Written Answers of 14 March 1996

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid Board
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the members of the Legal Aid Board were last appointed or reappointed; and how many complaints he has had about the boards or their individual members since the start of 1995. [19645]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The current members of the Legal Aid Board, with their most recent dates of appointment or reappointment, are as follows:

  Sir Tim Chessels (Chairman): 4 May 1995

  Fred Collins: 1 April 1995

  John Crosby: 5 April 1994

  Jean Dunkley: 2 May 1994

  Colin George: 3 May 1994

  Kate Markus: 1 March 1993

  Steve Orchard: 1 January 1994

  Diana Payne: 2 May 1994

  Penelope Pearce: 1 July 1993

  George Pulman: 1 March 1993

  David Sinker: 2 May 1994

  Andrew Thomas 1 April 1993

  My predecessor and I have received numerous letters about the operations of the Legal Aid Board since January 1995. A number of these have been critical of aspects of the board's work.

  In addition, there are 1,183 lawyers serving on the 13 Legal Aid Board area committees, which hear appeals on various legal aid matters. The appointment or reappointment of their members is the responsibility of the Legal Aid Board.

  Court of Protection
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the practice rules relating to the Court of Protection were last revised; and if he will make a statement. [20073]

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

  Letter from Julia Lomas to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated 14 March 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question, listed on 7 March 1996, asking when the practice rules relating to the Court of Protection were last revised.
  676
  The Court of Protection Rules and the Court of Protection [Enduring Powers of Attorney Rules] were last revised in 1994. They were made on 29 November 1994, laid before Parliament on 1 December 1994 and came into effect on 22 December 1994.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Commonwealth Scholarships
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Commonwealth scholarships were funded by the Government in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and what is the planned number for 1996–97. [20045]

  Mr. Hanley
  A total of 7,144 Commonwealth students were given awards to study and train in the UK in 1994–95. Figures for 1995–96 are not yet available but are likely to be broadly similar.

  The number of scholarships is likely to fall in 1996–97 due to reductions in the various budgets from which awards are funded and policy changes to improve the effectiveness of training within the UK's bilateral country aid projects.

DEFENCE

  Works of Art
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made since the start of the National Audit Office inquiry into the management of works of art with the recovery of those works of art reported to be missing or stolen. [20566]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Since the start of the National Audit Office study in January 1995, one work of art has been recovered, in addition to the 15 that had been found before the study began. Two works of art listed as missing by the Government art collection were found to be duplicate records of works that were not missing. Four works recorded as missing by the Government art collection were found to have been returned to their lender.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the works of art belonging to the departmental art collection which are considered missing or stolen; [20561]

  (2) if he will list the works of art on loan from the Government art collection that are considered missing or stolen. [20565]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I am placing the information requested in the Library of the House.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions he has taken to safeguard works of art loaned to his Department. [20755]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Works of art are safeguarded by securing the rooms in which they hang, asking the staff who occupy those rooms to verify that the works are safe and by inspections by staff responsible for works of art.

  Royal Navy (Female Members)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female members of the Royal Navy,
  677
  having served one tour on a ship at sea, have volunteered for a second tour. [20516]

  Mr. Soames
  Female members of the Royal Navy—in common with their male counterparts—do not volunteer for tours on a ship at sea; they are required to go to sea according to the exigencies of the service. To determine how many women have served at sea for two or more tours is not possible without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Army Medical Staff
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of medical staff required by the Army in conflict are reservists; and how many of these posts are manned. [20517]

  Mr. Soames
  The proportion of medical personnel required by the Army in conflict, who are ex-Regular reservists or members of the Territorial Army, and the number of posts to be filled by them, will depend on the nature of the operations at the time.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the number of medical staff required for each brigade in a conflict. [20518]

  Mr. Soames
  Depending on the size of a brigade, the number of medical personnel required varies between 199 and 206.

  Female Soldiers (Bosnia)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female soldiers have returned early from service in Bosnia because of pregnancy; and what this figure is as a percentage of the female soldiers serving in Bosnia. [20519]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has no record of any female soldier returning early from service in Bosnia because of pregnancy.

  Air Training Corps
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Air Training Corps concerning the availability of surplus uniforms for its use; and what is his policy on the provision of surplus uniforms for use by the Air Training Corps. [20749]

  Mr. Soames
  No representations on this matter have been made by the Air Training Corps. It is the policy of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency that any part-worn or superseded items of uniform clothing are made available to cadet organisations before disposal. In addition, those Royal Air Force units which parent Air Training Corps squadrons are required to consider the needs of these squadrons before disposing of surplus uniform items.

  Armed Forces (Manpower)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the(a) trained and (b) untrained strength of (i) the Army, (ii) the RAF and (iii) the Royal Navy at (1) 1 April 1996 and (2) 1 April 1997 under his Department's current plans. [20751]
  678
  Mr. Soames
  The forecast trained and untrained strengths for the services at the specified dates are as follows:

  Army

  Trained

  Untrained

  1 April 1996

  104,000

  8,000

  1 April 1997

  101,000

  10,000

  These figures include forecast Gurkha strengths, but exclude the Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service Force).

  Royal Air Force

  Trained

  Untrained

  1 April 1996

  62,700

  2,250

  1 April 1997

  54,700

  2,700

  Royal Navy

  Trained

  Untrained

  1 April 1996

  45,000

  3,000

  1 April 1997

  42,000

  4,000

  These figures include the Royal Marines and Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current shortfall in manpower for the Army; what action he has taken to reduce this shortfall; and if he will make a statement. [20752]

  Mr. Soames
  The trained strength of the Army is expected to be below its establishment by around 3,000 personnel as at 1 April 1996. The shortfall is primarily due to poor recruitment and retention.

  A number of measures have been introduced to make good the shortfall. These include the payment of a retention bonus to soldiers in those arms with the greatest deficits who choose to serve beyond the minimum three-year commitment. A bounty has also been offered to suitable ex-Royal Artillery, Royal Armoured Corps and Infantry soldiers who left in the last three years and who are below the age of 30 who accepted an invitation to re-enlist. A further bounty has been offered to soldiers who persuade friends to enlist, and we have substantially increased the recruiting and advertising budget. A revised programme for the closure of Army careers offices has been agreed, coupled with an initiative, launched in January, to recruit through the Employment Service network. In addition, some 400 Gurkhas who would otherwise have been made redundant will be retained for three years from 1977.

  Next month we are holding a conference on "Armed Forces recruiting in the 21st Century", to which members of the careers service and the Employment Service throughout the UK have been invited, with the aim of developing ways of working together to attract the young people the armed forces need.

  Trident Programme
  Sir Jim Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the cost of the Trident programme; and if he will make a statement. [21359]
  679
  Mr. Portillo
  The current estimate of the total project cost of the Trident programme, with all expenditure, including payments already made, brought up to current prices and the exchange rate assumed in the long term costing of the defence programme is £12,153 million. If payments already made are expressed at the prices and exchange rates actually incurred, with future spend on constant bases, the equivalent estimate is now £9,926 million. Expenditure on the Trident programme to 31 October 1995 represented some 83 per cent. of the latter estimate.

  The revised estimate of £12,153 million represents an increase in cash terms of £471 million. After allowing for the effects of inflation and exchange rate variations there is a real cost increase of £112 million, or less than 1 per cent. Despite this variation since last year, the programme continues to show an overall reduction in real terms on its original 1982 estimate. This reduction, including the savings resulting from the decision to process missiles at the United States facility at King's Bay Georgia now stands at some £3.4 billion.

  The proportion of the estimate for work undertaken in the United Kingdom has increased from 71 per cent. to 72 per cent. reflecting the effects of the change in exchange rate, price base and volume changes in the year.

  I am pleased to confirm that HMS Victorious, the second of the four planned Vanguard class submarines, entered service on time at the end of last year and is now operational. The remainder of the Trident submarine programme is also still on schedule. I am, as in previous years, sending to the Chairmen of the Public Accounts Committee and of the Select Committee on Defence a more detailed report on the programme. I am also placing a copy of this report in the Library of the House.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policies he has introduced to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the armed forces. [20753]

  Mr. Soames
  The services are committed to a range of measures to increase ethnic minority recruitment. These include increased use of recruiters from an ethnic minority background, better representation of ethnic minority service personnel in recruiting literature, special training for recruiters, production of brochures in ethnic minority languages to target parents, development of contacts with ethnic minority communities and advertising in the ethnic minority press and on local radio.

  Each of the services' recruiting organisations has an officer responsible for making contact with ethnic minority organisations to ascertain the best approach to take to aid the recruitment of ethnic minorities.

  In addition, we have appointed an independent consultant, the Office for Public Management, to undertake a review of existing service and civilian equal opportunities policies and employment initiatives for ethnic minority groups and recommend any improvements.

  Otterburn Training Range
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent 680
  developments in respect of his Department's plans to enlarge the Otterburn training range. [20805]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department's proposals are not to enlarge Otterburn training area, which lies largely within the Northumberland national park, but to provide additional infrastructure to accommodate essential AS90 and multiple-launch rocket system training. My officials have been in discussion with the Northumberland national park authority for over two years about these proposals, with the aim of achieving an acceptable balance between my Department's training requirements and environmental concerns. While much progress has been made in this direction, I was very disappointed to learn that, at its meeting on 11 March, the national park authority resolved to object to my Department's proposals unless further scheme changes and environmental balancing measures were forthcoming. This is the first occasion that the national park authority has made its position expressly clear about each individual element of the scheme and accompanying balancing package.

  It is difficult to see how these further measures could be accommodated, given that my Department's proposals represent the minimum infrastructure requirements for AS90-MLRS training.

  My officials are, nevertheless, now considering whether it will be possible to meet the further concerns which have now been expressed by the national park authority, and it is my intention that a statement of my Department's position should be prepared for submission to the policy and resources committee of Northumberland county council when it meets on 25 April, prior to final determination by the full county council on 15 May 1996.

  Service Boarding Scheme
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many children who received support through the service boarding scheme attend(a) Finsborough school, Suffolk, (b) Quantock school, Somerset, (c) Rodney school, Nottingham and (d) Lime House school, Cumbria; and how much each school received in each of years (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94, (iii) 1994–95 and (iv) 1995–96. [20793]

  Mr. Soames
  In the case of Quantock school, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 December 1995,Official Report, column 478.

  As at June 1995 the number of children who received support through the service boarding school allowance scheme, attending the other three schools in question, were:

  Finsborough School: 123

  Rodney School: 26

  Lime House School: 90

  The information on how much each school has received during the last four academic years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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  Racism
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many incidents of racism have been investigated by his Department in each of the last five years; [20754]

  (2) what measures his Department uses to monitor racism in the armed forces. [20804]

  Mr. Soames
  The armed forces are fully integrated, non-discriminatory organisations, subject to the Race Relations Act 1976. It has been made clear throughout the services that racial abuse or discrimination of any sort will not be tolerated.

  The three services monitor complaints involving a racial element; details of numbers of recorded cases are:

  Royal Navy

  No cases have been recorded in the Royal Navy since the central recording of these complaints began in February 1995.

  Number of cases

  Number of cases substantiated

  Army

  1990

  3

  Nil

  1991

  4

  1

  1992

  7

  3

  1993

  5

  3

  1994

  4

  Nil

  1995

  16

  —

  1996

  11

  —

  Royal Air Force

  1990

  0

  —

  1991

  2

  Nil

  1992

  3

  Nil

  1993

  2

  1

  1994

  1

  Nil

  1995

  3

  1

  1 Four under investigation in 1995 and 1 in 1996.

  As for civilian staff within the Department, the information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that have been stolen or are otherwise unaccounted for from the former Department for Education 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. [19413]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table details the cost and number of items of equipment which were recorded as stolen or unaccounted for during each financial year from 1991–92 to 1995–96. Of the items recorded during this period, only one falls into the valuation category of £5,000 or more. This is a dispatch van, stolen in January 1996 and not yet recovered.
  682

  Department for Education: Value and number of items lost

  Number of items

  Item(s) valued at £5,000 and over

  Total value (£)

  1991–92

  Furniture

  0

  IT equipment

  0

  Other equipment

  0

  Totals 1991–92

  n/k

  0.00

  1992–93

  Furniture

  0

  IT equipment

  0

  Other equipment

  0

  Total 1992–93

  n/k

  0.00

  1993–94

  Furniture

  0

  IT equipment

  6

  n/a

  8,000.00

  Other equipment

  0

  Total 1993–94

  6

  8,000.00

  1994–95

  Furniture

  0

  IT equipment

  21

  n/a

  20,700.00

  Other equipment

  0

  Total 1994–95

  21

  20,700.00

  1995–96 (to date):

  Furniture

  0

  IT equipment

  19

  23,400.00

  Other equipment

  1

  Despatch van

  8,000.00

  Total 1995–96

  20

  31,400.00

  Total for the period

  47

  60,100.00

  School Premises
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations she received from(a) local education authorities, (b) school governors and (c) organisations representing school governors regarding the removal of minimum space requirements for teaching accommodation and recreation space during the consultation on the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981; and if she will make a statement; [20569]

  (2) what plans she has to place the responses to (a) the five-year review of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 and (b) the consultation on School Premises Regulations 1996 in the Library; [20568]

  (3) what representations she received on (a) class size and (b) the condition of school buildings by local education authorities or governors during the consultation on the Education (School Premises) Regulations in 1995. [20571]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The review of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 was an internal one. Its conclusions were reported to Ministers by officials and were not intended for publication.

