the Central Office of Information, during February 1996, which were more than one month was £948,314. Information on HMSO is available only at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Fire Brigades
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has recently received from the Fire Brigades Union; and if he will make a statement. [19757]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has received three written representations from the Fire Brigades Union and the Fire Brigades Union (Welsh region) about general issues.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many fire brigades in Wales failed to meet the statutory minimum standards for their rescue and firefighting role in 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [19755]

  Mr. Jones
  Responsibility for this matter rests with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

  EstateCare (Privatisation)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library the correspondence pertaining to the decision of his predecessor to direct the chairman and Board of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority to privatise its EstateCare division. [19669]

  Mr. Hague
  My decision on the future of the EstateCare group of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority, and the work required to implement it, was conveyed via correspondence and meetings between my Department and the authority. These are properly internal management matters.

  The Arts
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he proposes to take to ensure adequate regional co-ordination of strategic plans for the arts, with particular reference to the funding of theatres. [20014]
  560
  Mr. Hague
  The co-ordination of strategic plans is a matter for the Arts Council of Wales and I am asking the chief executive to write to the hon. Member with the information. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Education Spending
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Government will release additional funds to enable local authorities to maintain the current level of education spending in Wales. [20011]

  Mr. Hague
  No. My settlement decisions were approved by the House on 8 February. I have no plans to change them.

  Red Squirrels
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated number of red squirrels on Anglesey; and if he will make a statement. [19986]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No reliable estimates are available, but work carried out by the Forestry Commission and the Countryside Council for Wales suggests there are about 50 red squirrels. Subject to the outcome of a local consultation exercise, the Forestry Commission and the Countryside Council for Wales intend carrying out a trial project designed to bring about the recovery of Anglesey's red squirrel population.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Government's White Paper for rural Wales will be published; and if he will make a statement. [20719]

  Mr. Hague
  I will tomorrow publish "A Working Countryside for Wales", the Government's White Paper for rural Wales.

  The White Paper has three main themes:

  supporting rural communities

  promoting vigorous sustainable economic development

  and promoting the protection and conservation of the environment.

  "A Working Countryside for Wales" represents a significant stage in the Government's development of policies to address the needs of rural Wales. We want to see vibrant communities where the vital spirit of enterprise is encouraged and nurtured. Only by promoting competitive enterprise will we ensure the creation of new jobs and reinvigorated communities. At the same time, we must not lose sight of our shared responsibility to pass on to the next generation a stronger heritage and a cleaner and better protected environment.

  Ensuring an effective balance between the potentially conflicting pressures of economic growth while sustaining the environment will be the key to a bright future for our rural communities.

  Housing Grants
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each housing association(a) grants received from the public purse, indicating what percentage this represents of housing association

  561
  spending, (b) the average rent for (i) one-bedroomed, (ii) two-bedroomed and (iii) three-bedroomed properties and (c) the amounts held in reserves and its per property figure for each of the last five years. [19932]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  These are primarily matters for Housing for Wales and the chief executive has been asked to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20088]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 28 April 1995 by my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood),Official Report, column 728.

  I regret that in that answer the Local Government Boundary Commission was described as under a statutory requirement to publish an annual report and lay it before Parliament; it published its report voluntarily. In addition, the Staff Commission for Wales publishes its advice voluntarily and the National Rivers Authority advisory committee lays an annual report before Parliament voluntarily.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20105]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) None;

  (b) the Local Government Boundary Commission has a statutory duty to conduct public consultation exercises. The Staff Commission for Wales conducts such exercises voluntarily;

  (c) to (f) none.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which(a) have a statutory base, (b) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and, (c) hold open meetings for the public; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntarily. [16174]

  Mr. Hague
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1996, c. 298–99]: I regret that there were two errors in the original reply.

  There is no requirement for the Cardiff Bay development corporation to admit members of the public to its board meetings and access is not allowed because of the commercial in confidence nature of board business. The corporation has held many other meetings voluntarily with the public and the business community about its activities and plans.
  562
  The Land Authority for Wales is required to open its board meetings to the public under schedule 1 to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended, but the public may, by resolution, be excluded if the nature of the business is confidential or for other special reasons.

  Sea Empress Incident
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which species of(a) birds and (b) mammals were (i) oiled and (ii) killed in Milford Haven as a result of the incident involving the Sea Empress. [19483]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Details of oiled and dead birds recovered following the Sea Empress oil spill are in the following table. No dead or oiled mammals have been recovered.

  Sea Empress spillage: Oiled birds counts to 5 March 1996

  Species

  Found dead

  RSPCA rescued

  Died in care

  Manx shearwater

  1

  0

  0

  Fulmar

  1

  0

  0

  Great northern diver

  2

  4

  1

  Black throated diver

  1

  1

  0

  Red throated diver

  10

  35

  7

  Great crested grebe

  2

  1

  0

  Red necked grebe

  0

  4

  1

  Gannet

  2

  0

  0

  Shag

  2

  11

  2

  Cormorant

  34

  0

  0

  Mute swan

  0

  15

  2

  Shelduck

  1

  0

  1

  Mallard

  0

  1

  0

  Scaup

  0

  1

  0

  Scoter

  1,427

  2,592

  594

  Velvet scoter

  0

  3

  0

  Eider

  0

  9

  1

  R-B merganser

  0

  1

  0

  Oystercatcher

  9

  7

  3

  Turnstone

  2

  0

  0

  Black-H gull

  2

  1

  1

  Common gull

  1

  0

  0

  Herring gull

  2

  9

  2

  Kittiwake

  2

  4

  0

  Guillemot

  720

  420

  132

  Razorbill

  178

  23

  10

  Unidentified

  143

  0

  0

  Total

  2,542

  3,142

  757

  These are minimum figures as the complete data set is not yet available.

  There may also be birds which have been picked up and cared for by members of the public, or taken to other bird hospitals which are not included in the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals figures.

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

  Caution should also be noted with regard to the identification of oiled birds.
  563

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20488]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Emergency Medical Admissions
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 4 March,Official Report, column 99, on the emergency admissions action plan, if his meeting with the unitary authorities to discuss budgetary constraints on levels of community care has taken place. [20362]

  Mr. Hague
  I have no plans to meet local authorities to discuss the provision of community care. The local government settlement is discussed each year with the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance. The settlement for 1996–97 includes £146.6 million for community care, an increase of £25.2 million or 20 per cent. on 1995–96. It is for individual local authorities to decide how to use their resources in the light of local needs and priorities, and for health and local authorities to agree locally their respective responsibilities for continuing care.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 4 March,Official Report, column 99, on the emergency admissions action plan, when he plans to publish the intensive care unit-bed review. [20363]

  Mr. Hague
  When all the substantive replies to the intensive care review have been received from health authorities, these will be assessed to establish whether the Department needs to offer further guidance to the NHS in Wales.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 4 March.Official Report, column 99, what action he has taken in respect of the undertaking given in the emergency medical admissions plan to co-ordinate the general practitioner out-of-hours scheme. [20364]

  Mr. Hague
  Action to co-ordinate GP out-of-hours emergency admissions and improve communications with trusts and health authorities remains a matter for the appropriate family health services authority or its successor after 1 April 1996. This is covered in the statement of fees and allowances.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 4 March,Official Report, column 99, on the emergency admissions action plan, if the community hospital working group is functioning; and what advice he will be seeking from it in relation to support roles to district general hospitals. [20365]

  Mr. Hague
  The review by the community hospital working group is nearing completion. Advice will be issued to the service shortly, including guidance on how community hospitals in Wales can most appropriately support district general hospitals.
  564

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Training Agencies
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many employment training agencies have been created since 1979; and at what costs. [17209]

  Mr. Paice
  Since 1990, we have set up 74 training and enterprise councils in England and they are responsible for arranging provision locally of a range of training activities. No information is collected about the number of training providers under contract to training and enterprise councils.

  Student Statistics
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the proportion of(a) male and (b) female students undertaking (i) science subjects and (ii) arts subjects, (1) nationally and (2) for Staffordshire education authority. [19490]

  Mrs. Gillan
  All pupils of statutory school age are required to follow the national curriculum, which covers both science and arts subjects. After the age of 16, students can choose from a wide range of academic and vocational courses up to degree level and beyond. Information on the total number of male and female students following science and arts subjects under all these qualifications is unavailable either nationally or locally.

  Barnsley and Doncaster Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for the Barnsley/Doncaster TEC the number of current members of the board representing(a) under 50 employees, (b) under 20 employees and (c) under 10 employees; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current arrangement. [19634]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise council directors do not represent particular interests; they are appointed as individuals. The TEC has been concerned to provide a balanced board, by geography, industry and commercial sector; the board is currently in the process of electing a new member.

  Grant-maintained School Ballots
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions she proposes to hold with Sheffield local education authority in respect of the prevention of interference with, and intimidation of, governors and parents during grant-maintained ballots. [20039]

  Mrs. Gillan
  None. The Government look to the local education authority and all other parties concerned in a ballot for grant-maintained status to ensure a fair and balanced debate for governors and parents. The Government have sought to promote this through the introduction of a code of practice on information in GM ballots. My officials have from time to time written to all chief education officers about these issues.
  565
  In addition, all formal complaints about ballots are investigated under section 31(1) of the 1993 Education Act.

  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines her Department has issued to parents, governors and local education authorities to ensure fair and accurate information is available for grant-maintained status ballots. [20187]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Ballots for grant-maintained status are held under a voluntary code of practice which states that information for governors and parents should be objective, accurate and balanced. The code is available to parents through a departmental publication—"How to Become a Grant-Maintained School"—and was commended to governors in circular 18/93. An almost identical code has been promulgated to local education authorities by the Society of Education Officers.

  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action she proposes to take(a) in respect of the use of misleading information during balloting for grant-maintained status and (b) to ensure that balloting can take place without the interference or intimidation of governors and parents. [20038]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Government are committed to ensuring a fair and balanced debate for governors and parents in ballots for grant-maintained status. A number of measures are already in place to help secure this. The voluntary code of practice on information in ballots for grant-maintained status is binding on LEA officials, officials from the Department and employees of the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation. Measures in the 1993 Education Act enable a ballot to be declared void and re-run where it appears that there are irregularities in the conduct of the ballot or the outcome has been significantly influenced by the circulation to parents of materially misleading information.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision will be made for the continued participation of the voluntary sector under the European social fund objective 3 programme for the period 1997 to 1999. [10029]

  Mr. Forth
  The voluntary sector will continue to be a partner in the European social fund objective 3 programme for the period 1997 to 1999 being able to bid for funds and having an involvement in the selection of projects.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to ensure that the voluntary sector organisations in receipt of grant aid under the European social fund objective 3 programme do not face a shortfall in funding in respect of 1994 payments as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate between sterling and the ecu. [20031]

  Mr. Forth
  The 1994 final payment has been received from the European Commission in ecu but when converted into sterling it is insufficient to pay all final claims. Officials in the Department's European social fund unit are working with the Commission to try to make up the shortfall. Project providers are being asked to 566
  supply information about the pattern of expenditure during 1994, which should help the European social fund unit to make a more favourable calculation of the sums due to Great Britain. The reaction of Commission officials to our approaches to date has been constructive.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to change the allocation of resources and method of distribution under the European social fund objective 3 programme. [20028]

  Mr. Forth
  Officials have been asked to report by April on the possibility of managing the selection of European social fund objective 3 projects on a regional basis. Any changes will be agreed with the Commission as part of the 1997–99 programme and will involve European social fund partners.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the European Commission in relation to delays in payments to voluntary sector organisations under the European social fund. [20030]

  Mr. Forth
  I have had no recent discussions with representatives of the European Commission about delays in payment of European social fund money to voluntary sector organisations. Officials in the Department's European social fund unit do, however, meet their counterparts in the European Commission on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues including delays in payment.

  Sheffield Local Education Authority
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of local education authority funding is retained for administration by Sheffield local education authority; how much of this was delegated to support services for each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [20040]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table sets out Sheffield local education authority's expenditure in the last thee years, as a percentage of its total education spending, on(a) management and administration and services strategy and regulation; (b) inspection and advisory services; (c) other education support services, including the education welfare service, educational psychology services and operational units; and (d) school catering services.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  (a)

  3.4

  3.4

  3.9

  (b)

  0.5

  0.2

  0.4

  (c)

  2.3

  2.6

  2.7

  (d)

  3.7

  4.2

  4.0

  Unemployment Statistics
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many people who have been found capable of work under the all-work test of capacity who have subsequently signed on as unemployed receive(a) unemployment benefit only, (b) income support only and (c) unemployment benefit and income support; [20163]
  567
  (2) how many people who have been found capable of work under the all-work test of capacity have subsequently signed on as unemployed (a) in total and (b) for each of the months since April 1995. [20164]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 12 March 1996.
  The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of people found capable of work under the All Work Test who subsequently sign on as unemployed. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Employment Service.
  In the period April 1995 to January 1996, 27,719 people disallowed Income Support following the All Work Test have made a claim to unemployment benefits. A monthly breakdown of these claims is attached. No figures are available as to whether these people are receiving unemployment benefit only, Income Support only or unemployment benefit and Income Support.
  I hope this is helpful.

  April 1995 to January 1996

  Month

  Number of claims

  Cumulative total

  April

  —

  —

  May

  428

  428

  June

  518

  938

  July

  1,448

  2,386

  August

  2,880

  5,266

  September

  3,708

  8,974

  October

  4,519

  13,493

  November

  5,059

  18,552

  December

  4,366

  22,918

  January

  4,801

  27,719

  Temporary School Buildings
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list for each education authority in England and in total the proportion of temporary buildings as a percentage of school buildings as a whole; [20489]

  (2) if she will list for each education authority in England (a) the number and types of temporary school buildings which have been in use in each year since 1990 and (b) the purpose for which these units have been used. [20490]

  Mrs. Gillan
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20101]
  568
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Name

  Statutory base

  Publish advice

  Publish annual report

  National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities

  Yes

  Yes

  No1

  Race Relations Employment Advisory Group

  No

  No

  No

  Women's National Commission

  No

  Yes

  No2

  Committees for the Employment of People with Disabilities

  Yes

  No

  No

  Supported Employment Consultative Group

  No

  No

  No

  1 A periodic report of activities is placed in the Library of both Houses of Parliament.

  2 An annual report is produced which is not laid before Parliament, but is sent voluntarily to Members of Parliament.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what values of payments were outstanding within her Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20477]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information required could be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department. The Department does not maintain the statistical information in this form.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received about plans to close the careers service office in Hulme, Manchester; and what discussions she has held with the local careers service. [19839]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no representations about the closure of any careers service office in the Hulme area of Manchester.

  The existing contract between the Department and the careers service provider in Manchester recognised the need to review a number of issues, including premises. This review has now been completed and proposals arising from it will be a matter for discussion with the Department by the end of March 1996.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what directions she has issued to the careers service in Manchester, Salford, Trafford and Tameside about the need to maintain levels of service in inner-city areas. [19838]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: The service expected from careers service providers is specified in "The Requirements and Guidance for Careers Service Providers." This describes the service required, the principals on which it should be based, and the standards to which it must be delivered.
  569
  Substantial amounts of careers service activity takes place within schools, and so is delivered to students in situ. For other clients, services should be available at times which are convenient to them, prominently displayed, and within reasonable daily travelling distance. These matters are clearly set out in the contract between the Department and the respective careers service provider. They include a strong focus on meeting clients' needs, taking into account any relevant factors impinging on clients in inner-city areas.

  Maritime Skills
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much her Department spent in the last financial year on courses to provide education and training in maritime skills; and where such courses are provided at(a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) tertiary levels. [20195]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: Such information is not held centrally.

TRANSPORT

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he 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. [19464]

  Mr. Norris
  Since 1987 the Department of Transport has bought computer capacity from:

  (a) other Departments—NIL.

  (b) the Private Sector:

  Dell Computer Corporation

  Electronic Data Systems

  P and P Corporate Systems Limited

  The value of the contracts is classified "commercial in confidence".

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [19424]

  Mr. Norris
  Between January 1994 to date—the only period for which figures are available—1,707 letters from hon. Members have been referred to agencies for response. This represents approximately 3 per cent. of the total.

  With regard to point (b), I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 12 February 1996, Official Report, column 421.
  570

  Fishes Royal Wreck
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the nature of the responsibility that the receiver of wrecks has for Fishes Royal. [19879]

  Mr. Norris
  I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 12 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the Receiver of Wreck.
  The Receiver of Wreck is responsible for the disposal of "Fishes Royal" which become stranded in or on the shores of the United Kingdom. Since 1993 this has been a responsibility of the Coastguard Agency.

  Coastguard
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the Coastguard's national constituency plan. [19880]

  Mr. Norris
  I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 12 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the Coastguard Agency's Marine Pollution Control Unit's National Contingency Plan.
  A copy of this document is already in the House of Commons' Library.

  Rail Privatisation
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what amount of compensation for previous investments Railtrack will be required to pay to local authorities and passenger transport authorities before privatisation; and if this amount will be included in the writing off of Railtrack's debts before privatisation. [19861]

  Mr. Watts
  The British Railways Board executed deeds of assumption in March 1994 to compensate passenger transport executives for the loss of pre-April 1994 lower costs that BR had charged in return for PTE capital grants. Deeds relating to infrastructure were transferred to Railtrack by way of the Railtrack transfer scheme in March 1994. Further deeds were executed by Railtrack in July 1995. In 1995–96, Railtrack made payments of £69.9 million to the PTEs, net of tax withholdings, under the deeds of assumption. Railtrack is currently scheduled to pay a further £5.2 million, net of tax withholdings, on 1 April 1996. Final details of the capital structure which Railtrack will take into the private sector have yet to be concluded

  Railway Contracts
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 13 February,Official Report, column 485, what is the total number and value of contracts let by Railtrack to Hall and Tawse. [19895]

  Mr. Watts
  I understand that Railtrack plc have awarded two planned maintenance and two call-off maintenance contracts to Hall and Tawse, having a value of circa £5 million.
  571

  St. Pancras Station
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the last valuation was made of St. Pancras station; and what value was attached to the asset. [20304]

  Mr. Watts
  The last valuation of St. Pancras station was carried out for the British Rail Property Board in March 1995. Based on the capitalisation of station income, the existing use value of the station was estimated to be £3.7 million.