  A summary of the response to last year's consultation has been placed in the Library of the House.
  683
  The new regulations take account of many specific
  suggestions from consultees. Few, if any, responses specifically mention the condition of school buildings. A number of consultees made the incorrect assumptions that there is a link between the removal of minimum National Lottery awards in Nottinghamshire teaching and recreation areas and increased class sizes or overcrowding and that, once the new regulations come into force, there will be no yardsticks for assessing new and existing buildings.

  In fact, governors and local education authorities will continue to have exactly the same control over admissions as they do now, and new guidance documents to be published by the Department in the summer will be up to date and wide reaching in scope.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place a copy of the Department's action plan responding to the recent efficiency scrutiny into the TEC contract and management fee in the Library; and if she will make a statement. [21189]

  Mr. Paice
  A copy of the action plan that the Department has produced in response to the findings of the scrutiny has been placed in the Library. A copy has also been sent to all TECs.

  The efficiency scrutiny was a thorough and timely piece of work which should help the Department to reduce the administrative burden on TECs. We accept the vast majority of its recommendations. A number have already been implemented.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on how many occasions in each of the past five years Ministers in her 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. [19428]

  Mr. Sproat
  The information could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list for each region and by distributing body(a) the number of projects that have received lottery funding and (b) the amount. [20380]

  Mr. Sproat
  A report on the distribution of national lottery proceeds is placed in the Library of the House each month which includes information in the format requested. The February edition will be placed in the Library of the House in the coming week.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which projects in Nottinghamshire have benefited from lottery funding; and what sums they have received. [20378]
  684
  Mr. Sproat
  To date, 60 awards totalling £8.9 million have been made to organisations in Nottinghamshire. They are:

  National Lottery awards in Nottinghamshire

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Location

  Amount

  Arts

  6 February 1996

  Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery

  Nottingham

  1,750,000.00

  Arts

  6 July 1995

  Nottingham Media Centre Ltd.

  Nottingham

  1,320,000.00

  Arts

  6 July 1995

  Nottingham Theatre Trust Ltd.

  Nottingham

  825,000.00

  Sports

  11 March 1996

  Nottingham Squash Rackets Club

  Nottingham

  772,000.00

  Sports

  4 May 1995

  Rushcliffe Leisure Centre

  Nottinghamshire

  540,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  The Zone Youth Project

  Nottingham

  250,000.00

  MC

  22 February 1996

  St. Martha's Community Project

  Nottingham

  243,600.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Nottingham Black Initiative

  Nottingham

  208,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Ashfield Women's Centre

  Kirby In Ashfield, Nottingham

  200,000.00

  Sports

  10 January 1996

  Broxtowe Borough Council

  Nottinghamshire

  177,943.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Anejo

  Nottingham

  150,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Play Centre for Children with Disabilities

  Nottingham

  148,430.00

  Arts

  6 February 1996

  Gujarat Samaj—Nottingham

  Nottingham

  139,865.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Hyson Green Youth Club

  Nottingham

  135,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  DIAL Mansfield & District

  Mansfield, Notts

  126,146.00

  NLCB

  20 November 1995

  Nottingham Counselling Centre

  Nottingham

  124,015.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Nottingham Council for Voluntary Service

  Nottingham

  104,640.00

  Arts

  21 September 1995

  Nottingham Community Arts

  Nottingham

  96,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Pakistan Centre, Nottingham

  Nottingham

  95,000.00

  Sports

  11 March 1996

  Nottinghamshire County Sailing Club

  Nottinghamshire

  89,800.00

  NLCB

  20 November 1995

  Build Nottingham Mentor Programme

  Nottingham

  83,204.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Age Concern Nottinghamshire

  Nottingham

  81,500.00

  Arts

  21 September 1995

  Bingham Infants Self Help Group

  Nottinghamshire

  80,000.00

  685

  National Lottery awards in Nottinghamshire

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Location

  Amount

  Arts

  6 February 1996

  Hindu Temple Cultural and Community Centre

  Nottingham

  77,625.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  The Saturday Club

  Mansfield, Notts.

  76,440.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Broxtowe Womens Training Group

  Strelley, Notts.

  76,000.00

  NHMF

  23 November 1995

  Erewash Meadows and Flashes

  Notts. and Derby

  75,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Path East Midlands Ltd.

  Radford, Notts.

  70,000.00

  Sports

  10 January 1996

  Boughton Parish Council

  Nottinghamshire

  68,540.00

  Sports

  6 September 1995

  Arnold Boys' Football Club

  Nottinghamshire

  59,000.00

  Sports

  7 June 1995

  British Canoeing Union Sprint Racing Com

  Nottinghamshire

  57,515.00

  Sports

  4 May 95

  Gedling Borough Council

  Nottinghamshire

  57,000.00

  Sports

  4 May 1995

  Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association

  Nottinghamshire

  52,800.00

  NLCB

  20 November 1995

  Nottingham Mencap

  Nottingham

  51,180.00

  Sports

  9 August 1995

  Moderns Rugby Club

  Nottinghamshire

  47,973.00

  Arts

  16 October 1995

  Gedling Borough Council

  Nottinghamshire

  41,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  St. Philips Church Top Valley

  Top Valley, Notts.

  40,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Rutland CAB, Grantham

  Grantham, Notts

  37,527.00

  Sports

  11 March 1996

  Radcliffe on Trent Bowling Club

  Radcliffe on Trent, Notts.

  33,683.00

  Arts

  23 November 1995

  East Midlands Shape

  Nottingham

  31,500.00

  Sports

  6 December 1995

  Southwell Parish Council

  Nottinghamshire

  31,000.00

  Sports

  4 May 1995

  Newark and Sherwood District Council

  Nottinghamshire

  28,000.00

  Sports

  8 November 1995

  Lound Water Ski Club

  Nottinghamshire

  26,000.00

  Arts

  6 July 1995

  Harley Foundation

  Nottinghamshire

  20,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Bulwell Vision

  Bulwell, Notts.

  18,450.00

  Sports

  9 August 1995

  Whatton and Aslockton Parish Councils

  Nottinghamshire

  17,500.00

  Sports

  11 March 1996

  Stanton by Dale Cricket Club

  Ilkeston, Notts.

  17,000.00

  Arts

  24 May 1995

  CODA

  Nottingham City

  16,500.00

  Sports

  5 July 1995

  Fernie Fields Sports Club (Vanaid Fc)

  Nottinghamshire

  10,188.00

  686

  National Lottery awards in Nottinghamshire

  Body

  Announced

  Recipient

  Location

  Amount

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Bulwell Community Toy Library

  Nottingham, Nottingham

  9,887.00

  Sports

  9 August 1995

  Dukeries Gliding Club

  Nottinghamshire

  9,700.00

  Arts

  16 October 1995

  Nottingham Trent University

  Nottingham

  7,750.00

  Sports

  4 May 1995

  Worksop Cricket and Sports Club Bowls

  Nottinghamshire

  6,955.00

  Sports

  9 August 1995

  Burton Joyce Tennis Club

  Nottinghamshire

  6,000.00

  Sports

  8 November 1995

  Kimberley Miners Welfare Football Club

  Nottinghamshire

  3,700.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Ashfield Play Care Scheme

  Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

  3,000.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Allsorts

  Edwalton, Nottingham

  2,800.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  S.P.A.C.E.

  Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottingham

  2,200.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  1st Blidworth (St. Mary's) Brownies

  Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

  1,100.00

  NLCB

  19 December 1995

  Playwell Parent and Toddler Group

  Long Eaton, Notts.

  600.00

  Total

  8,931,256.00

TREASURY

  Close Companies
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals declared themselves close company men for the purposes of tax relief in each of the last three years. [18172]

  Mr. Jack
  Corporation tax records held centrally do not enable us to identify close companies or those with only one individual associate.

  Former British Rail Employees (Travel Passes)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Inland Revenue calculates the personal tax liability for railway status travel passes and staff travelcards issued to former British Rail employees who now work for private railway companies; what estimate he has made of the revenue which will be raised in a full tax year as a result of tax deductions for these travel passes and cards; and what tax deductions were made for these passes and cards when issued by British Rail to its
  own employees. [19608]

  Mr. Jack
  Employees are generally liable to tax on vouchers for free or cheap travel. The taxable benefit is the cost to the employer of providing the voucher. However, there is statutory exemption from the tax charge for British Rail employees earning less than £8,500 per year. This exemption continues for people who were
  687
  employed by British Rail on 11 January 1994, even if as a result of the Railways Act they are transferred to Railtrack, a train operating company, or certain other successor bodies which are engaged in the railway industry.

  No estimate exist of the amounts of revenue raised, now or in the past, in connection with the issue of travel passes and cards.

  Smuggling
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many smuggling operations have been broken up in each year since 1987; and what estimate he has made of the extent of smuggling. [19857]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No statistics are available for years prior to 1990. The number of smuggling organisations which have been broken up as a result of the work of the Customs and Excise investigation division in each year since then is as follows:

  1990–91: 180

  1991–92: 183

  1992–93: 178

  1993–94: 188

  1994–95: 172

  There are too many uncertainties to form any reliable estimate of the extent of smuggling of prohibited or restricted goods. Customs and Excise is at present working with the drinks and tobacco industries to improve estimates of the extent of smuggling of excise duty goods.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the net payments made to the European Union budget by the 12 member states in 1994, on a per capita basis. [20464]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The table sets out the figures. These are drawn from the European Court of Auditors' calculations of member states' total financial contributions to and receipts from the European budget published in the "Annual Report covering the financial year 1994". Net payments figures show the balance from the two sides of the budget, by deducting total receipts from the gross contribution for each member state. A minus sign therefore indicates that a member state receives more from the EU budget than it pays.

  The figures for net payments can only be indicative because the Court of Auditors does not allocate all Community spending by member states. In particular, administrative spending in Belgium is not fully attributed. In addition, net payments can vary significantly from year to year owing to adjustments in own resource payments and fluctuations in receipts.

  The Commission has committed itself to provide a detailed breakdown of member states' receipts from the Community budget on an annual basis once the new own resources decision comes into force. This, together with Commission figures on member states' gross contributions, should help provide us with more information about member states' net payments.
  688

  Net payments to the EU budget in 1994 (in ecu per head)

  Germany

  167.7

  Netherlands

  119.6

  France

  45.4

  Italy

  44.5

  Belgium

  30.6

  UK

  19.9

  Denmark

  -38.2

  Spain

  -79.7

  Portugal

  -184.5

  Greece

  -370.4

  Ireland

  -486.7

  Luxembourg

  -634.3

  These figures are net of the UK's abatement.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average rate of income tax in(a) 1979, (b) 1983, (c) 1987, (d) 1992 and (e) the latest year for which figures are available for those taxpayers on (a) half average personal income, (b) average personal income and (c) twice average personal income. [20345]

  Mr. Jack
  Standard comparisons are based on calculating income tax liabilities with incomes at multiples of full-time male average earnings—adult rates, all occupations. These are given in tables 13.6a to 13.6c of the 1995–96 tax benefit reference manual, a copy of which can be found in the Library.

  Estimates for 1996–97 are given in the table.

  Multiple of average earnings1

  0.5

  1

  2

  Single person

  13.7

  18.9

  26.1

  One earner married couple with no children

  11.1

  17.6

  25.5

  One earner married with two children under 112

  1.3

  12.6

  23.0

  1 Full time males, adult rates, all occupations.

  2 Net of child benefit.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on employment of the measures necessary to meet the budget deficit criteria for membership of the European monetary union. [20336]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  None. It is in any case the Government's objective to bring the public sector borrowing requirement back towards balance over the medium term. The achievement of sound public finances is a necessary condition for a sustained increase in employment.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the most recent recommendations made by the European monetary committee on the progress of the United Kingdom towards achieving the Maastricht convergence criteria for economic and monetary union. [20597]
  689
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Article 109c of the treaty on European Union explains the role of the monetary committee in preparing the work of the Council. The most recent Council recommendation on the progress of the UK towards achieving the Maastricht convergence criteria was the recommendation of 12 July 1995 with a view to bringing an end to the situation of an excessive deficit in the UK.

  Exports (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of exports from Wales in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [20648]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The location of the business enterprise making an export is not held by HM Customs and Excise; only the address registered for VAT purposes is available which may be at a different location within the UK. Consequently regional analyses of the trade statistics are not produced, and information relating to the value of exports by business enterprises located in Wales is not available.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons and at what level in his Department were involved in considering the Government's response to the report of the Scott inquiry. [16560]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 22 February 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 February, Official Report, columns 239–40.

  Building Societies Review
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish his building societies review; and if he will make a statement. [18563]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 4 March 1996]: I hope to publish a draft Building Societies Bill on Monday 18 March, for three months' consultation.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [20089]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The School Teachers Review Body has a statutory base. Its reports, containing its recommendations to the Government, are published under a statutory requirement and laid before Parliament. Similarly, the other pay review bodies'—covering the armed forces; doctors and dentists; nursing staff, midwives, health visitors and professions allied to medicine; and senior salaries—recommendations are published and laid before Parliament, but not under any specific statutory requirement.
  690
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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 meeting and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20106]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The pay review bodies take evidence from the interested parties. The School Teachers Review Body does so under a statutory requirement. The other pay review bodies do so voluntarily.

  NHS Trusts
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the discrepancy between the originating capital debt allocated to the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals national health service trust in SI No. 350 and that set out in the Treasury minute on dissolution and reconfiguration of certain national health service trusts. [20329]

  Mr. Horam
  I have been asked to reply.

  The amount of originating capital debt allocated to the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals national health service trust represents the excess of the valuation of the assets over the liabilities which were transferred to it on, or in connection with, its establishment. The figure in SI No. 350—£135,395,656 split evenly between public dividend capital and interest-bearing initial loan—was arrived at by aggregating the values of land and buildings provided by the district valuer, the values of equipment taken from the asset registers and the values of debtors and creditors taken from the audited books of account of the two dissolved trusts. These values were certified by auditors appointed by the Audit Commission prior to the setting of the OCD of the new trust.

  The figures contained in the departmental minute on the dissolution and reconfiguration of certain NHS trusts which was presented by the Treasury on 20 February 1996 are the liabilities outstanding to the Consolidated Fund at 1 April 1995 in respect of the OCD and further long-term loans issued by the Secretary of State for Health to Royal Liverpool University Hospital NHS trust and Broadgreen Hospital NHS trust before their dissolution. These liabilities, which were transferred to Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals national health service trust, were left out of account in determining the latter's net assets for the purposes of SI No. 350.

  The total of £114,112,928 proposed to be remitted comprises:

  £

  Royal Liverpool Hospital Trust

  OCD—Initial loan

  34,112,288

  OCD—PDC

  39,665,451

  Further borrowing

  7,531,600

  Total

  81,309,339

  691

  £

  Broadgreen Hospital NHS Trust

  OCD—Initial loan

  15,042,059

  OCD—PDC

  17,491,230

  Further borrowing

  270,300

  Total

  32,803,589

  There need not be any direct relationship between the public debt of a dissolving trust or trusts and the OCD of any successor body. The former arises as a result of the OCD set at some point in the past, based on net asset values at that time, and subsequently changes as a result of principal repayments and new borrowing. The latter is based on the net asset values at current valuation on the date of a trust's establishment.

  Mrs. Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy not to implement the Treasury minute on the dissolution and reconfiguration of certain national health service trusts—remission of outstanding debt, until he has published an explanation of the calculations of the basis contained therein. [20355]

  Mr. Jack
  The explanation is as follows:

  The amounts totalling £448,876,543 which are proposed for remission are the outstanding liabilities to the Consolidated Fund as at 31 March 1995 of seven NHS trusts which were dissolved on 1 April 1995. These liabilities are in respect of their outstanding originating capital debt, which is deemed under section 9(3) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to have been issued out of moneys provided by Parliament, and their further borrowings and any issues of public dividend capital from the Secretary of State for Health which have been paid out of moneys provided by Parliament.

  The figure of £494,027,365 is the total originating capital debt of the five new trusts, which were established on 1 April 1995 from mergers of the dissolved trusts with each other or with directly managed unit. The trusts concerned are listed in paragraph 7 of the minute, and their individual originating capital debt is specified in SI 350. In accordance with section 9(1) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, each new trust's originating capital debt represents the excess of the valuation of the assets over the valuation of the liabilities transferred to it on or in connection with its establishment.

  The difference between the newly created capital debt and the amounts being written off reflects differences in composition and valuation between the net assets of the new trusts and those of the dissolved trusts concerned.

PRIME MINISTER

  Exports (Iraq)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the minute circulated on 1 August 1990 of the meeting chaired by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 19 July 1990 in 692
  regard to the changing of the 1985 Howe guidelines concerning the sale of goods to Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [20331]

  The Prime Minister
  This document was submitted as evidence to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry. I understand that Sir Richard Scott proposes to publish as soon as possible any documents which he considers relevant to his report, consistent with his procedures.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 14 March. [19239]

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

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  House of Commons Notepaper
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) what representations he has had concerning the die-stamping of House of Commons notepaper with the official stamp and portcullis crest by Wilprint Ltd. since October 1995; [20852]

  (2) when Wilprint Ltd. won the contract for die-stamping the official stamp and portcullis crest on the notepaper of the House; and what is the duration of the contract. [20853]

  Mr. Beith
  I have received one representation from the hon. Member himself. Her Majesty's Stationery Office is, of course, responsible for contracts with individual firms, but I can tell the hon. Member that the contract for die-stamping House of Commons stationery was awarded by HMSO to Wilprint Ltd. in February 1995 after competitive tender. The contract will cease in October 1996.

ENVIRONMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he has computed the figure of 80 per cent. in determining what percentage of local authority costs in meeting the needs of asylum seekers should be met by Her Majesty's Government, following the withdrawal of social security benefits. [20275]

  Mr. Curry
  The Government consider that it is a reasonable basis for making additional resources available to local authorities in England for this purpose for 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  North Lincolnshire Authority
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to provide additional
  693
  financial assistance to North Lincolnshire authority similar to that which has been announced for Scottish unitary authorities; and if he will make a statement. [19985]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend has already provided that some £2.182 million is to be paid to North Lincolnshire under section 88A of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to recompense North Lincolnshire district council for the income forgone as a consequence of the transitional reduction of council taxes under the Local Government Changes for England (Council Tax) (Transitional Reduction) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No. 176 as amended by SI 1996 No. 333).

  We have no plans to make further assistance available.

  Energy Saving Trust
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what level of funding is projected for the current financial year and each financial year to the year 2000 for the Energy Saving Trust from(a) gas consumers, (b) electricity consumers and (c) other private sector sources. [20395]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 9 January 1996,Official Report, column 4, which outlined the Government's proposed funding of the Energy Saving Trust. The trust is an independent company and non-Government funding is a matter for the trust.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 5 March,Official Report, column 102, if he will list the steps taken to ensure full compliance with the Environmental Protection (Applications, Appeals and Registers) Regulations 1991 in respect of the recent variation of the authorisation to burn secondary liquid fuel granted to Castle Cement under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [20348]

  Mr. Clappison
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution issued the variation to Castle Cement on 23 January 1996 under section 10 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and followed all the requirements set out in this and in part II of schedule 1 to the Act, which sets out how variations are to be treated. The inspectorate treated the variation as substantial for the purposes of section 10 and consulted all those prescribed in SI 507. The inspectorate put copies of all notices and other papers as required by the Act on the public registers and carefully considered all the comments it received both from statutory consultees and elsewhere before taking its decision.

  Local Authorities (Sale of Interests)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environmental if he will list the local authorities which have sold their interests in(a) a municipal bus company, (b) crematoria and (c) airports in the current year to date. [20454]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  To date, in the financial year 1995–96 no local authorities have sold their interests in municipal bus companies. Pendle borough council hopes to complete the sale of its share in the Burnley and Pendle Bus Company soon. Two airport sales have been 694
  completed in this period. Dorset county council and Bournemouth borough council sold their interests in Bournemouth International Airport plc to National Express. Mid, South and West Glamorgan councils sold their interests in Cardiff International Airport Ltd. to TBI, a local company. Information on the sale of crematoria has not been collected centrally. In September 1996–97 we propose to request information on the sale of assets which have been subject to targeted relaxations in the amount required to be set aside under the capital finance system. Bus companies, crematoria and airports are among these.

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by rank order the debt of each local authority expressed as a money sum per head of population. [20745]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have today placed the information requested in the Library of the House.

  CITES Regulations
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure that annexe D of the draft Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulation contains a fully representative list of species. [20758]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department is playing full part in the negotiations with other member states in consultation with our scientific advisors at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the royal botanic gardens, Kew.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987–88; how many were not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the grounds that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21149]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Special Areas of Conservation
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will be providing guidance on the establishment of management schemes for special areas of conservation under the EC habitats directive. [21192]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government are undertaking public consultation on a draft guide to implementing the EC habitats directive in the marine environment. Developed by a topic group of the Department of the Environment's coastal forum, the guide will be aimed at those authorities who would be responsible for setting up management schemes on sites covered by the EC habitats directive.
  695
  The draft document is also a guide to the regulations which implement the habitats directive in Great Britain—the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994. The guide sets out the legal obligations and duties with regard to European marine sites.

  Like the habitats directive, the guide underlines the principle of sustainable development. The aim is to ensure that human activities are undertaken in ways that do not threaten the nature conservation interest and, wherever possible support it.

  The guidance gives advice on the ways in which organisations responsible for aspects of the marine environment can work together to achieve conservation through co-operation. The importance of widespread consultation is also a principal theme in the draft guide.

  Comments on the draft guidance are invited by 26 April 1996.

  Development Plans
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to amend the system of development plans prepared under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990; and if he will make a statement. [21193]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Westbury (Mr. Faber) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 13 March 1996,Official Report, column 620.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce his decisions on the recommendations made to him by the Local Government Commission on 19 December 1995, following its review of the structure of 21 districts in England. [21404]

  Mr. Gummer
  I can now announce my decisions on the recommendations made by the Local Government Commission following its review of the structure of 21 districts. In reaching these decisions I have considered the commission's report and the representations which I have received. I have also take account of the estimates of transitional and on-going costs, and the viability of the structures which will result—both the unitary authorities and the remaining two-tier arrangements. In each case, I am satisfied that on balance my decision will best reflect the identities and interests of local communities and will best secure effective and convenient local government.

  I am accepting the commission's recommendations that there should be no structural change in Basildon, Broxtowe, Dartford, Exeter, Gedling, Gloucester, Gravesham, Huntingdonshire, Northampton, Norwich, Rushcliffe and Spelthorne. I am satisfied that the case for a single tier of local government has been properly considered; I have no plans to direct the commission to carry out any further reviews of local government structure. Local authorities in all areas where there is no structural change now need to concentrate on developing and improving the delivery of services within the existing system. In most cases, local authorities have given
  696
  undertakings on this; however, I shall not hesitate to intervene if it appears that those undertakings to work together are not being fulfilled.

  The commission made recommendations for unitary authorities to be created in nine of the districts reviewed. I have decided to accept their recommendations for the reasons set out.

  Blackburn

  I have decided to accept the commission's recommendation that there should be a unitary authority for Blackburn.

  As a former county borough it has a history of unitary local government. There is good evidence that Blackburn would operate effectively as a unitary authority. There is strong local identification with the two towns of Blackburn and Darwen within the borough, and support for unitary status. With a population of 138,300 the borough would be able to provide the full range of services, and its economic future could, I believe, be more effectively addressed by a strong unitary authority.

  Blackpool

  I also accept that Blackpool should be a unitary authority. It too is a former county borough. Its separate identity from the rest of Lancashire is well defined and is both local and national. Blackpool has clear and distinctive socio-economic problems, and tourism brings additional service pressure not shared by adjacent districts. Local residents identify strongly with the town. With a population of 152,100 it would be able to provide the full range of services. I have therefore concluded that a unitary authority would be viable and better able to address the needs and aspirations of local residents.

  I am satisfied that, without Blackburn and Blackpool, Lancashire county council would be of sufficient size and strength to be viable, and to readjust its service provision to operate with no loss in cost-effectiveness.

  Gillingham and Rochester upon Medway

  In north-west Kent, I have concluded that the balance of evidence lies in favour of accepting the commission's recommendations; that there should be a joint unitary Gillingham and Rochester upon Medway but that Dartford and Gravesham should remain within the current structure of local government.

  The case for joining the Medway towns in one unitary authority is strong. It is a significant urban area, one of the largest in the south-east outside London, with a population in excess of 240,000. The two boroughs form a continuous conurbation with strong cross-community interests and common physical and economic interests. Uniting the two authorities would provide a clearer focus and impetus to the Medway area and its size would ensure that the new authority would be well able to deliver the full range of local services. Kent county council would still be one of the largest county councils in England.

  The commission, however, judged that on balance the case for Dartford and Gravesham was not so strong and had not been made out. It felt that the more diverse characters of the two districts along with the lack of wider support, particularly in Gravesham, would make a joint

  697
  unitary authority more difficult to establish. I strongly endorse the commission's conclusion that all the local authorities concerned should support and promote a development partnership for the area to manage change and growth. I shall not hesitate to intervene if it appears that those undertakings to work together are not being fulfilled.

  Halton

  I accept the commission's recommendation that Halton should become a unitary authority. It has an internal cohesion and a high level of self-sufficiency with most residents staying within the borough for shoping, work and leisure. It has a socio-economic profile more akin to that of neighbouring metropolitan areas and is quite distinct from the rest of the county. Both Runcorn as a new town and Widnes as a town expansion scheme have experienced substantial inward migration from Merseyside in the past 25 years, contributing to the relatively low level of community identity with Cheshire.

  The authority is well placed to forge alliances and co-operative arrangements with neighbouring unitary authorities. There would be major advantages for Halton in being able to adopt a more locally focused approach to the co-ordination of services within an area which has a high level of deprivation and requires substantial regeneration.

  Warrington

  Also in Cheshire, I accept that Warrington should also become a unitary authority. As a large maturing new town, it has the size, with a population of 187,000, and the experience—as a county borough prior to 1974—to suggest that it would be well placed to deliver the full range of local authority services. It has grown rapidly since its designation as a new town, emphasising its separateness from the rest of Cheshire. Warrington itself is the main focus for the majority of residents in the borough.