  Leicester Link Road Inquiry
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led him to restrict the remit of the Department of Transport inspector for the Leicester A46/47 link road public inquiry to the A46/47 link road only. [20041]

  Mr. Watts
  The remit of the inspector appointed to conduct the inquiries into Leicester county council's proposed A46/47 link road was that he should consider objections to, and representations about, the proposed orders. No restriction was made, apart from that made in every case, that the inspector should resist broadening his considerations into matters which are not directly involved with the proposed orders.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration was given to problems of induced traffic on new road schemes and their surrounding areas in the recent public inquiry into the Leicester A46/47 link road. [20042]

  Mr. Watts
  The issue of induced traffic was covered at the inquiries into Leicestershire county council's proposed A46/A47 link road. The Secretary of State is currently considering the inspector's report on those inquiries including the question of induced traffic.

  Car Parking
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is being taken to relieve car parking problems in urban areas; and if he will make a statement. [20075]

  Mr. Norris
  Detailed decisions about local parking policies and practice are matters for local authorities. The Government set the framework by issuing advice and guidance. Urban areas need adequate parking provision to cater for trips for which there is no realistic alternative form of transport. It is the Government's policy to encourage people to travel by other means—cycling, walking and public transport—where that option is open to them.

  Union Railways
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on recent developments relating to the work of Union Railways. [20324]

  Mr. Watts
  Union Railways is continuing its work in developing plans for the channel tunnel rail link. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 29 February, ownership of Union Railways will be transferred to London and Continental Railways as a result of the CTRL competition.
  572

  Wisconsin Central
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the value of the contract awarded to Wisconsin Central to(a) operate the royal train, (b) carry the Royal Mail and (c) run other aspects of the railway; [20496]

  (2) what period is covered by the contract awarded to Wisconsin Central to operate the royal train. [20497]

  Mr. Watts
  This information is commercially confidential.

  Braer Incident
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many claims, and for what amount, there were for compensation in respect of the Braer incident in the Shetlands; what percentage of such claims has been accepted by the insurers and, of those, what percentage has been settled; what is the percentage of the amount claimed that has been paid; and if he will make a statement. [20242]

  Mr. Norris
  Information on the total amount claimed is not held by the Department and is not readily available from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. Records produced by the fund indicate that 1,950 claims have been made, some 1,700 or about 85 per cent. of these claims have been agreed and some 1,500 or about 75 per cent. have been paid. To date, £46.9 million has been paid.

  Sea Empress Incident
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to demand full compensation payments for all those who directly or indirectly have suffered financial loss as a result of the Sea Empress disaster; and if he will make a statement. [20248]

  Mr. Norris
  Officials of my Department have already made representations to the executive committee of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund for full payment of eligible claims for compensation, insofar as these payments are compatible with the international instruments which established the IOPC fund.

  Humber Sea Terminal Project
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement regarding his Department's objections to European regional development fund funding for the Humber sea terminal project being proposed at Immingham. [20398]

  Mr. Norris
  A decision on whether my Department could support the provision of ERDF grant for this project will be made shortly. The decision will be based on the view the Department takes about whether such grant would cause substantial distortion of competition with other ports in Great Britain. The Government's successful ports policy over the past 15 years has been based on the avoidance of such distortion, and creating conditions in which ports can compete on an equal footing.
  573

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interest, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20107]

  Mr. Norris
  The following are the answers for the Department of Transport's only advisory, NDPB, the Disabled Person's Transport Advisory Committee.

  (a) DPTAC does not hold public meetings.

  (b) Yes, but the Committee has not held a public consultation exercise since 1990.

  (c) Yes, it does conduct exercises with outside commercial interests.

  (d), (e) and (f) No, it does not publish a register of interests, agendas of meetings or minutes of meetings.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20090]

  Mr. Norris
  The following are the answers for the Department of Transport's only advisory NDPB, the Disabled Person's Transport Advisory Committee.

  (a) DPTAC does not publish advice to the Government.

  (b) and (c) It publishes an annual report which is laid before Parliament under a statutory requirement.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) fatal and (b) non-fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles have occurred in each of the last five years arising from the driver having lost his spectacles or contact lenses during an emergency. [20361]

  Mr. Norris
  This information is not available.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20486]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is not available.

  North-West Main Line
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral answer of 27 February,Official Report, columns 730–31, if he will list the improvements currently planned for the North-West main line and the likely date of implementation; and if he will make a statement on proposals for (a) improved journey times between Manchester and London, (b) improved passenger access to cross-channel services and (c) improved customer comfort and convenience on the Manchester to London line. [19884]
  574
  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack's core modernisation programme for the west coast main line includes the introduction of a modern train signalling system, an improved power supply system, and track renewal. Railtrack intends to let a contract for development of the signalling system by the end of March with contracts for the bulk of the modernisation to be let during 1996.

  Beyond the core modernisation, Railtrack is also considering possible upgrade options for the line which would include opportunities for faster trains and improved journey times between London and Manchester.

  London and Continental Railways proposals for the channel tunnel rail link include an action plan for enhancing Eurostar services from the regions which would include a direct twin-track connection to the west coast main line.

  InterCity west coast is currently examining proposals with private leasing companies for the refurbishment of passenger coaches.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the national regulations, orders and rules which apply to bovine animals of under 15 days of age. [19888]

  Mrs. Browning
  There are nearly 3,500 provisions in UK legislation relating to animals, many of which will apply to calves. These provisions can be found in volume 2 of the current editions of Halsbury's Statutes and Halsbury's Statutory Instruments, copies of which can be found in the Library of the House.

  The only legislation which includes provisions referring to bovine animals under 15 days of age is European Council directive 64/432/EEC, which is implemented in Great Britain by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1995.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce the results of his inquiry into the allegations contained in the Channel 4 "Dispatches" programme on the inspection of calves exported through Dover. [19896]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 5 March 1996,Official Report column 126.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) bovine, (b) ovine and (c) porcine animals were rejected at the point of export health certification as unfit to travel for each month of 1995. [19887]

  Mrs. Browning
  The number of cattle, sheep and pigs rejected at the point of export certification as unfit to travel for each month of 1995 is summarised in the table:

  Month

  Cattle

  Sheep

  Pigs

  January

  171

  987

  101

  February

  89

  523

  83

  March

  135

  367

  101

  575

  Month

  Cattle

  Sheep

  Pigs

  April

  134

  323

  93

  May

  180

  122

  153

  June

  117

  123

  121

  July

  129

  270

  106

  August

  178

  737

  45

  September

  117

  725

  54

  October

  64

  812

  123

  November

  56

  621

  74

  December

  50

  676

  95

  Cattle and Sheep Quotas
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the United Kingdom quota for(a) beef, (b) cows and (c) sheep; and if he will indicate the number in each case allocated to (i) less favoured areas and (ii) non-less favoured areas in each of the component parts of the United Kingdom. [19827]

  Mr. Baldry
  There are no quotas for beef. The approximate amount of quota available to the UK for sheep and Buckler cows is set out in the table.

  In thousands of quota units

  LFA

  Lowland

  Total

  Sheep

  England

  3,639

  4,974

  8,613

  Scotland

  3,876

  405

  4,280

  Wales

  4,823

  499

  5,322

  Northern Ireland

  1,118

  308

  1,426

  Total

  13,455

  6,185

  19,640

  Suckler cows

  England

  279

  448

  727

  Scotland

  449

  77

  527

  Wales

  189

  22

  211

  Northern Ireland

  279

  51

  330

  Total

  1,197

  598

  1,795

  Sub-totals may not add up to owing to rounding.

  Radiation (Livestock)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of which areas restricted as a result of radiation from Chernobyl, livestock are classified as not fit for human consumption. [19659]

  Mrs. Browning
  Following the latest derestrictions, which took effect from 17 January 1996, about 122,600 hectares of land in the UK remain subject to statutory restrictions to prevent the sale of sheepmeat containing levels of radiocaesium in excess of an action level of 1,000 becquerels per kilogram. These restrictions apply in parts of north Wales, parts of west Cumbria, parts of County Antrim and County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, and parts of Dumfries and Galloway, Strathclyde and Central regions of Scotland.

  Sheep grazing these areas are the only livestock affected by the restrictions. The mark and release scheme ensures that radiocaesium levels in sheep are at an acceptable level before the meat reaches the human food chain.
  576

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the pattern of voting in the Council of Ministers required to amend common fisheries policy regulations on quota hopping. [19999]

  Mr. Baldry
  The regulations implementing the common fisheries policy are based on article 43 of the EC treaty under which decisions are taken by qualified majority voting.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what Her Majesty's Government's objectives for the reform of the common fisheries policy are for 1997; and if he will meet hon. Members from fisheries constituencies before the IGC to discuss those objectives. [19998]

  Mr. Baldry
  I am always happy to meet hon. Members from fishing constituencies from wherever in the United Kingdom to discuss fisheries issues and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland is similarly happy to meet hon. Members from Scottish fishing constituencies.