  I am satisfied that, without Halton and Warrington, Cheshire county council would remain of sufficient size, with a population of 665,300 to deliver county services. Without these two very urban and quite distinct areas, Cheshire county council would be able to focus more effectively on the remaining, more rural, county area.

  Peterborough

  I accept that Peterborough should become a unitary authority. The city area has a long history of being distinct from the rest of Cambridgeshire. It is also geographically marginal, situated on the edge of the county. It has a strategic importance with respect to communications, being situated on the main east coast railway link and on two major roads.

  It is at the heart of an area covered by the greater Peterborough partnership, and is a major employment and retailing centre serving areas beyond the city. Its sphere of influence extends beyond the boundaries of the county. Peterborough has experienced rapid growth as a new town, and its highly urban character make it distinct from the rest of the county. It has the size, with 158,300
  698
  population on present boundaries, to be capable of delivering a full range of services, and unitary status would enable it to focus on its specific urban needs.

  The remaining county would be more coherent without the highly urban Peterborough, and will be of sufficient size to be viable. It will, however, be important for the whole area that the county council and the unitary Peterborough address the issue of revised service arrangements, and that the existing economic development partnerships involving the various agencies, local authorities and the private sector are maintained, in order to maintain the quality of service delivery.

  Thurrock

  I have decided to accept the commission's recommendation that there should be a unitary authority for Thurrock. Thurrock has a community identity which is distinct from the rest of Essex. Its strategic importance extends beyond the county boundary, a result of its location on the periphery of London and the presence of the Lakeside complex. There is good support from residents and local organisations for change and, with a population of 131,000, I believe that Thurrock would be able to provide the full range of local government services.

  I am satisfied that Essex—without Thurrock and Southend, which is also to become a unitary authority—would still be large enough for the county council to be a viable and cost-effective provider of services for the rest of the county.

  The Wrekin

  In Shropshire, I have decided that The Wrekin should become a unitary authority. It has a good case for unitary status on the grounds of both community identity and convenient and effective local government within the district.

  The Wrekin has a character which is distinct from the rest of Shropshire, founded in its industrial history and the more recent development of Telford new town. The commission found that the district is largely self-contained for employment and leisure, that there are strong links between Telford and the rural part of the district, and that the population looks more towards the west midlands conurbation than to the rest of Shropshire.

  I believe that unitary local government would help The Wrekin to develop its full potential as a major growth point for the west midlands. The benefits would extend beyond the authority's boundaries to the rest of the area. With a growing population, currently some 143,000, and a good infrastructure, I consider that a unitary council would be capable of delivering the full range of local authority services.

  I am, however, mindful of the concerns which have been expressed about the impact of a unitary authority on the rest of Shropshire. I look to the new unitary authority to co-operate with Shropshire county council and the neighbouring districts to ensure that the economic and other benefits of unitary local government in The Wrekin are felt throughout the county.
  699
  Non-structural recommendations

  Where I have accepted the commission's recommendations for structural change, I also propose to accept its recommendations for associated changes.

  On strategic land use and planning, I accept the recommendations that the unitary authorities in Halton, Warrington and Thurrock should be enabled to prepare unitary development plans for their areas. I consider that unitary development plans offer the best way forward for the planning in these areas which are adjacent to metropolitan areas which already prepare unitary development plans.

  In the other areas which will gain unitary status, I accept the commission's recommendation that the new unitary authorities should work jointly with the county council to maintain a joint structure plan for the combined area.

  In these areas, the commission's recommendation provides for alternative approaches to minerals and waste local planning. It recommends that these planning responsibilities should be discharged through joint arrangements with the county council, but that the unitary authorities should be authorised to include such detailed policies in their local plans, if that would secure greater efficiency without prejudicing the county-wide strategic policy. Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 would enable joint arrangements to happen where they suit local circumstances. On the other hand, the joint structure plan wold include strategic policies for minerals and waste planning while the unitary authorities' local plans must be in general conformity with the structure plan; this would ensure that any detailed minerals and waste policies included in those local plans did not prejudice the jointly prepared strategic policies. I therefore accept both the alternative approaches. I agree that these recommendations offer the best way forward for planning in these areas.

  I accept the commission's recommendations on the police, fire, probation and magistrates courts services in the unitary authorities.

  The commission also made a number of recommendations for boundary and electoral changes. One, in the Basildon area, would have involved a particularly large transfer of population between Basildon, Brentwood and Rochford. This was first put forward in 1994 by the commission, following its review of Essex. Despite some local support, I consider that the proposals need further examination, especially with regard to the financial consequences. I am not satisfied that the commission was able to do this within the timing constraints on the district reviews. I therefore intend to direct the commission to look again at this matter, and at other boundaries in Essex, when it conducts its periodic electoral review of the county.
  700
  The commission also recommended a number of other smaller changes involving transfers of land between Huntingdonshire and Peterborough in the area of the southern township development. Given the southern township's strategic relationship with Peterborough, and the need to facilitate effective planning and service provision there, I am satisfied that this boundary change is desirable, and I accept the commission's recommended changes. I am also provisionally accepting the recommended changes to the warding in Peterborough, which reflect the proposed boundary change, although, as I mention below, I shall be directing the commission to carry out an electoral review of the city.

  The recommended warding change in Gloucester city will rectify the under-representation in a number of the existing wards, and even out councillor to elector ratios; I accept this recommendation. The recommended boundary change in Surrey between Spelthorne and Runnymede districts takes account of changes in the course of the River Thames; former islands would be part of the district whose area they now join, thereby easing service delivery. I accept this recommendation also.

  This concludes the commission's current review of the structure of local government in England, and I am grateful for its thorough and expeditious work. As I foreshadowed on 5 March, I shall be directing the commission to undertake immediate reviews of the electoral arrangements in the areas which will acquire unitary status as a result of my decisions today. Unlike the earlier county reviews, the commission did not have time in these district reviews to consider the electoral arrangements in detail. There remains considerable variation in the councillor to elector ratios in many of these areas, and I am concerned that suitable electoral arrangements are in place in time for all out elections to the unitary authorities.

  We shall be consulting very shortly on draft orders to give effect to the decisions I have announced today, with a view to making the orders before the summer recess.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a list of all overseas visits make by all Ministers of his Department since 1990, including(a) details of the places visited and brief reasons for the visits, (b) details of the size, composition and cost to public funds of the delegation and (c) the names of non-ministerial members of each delegation and the capacity in which each was present. [17485]

  Mr. Gummer
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]: I have arranged for the available information about overseas visits to be placed in the Library. Providing the other information about other overseas visits that the hon. Member requests would involve disproportionate costs. I have assumed that the hon. Member does not include visits within the European Union in this category.
  701

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Telecommunications (Key Escrow)
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 229, in respect of key escrow services, who constitutes the network of trusted third parties. [20466]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  As stated in my previous answer, discussions are still taking place. Nevertheless, we would expect to see an international market demand for TTP services, and as such would envisage commercial organisations meeting them.

  Employment Rights Legislation
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those sections of the(a) Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, (b) Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and (c) Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993, the implementation of which are the responsibility of (i) the Department of Trade and Industry, (ii) the Department for Education and Employment and (iii) other Government Departments, specifying which. [20339]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I shall write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

  Energy from Waste Plants
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the study commissioned by his Department from the Water Research Council into the characteristics of ash from energy from waste plants; what advice he has received on the nature of this ash, and its place in the national waste classification system; if it is his Department's policy to support energy from waste plants; and if he will make a statement. [20462]

  Mr. Page
  The Department of Trade and Industry commissioned the Water Research Council to report on the properties and utilisation of municipal solid waste incineration residues, at a cost of £103,000. The report recommended that greatest effort should be given to the utilisation of bottom ash as secondary aggregate; an approach successfully employed in Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Ashes from the combustion of wood, coal and wastes are expected to be included in a new category in the third stage consultation on the waste classification scheme which the Department of the Environment will publish in April. Revenue from the beneficial use of bottom ash will help to improve the competitiveness of energy from waste projects which are supported by the non-fossil fuel obligation. Energy from waste projects also have the prospect of being developed outside the NFFO arrangements.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many conversions of Crown to agency status post offices(a) have been completed and (b) are proposed
  702
  in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and each of the English regions; and if he will list the affected office in each case. [20394]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I understand from the Post Office that the numbers of Crown post offices converted to agency status from March 1989 to the end of February 1996 by Post office Counters Ltd. regions are as follows:

  Number

  Scotland

  137

  Northern Ireland

  11

  North East

  82

  North Wales and North West

  105

  Midlands

  79

  South Wales and South West

  114

  North Thames and East Anglia

  159

  South East

  135

  A list of these 822 offices could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  I understand from the Post Office that the conversion to agency status of the following Crown post offices is currently proposed:

  Scotland

  Cambuslang

  North Wales and North West

  New Ferry

  Farnworth

  Denton

  Glossop

  North Thames and East Anglia

  Southgate, London E14

  Wood Street, London E17

  Midlands

  Shirley, Solihull

  North East

  Castleford

  South Wales and South West

  Devizes

  Bodmin

  Tewkesbury

  South East

  Portslade

  Rochester

  Trade Missions (Burma)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been allocated to funding trading missions to Burma; and if he will make a statement. [20393]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The DTI has allocated £23,000 in the form of £1,000 grants to eligible UK companies which participated in the Asia Pacific advisory group trade mission to Burma between 26 February and 1 March 1996.

  Exports (Burma)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his policy on the sale of goods to Burma. [20330]
  703
  Mr. Oppenheim
  Except for the European Union defence embargo, there are no restraints on the export of goods to Burma.

  Free Postage
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those persons and categories of persons who are entitled to free postage. [20522]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Royal Mail provides free postage to registered blind people, visually impaired people and individuals or organisations posting certain items to blind or visually impaired people. This service allows packets containing articles which have been specially produced or adapted for blind or visually impaired people to be sent by first class post, free of charge. Some members of the royal family receive free postage to assist them in carrying out their public duties. Petitions and addresses to Her Majesty's the Queen and either House of Parliament can also be forwarded free of postage.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of Thursday 25 January,Official Report, columns 317–18, what recent changes have been made to the list of members of the royal family and their households who receive free postage for their official mail. [20397]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: Since 1 March 1996 the Duchess of York and her staff have ceased to receive free postage.

  Barnsley and Doncaster Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what funds his Department has provided to the Barnsley and Doncaster TEC in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and what amount is planned for 1996–97. [20723]

  Mr. Page
  Barnsley and Doncaster TEC has received funding for the support of small and medium-sized businesses from numerous Government and European sources. The main DTI support is the enterprise budget which was £362,500 in 1994–95 and £294,000 in 1995–96 and is forecast to be £368,000 in 1996–97.

  Company Sizes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many employees currently work in firms with(a) one to 10 employees, (b) 11 to 20 employees, (c) 21 to 50 employees, (d) 51 to 100 employees, (e) 101 to 200 employees, (f) 201 to 500 employees, (g) 501 to 1,000 employees, (h) 1,001 to 2,000 employees and (i) over 2,000 employees; how many firms fall into each of these categories; and what percentage of the total number of firms is covered by each of these categories. [20854]

  Mr. Page
  Figures are not available by these size classes. The most recent estimates of the number of firms by employee size class are shown in the table.
  704

  Table 1: Number of employees and businesses by size of business, end-1993

  Enterprises

  Size (Employees)

  Employees Number

  Number

  Per cent.

  0

  0

  2,589,416

  72.3

  1–9

  2,348,846

  790,509

  22.1

  10–19

  1,438,367

  107,012

  3.0

  20–49

  1,766,520

  58,817

  1.6

  50–99

  1,294,070

  18,882

  0.5

  100–199

  1,197,586

  8,726

  0.2

  200–499

  1,495,828

  4,902

  0.1

  500+

  7,530,115

  3,205

  0.1

  All

  17,071,332

  3,581,469

  100

  Source:

  DTI Small Firms Statistics Unit.

  Technology Foresight Programme
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library the progress report on the technology foresight programme. [20588]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Yes. Today I have placed copies of the report in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Petroleum Licensing
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the licences for blocks under the seventh landward licensing round. [21190]

  Mr. Page
  Following my announcement to the House on 18 July 1995,Official Report, column 1210, inviting applications under the seventh round of landward petroleum licensing, I am pleased to announce that the applications have now been assessed and I have decided to award 22 new licences for landward oil and gas exploration covering 74 blocks.

  The majority of the awards are in the east midlands and Lincolnshire basin in which a number of oil and gas discoveries have been made over many years. Other awards have been made in less well-established areas including south Wales, Yorkshire and Humberside, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.

  New exploration concepts offered by companies in their applications should result in a significant increase in the exploration activity on land in Great Britain. A quarter of the applications were based on gas from coal and involve the exploitation of conventional coal bed methane, gob gas—gas collecting in old mines from de-stressed coals—and the gas which is currently vented to the atmosphere from abandoned mines for safety purposes.

  I have tried to strike a balance in the wards across the round as a whole to ensure that both conventional and coal bed methane resources are thoroughly explored and that the optimum exploitation of hydrocarbon resources will result.

  Some of the licences awarded are for blocks that straddle land and sea boundaries. I have decided to apply strict conditions in these cases to exclude any oil and gas

  705
  activity below the low-water mark. Activities above the low-water mark require planning permission which will take account of any environmental impact.

  Although no near shore oil and gas activity has been licensed in this round, should interest be expressed in the watery areas in future licensing rounds, I will look again at the possibility of licensing them subject to satisfactory arrangements being put in place for protecting the interests of other users of the sea and the environment.

  I was very impressed with the quality of the applications as well as their innovative and considered approach to oil and gas exploration and development. This is an encouraging outcome in the first landward petroleum licensing round to be held for three years. It is also the first landward round to allow companies to apply for the new unified petroleum exploration and development licence that covers the full life cycle of any hydrocarbon discovery.

  Decisions about the awards were made on the basis of the technical work programmes offered by each applicant together with their evaluation of the exploration opportunities. I also took into account environmental and financial factors.

  The onshore oil and gas industry has intended to be overshadowed by the huge successes in the North sea and now west of Shetland. Nevertheless, the onshore industry has a continuing and important role to play in the UK's energy sector, particularly in the light of the opportunities from the increasingly deregulated markets for gas and electricity. We also need the flexibility and freshness of approach that small companies bring to enhance the UK's ability to meet its energy needs.

  These licence awards indicate the strong interest in petroleum exploration on land and underscore the broad range of licence opportunities available to the oil and gas industry across the whole of Great Britain and the United Kingdom continental shelf. I intend to build on this interest by holding landward rounds on a regular basis in future.

  I will place copies of this announcement in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Insolvency Service
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he met or spoke by telephone to the Deputy Prime Minister on 28 February to discuss whether the contracting out of Insolvency Service casework should proceed. [19580]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: Any discussions between Ministers are confidential.

  Companies House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of market-testing and benchmarking exercises within Companies House; and if he will estimate the efficiency savings arising from such exercises. [20559]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 13 March 1996]: It will not be possible to determine the costs and savings
  706
  of the Companies House contracting-out programme until the programme has been completed.

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider the approval of the importing and use of orimulsion for the purpose of electricity generation. [20370]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 13 March 1996]: No. The choice of fuel to be used in a power station is a commercial matter for the company concerned subject to the operation of the station being able to satisfy the requirements of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases have been referred by Doncaster police to the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last four years; how many have been prosecuted; and how many have been successful. [19643]

  The Attorney-General
  Cases from the Doncaster police are dealt with by the South Yorkshire branch of the Crown Prosecution Service. That branch also deals with cases referred to it from other divisions of the South Yorkshire police force and, as statistics are kept on a branch basis only, it would not normally be possible to separate the figures for one police division from others serving the same branch. Exceptionally, I am able to provide figures for the last two calender years. Figures for the years 1992 and 1993 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The figures shown in the tables represent the number of cases received from the police and the number of defendants whose case proceeded to a hearing in magistrates courts and in the Crown court during the calendar years 1994 and 1995 and, of those, the proportion who were convicted. Convictions are inclusive of guilty pleas, as well as of contested hearings.

  In the magistrates court, table 1 shows:
  the number of defendants whose case was received by the CPS and the number whose case was finalised;
  of defendants finalised, the number whose case was referred to the CPS for pre-charge advice, and the number of other, non-criminal, proceedings—such as forfeiture proceedings under the Obscene Publications Acts;

  Table 2 shows:
  defendants whose case was not proceeded with, divided into cases where the prosecution was dropped and cases which could not proceed and were written off—for example, because the defendant had died, or could not be traced.

  Table 3 shows:
  of those cases proceeded with, the number of: defendants bound over to keep the peace; defendants cases dealt with summarily by hearings in the magistrates court; defendants committed for trial to the Crown court; and defendants whose case was discharged at committal.
  707
  Table 4 shows:
  of the cases heard in the magistrates court, the number of defendants convicted and the number acquitted. The sum of the two figures exceeds the number shown in table 3 for cases proceeding to a hearing because in cases where a defendant enters mixed pleas—guilty to some charges and not guilty to others—and is subsequently acquitted on those charges to which he pleaded not guilty, the Crown Prosecution Service counts the result as both a conviction and an acquittal or two convictions when the not guilty plea is proved. The same case may, therefore, count amongst the figures for convictions and those for acquittals.

  In the Crown court, table 5 shows:
  the number of defendants whose case was received and the number finalised. Of the number of defendants cases finalised, the number dealt with by way of appeal from the magistrates court or committed to the Crown court for sentence.

  Table 6 shows:
  of defendants' cases not proceeded with, divided into those in which no evidence was offered before the jury was sworn—prosecution dropped—and those which could not proceed and were written off—for example, because the defendant had died, could not be traced by the police or had been found unfit to plead.

  Table three: Proceeded with of which

  Bind over

  Per cent.

  Hearings in the Magistrates' Court

  Per cent.

  Committed to Crown Court

  Per cent.

  Committal discharged

  Per cent.

  1994

  166

  2.1

  5,595

  70.8

  726

  9.2

  17

  0.2

  1995

  187

  2.4

  5,557

  71.3

  633

  8.1

  7

  0.1

  Outcome of which…

  Convicted

  Per cent.

  Acquitted

  Per cent.

  1994

  5,519

  98.3

  94

  1.7

  1995

  5,462

  98.1

  104

  1.9

  Table five: Crown Court

  Receipts

  Finalised

  of which Appeals and committals for sentence

  Per cent.

  1994

  936

  869

  122

  14.0

  1995

  780

  878

  131

  14.9

  Table six: Not proceeded with of which…

  Prosecution dropped

  Per cent.

  Written off

  Per cent.

  1994

  46

  6.2

  0

  0.0

  1995

  78

  10.4

  0

  0.0

  Table seven: proceeded with of which…

  Bind over

  Per cent.

  Hearings

  Per cent.

  1994

  9

  1.2

  692

  92.6

  1995

  27

  3.6

  642

  85.9

  Table eight: outcome of which…

  Convicted

  Per cent.

  Acquitted

  Per cent.

  1994

  696

  96.0

  29

  4.0

  1995

  636

  95.6

  29

  4.4

  708
  Table 7 shows:
  the number of defendants' cases proceeded with divided into the number bound over to keep the peace and the number heard in the Crown court.

  Table 8 shows:
  of the defendants' cases heard in the Crown court, the number which resulted in convictions and the number of acquittals. The sum of these figures is greater than the figure shown in table 7 for cases proceeding to a hearing for the same reason as set out above for cases in the magistrates court.

  Table one: Magistrates Court

  Case numbers

  Received

  Finalised

  Of which Pre-charge advice

  Per cent.

  Other proceedings

  Per cent.

  1994

  9,368

  9,105

  1,182

  13

  26

  0.3

  1995

  8,360

  8,384

  523

  6.2

  63

  0.8

  Table two: Not proceeded with of which

  Prosecution dropped

  Per cent.

  Written off

  Per cent.

  1994

  1,003

  12.7

  390

  4.9

  1995

  1,130

  14.5

  284

  3.6

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in favour of the introduction of a compulsory British identity card. [18986]

  Mr. Howard
  Of over 3,000 responses we received to the Green Paper on identity cards, 1,700 were in favour of the introduction of an identity card and of these 800 favoured a compulsory card.

  Prison Service
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the study commissioned by his Department into relations between the Home Office and the Prison Service. [18995]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The hon. Member is referring to the in-depth study recommended by General Sir John Learmont. As my right hon and learned Friend told the House on 16 October,Official Report, columns 30–44, we have set work in hand in response to this recommendation. The work was assisted initially by Miss Kate Jenkins and then taken forward by discussions between Prison Service and Home Office officials—but no in-depth study as recommended by Sir John Learmont has been commissioned. We have had a number of general inquiries in connection with this but no representations as

  709
  such. My right hon. and learned Friend has undertaken to give a full response to the Learmont recommendations in due course and this remains the position.

  Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes currently operate in Leicestershire; what was the figure five years ago; and if he will make a statement. [18996]

  Mr. Maclean
  There are currently 2,701 neighbourhood watch schemes in Leicestershire. At the end of December 1990 there were 1,245. This is an increase of 116 per cent. In Leicestershire, as in the rest of the country, more and more people are realising the benefits of neighbourhood and street watch.

  Trials
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to improve trials. [18997]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government have introduced a number of initiatives to improve the way in which the criminal justice system operates. The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Bill, currently before the House, contains measures which will further improve the preparation of cases and the conduct of criminal trials.

  New Technology Developments (Funding)
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to fund developments in new technology. [18998]

  Mr. Maclean
  New technology developments are funded directly by public capital provision, or indirectly through grant and credit approvals, or the private finance initiative and challenge funding, such as the closed circuit television initiative.

  Cautions
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy relating to cautions. [18999]

  Mr. Maclean
  Cautioning should continue to be used, but only where it is an adequate response to the particular circumstances of the offence and of the offender.

  Fire Service College
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the financial deficit shown in the annual report and accounts of the Fire Service College. [19002]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Fire Service College's accounts for 1994–95 show cumulative deficit of over £7 million. The intention is that the college should continue as a trading fund. A number of measures have already been taken or are under active consideration which are intended to strengthen the college's financial position and to secure its place as the central provider of both command and specialist training for the UK fire service.
  710

  Persistent Criminals
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policies he has to deal with persistent burglars and drug pushers. [19003]

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced last October proposals which would require courts to impose stiff minimum prison sentences on persistent burglars and drug dealers. I will be publishing a White Paper shortly setting out full details of these proposals.

  Policemen on the Beat
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of policemen on the beat. [19004]

  Mr. Maclean
  Police officers on the beat are crucial to the fight against crime which is why there is a national objective for high visibility policing. Patrol work, properly directed and targeted, is an effective tool in increasing community safety.

  Policing (East Sussex)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve policing in East Sussex. [19006]

  Mr. Maclean
  The chief constable of Sussex police is responsible for policing East Sussex. The Sussex police authority's budget this year increased by 16 per cent.—or £20.2 million—over 1994–95. The force have said that total police strength should increase by 130 in 1995–96. Spending will increase by a further £5.6 million or 3.9 per cent. in 1996–97.

  Knives and Imitation Guns
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to control the sale of offensive knives and imitation guns. [19007]

  Mr. Maclean
  An amendment dealing with the sale of knives and other items was accepted during Committee stage of the Offensive Weapons Bill on Wednesday 6 March. The effect of the amendment is to make it an offence to sell to someone under the age of 16 any knife, knife blade—or razor blade—any axe or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted to cause injury to another person.

  Any imitation firearm which can be readily converted to fire live ammunition is subject to stringent licensing control. Licensing the sale of possession of other imitation firearms would be neither feasible nor effective in combating misuse.

  Fire Stations (Docklands)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his assessment of the increased risk to life and property in the docklands area of London consequent on the proposals to reduce the number of appliances in fire stations covering that area. [19008]
  711
  Mr. Sackville
  Responsibility for making any such assessment rests with the London fire and civil defence authority. If an application is received from the authority to remove appliances from the docklands area, my right hon. and learned Friend will take advice from Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services on whether the nationally recommended standards of fire cover will be maintained.

  Social Security Officers (Police Co-operation)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many chief constables have reported the non-co-operation of local social security officers when asked by the police for addresses for serving warrants for arrest. [19009]

  Mr. Maclean
  I have received no reports of any difficulties.

  Crime Prevention (South-west)
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support he has given for crime prevention initiatives in the south-west. [19010]

  Mr. Maclean
  We support crime prevention initiatives nationally in several ways, for example by encouraging the formation of neighbourhood watch and other watch schemes, and by our support for crime concern.

  In the south-west in particular, a safer cities project was established in Bristol as part of phase 1 of the safer cities programme, while there is a project at Plymouth under phase 2. There is also a drugs prevention initiative team working in Avon and Somerset, delivering a programme of work which involves local people. There were 14 successful bids from the south-west in the first round of the closed circuit television challenge competition, worth over £450,000.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he uses in deciding appointments to public bodies for which he has responsibility. [19011]

  Mr. Howard
  My appointments to public bodies are governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit, taking account of the skills and experience needed by the bodies concerned.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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. [20097]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The following advisory non-departmental bodies which are sponsored by my Department:

  (i) are on a statutory basis

  Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

  Animals Procedures Committee

  Boards of Visitors, prison establishments

  Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council

  712

  Firearms Consultative Committee

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales

  Parole Board

  Poisons Board

  Police Negotiating Board

  (ii) publish their advice to Government

  Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs1

  Animals Procedures Committee

  Firearms Consultative Committee1

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England1

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales1

  Poisons Board1

  (iii) publish an annual report and lay it before Parliament

  Animals Procedures Committee1

  Firearms Consultative Committee1

  Metropolitan Police Committee

  Parole Board1

  In addition, boards of visitors may at the discretion of each board publish their annual reports.

  1 In these cases, the bodies concerned meet a statutory requirement. In other cases, the bodies act voluntarily.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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. [20114]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The following advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department:

  (i) hold public meetings

  Metropolitan Police Committee

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales

  (ii) conduct public consultative exercises

  Animals Procedures Committee

  Firearms Consultative Committee

  Metropolitan Police Committee

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales

  (iii) conduct consultative exercises with outside commercial interests

  Animals Procedures Committee

  Crime Prevention Agency Board

  Firearms Consultative Committee

  Metropolitan Police Committee

  The activities listed are undertaken voluntarily by the bodies concerned except for the parliamentary Boundary Commissions which are statutorily required to hold local inquiries in public if certain conditions are met and also to conduct public consultation exercises.