  The Government will continue to pursue initiatives to achieve improvements in the way that the common fisheries policy operates. These include working with the industry to improve conservation measures and seeking to ensure that the fishing opportunities arising from national quotas provide real benefits to the fishing communities of the flag member state.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the Scottish Fisherman's Federation and the National Federation of Fisherman's Organisations to discuss(a) the common fisheries policy and (b) its place in the IGC discussions in March. [19996]

  Mr. Baldry
  During the Council of Fisheries Ministers of 21 to 22 December 1995, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland and I met both the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations to discuss those aspects of the common fisheries policy on the agenda of the Council. We shall next be meeting the two organisations together on 14 March.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what legal advice has been sought by his Department on making amendments to the European treaties in connection with quota hopping at the IGC. [19997]

  Mr. Baldry
  Any necessary legal advice will be obtained for any amendments to the European treaties put forward by the Government. It is not customary, however, to disclose such advice.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20475]
  577
  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested is not readily available and could not be produced without disproportionate cost. MAFF aims to pay all invoices within 30 days of the receipt or in accordance with terms agreed with suppliers. Currently 85 per cent. of all payments are made by the due date.

  Guidance Notes
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [18650]

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

  Dietary Supplements
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive a copy of the forthcoming European Commission discussion document on vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements; and what plans he has to ensure that(a) copies of that document are available immediately upon its publication to (i) the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy, (ii) other organisations representing practitioners of nutritional therapy and (iii) organisations representing consumers of dietary supplements, and (b) British consumers' access to such supplements is not adversely affected by any directive arising out of the consultation on that document. [19671]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The timetable for the production of the proposed discussion document on vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements is in the hands of the European Commission. I understand that it is unlikely to be issued before the summer. The Ministry has undertaken to consult fully with all interested parties, including the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy and organisations representing consumers of dietary supplements, as soon as the document is received. The consultation exercise will also be announced in the food safety information bulletin.

  The Government's policy is to ensure that consumers have as much choice as possible in their access to vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements, provided that public health is not compromised. If any formal proposal for legislation on the sale of dietary supplements were to be made following discussion of the document, the United Kingdom position would reflect this policy.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what drafts of the forthcoming European Commission discussion document on vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements his Department has received; and if he will place copies of these drafts in the Library. [19672]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: My Department has not received any drafts of the forthcoming European Commission discussion document on vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements.
  578
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy on the availability of vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements. [19673]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The Government's policy is to ensure that consumers have as much choice as possible in their access to vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements, provided that public health is not compromised.

  Scientists and Engineers
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many professional scientists and engineers of each category were employed at each grade in the headquarters division of his Department in each year from 1991 to the current year. [19798]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The numbers of qualified engineers employed in my Department in the headquarters division of flood and coastal defence, excluding those based outside London, are as follows:

  At 1 March:

  1991: 8

  1992: 6

  1993: 7

  1994: 7

  1995: 7

  196: 6

  A number of those employed in the headquarters building and estates management division also hold engineering qualifications.

  The numbers of full-time equivalent staff employed in the scientific grades in the headquarters divisions now represented by the chief scientist's group and the food safety and science group are as follows:

  At 1 March

  11991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Assistant scientific officer

  12

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Scientific officer

  37

  17

  14

  18

  12

  13.6

  Higher scientific officer

  40.5

  31

  28.5

  32

  38.5

  34.8

  Senior scientific officer

  28

  33

  31.5

  32

  34.5

  29.4

  Principal scientific officer

  27.5

  21

  21

  33.5

  25.5

  20.4

  1 Figures for 1991 include staff based at the food science laboratory, Norwich.

  For open structure grades above grade 7, records do not separately identify posts held by staff with scientific qualifications. However, it is possible to give the following breakdown for senior grades in the headquarters divisions of the chief scientist's group and the food safety and science group as of 1 March 1996:

  Postholders whose qualifications include a scientific degree or equivalent

  Grade 6

  16

  Grade 5

  5

  Grade 3

  2

  These figures include those on fixed-term appointments, but exclude any employed on a consultancy basis.

  All the figures given apply to core Department headquarters divisions only. They do not include the large numbers of staff in other areas who hold scientific or

  579
  engineering qualifications, for example, those in the directorate of fisheries research, many of the employees of the agencies, veterinary surgeons, economists and statisticians. It would be disproportionately expensive to list all of these.

HEALTH

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the number of people with disabilities, including learning disabilities, living in national health service hospitals or residential accommodation who currently receive the mobility component of the disability living allowance. [18397]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Health does not collect this information centrally.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on how the changes to the disability living allowance regulations have affected current NHS patients. [18410]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-East (Mr. Turner).

  NHS Trust Boards
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with disabilities are members of national health service trust boards(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the overall total. [18399]

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with disabilities are members of NHS trust boards; and what percentage this is of the total. [18391]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the representation on health boards of disabled people. [18401]

  Mr. Malone
  None. People from all sections of the community are encouraged to apply for non-executive appointments to national health service boards and several with disabilities have been appointed. They represent the interest of all sections of the community.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients in England are currently covered by general practitioner fundholders; and what the figures will be after 1 April. [18400]

  Mr. Malone
  Some 41 per cent. of the population in England is currently registered with a general practitioner fundholder. We expect this to increase to more than 50 per cent. from April.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the Care in the Community (Direct Payments) Bill from groups of, and for, people with disabilities. [18402]
  580
  Mr. Bowis
  Some 300 responses have been received to our consultation paper.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to ensure an adequate future supply of general practitioners in the national health service. [18403]

  Mr. Malone
  The goal of the Government's medical staffing policy is to enable the national health service to secure an adequate and affordable supply of appropriately trained doctors in each sector and/or specialty, in order to provide a cost-effective, quality service to patients. We accepted the main recommendation in the second report of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee, June 1995, to increase medical school intakes to 4,970 by 2000, which will mean an increase of 15 per cent. during the 1990s.

  Clinical Staff
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends taking to improve the morale of clinical staff in the NHS. [18405]

  Mr. Malone
  It is the responsibility of local employers to ensure good morale is maintained within the clinical work force. They now have greater freedoms than ever before to develop local employment strategies and implement flexible working arrangements which reflect and reward the valuable contribution of highly motivated and skilled staff.

  Clinical Services
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairmen of regional health authorities to discuss the private management of clinical services. [18406]

  Mr. Malone
  We regularly meet the chairmen of the regional health authorities who are members of the national health service policy board to discuss a wide range of issues.

  Community Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he takes to review the operation of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. [18407]

  Mr. Malone
  I am satisfied that the reforms introduced by the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 are operating effectively. NHS performance continues to improve. Since 1990, the average waiting time has been halved from eight months to just under four months. Patient activity has grown by around 5 per cent. each year since the reforms, significantly greater than before.

  NHS Funding (Nottingham)
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the amount by which current funding of the NHS in Nottingham is under target; and what action he plans to meet the target. [18408]
  581
  Mr. Horam
  Nottingham health authority will be £7.4 million or 2.74 per cent. under target in 1996–97.

  We plan to move all health authorities to their weighted capitation target as soon as it is practicable.

  Royal Sussex County Hospital
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects phase I of the building programme for the Royal Sussex county hospital in Brighton to be completed; and what is the estimated cost of the work in current prices. [18409]

  Mr. Horam
  The building is expected to be completed in the late summer of 1998, and to cost £61 million at current prices.

  Dermatology
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is proposing to advance the expenditure on dermatology and skin-related diseases in the health service. [18411]

  Mr. Horam
  Health authorities in England are given general allocations for hospital and community health services to purchase health care services for their resident population. It is for individual health authorities to decide the level and type of services purchased, taking account of local circumstances, and within the framework of national policies and priorities.

  Ecstasy-related Deaths
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of deaths in the past five years in which Ecstasy was(a) mentioned as a contributory cause and (b) identified as the principal cause. [18412]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave him on 19 February, column 34 and the reply that I gave him on 1 March, column 764.

  Injured Suspects
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he issues to hospitals about giving the police the names and addresses of injured suspects. [18413]

  Mr. Horam
  All national health service bodies and staff have a legal duty to protect patient confidentiality and health information given or obtained for one purpose should not usually be used for a different purpose without the express consent or implied authorisation of the provider of the information. This duty of confidence can be overridden, most commonly when considered necessary in the public interest and this may include circumstances where the disclosure is relevant to the prevention or detection of serious crime. Any decision to do so would need to be taken locally after full consideration of the individual details of the case.
  582
  This reinforced in guidance issued to the NHS on 7 March, "Protection and Use of Patient Information", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Casualty Departments
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the temporary closure of casualty departments. [18404]

  Mr. Horam
  The organisation of hospitals locally is a matter for health authorities and national health service trusts. Temporary closures of accident and emergency departments will occasionally be necessary but should be kept to a minimum, with alternative arrangements being made with neighbouring hospitals and the ambulance service.

  Transplant Surgery
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the number of people awaiting suitable donations prior to transplant surgery for each organ required; what is the average length of time waited; how many and what percentage of people die while waiting; and if he will provide figures by(a) region, (b) age and (c) sex; [18801]

  (2) how many organs offered for donation were used; what percentage this was of the total offered; and what is his estimate of the potential number of organ donors in each of the last three full years for which figures are available. [18800]

  Mr. Horam
  The tables show the information requested.