  None of the advisory non-departmental public bodies which my Department sponsors publishes a register of members' interests, agendas for meetings or minutes of meetings.
  713

  Prisons (Government Policy)
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the 1991 White Paper on prisons represents Government policy on prisons. [19001]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Both the 1991 White Paper "Custody, Care and Justice" and the Woolf report which preceded it, identified the need for a proper balance between essential security measures and effective, constructive regime activities. This remains Prison Service policy today. We have already implemented most of the White Paper commitments.

  Public Interest Immunity
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his predecessor signed a public interest immunity certificate in the case of Rv. Roche, and others, at Plymouth Crown court in July and August 1991. [18812]

  Mr. Howard
  No public interest immunity certificate was issued by the then Home Secretary in this case.

  Prison Service (Director General)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people(a) applied for and (b) were approached to apply for the post of Director General of the Prison Service when it was vacated by Mr. Derek Lewis. [19835]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 26 February,Official Report, column 417.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those areas of executive action other than citizenship where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for this decision. [20074]

  Mr. Howard
  Comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested, but no provision comparable to that in section 44(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 has been identified from readily available sources.

  Fire Services (Wales)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each financial year from 1990–91 to 1996–97 the finances made available for each fire brigade in Wales in(a) cash and (b) real terms and the sources from which this funding came. [20273]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right 'hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for the revenue funding of Welsh local authorities. Welsh local government revenue settlement resources are not hypothecated to specific services such as fire. Funding for fire authorities' revenue services is an integral part of local authorities budget setting. Returns from local authorities showing expenditure on fire have been placed in the Library. No information is available yet for 1996–97.
  714

  Convictions
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of cases brought to court secured convictions(a) 20 years ago, (b) 10 years ago and (c) in each of the last five years. [20346]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is given in the table:

  Offenders convicted at all courts as a percentage of prosecutions at magistrates courts by type of offence 1974, 1984, 1990–94

  England and Wales

  Percentages

  Type of Offence

  Indictable

  Summary non motoring

  Summary motoring

  All offences

  1974

  92

  92

  96

  94

  1984

  86

  89

  92

  90

  1990

  73

  81

  83

  80

  1991

  69

  79

  80

  77

  1992

  66

  78

  77

  75

  1993

  64

  78

  74

  73

  1994

  63

  77

  74

  72

  Cyclists (Pedestrian Injuries)
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of serious incidents and injuries caused to pedestrians by people who ride their bicycles on the pavements; what plans he has to address this problem; and if he will make a statement. [20388]

  Mr. Maclean
  Personal injury road accident data are recorded by the Department of Transport. No estimates are available of the number of accidents between cyclists and pedestrians on pavements. The following table shows the total number of injury accidents on public roads reported to the police in 1994 which involved a pedal cyclist and one or more pedestrians. It is not possible to estimate the proportion of these accidents which occurred on the pavement.

  Injury accidents involving one pedal cyclist and one or more pedestrians

  Number of accidents 333

  Great Britain 1994

  Killed

  Seriously injured

  Slightly injured

  Total casualties

  Casualties resulting:

  Pedestrian casualties

  3

  95

  241

  339

  Pedal cyclists casualties

  0

  14

  68

  82

  The manner in which enforcement of the offence of cycling on the pavement is carried out, including the allocation of resources for the purpose, is a matter for individual chief officers of police. The Home Office intends soon to seek views on whether cycling on the pavement should be made a fixed penalty offence.

  By the use of publicity campaigns, such as "cycle safe", the Department of Transport will continue its efforts to remind cyclists that they should adopt a responsible attitude and comply with the law and with normal standards of common sense and courtesy to others.
  715

  Funerals
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which is the lead Department on the funeral industry; and what consideration is being given to amending relevant legislation, along lines suggested by the National Funerals College executive director, the Reverend Doctor Peter Jupp, for the re-use of graves after a period of years. [19172]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Trade and Industry are responsible for consumers' interests in goods and services provided by the funerals industry, while the Home Office is responsible for the law relating to burial and certain related matters. There are no present plans to amend legislation to provide for the proposed re-use of graves.

  Crime Statistics (Essex)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the level of recorded crime in Essex; and what was the level two years ago. [19199]

  Mr. Maclean
  The police in Essex recorded 101,687 offences in the 12 months to June 1995 and 115,895 offences in the 12 months to June 1993, a fall of 14,208 offences.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of CCTV in tackling crime. [19240]

  Mr. Maclean
  Police operational experience and independent research show that closed circuit television can have a significant impact in reducing crime and the fear of crime. CCTV prevents crime happening in the first place; it aids the investigation and detection of crime; and it provides evidence to help convict the guilty.

  We are making £45 million available to promote the use of CCTV technology in the fight against crime with the aim of providing 10,000 new cameras over the next three years.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is currently the waiting time for those applying for an oral hearing by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; [20639]

  (2) how many cases are currently awaiting an oral hearing by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and what was the number at 1 March 1995; [20638]

  (3) what steps he is taking to reduce the waiting time for those applying for an oral hearing by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. [20637]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board advises that the average waiting time for an oral hearing is currently 14 months, although almost 50 per cent. of applications for, or referrals to, a hearing are resolved within 12 months.

  The number of appeals cases awaiting resolution rose from some 18,000 on 1 March 1995 to 22,800 on 1 March 1996 by reason of the significant increase in the volume
  716
  of initial decisions issued—93,000—since the first tariff scheme was withdrawn on 5 April 1995, requiring all the previous year's applications to be reprocessed.

  The board has expanded its hearing programme to meet this demand and, at the request of its chairman, Lord Carlisle QC, my right hon. and learned Friend recently made additional appointments to the board for this purpose. From 1 April 1996, under the new tariff scheme approved by Parliament in December, there are procedures designed to help contain the number of cases where such hearings are necessary and to enable cases which do require a hearing to be resolved more quickly.

  PROMIS Project
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the costs to date to his Department for the tendering exercise for financial reporting software for the PROMIS project; [19674]

  (2) if the companies that withdrew from the tendering process for the PROMIS project will now be invited to resubmit their tenders; [19675]

  (3) at what stage in the tendering process his Department will ensure that all companies are able to meet the mandatory requirements for the PROMIS project. [19676]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]:The recent PROMIS procurement exercise designed to obtain a comprehensive information technology solution to support the Home Office's purchasing and supply function was halted because no compliant solutions were put forward.

  The Home Office has no plans to invite further tenders to meet the full PROMIS requirement.

  The total cost of the procurement exercise to the Home Office is approximately £160,000.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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. [20481]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: Information about the values of payments outstanding is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Track (Speed Restrictions)
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of rail track are currently subject to speed restrictions on each major line throughout the rail network. [19859]

  Mr. Watts
  The current number of miles subject to speed restrictions on each of the major lines are:

  West coast main line: 11

  Midland main line: 2.5

  717

  East coast main line: 3

  Great western: 50.5

  Car Ferries
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those ferries currently operating to and from United Kingdom ports which(a) meet and (b) do not meet the requirements of the proposed regional agreement relating to car deck bulkheads, indicating in each case in (b) when he expects the standards to be reached. [19871]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government, in their response to the Transport Committee's report on cross-channel safety, had already undertaken to publish such a list, and subsequent updated lists, once agreement was reached on the implementation of a higher ferry survivability standard. Such an agreement has now been reached and a list indicating in each case when we expect the standard to be reached will be published after detailed calculations have been completed.

  Trunk Road Network
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department received the local authority associations' submission on the case for the transfer of responsibility for much of the trunk road network to local authorities; and when he intends to respond to it. [19770]

  Mr. Watts
  The local authority associations tabled a paper setting out their proposals for transferring a significant proportion of the all-purpose trunk road network to local authorities for discussion at the national annual consultative meeting on 18 July 1995, when we discussed a possible way forward based on a case study approach. The associations' proposals are currently being considered in the context of the national transport debate; they were discussed further with the associations at the local transport liaison group meeting on 30 January.

  Rail Privatisation
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what uniform business rate income the Exchequer will derive from Railtrack when the company has been privatised; how this income will be shared among local authorities; and if the payment of uniform business rate by Railtrack has been included in the calculation of track access charges. [19862]

  Mr. Watts
  Rateable values for Railtrack's operational property are prescribed by orders by the Secretaries of State for the Environment, for Scotland and for Wales. The sum raised from this in 1994–95 was £91.7 million. Other properties are assessed in the normal way by the Valuation Office agency and the moneys collected by the relevant local authorities. The figure for this is not held centrally. These arrangements will be unaffected by privatisation. All non-domestic rates, whether collected by the Secretaries of State or by local authorities, are paid into the non-domestic rating pools for the respective countries and redistributed to local authorities on a per capita basis. The payment of rates is included in Railtrack's costs which were taken into account by the Rail Regulator in setting the level of access charges.
  718
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when each remaining part of the former British Rail is due to be privatised. [19863]

  Mr. Watts
  The timetable for franchising and future sales is set down in the following table. This gives indications only of when sales are expected to be completed or franchises awarded.

  (a) Franchises

  The Franchising Director is responsible for awarding franchising contracts.
  Bidders were shortlisted for InterCity East Coast, Midland Main Line, Network SouthCentral and Gatwick Express on 16 January. The Franchising Director received final bids on 1 March for InterCity East Coast, Midland Main Line and Gatwick Express. Final bids for Network SouthCentral were required by 11 March 1996.
  The Franchising Director is inviting the shortlisted bidders (with the exception of Enterprise Rail) to re-tender for LTS Rail.
  Invitations to tender for South Eastern were issued on 19 December 1995 and for Chiltern on 30 January. Indicative bids for both are required by 22 March.
  Invitations to pre-qualify for Cardiff and South Wales and West were issued on 23 January. 19 applications have been received for pre-qualification, the majority of companies being interested in pre-qualifying for both franchises.
  Invitations to pre-qualify for Anglia and Thames Trains were issued on 22 February. Applications must be received by 22 March.
  Invitations to tender for the remaining franchises will be issued in due course.

  (b) Freight Businesses
  Final bids for Freightliner were invited on 22 December 1995. BR aims to complete the sale in the coming months.
  The Government and British Rail are examining the options for privatisation of Railfreight Distribution.

  (c) Infrastructure companies

  Final bids for the following businesses were involved on 5 October 1995 and the sales are expected in the coming months:

  Western Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  Northern Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  Northern Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  Eastern Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  Eastern Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  Southern Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  South West Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  South East Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  (d) Other BR Businesses

  Final bids for the following units were invited:

  The engineering link: 15 December 1995

  Interfleet Technology: 15 December 1995

  Network Train Engineering Services: 15 December 1995

  College of Railway Technology: 26 January 1996.

  Bids are currently being considered for the above units and for BR Projects Ltd.
  Indicative bids will be invited for about 10 other Central Services units. BR expects to dispose of all the above units over the coming months.

  (e) Railtrack
  The Government intend to sell Railtrack by stock market flotation in May 1996.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if
  719
  he will list each part of the former British Rail which has been privatised since the passage of the Railways Act 1993, indicating the income generated by each sale. [19864]

  Mr. Watts
  The tables list those parts of British Rail which have either been sold or franchised.

  The first two franchises were awarded as contracts to run services in return for the payment of grant and will not generate receipts for the Government.

  Gross proceeds from the sales to date of businesses sold by BR amount to some £571.5 million. As explained in the Government's response of 14 December 1995 to the Transport Select Committee Fourth Report, on railway finances, it would be contrary to the commercial interests of British Rail and the Government to publish details of individual sales at this stage, as that may prejudice sales still in progress. Details of individual sales completed will be made public in due course.

  In addition to that figure, the sale of the rolling stock leasing companies, which was handled by my Department, realised £1,822 million; that figure comprises £598 million for Eversholt Leasing Ltd., £528 million for Porterbrook Leasing Ltd. and £696 million for Angel Train Contracts Ltd.

  Franchises

  Awarded

  Great Western Holdings Ltd.

  20 December 1995

  Stagecoach Holdings plc Ltd.

  19 December 1995

  Both commenced operations on 4 February 1996.

  Companies sold

  As at 14 March 1996

  Freight and Parcels

  Red Star

  Sold 5 September 1995

  Rail express systems Ltd.

  Sold 9 December 1995

  Trainload Freight businesses

  Sold 4 February 1996

  Loadhaul Freight Ltd.

  Mainline Freight Ltd.

  Transrail Freight Ltd.

  Rolling stock leasing companies

  Porterbrook Leasing Ltd.

  Sale completed 8 January 1996

  Angel Train Contracts Ltd.

  Sale completed 17 January 1996

  Eversholt Leasing Ltd.

  Sale completed 2 February 1996

  Other Businesses

  Special Trains Unit

  Sale completed 31 March 1995

  BRIS Design Offices

  DCU Birmingham

  Sold 25 July 1995

  Mainline Swindon

  Sold 18 August 1995

  IDG Glasgow

  Sold 18 August 1995

  BPE Mechanical and Engineering Consultancy, Doncaster

  Sold 15 September 1995

  Civil Engineering Design Group, York

  Sold 15 September 1995

  Powertrack Engineering Company Limited CEDAC London Limited

  Sold 15 December

  720

  Companies sold

  As at 14 March 1996

  BR Maintenance Ltd.