  (1) Breakdown of current (1 March 1996) waiting list for each organ

  (a) By region

  Region

  Kidney

  Heart

  Lung

  Heart/lung

  Liver

  Northern and Yorkshire

  497

  26

  62

  11

  20

  Trent

  445

  40

  14

  2

  —

  Anglia and Oxford

  375

  9

  21

  25

  25

  North Thames

  883

  112

  78

  119

  21

  South Thames

  568

  27

  8

  1

  33

  South West

  452

  -

  -

  -

  -

  West Midlands

  556

  12

  6

  5

  40

  North West

  624

  40

  20

  3

  -

  Wales

  132

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Northern Ireland

  97

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Scotland

  559

  20

  -

  -

  6

  Republic of Ireland

  92

  23

  -

  1

  12

  Total

  5,280

  309

  209

  167

  157

  (b) By sex

  Sex

  Kidney

  Heart

  Lung

  Heart/Lung

  Liver

  Female

  2,172

  40

  117

  92

  67

  Male

  3,105

  268

  92

  75

  90

  Unknown

  3

  1

  -

  -

  -

  Total

  5,280

  309

  209

  167

  157

  583

  (c) By age (decade)

  Age (years)

  Kidney

  Heart

  Lung

  Heart/Lung

  Liver

  0–9

  53

  14

  -

  12

  18

  10–19

  144

  8

  7

  46

  12

  20–29

  626

  11

  22

  50

  13

  30–39

  1,059

  16

  21

  30

  18

  40–49

  1,174

  67

  66

  20

  32

  50–59

  1,236

  151

  72

  9

  46

  60–69

  822

  42

  21

  -

  18

  70–79

  162

  -

  -

  -

  -

  80–89

  4

  -

  -

  -

  -

  Total

  5,280

  309

  209

  167

  157

  Waiting time (days)

  Kidney

  Heart

  Lung

  Heart/Lung

  Liver

  Median

  387

  177

  351

  560

  26

  (95 per cent. Confidence Interval

  373–04

  157–203

  288–401

  452–686

  23–29)

  Based on figures for 1989–92.

  (2) Patients dying whilst on the waiting list in 1994

  Kidney

  Heart

  Lung

  Heart/Lung

  Liver

  Number of patients

  1197

  57

  19

  23

  46

  1 This is the figure for 1993. The figure for number of patients dying whilst on the waiting list for a kidney can be misleading as a proportion will die as a result of causes unrelated to their renal condition.

  Breakdown of number of offered organs and their usage in 1995

  Organ

  Number offered

  Number transplanted

  Percentage transplanted

  Kidney

  1,987

  1,799

  90.5 per cent.

  Heart

  885

  397

  44.9 per cent.

  Lung

  1,250

  274

  21.9 per cent.

  Livers

  927

  701

  75.6 per cent.

  Hearts and lungs have been simplified to individual organs. In practice, they are often offered in combination and sometimes transplanted in combination—that is, the heart and lungs from a donor can be offered as a "block" and the heart transplanted and the lungs not, and so on. Also, on a few occasions, a liver was transplanted (as lobes) into two separate patients. The reason for the non-use of donated organs, in the vast majority of cases is clinical unsuitability.

  It is not known what the potential number of organ donors was for the last three years.

  Source:

  UK Transport Support Service Authority.

  Departmental Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and its agencies in each of the past five years, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [19033]
  584
  Mr. Horam
  For the purpose of the table, items stolen and otherwise unaccounted for are combined because it is not possible in all cases to distinguish one from the other. The losses of information technology equipment have occurred against the background of a substantial increase in the Department's provision of such equipment, and an increasing frequency of break-ins by professional criminals in search of computers and their components. The Department constantly reviews its security measures in the light of these losses.

  Calender year

  IT items (number)

  IT items (estimated cost) £

  Other items (number)

  Other items (estimated cost) £

  1991

  6

  7,460

  14

  3,340

  1992

  11

  25,710

  -

  -

  1993

  55

  93,080

  27

  3,880

  1994

  136

  147,358

  20

  1,852

  1995

  350

  231,249

  31

  771

  Items valued at £5,000 or more are a Toshiba T6600/DX2 laptop computer, cost £5,500; a Sun Sparcserver (including disk and memory) cost £25,590; a RAID Array, cost £23,120 and a Toshiba 3200 laptop with Feline Analyser Board, cost £8,000.

  NHS Staff Shortages
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what categories of qualified staff he has identified as being in short supply in respect of NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [19257]

  Mr. Malone
  For nurses, midwives and health visitors we agree with the findings of the national pay review body, which weighed carefully all the evidence presented and was not convinced that there is a general nationwide shortage of nursing staff. The Government accept that there are local difficulties and problems with particular specialties for some non-medical staff and drew attention to these in the 1995 annual planning guidance. Training commissions are likely to rise again in 1996–97. The Government welcome the pay review body's view that local pay may be part of the solution to these problems.

  In relation to professions allied to medicine, the Government accept that demand exceeds supply in some areas for some professions allied to medicine. Good employers will concentrate on establishing flexible recruitment and retention policies and training commissions are likely to rise again in 1996–97.

  In respect of the medical work force we are aware of the difficulties in recruiting to consultant posts in certain specialties. In 1996–97, £5.7 million will be provided to help create at least 300 new specialist registrar posts and to improve access to training for doctors wishing to become consultants. The available resources will be targeted where needs are greatest. Where there are isolated problems local problems of recruitment and retention, moves towards local pay determination will encourage employers to use pay flexibility to tackle them.

  In the long term, the Government have accepted the recommendations of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee to increase the medical student intake target by 500–11 per cent—to reach, 4,970 by 2000.
  585

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Heath what is the average time of waiting between a child being referred for speech therapy, an assessment taking place and referral for treatment. [19741]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children and adults are currently in receipt of speech therapy in the city of Liverpool; how many requests for treatment are outstanding; how many assessments are undertaken each month; what is the ration of speech therapists to patients in need of speech therapy; what funding is currently available for paediatric and adult services; what is the shortfall between demand and provision of services; and if he will make a statement. [19761]

  Mr. Bowls
  The number of new episodes of care (initial contacts) for speech and language therapy in 1994–95 delivered at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital national health service trust, the Royal Liverpool Children's national health service trust, Broadgreen Hospital national health service trust and the North Mersey Community national health service trust was 4,348.

  Breakdown by age is as follows:

  Age group

  Number

  0–2

  486

  3–4

  971

  5–9

  988

  10–15

  227

  16–54

  435

  55–64

  255

  65–74

  388

  75–84

  422

  85 and over

  176

  Total all ages

  4,348

  The other information is not available centrally.

  Estimated number of discharges from NHS hospitals of patients with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenic psychoses by duration of spell

  England

  11984

  11985

  11986

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Total

  30,080

  100

  30,600

  100

  30,400

  100

  Under 1 week

  4,220

  14

  4,560

  15

  4,320

  14

  1 week—under 1 month

  11,030

  37

  11,440

  37

  11,260

  37

  1 month—under 2 months

  6,460

  21

  6,410

  21

  6,310

  21

  2 months—under 3 months

  2,470

  8

  2,560

  8

  2,550

  8

  3 months—under 6 months

  2,440

  8

  2,450

  8

  2,510

  8

  6 months—under 1 year

  1,330

  4

  1,290

  4

  1,390

  5

  1 year—under 2 years

  720

  2

  560

  2

  610

  2

  2 years—under 5 years

  530

  2

  440

  1

  400

  1

  5 years or more

  900

  3

  890

  3

  1,030

  3

  Source:

  1984 to 1986: Mental Health Enquiry.

  1 Data for 1984 to 1986 are taken from the Mental Health Enquiry and are on a different basis to those for subsequent years—they include patients diagnosed as suffering from paranoia. There were 3,040 such patients in 1984. Data from 1987–89 are unreliable.
  586

  Secure Units
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities among the 68 whose plans anticipate the development of comprehensive mental health services before the end of 1996–97 which(a) will and (b) will not be providing local secure units. [19820]

  Mr. Bowis
  The regional offices of the national health service executive will be closely monitoring the progress of all health authorities towards developing the full spectrum of care required for a comprehensive mental health service. This includes commissioning of care for patients in local units, or access to specialist secure units which may be located out of the patient's home area.

  Tri-Star Ambulances
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which national health service ambulance trusts currently maintain Tri-Star vehicles of the chassis type alleged to exceed allowable load ratings; and, for each trust(a) how many of such vehicles are in use and (b) how long such vehicles have spent withdrawn from service in each of the last three years; and what are the corresponding figures for (i) other Tri-Star vehicles and (ii) non-Tri-Star vehicles. [19688]

  Mr. Horam
  The East Anglian ambulance national health service trust and/or its predecessors have purchased 39 Tri-Star vehicles, of which 19 have been withdrawn from service since January 1995 pending precautionary modifications to the chassis. The remaining 20 were different versions of the vehicle and continue in use. Other information requested is not available centrally.