  Swindon Electronic Service Centre

  Sold 11 April 1995

  Chart Leacon (Ashford)

  Sold 5 June 1995

  Illford and Doncaster Depots

  Wolverton, and Springburn(Glasgow)

  Depots

  Sold 6 June 1995

  Eastleigh Depot

  Sold 7 June 1995

  Sale completed 21

  BR Telecommunications Ltd.

  December 1995

  BR Central Services

  Meldon Quarry Ltd.

  Sold February 1994

  Baileyfield Switches and Crossings Works

  Sold 7 July 1995

  Ditton Timber Treatment Works

  Sold 1 September 1995

  Quality and Safety Services Ltd.

  Sold 10 November 1995

  Railways Occupational Health Ltd.

  Sold 30 November 1995

  Signalling Control (UK) Ltd.

  Sold 1 December 1995

  Interlogic Control Engineering Ltd.

  Sold 4 January 1996

  Castleton Long Welded Rail and Track Works

  Sold 14 March 1996

  OBS Services Ltd.

  Sold 3 October 1995

  BR Infrastructure Companies

  Scotland Track Renewals Co. Ltd.

  Sold 8 February 1996

  Scotland Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  Sold 14 February 1996

  Western Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  Contracts exchanged 7 March 1996

  Central Infrastructure Maintenance Co. Ltd.

  Contracts exchanged 7 March 1996

  Railway Lands (London)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the last valuation was made of the King's Cross railway lands; and what value was attached to the asset. [20305]

  Mr. Watts
  A valuation of the King's Cross railway lands was carried out for the British Rail Property Board in March 1995. Based on rental income derived from the lands, the existing use value was estimated to be £5.8 million. A valuation was carried out for my Department in November 1995 to assess the development value of those parts of the King's Cross railway lands not ultimately required for the channel tunnel rail link operational railway which indicated a development value of up to £10.6 million.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the last valuation was made of the railway land at Stratford now transferred to London and Continental Railways; and what value was attached to it. [20306]

  Mr. Watts
  A valuation of the Stratford railway lands, including the land required for the channel tunnel rail link and Stratford international station, was carried out for the British Rail Property Board in March 1995. Based on rental income derived from the lands, the existing use value was estimated to be £15.2 million. A valuation was carried out for my Department in May 1995 to assess the development value of the lands excluding those parts required for the CTRL operational railway, which indicated a development value of up to £12.5 million.
  721

  Railway Costs
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the operating cost per mile including overheads, maintenance and security of(a) an InterCity train, (b) a Network SouthEast commuter train and (c) a North West Regional Railways train. [20308]

  Mr. Watts
  The 1994–95 operating expenses per train mile were:

  InterCity: £27.67

  Network SouthEast: £21.13

  Regional Railways: £14.37

  Figures are not directly comparable with previous years due to reorganisation of the industry under the Railways Act 1993. The operating expense per train mile specific to North West Regional Railways is not available.

  Royal Train
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 1996,Official Report, column 482, relating to the use of the royal train, what definition is used of a public duty. [20471]

  Mr. Watts
  The definition is a duty undertaken to mark a public event or occasion.

  Marine Accidents (Pilots)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vessels have run aground(a) with a pilot and (b) without a pilot on board in each year since 1987. [20521]

  Mr. Norris
  The statistics requested are not available.

  Highways Agency
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost of the review of the organisation and staffing of the Highways Agency announced to staff in November 1995. [20782]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Clare Short, dated 14 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the cost of the review of the organisation and staffing of the Highways Agency announced to staff in November 1995.
  The internal review team estimate their costs at about £110,000. No external consultancy costs have been incurred.

  "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas"
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those recommendations contained in Lord Donaldson's report, by reference to the particular chapter and paragraph, which(a) have been implemented in full, (b) are in the process of being implemented in full, (c) are planned to be only partially implemented and (d) will not be implemented. [20819]

  Mr. Norris
  Lord Donaldson's report "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas", Cm 2560, contains 103 recommendations, which are listed in chapter 23. The Government have 722
  accepted 91 of these, are considering a further eight, and have rejected four. The position on each recommendation is summarised in the table.

  Position

  Recommendations (as number in chapter 23 of Lord Donaldson's report)

  Accepted: Implemented in full

  2,3,6,8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 26–29, 32, 37, 38, 41, 46–48, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84 88, 90, 91, 94, 99, 100

  Accepted: Implementation on-going1

  1, 4, 5, 7, 13, 16, 18–20, 23, 25, 30, 31, 33–35, 39, 44, 45, 49,

  50–58, 61–69, 70–77, 80, 83, 86, 87, 89, 93, 97, 98, 101–103

  Under consideration

  12, 40, 42, 59, 85, 92, 95, 96

  Rejected

  9, 36, 43, 60

  1 The final extent of implementation of some of these recommendations will depend on a number of factors.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to implement in full the recommendation contained paragraph 127 in chapter 20 of Lord Donaldson's report published in May 1994. [20817]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government have provided dedicated emergency tugs at Dover and Stornoway—two of the three key areas identified in paragraph 127—both last winter and this winter. In deciding future deployment, we will take into account experience of providing these tugs, of liaison arrangements with tug operators, and of any relevant findings of the investigations into the Sea Empress incident.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers exist to him to reject a scheme for the proposed Central Railway rail link from the channel tunnel to the midlands following a public inquiry; and if he will make a statement. [20598]

  Mr. Watts
  The relevant powers are contained in section 13 of the Transport and Works Act 1992. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State can make the order, with or without modifications, or not make the order. Where an application has been referred to Parliament as a scheme of national significance, the power to make the order is exercisable only if both Houses of Parliament have passed resolutions approving the proposals, but such resolutions would not affect his power not to make the order. He would make a decision only after having taken into account the inspector's conclusions and recommendation following a subsequent public inquiry.

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the full terms of reference given to the marine accident investigation branch into the Sea Empress disaster. [20818]

  Mr. Norris
  Individual marine accident investigation branch investigations do not have distinct terms of reference. The purpose of such investigations, as set out in regulations, is to determine the circumstances and causes of
  723
  accidents with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents in future. The regulations also provide that an investigation may extend to cover all events and circumstances preceding the accident which in the opinion of the inspector may have been relevant to its cause or outcome, and also to cover the consequences of the accident. I understand that the chief inspector intends that the Sea Empress investigation will be comprehensive and will cover, among other matters, the initial grounding, the availability of salvage tugs, the question of double hulls, the safety of port operations and the effects, if any, current salvage law may have had on the conduct of the salvage operation. Indeed, the inspector will consider all evidence and arguments submitted to him which have a bearing on the cause of the original grounding of the Sea Empress and the conduct of the salvage operation.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which recommendations were included in the interim findings of the marine accident investigation branch Sea Empress investigation. [20763]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the salvage tugs which were offered to those managing the Sea Empress salvage operation between Thursday 15 February and Wednesday 21 February and their individual maximum bollard pull; [20810]

  (2) if he will list each type of dispersant and the quantity used in aerial spraying to disperse oil from the Sea Empress; [20762]

  (3) if he will list the products and techniques for cleaning up oil spillages on the shore which his Department has evaluated and tested in the last five years; [20807]

  (4) if he will list the tugs used on the attempts to salvage the Sea Empress; and who owned them; [20816]

  (5) which specialised vessels suitable for collecting spilled oil from the surface of the sea were offered to the marine pollution control unit on or after 15 February to assist with the Sea Empress operation; and which vessels were chartered; [20812]

  (6) if he will list those products and techniques for cleaning oil from the shore, the development of which has been financially supported by his Department in the last five years. [20806]

  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. Nick Ainger, dated 14 March 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about oil spill clean up and salvage tugs in the Sea Empress incident.

  PQ 1460/95/96
  The Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel at Stornoway, SMIT LLOYD SAFE, 125 tonnes, was offered to the salvors. In addition the salvors considered a number of other tugs. Which tugs these were, and whether they were offered or sought, is now a matter for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigation to determine.

  PQ 1463/95/96
  The information is a s follows:
  724

  Tonnes

  Finasol OSR-51

  212

  Slickgone LTSW

  97

  Slickgone NS

  53

  Dispolene 34S

  31

  Corexit 9500

  8

  Enersperse 1583

  13.5

  Superdispersant 25

  31

  Demulsifier (Surdyne mixed with Shell LA)

  8

  PO's 1467 and 1474/95/96
  The MPCU has in recent years commissioned a number of research projects examining different techniques for dealing with oil pollution on different shoreline types. Initially sandy shorelines were examined (1986) and the methods used at Tenby and Saundersfoot during the recent Sea Empress incident were based on the findings of this project. Later MPCU projects examined and reviewed clean-up techniques for shingle (1989), rocky shorelines (1992) and mudflats and saltmarshes (1993). Within these projects, a number of clean-up tools and products were evaluated and tested, including vehicles, beach-cleaning machines, beach washing plant and cleaning agents. Beach load-bearing characteristics were also evaluated.
  The results of much of this research have been disseminated to local authorities by way of MPCU residential training courses, MPCU Scientific, Technical and Operational Advice Notes (Stop Notices), and a technical manual entitled 'Oil Spill Clean-Up of the Coastline'.
  MPCU has also funded an evaluation study (1993) into the use of sorbent products as a tool for clean-up (final polishing of shingle/pebble beaches) and it is intended to develop a protocol for testing sorbent use and effectiveness. Work has also been commissioned on bioremediation. A State of the Art Report (1994) has been produced and research is ongoing.

  PQ 1469/95/96

  Dalegarth

  Cory Towage Ltd. Milford Haven

  Thorngath

  Stackgarth

  Tito Neri

  Portgarth: Cory Towage Ltd., Avonmouth

  Yewgarth Cory Towage Ltd., Liverpool

  Eldergarth Cory Towage Ltd., Liverpool

  Eskgarth: Irish Tugs Ltd.

  Anglian Duke Klyne Tugs, Lowestoft

  Anglian Earl Klyne Tugs, Lowestoft

  Vanguard: Carmet Towing, Liverpool

  Alfred: Howard Smith, Swansea

  Arild Viking: Arild Viking AS; Viking Supply AS; Norway

  De Yue: Fairmount, Rotterdam

  Vikingbank Smit Tak, Rotterdam

  Smit Orca Smit Tak, Rotterdam

  PQ 1471/95/96
  Seven vessels suitable for recovering spilled oil from the surface of the sea were offered to the Marine Pollution Control Unit, of which six were accepted. The remaining offer was not needed. The details are as follows:

  Vessel

  Status

  Comment

  Rijn Delta

  Accepted

  Dutch

  Small AGT

  Accepted

  Dutch

  Ailette

  Accepted

  French

  Elan

  Accepted

  French

  NOFO1 oil recovery vessel

  Declined

  Not required

  Forth Explorer

  Accepted

  UK

  Sefton Supporter

  Accepted

  UK

  725
  1 Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies. In addition to those vessels offered, the MPCU chartered the Gordon Thomas, and hired three small oil recovery craft. Two specialised oil recovery vessels belonging to Milford Haven Port Authority were also used.

  Marine Accidents (Reports)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many investigations carried out by the marine accident investigation branch have included publication of interim findings; and if he will list those investigations. [20795]

  Mr. Norris
  Interim findings have been published in connection with four investigations:

  Lunohods—1/Borodinskoe Pole

  Antares/HMS Trenchant

  Wilhelmina J/Zulfikar

  Sea Empress

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those investigations carried out by the marine accident investigation branch which have had their reports published; and which of those reports included criticisms of(a) Ministers of the Crown, (b) the Department of Transport and (c) agencies of his Department. [10820]

  Mr. Norris
  Marine accident investigation branch published reports are as follows:

  Bowsprite

  Grey Flamingo

  Marchioness/Bowbelle

  Earl Granville

  Mobil Petrel

  Majestic

  Premier

  RMS Titanic (reappraisal of evidence relating to SS Californian)

  Irving Forest

  MFV Margaret and William II

  Antares/HMS Trenchant

  Ocean Hound

  Wilhelmina J/Zulfikar

  Esso Mersey

  Queen Elizabeth 2

  MV Norsea

  Braer

  Representation

  County of residence

  Term ends

  Commodore R. C. Hastie CBE (Chairman)

  West Glamorgan

  31 January 1997

  Mr. T. H. Keen (Vice Chairman)

  South Glamorgan

  31 January 1997

  Capt. R. G. Brown DMS MBIM

  Surrey

  31 January 1997

  Mr. T. O. Lewis CBE

  Dyfed

  31 January 1999

  Sir W. A. Reardon-Smith Bt

  London

  31 January 1999

  Cllr. H. E. Davies

  Dyfed CC

  Dyfed

  31 January 1997

  Cllr. B. Thomas-Cleaver

  Preseli/Pembrokeshire DC

  Pembroke

  31 March 1996

  Mr. D. V. Driscoll BEM

  Wales TUC

  West Glamorgan

  31 January 1997

  Mr. W. N. Clarke

  Oil Industry

  Dyfed

  31 January 1997

  Mr. J. C. Morris

  Oil Industry

  Dyfed

  331 January 199799

  Mr. M. J. Hyslop MBE (General Manager)

  Milford Haven Port Authority

  Dyfed

  End of office

  726

  Havkong (jointly with Health and Safety Executive)

  MV Hoegh Duke

  British Trent/Western Winner

  Sally Star

  Heather Bloom

  (a) None.