  Schizophrenia
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number and percentage of discharges of patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia by length of stay from 1984 until latest available date [19822]

  Mr. Bowis
  The available information is shown in the table.
  587

  1990–91

  1991–91

  1992–95

  1993–94

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Total

  29,760

  100

  29,910

  100

  31,210

  100

  29,750

  100

  Under one week

  4,620

  16

  4,770

  16

  5,170

  17

  5,070

  17

  One week-under one month

  10,620

  36

  10,690

  36

  11,160

  36

  10,240

  35

  One month-under two months

  5,540

  19

  5,730

  19

  5,940

  19

  5,810

  19

  Two months-under three months

  2,460

  8

  2,560

  9

  2,800

  9

  2,640

  9

  Three months-under six months

  2,850

  10

  2,750

  9

  2,910

  9

  2,990

  10

  Six months-under one year

  1,430

  5

  1,470

  5

  1,420

  5

  1,350

  5

  One year-under two years

  590

  2

  560

  2

  590

  2

  580

  2

  Two years-under five years

  460

  2

  480

  2

  380

  1

  290

  1

  Five years or more

  1,190

  4

  900

  3

  860

  3

  460

  2

  Source:

  1990–91 and subsequent years: Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Anabolic Steroids
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of fatalities caused by the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in each year since 1979. [19314]

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

  Mental Health Information
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what form the quarterly monitoring of mental health information by the NHS executive will take. [19821]

  Mr. Bowis
  In 1996–97, the Department will continue to monitor levels of hospital and community activity for the mentally ill. In the coming year, this is to be complimented by monitoring indicators related to specific aspects of policy including care planning; readmission rates; mentally disordered offenders; and supervised discharge.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the 68 health authorities whose plans anticipate the development of comprehensive mental health services before the end of 1996–97 will have 24-hour nursed care in the community available for those residents who need it within that time scale. [19819]

  Mr. Bowis
  The regional offices of the national health service executive will be closely monitoring the progress of all health authorities towards developing the full spectrum of care required for a comprehensive mental health service.

  Section 64 Grants
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to which organisations(a) in and (b) outside London grants will be paid from 1 April under the section 64 grant scheme; and of these which have not previously received such grants. [20358]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Eccles (Ms Lestor) on 5 March, column 185.
  588

  Edgware General Hospital
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to complete his reappraisal of the planned closure of Edgware general hospital accident and emergency department. [18597]

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is not undertaking a re-appraisal of the planned closure of Edgware hospitals accident and emergency department.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue further guidance to health authorities in respect of accident and emergency services. [18904]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made to the House on 6 March, columns 356–68.

  NHS (Medical Techniques)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that services in the health service are based on the latest medical techniques. [18978]

  Mr. Horam
  Scientific evidence should provide the foundation for the planning and provision of effective health care. The national health service research and development programme, which began in 1991, has made substantial progress in increasing the knowledge base about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of NHS services. The health technology assessment part of the programme provides research-based evidence on the costs and effectiveness across a range of interventions performed throughout the NHS.

  The next step is to bridge the gap between research-based knowledge and routine clinical practice. Improving the effectiveness of clinical services is one of the medium-term priorities in the planning and priorities guidance for the NHS. On 10 January, the NHS executive published promoting clinical effectiveness, it sets out the resources available to health authorities, NHS trusts and clinicians responsible for developing strategies for clinical effectiveness and suggests ways in which resources may be put to best use. Copies of the booklet are available in the Library.
  589

  Working Children
  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued on minimum wages, health and safety and number of hours worked, for working children; how this guidance is distributed; and what budget is available for any enforcement of minimum standards. [19370]

  Mr. Bowis
  No guidance has been issued on minimum wages. The restrictions on children's working hours are set in primary legislation and in local byelaws. All byelaws comply with guidance issued by the Department of Health to local authorities. Their enforcement is a matter for local authorities, and it is for them to devote to it the resources they deem necessary. Enforcement of health and safety legislation is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 293, what assessment he has made of the effects on patient care in south Manchester of the closure of four intensive care beds; and if he will make a statement. [20366]

  Mr. Horam
  Availability of services is the responsibility of district health authorities and discussions are continuing between Manchester health commission and South Manchester University Hospitals national health service trust to plan service provision for 1996–97.

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent further representations his Department has had from, or on behalf of, people with haemophilia who, in the course of NHS treatment were infected with hepatitis C; what plans he has to compensate them or in cases where the patient has died from infection, their dependents; and if he will make a statement. [20367]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) on 5 December 1995, columns 130–31, since when, Ministers have received 34 further letters about payments to people who have developed hepatitis C through blood or blood products. Not all these letters were necessarily concerned solely or primarily with haemophiliacs.

  As we have made clear in recent debates and in response to questions, the Government have great sympathy with those who may have been inadvertently infected with hepatitis C through national health service treatment, but as no fault or negligence on the part of the NHS has been proved, we have no plans to make special payments. Our view remains that the best way for the Government to help is to encourage research, and best treatment for those infected as well as supporting voluntary groups working with those infected. This we are already doing.
  590
  Mr. Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of deaths among people with haemophilia who in the course of NHS treatment were infected with hepatitis C at the latest date for which figures are available. [20368]

  Mr. Horam
  Figures for deaths of people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C are not collected centrally by Government. I understand from the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre directors that the cause of death of 14 out of the 159 haemophilia patients known to have died in 1994, was shown as liver disease, of which hepatitis C may have been the cause.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20480]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Primary Care-led NHS
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop a primary care-led NHS. [18390]

  Mr. Malone
  General practitioner fundholders have already demonstrated the benefits to patients of a primary care-led national health service. The new health authorities will be responsible for working with GPs and their teams to improve services across the range of primary and secondary care. The listening programme, on which we are currently engaged, will build on these strengths.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) he will seek an apology from the European Commissioner responsible for the decision to allocate funds to enable CSV Media to send condoms on St. Valentine's day to Members of Parliament throughout the European Union; [20507]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to require the European Commission AIDS unit to promote sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity within it, and the avoidance of injected drugs, as the most effective means of avoiding the contracting of AIDS; and if he will make a statement. [20508]

  Mr. Horam
  We believe that, like other public bodies, it is important that the European Commission AIDS unit communicates the means of avoiding HIV transmission in a manner which is scientifically accurate and respects the personal and cultural sensitivities of the target audience. I share entirely the hon. Member's concern that the St. Valentine's day initiative was inappropriate and will ensure that this view is made known to the organisations involved.
  591

  Heroin Addicts
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of heroin addicts registered, in each of the last five years by district health authority, family health services authority, regional health authority and nationally. [19232]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 6 March 1996]: The information available centrally by district, regions and nationally will be placed in the Library. Information by family health services authority is not available.

  Human Embryos
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the probability of an ectopic pregnancy being created in a treatment cycle using(a) frozen embryos and (b) fresh embryos. [19789]

  Mr. Horam
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: As recorded in the records of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the latest available data are from 1993. This suggests that the risk of an ectopic pregnancy following fresh embryo transfer is seven per 1,000 patients; the risk following frozen embryo transfers five per 1,000 patients.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Agency Computer Systems
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many employees have been(a) dismissed and (b) faced other disciplinary action for unauthorised access to agency computer systems in (i) the Benefits Agency, (ii) the Child Support Agency, (iii) the Contributions Agency, (iv) the Information Technology Services Agency, (v) the Resettlement Agency and (vi) the War Pensions Agency since 1993. [19504]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table:

  Employees dismissed and disciplined for unauthorised access to computer systems in DSS agencies since 1993

  Dismissals

  Other disciplinary action

  Benefits Agency

  10

  1101

  Child Support Agency

  3

  11

  Contributions Agency

  5

  11

  Information Technology Services Agency

  0

  1

  Resettlement Agency

  0

  0

  War Pensions Agency

  2

  0

  Total

  20

  133

  1With approximately 70,000 staff, the Benefits Agency is by far the largest of the DSS Agencies. As the vast majority of their staff have access to computer systems, there is a proportionately higher number of incidents.

  Agencies (Confidential Information)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many employees of(a) the Information Technology Services Agency, (b) the Resettlement Agency and (c) the War Pensions Agency have faced
  592
  (i) dismissal and (ii) other disciplinary action for the improper use of confidential information since 1993. [19505]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table:

  Action against staff for improper use of confidential information since 1993

  Dismissals

  Other disciplinary action

  Information Technology Services Agency

  0

  2

  Resettlement Agency

  0

  0

  War Pensions Agency

  0

  0

  Total

  0

  2

  Funeral Expenses
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average payment made to claimants under the discretionary social fund for funeral expenses since June 1995. [19882]

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

  Average size of awards (£) (excluding Northern Ireland)

  Award type

  Flowers/ wreath

  Funeral expenses

  Other

  Average payment

  Community care grant

  50.00

  62.80

  100.00

  70.93

  Budgeting loan

  37.15

  345.14

  71.27

  141.44

  Crisis loan

  57.33

  217.21

  —

  121.28

  Sub-total loans

  40.94

  316.71

  71.27

  137.56

  Total

  41.47

  291.32

  85.64

  130.67

  1. The information covers awards in the period between 5 June and 1 August 1995. It includes help with flowers/wreaths, funeral directors fees and other expenses.

  2. Funeral expenses covered by the regulated scheme were specifically excluded from the discretionary Fund from 2 August 1995.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) for each year since 1979 and (b) for the whole period since 1979 the extra revenue raised by changing the rate of employee national insurance contributions. [20241]

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

  Year

  Employee National Insurance Rates1 (Percentage)

  Estimated change in contribution revenue2 (£ million)

  1979–80

  6.5

  -

  1980–81

  6.75

  3+225

  1981–82

  7.75

  3+1,020

  1982–83

  8.75

  3+1,096

  1983–84

  9.0

  3+285

  1984–85

  9.0

  -

  593

  Year

  Employee National Insurance Rates1 (Percentage)

  Estimated change in contribution revenue2 (£ million)

  1985–86

  9.0

  4-100

  7.0

  5.0 from October

  1986–87

  9.0

  -

  7.0

  5.0

  1987–88

  9.0

  -

  7.0

  5.0

  1988–89

  9.0

  -

  7.0

  5.0

  1989–90

  9.0

  5-l,000

  7.0

  5.0

  from October

  2.0

  9.0

  1990–91

  2.0

  -

  9.0

  1991–92

  2.0

  -

  9.0

  1992–93

  2.0

  -

  9.0

  1993–94

  2.0

  -

  9.0

  1994–95

  2.0

  3+1,914

  10.0

  1995–96

  2.0

  -

  10.0

  1 Not contracted-out rates shown.

  2 Figures show the change in revenue for the tax year in which the change in contribution rate was made.

  3 Estimates taken form Government Actuary reports on the various Contributions Re-rating Orders and Social Security (Contributions) Bills which introduced the changes in contribution rates.

  4 Reduced rates for employees were introduced form October 1985. Estimate taken from the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1985–86 and relates to part year only.

  5 Revised structure applied from October 1989. Estimate given in the Official Report, 24 April 1989 Col. 670 and relates to part year only.

  6 If the employees' contribution structure, rates and level of contracted-out rebates in force in 1979–80 had applied in 1995— 96, employees would have paid about £5.3 billion less in National Insurance contributions for that year.

  Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 147, what account was taken of the impact on businesses in deciding not to make a compliance cost assessment for the Occupational Pension Schemes (Equal Treatment) Regulations. [18383]

  Mr. Heald
  The Occupational Pension Schemes (Equal Treatment) Regulations 1995 are concerned with the detailed application of existing equal treatment requirements which derive from article 119 of the treaty of Rome and were incorporated into domestic legislation by sections 62 to 66 of the Pensions Act 1995. The compliance cost assessment produced in April 1995 with the then Pensions Bill, explained that article 119 had direct effect in member states and any impact on industry arose directly from it. The impact of article 119 and clarificatory rulings was therefore excluded from that CCA.
  594
  However, as my hon. Friend the Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Arbuthnot) explained during the passage of the Bill, the European Court of Justice ruled that member states of the European Community may subject claims to equal treatment in occupational pensions to a domestic time limit. The Equal Treatment Regulations have the effect of applying the time limits for claims under the Equal Pay Act 1970 to claims for equal treatment in occupational pensions schemes. This means that claims must be brought within six months of leaving the relevant employment. Successful claims for retrospective access to pension schemes are limited to a maximum two-year period for any backdated award.

  Rulings of the ECJ have also recognised certain exceptions from the equal treatments requirements. Accordingly, the regulations also make detailed provision as to the circumstances in which these exceptions may be relied upon. These provisions have significantly reduced the financial and administrative effect of the ECJ rulings on pension schemes and employers.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20092]

  Mr. Burt
  The advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department are listed in "Public Bodies 1995", with the exception of the National Disability Council which was created in January 1996, and all have a statutory basis; further information is in the table:

  (i) Under a Statutory Requirement

  (ii) Voluntarily

  (a) None

  The advice given to the Secretary of State by the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board is published in its annual report.

  (b) The National Disability Council

  The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board.

  (c) The National Disability Council

  None.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20109]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is as follows:

  (a) None.

  (b) The Social Security Advisory Committee.

  The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board also frequently consults with medical experts and outside organisations representing disabled people.

  All consultations are on a voluntary basis.

  595

  (c) The Social Security Advisory Committee, on a voluntary basis.

  The National Disability Council has a statutory duty to publish its proposals for a Code of Practice which may include consultation with outside commercial interests.

  (d) None.

  (e) None.

  (f) None.

  Access Committee for England
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to make a statement on his review of the role and funding of the Access Committee for England. [20360]

  Mr. Burt
  I am considering, with colleagues, the detailed issues involved and we hope to announce our decision in the near future.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what values of payments were outstanding within his Department on 5 March, which were beyond the date on the invoice and, where no date was specified, older than 28 days. [20485]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. The Department of Social Security, in accordance with Treasury guidelines, pays its invoices within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice. A recent sample showed a 96 per cent. level of compliance with this guideline.

  To provide the information requested would involve further investigation and could be retrieved only at disproportionate cost.

  Earnings Top-up Pilot Scheme
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to commission independent research into the earnings top-up pilot scheme. [20608]

  Mr. Burt
  I have today awarded contracts to three research organisations—the Policy Studies Institute, the Institute for Employment Research and the Centre for Research in Social Policy. Over the next three years, these institutes will undertake a detailed programme of research to evaluate the effectiveness of the earnings top-up pilot.

  Earnings top-up is a new step in the Government's programme to strengthen incentives to work. The challenge is to discover whether topping up wages for

  Table 1: The Average Incomes of Pensioners 1979–1993 (by quintile-quintile l=lowest)—(£ per week July 1993 prices)

  (a) Single pensioners

  Income source

  Quintile 1

  Quintile 2

  Quintile 3

  Quintile 4

  Quintile 5

  Total

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  Earnings1

  0.40

  0.00

  0.10

  0.10

  0.40

  0.30

  3.80

  2.10

  25.40

  24.50

  6.00

  5.40

  Benefit income

  51.70

  60.80

  60.10

  73.10

  63.00

  84.70

  62.50

  83.20

  56.70

  84.80

  58.80

  77.30

  Investment

  2.10

  4.10

  2.20

  5.10

  2.40

  4.90

  7.00

  13.30

  33.40

  69.10

  9.40

  19.30

  Occupational

  0.60

  2.40

  1.90

  6.90

  3.40

  9.40

  8.00

  23.70

  37.60

  87.40

  10.30

  26.00

  Other1

  0.50

  0.30

  0.20

  0.50

  0.30

  0.20

  1.00

  0.70

  1.00

  0.40

  0.60

  0.40

  Gross income

  55.30

  67.60

  64.40

  85.70

  69.40

  99.60

  82.40

  123.10

  154.10

  266.10

  85.00

  128.40

  Deductions

  5.70

  7.10

  4.70

  6.90

  4.40

  7.30

  7.40

  11.50

  29.90

  50.10

  10.40

  16.60

  596
  workers without dependent children helps them to get jobs and stay in work. Family credit tackles this issue already for families with children, helping over 600,000 families.

  The research programme lasts three years. It starts this year—before earnings top-up is introduced—to set a baseline against which progress can be measured. It then continues the investigation in succeeding years to assess the impact of earnings top-up, comparing the pilot areas to the four control areas.

  The Policy Studies Institute will survey over 30,000 employers, workers and unemployed people, to look at the changing circumstances of people including movement into or out of work, and the wages they receive.

  The Institute of Employment Research will look at how earnings top-up affects local labour markets, that is, at changes in the rates of employment, unemployment, and any effect on local wage levels.

  The Centre for Research in Social Policy will carry out more in-depth interviews with people receiving earnings top-up, those in low-paid work not receiving it, and employers. This will build up a detailed picture of reactions and attitudes to the pilot benefit.

  This £3 million research project is the largest the Department of Social Security has ever undertaken but it represents excellent value for money. To extend earnings top-up immediately to all low-paid people without dependent children would be a large investment, of the order of £500 million. We are taking the prudent course of testing its effectiveness first on a smaller scale.

  At the end of the three years, we expect to have the information we need to decide whether earnings top-up is of value in helping people to move into work and to avoid unemployment.

  I shall, in due course, be placing further details of the research programme in the Library.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide an updated analysis for each quintile of pensioner incomes for single pensioners, pensioner couples and all pensioner units on the same basis as that given on 7 February 1995,Official Report, columns 196–200, table 1. [18220]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the tables.

  When comparing this reply to the information given on 7 February 1995 it should be noted that the "single" and "couple" table headings for the numbers of pensioner units in each quintile were transposed in the previous reply.
  597

  Table 1: The Average Incomes of Pensioners 1979–1993 (by quintile-quintile l=lowest)—(£ per week July 1993 prices)

  (a) Single pensioners

  Income source

  Quintile 1

  Quintile 2

  Quintile 3

  Quintile 4

  Quintile 5

  Total

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  Net income BHC (mean)

  49.60

  60.50

  59.70

  78.80

  65.00

  92.20

  75.00

  111.60

  124.10

  216.00

  74.60

  111.80

  Net income AHC (mean)

  39.20

  44.90

  48.70

  59.90

  52.80

  68.60

  61.30

  95.30

  110.10

  202.90

  62.40

  94.30

  Net income BHC (median)

  51.20

  63.10

  61.00

  80.70

  67.70

  93.10

  75.40

  110.00

  107.60

  172.60

  67.70

  93.10

  Net income AHC (median)

  41.30

  49.80

  48.70

  59.70

  53.60

  67.40

  61.70

  94.50

  95.40

  160.90

  53.60

  67.40

  1 Indicates that sample sizes are too small to provide reliable estimates. Figures are shown only to demonstrate how totals are arrived at. All figures before housing costs (BHC) unless otherwise stated. After housing costs = AHC.

  1. All average amounts are means except where otherwise stated.

  2. Components may not sum to totals owing to rounding.

  3. Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age (SPA) and couples in which the husband, or head, is over SPA.

  4. Estimates of percentage growth are based on unrounded income figures and may not therefore be the same as those calculated from the rounded amounts in the table.

  5. Estimates of growth in total net incomes by quintile are based on medians. Estimates of growth of components of income and total incomes of all pensioners are based on means.

  6. Estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Surveys.

  (b) Pensioner couples

  Income source

  Quintile 1

  Quintile 2

  Quintile 3

  Quintile 4

  Quintile 5

  Total

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  Earnings1

  0.30

  1.50

  1.30

  0.90

  6.00

  7.50

  28.40

  16.50

  96.80

  55.40

  26.50

  16.30

  Benefit income

  86.60

  97.10

  94.40

  116.50

  94.20

  119.00

  89.30

  118.80

  79.80

  110.20

  88.90

  112.30

  Investment

  2.80

  5.80

  3.70

  7.90

  5.90

  20.20

  10.80

  30.10

  65.60

  139.90

  17.70

  40.70

  Occupational

  2.70

  8.40

  7.40

  20.70

  19.40

  36.80

  38.90

  83.40

  97.60

  197.70

  33.10

  69.30

  Other1

  0.30

  0.20

  0.40

  0.30

  1.70

  0.70

  0.90

  1.20

  1.10

  1.20

  0.90

  0.70

  Gross income

  92.60

  112.90

  107.30

  146.20

  127.20

  184.30

  168.20

  250.00

  341.00

  504.50

  167.00

  239.40

  Deduction

  6.20

  10.30

  5.70

  11.10

  8.50

  14.60

  18.60

  25.40

  81.90

  88.50

  24.10

  29.90

  Net income BHC (mean)

  86.40

  102.60

  101.50

  135.20

  118.70

  169.60

  149.60

  224.60

  259.10

  416.00

  142.90

  209.40

  Net income AHC (mean)

  72.60

  84.40

  85.50

  116.60

  102.90

  154.90

  132.60

  214.30

  235.10

  401.50

  125.60

  194.20

  Net income BHC (median)

  86.60

  105.60

  100.60

  134.40

  116.70

  169.90

  147.50

  220.20

  224.10

  366.80

  116.70

  169.00

  Net income AHC (median)

  72.90

  92.10

  84.60

  115.80

  100.60

  155.50

  131.60

  209.60

  203.50

  349.90

  100.60

  155.50

  1 Indicates that sample sizes are too small to provide reliable estimates. Figures are shown only to demonstrate how totals are arrived at. All figures before housing costs (BHC) unless otherwise stated. After housing costs = AHC.

  Notes:

  1. All average amounts are means except where otherwise stated.

  2. Components may not sum to totals owing to rounding.

  3. Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age (SPA) and couples in which the husband, or head, is over SPA.

  4. Estimates of percentage growth are based on unrounded income figures and may not therefore be the same as those calculated from the rounded amounts in the table.

  5. Estimates of growth in total net incomes by quintile are based on medians. Estimates of growth of components of income and total incomes of all pensioners are based on means.

  6. Estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Surveys.

  (c) All pensioner units

  Income source

  Quintile 1

  Quintile 2

  Quintile 3

  Quintile 4

  Quintile 5

  Total

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  Earnings1

  0.30

  0.30

  0.50

  0.70

  0.90

  2.40

  10.70

  6.20

  52.90

  38.00

  13.10

  9.50

  Benefit income

  63.60

  73.40

  72.30

  88.50

  70.40

  93.80

  71.20

  100.00

  68.40

  96.90

  69.20

  90.50

  Investment

  2.30

  4.50

  2.80

  5.90

  3.10

  8.10

  8.60

  20.90

  44.70

  97.40

  12.30

  27.40

  Occupational

  1.30

  4.50

  3.90

  11.30

  6.50

  15.70

  17.50

  46.00

  61.70

  133.90

  18.20

  42.30

  Other1

  0.40

  0.30

  0.20

  0.40

  0.50

  0.30

  1.40

  0.90

  0.90

  0.80

  0.70

  0.50

  Gross income

  67.90

  83.00

  79.80

  106.70

  81.30

  120.40

  109.40

  173.90

  228.50

  367.00

  113.40

  170.20

  Deductions

  5.90

  8.20

  5.10

  8.40

  5.30

  8.80

  10.30

  16.90

  49.20

  65.80

  15.10

  21.60

  Net income BHC (mean)

  62.00

  74.80

  74.70

  98.40

  76.10

  111.60

  99.10

  157.00

  179.30

  301.20

  98.20

  148.50

  Net income AHC (mean)

  54.20

  60.20

  59.50

  71.00

  63.70

  98.70

  85.40

  144.10

  158.30

  285.90

  84.20

  131.90

  Net income BHC (median)

  54.40

  67.30

  63.40

  86.10

  69.40

  98.50

  86.30

  142.40

  165.30

  262.40

  69.40

  98.50

  Net income AHC (median)

  44.60

  54.00

  49.30

  61.70

  54.50

  81.60

  69.30

  126.00

  145.20

  250.40

  54.50

  81.60

  1 Indicates that sample sizes are too small to provide reliable estimates. Figures are shown only to demonstrate how totals are arrived at. All figures before housing costs (BHC) unless otherwise stated. After housing costs = AHC.

  1. All average amounts are means except where otherwise stated.

  2. Components may not sum to totals owing to rounding.

  3. Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age (SPA) and couples in which the husband, or head, is over SPA.

  4. Estimates of percentage growth are based on unrounded income figures and may not therefore be the same as those calculated from the rounded amounts in the table.

  5. Estimates of growth in total net incomes by quintile are based on medians. Estimates of growth of components of income and total incomes of all pensioners are based on means.

  6. Estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Surveys.
  598 599

  Average income change (per cent.)—Single Pensioners (S), Pensioner Couples (C) and Pensioner Units (U)

  (b) Growth in Pensioner Income 1979–1993

  Quintile 1

  Quintile 2

  Quintile 3

  S

  C

  U

  S

  C

  U

  S

  C

  U

  Earnings1

  -100

  425

  -12

  -25

  -32

  22

  -23

  26

  178

  Benefit Income

  18

  12

  15

  22

  23

  22

  35

  26

  33

  Investment Income

  98

  109

  100

  135

  111

  111

  102

  243

  162

  Occupational Pension

  270

  215

  245

  264

  180

  190

  180

  90

  142

  Other1

  -43

  -30

  -36

  203

  -37

  56

  -21

  -59

  -32

  Gross Income

  22

  22

  22

  33

  36

  34

  43

  45

  48

  Deductions

  24

  66

  39

  47

  93

  63

  65

  72

  68

  Net Income BHC (median)

  23

  22

  24

  32

  34

  36

  38

  45

  42

  Net Income AHC (median)

  21

  26

  21

  22

  37

  25

  26

  54

  50

  Average income change (per cent.)—Single pensioners (S), Pensioner Couples (C) and Pensioner Units (U)

  Quintile 4

  Quintile 5

  Total

  S

  C

  U

  S

  C

  U

  S

  C

  U

  Earnings1

  -44

  -42

  -41

  -4

  -42

  -28

  -10

  -38

  -27

  Benefit income

  33

  33

  40

  50

  38

  42

  32

  26

  31

  Investment income

  90

  177

  144

  106

  113

  118

  105

  130

  123

  Occupational pension

  195

  115

  163

  133

  103

  117

  152

  109

  133

  Other1

  -33

  38

  -39

  -62

  8

  -11

  -30

  -18

  -24

  Gross income

  49

  49

  59

  73

  48

  61

  51

  43

  50

  Deductions

  56

  37

  64

  67

  8

  34

  59

  24

  43

  Net income BHC (median)

  46

  49

  65

  60

  64

  59

  50(mean)

  47(mean)

  51(mean)

  Net income AHC (median)

  53

  59

  82

  69

  72

  72

  51(mean)

  55(mean)

  57(mean)

  1 Indicates that sample sizes are too small to provide reliable estimates. Figures are shown only to demonstrate how totals are arrived at. All figures before housing costs (BHC) unless otherwise stated. After housing costs=AHC.

  1. All average amounts are means except where otherwise stated.

  2. Components may not sum to totals owing to rounding.

  3. Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age (SPA) and couples in which the husband, or head, is over SPA.

  4. Estimates of percentage growth are based on unrounded income figures and may not therefore be the same as those calculated from the rounded amounts in the table.

  5. Estimates of growth in total net incomes by quintile are based on medians. Estimates of growth of components of income and total incomes of all pensioners are based on means.

  6. Estimates are based on the Family Expenditure Surveys.

  Table 2: The numbers of pensioner units in each quintile of the net equivalised income distribution for pensioners.

  Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  Q5

  (a) Pensioner couples

  Under 75

  300,0001

  350,000

  350,000

  400,000

  400,000

  75 and over

  1250,000

  1200,000

  1150,000

  1100,0001

  1100,000

  Total

  550,000

  550,000

  550,000

  550,000

  550,000

  (b) Single pensioners

  Under 75

  400,000

  500,000

  400,000

  450,000

  500,000

  75 and over

  500,000

  400,000

  450,000

  400,000

  400,000

  Total

  900,000

  900,000

  900,000

  900,000

  900,000

  (c) All pensioner units

  Under 75

  700,000

  800,000

  750,000

  900,000

  950,000

  75 and over

  750,000

  600,000

  650,000

  550,000

  450,000

  Total

  1,400,000

  1,400,000

  1,400,000

  1,400,000

  1,400,000

  1 These estimates are based on unreliably small sample sizes, and therefore should be treated with caution.

  1. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 50,000. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding.

  2. These estimates are taken from the Family Expenditure Survey and are for private households in the UK.
  600

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