  (b) The report of the collision between the Marchioness and the Bowbelle and the report of the lifeboat accident on the Norsea included criticisms of the Marine Directorate of the Department of Transport, now the Marine Safety Agency. The report of the Braer stranding including criticism of HM Coastguard, now the Coastguard agency.

  (c) None.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of(a) the marine accident investigation branch investigation into the Braer disaster and (b) Lord Donaldson's inquiry and report into matters relating to the Braer disaster. [20815]

  Mr. Norris
  Total costs of the MAIB investigation are not known, but the staff costs of the three inspectors involved amounted to £23,000.

  Lord Donaldson's inquiry did not specifically relate to the Braer. The inquiry was set up to consider the wider issue of the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping. The costs of Lord Donaldson's inquiry amounted to £390,000.

  Milford Haven Port Authority
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the present membership of the Milford Haven port authority and in each case by whom they were appointed; which companies or organisations they represent; in which county they live; when their office will terminate; and what is their remuneration. [20811]

  Mr. Norris
  The constitution of the Milford Haven port authority provides for the Secretary of State to appoint the chairman and eight or nine other members. One of these has to be appointed after consultation with representatives of organised labour in Wales—in practice the Wales Trade Union Congress—two after consultation with local authorities and two after consultation with the oil industry. The remainder must have wide experience of and have shown capacity in shipping, commercial and financial matters, and so on, as set out in the constitution. The general manager is appointed as an ex-officio member by the MHPA board.

  The detailed information requested is as follows:
  727
  The remuneration is £8,805 for the chairman, £4,400.80 for the vice-chairman and £1,409.71 for members.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987–88; how many were not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the grounds that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21136]

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

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Quarantine
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many imported pets have developed rabies in quarantine in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [20577]

  Mrs. Browning
  The only case of rabies in quarantine in the last 10 years was in a dog imported from Zambia in 1990. Taking into account the clinical picture and the laboratory results, a diagnosis of vaccine-induced rabies as made.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many imported pets have died in quarantine in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [20578]

  Mrs. Browning
  The number of imported pets—dogs and cats—that have died in quarantine in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years is as follows:

  1986: 124

  1987: 107

  1988: 116

  1989: 132

  1990: 131

  1991: 83

  1992: 138

  1993: 140

  1994: 126

  1995: 117

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average cost of the period of quarantine required for a domestic pet imported into the United Kingdom. [20579]

  Mrs. Browning
  Quarantine premises are all privately owned commercial enterprises and therefore free to set their own charges. The charges within specific quarantine premises will also vary according to the size of the animal. We believe that average charges for the six months' quarantine period are around £800 for a cat and £1,200 to £1,500 for a dog.
  728

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many local veterinary inspectors and their assistants were involved on(a) 19 February, (b) 20 February, (c) 21 February, (d) 22 February and (e) 23 February in lairages near Dover in inspecting animals to ensure that they were fit to travel under the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994 and to deal with other related matters. [19431]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: No animals were inspected at lairages near Dover on 19 February.

  On 20 February, two local veterinary inspectors were involved with inspections of animals in lairages near Dover. On 21 February, there were four LVIs involved with inspections of animals, on 22 February, two LVIs and on 23 February, one LVI.

  The number of assistants used by the LVIs is not recorded by MAFF.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many consignments of farm animals were inspected by local veterinary inspectors and their assistants on each of 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 February in lairages near Dover; how many(a) sheep and (b) calves were inspected; how many hours were spent in carrying out the inspections; and if he will make a statement. [19432]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: No animals were inspected at lairages near Dover on 19 February.

  On 20 February four consignments of calves, totalling 680 animals were inspected. No sheep were inspected.

  On 21 February, two consignments for calves, totalling 270 animals, and six consignments of sheep, totalling 2,173 animals, were inspected.

  On 22 February, 15 consignments of calves, totalling 1,931 animals, and four consignments of sheep, totalling 664 animals, were inspected.

  On 23 February, three consignments of calves, totalling 368 animals, and three consignments of sheep, totalling 846 animals, were inspected.

  Local veterinary inspectors are not required under their conditions of appointment to record the times taken for these inspections and the Ministry does not record the times spent by each LVI in carrying out the inspections.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals were deemed unfit to travel in each month of 1995 and in January 1996 by local veterinary inspectors when undertaking certification procedures of live animals destined for export; and if he will make a statement. [19433]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: The number of animals deemed unfit to travel by local veterinary inspectors when undertaking certification procedures of live animals destined for export in each month of 1995 and January 1996 is as summarised in the table:
  729

  Number

  1995

  January

  1,259

  February

  698

  March

  604

  April

  553

  May

  455

  June

  361

  July

  508

  August

  961

  September

  900

  October

  1,116

  November

  751

  December

  821

  1996

  January

  702

  Capita Managed Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [19903]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 8 March 1996]: Neither of the named companies is currently involved in bidding in any of the stated categories.

SCOTLAND

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [19417]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested in respect of hon. Members' letters is set out in the table. The information requested on hon. Members' questions is a matter of public record.

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  (a) Number of letters passed to agencies for response

  8

  74

  154

  367

  317

  (b) Number of letters passed to agencies, (a), as a percentage of total letters sent to Ministers about agencies

  24

  45

  53

  62

  52

  Scottish Natural Heritage
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that the 730
  reduction in the Scottish Natural Heritage budget will not impair its performance of its statutory duties; and if he will make a statement. [19307]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend is satisfied that SNH will continue to be able satisfactorily to carry out its statutory duties. Following the report of the study group on SNH published last December, a new strategic framework for SNH is being prepared in the light of changes affecting the natural heritage since publication in 1990 of "Scotland's Natural Heritage: The Way Ahead". The new document will be published in the first half of this year.

  Cairngorm Funicular Railway
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise about the economic viability of the proposed Cairngorm funicular railway. [19987]

  Mr. Kynoch
  In accordance with the usual procedures for proposals involving financial assistance above certain limits, Highlands and Islands Enterprise has submitted to my right hon. Friend a request for approval to provide financial assistance to the Cairngorm Chairlift Co. in respect of the establishment of a new visitor uplift facility on Cairngorm. That request is supported by a detailed financial and economic assessment of the proposed investment.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what matters he will consider when determining whether to call in the planning application for the proposed railway on Cairngorm. [19988]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This matter has not formally been notified to my right hon. Friend. Should it be referred to him under the planning legislation he will take all relevant factors into account, including those relating to the UK Government's national and European obligations.

  Private Prison
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the site for the new private prison; and if he will make a statement. [19995]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A number of options are still under consideration at this time. I expect an announcement to be made in the near future.

  Dounreay Nuclear Plant (Discharges)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received calling for a public inquiry on Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's discharge authorisations and reprocessing at Dounreay; and what plans he has to set up such an inquiry. [20210]

  Mr. Kynoch
  As of 1 March, the chief inspector of Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate had received 358 responses to his consultations on th United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's application for new discharge authorisations for its plant in Dounreay. Of these, 90 included representations that my right hon. Friend should
  731
  hold a public inquiry. My right hon. Friend had received one such representation himself as of the same date. He will carefully consider the points raised.

  Squirrels
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the existing instruction for the collection of dead squirrels; and if he will make a statement. [19984]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The wildlife incident investigation scheme, which is administered by the agriculture departments and which investigates reports of suspected wildlife poisoning, has found no evidence to suggest that the existing instruction for the collection of dead squirrels is inadequate.

  Skiing Sites
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public money, in the form of grants, has been provided to assist the development and maintenance of Scotland's skiing industry by(a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and (b) other agencies, in each financial year since 1979, for each skiing site. [20319]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The provision of grant assistance by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its predecessor, the Highlands and Islands Development Board, for the development and maintenance of the skiing industry in Scotland is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the chairman of that organisation to write to the hon. Member. Information on the amounts of grant assistance provided by other agencies for the same purposes for the years requested is not held centrally.

  Enterprise Agencies (Grants)
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he has given to(a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) other enterprise agencies, on the cost per job created to be used when assessing grant applications. [20321]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The cost per job guidelines to be used in assessing grant applications vary, where applicable, according to the particular scheme of assistance under which grant has been applied for and according to the location of the project to be grant-aided. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, he may care to write to me.

  School Class Sizes
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the range of class sizes in which five, six and seven-year-olds are taught; and how many children are taught in classes of each size. [20297]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The available information, which is in respect of pupils in P1, P2 and P3 single stage classes and P1/P2 and P2/P3 composite stage classes, is given in the table.
  732

  Number of classes and pupils by class size band in education authority primary schools (P1, P2 and P3) at September 19931

  Class size

  Number of classes

  Number of pupils

  1–5

  20

  58

  6–10

  29

  253

  11–15

  158

  2,156

  16–20

  862

  16,042

  21–25

  2,608

  60,652

  26–30

  2,477

  69,132

  31 and over

  927

  29,646

  Total

  7,081

  177,939

  1 Excludes pupils in P3/P4 composite classes and multi-stage classes.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the occasions on which he and his predecessors have attended Council of Ministers meetings since 9 April 1992. [20813]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  As the Secretary of State, I attended the Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting on 26 October 1995. My predecessor attended the following Councils after 9 April 1992.

  1993

  January 25: Environment/Transport Council

  September 20: Joint FAC/Agricultural Council

  September 20: Joint FAC/Agricultural Council

  September 21: Agricultural Council

  Both the previous Secretary of State and I have been represented at other such meetings by other Scottish Ministers on many occasions.

  Meetings of the Council of Ministers Scottish Office Ministerial Attendance

  Council

  Minister

  1992—Total 6 Councils

  June 9

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  October 19

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  October 26–27

  Agriculture Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  November 23

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  November 27

  Education Council

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

  December 19

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  1993—Total 8 councils

  January 25

  Environment/Transport Council

  Secretary of State

  March 18

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  June 24

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  September 20

  Joint FAC/Agricultural Council

  Secretary of State

  September 21

  Agriculture Council

  Secretary of State

  October 20

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  November 29–30

  Justice/Interior Issues

  Lord Fraser

  December 20

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  1994—Total 8 Councils

  April 12

  Fisheries Council

  Lord Fraser

  May 27–28

  Justice/Interior Issues (Informal)

  Lord Fraser

  June 3–4

  Regional Policy

  Mr. Stewart

  June 10

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  September 28

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  November 23

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  December 19–20

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  December 22

  Fisheries Council (continuation)

  Lord Fraser

  733

  Meetings of the Council of Ministers Scottish Office Ministerial Attendance

  Council

  Minister

  1995-Total 7 Councils

  April 6

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  June 15

  Fisheries Council

  Sir Hector Monro

  June 20–21

  Justice/Home Affairs Council

  Minister of State

  October 26

  Fisheries Council

  Secretary of State

  December 18

  Environment Council

  Earl of Lindsay

  December 19

  Agriculture Council

  Earl of Lindsay

  December 21

  Fisheries Council

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

  1996 to date

  Nil

  —

  —

  Shettleston Public Halls
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when Shettleston public halls were last renovated; and what was the total cost involved. [21097]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Glasgow district council.

  Deregulation (Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1968) Order 1995
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual saving to business from the Deregulation (Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1868) Order 1995. [19501]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The order will benefit business by permitting the sale of farmed salmon roe, estimated at about £12 million per annum, rather than giving rise to actual savings.

  Railway Investment
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent by the Scottish Office on grants under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968 or other legislation for(a) improvement of railway infrastructure and (b) new and reopened lines and stations, at outturn prices in Scotland in each year between 1975 and 1995. [19300]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [Holding answer 11 March 1996]: Under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968 grants totalling £82.3 million have been made by the Scottish Office, between 1974–75 and 1995, towards rail and rail-related projects. Some £58.9 million of the total was made for the replacement/acquisition of rolling stock rather than for railway infrastructure improvements or new or reopened lines or stations. Grants of £23.44 million were, however, made between 1974–75 and 1987–88 towards the Clyderail project which involved reopening, electrification and signalling works. The make-up of this project between reopening and other infrastructure work and by year is not available.

  Grants made under other legislation are set out in the table:
  734

  ANNEXE

  £000

  Freight facilities grants 1 Improvement of railway infrastructure

  Grants for repairs to listed buildings Improvement of railway infrastructure

  1974–75

  —

  —

  1975–76

  518.8

  —

  1976–77

  3.5

  —

  1977–78

  951.4

  —

  1978–79

  84.1

  —

  1979–80

  196.6

  —

  1980–81

  1,844.2

  —

  1981–82

  415.0

  —

  1982–83

  179.9

  —

  1983–84

  174.9

  —

  1984–85

  1,802.1

  —

  1985–86

  —

  —

  1986–87

  —

  —

  1987–88

  1,653.0

  —

  1988–89

  —

  —

  1989–90

  —

  —

  1990–91

  —

  —

  1991–92

  —

  —

  1992–93

  —

  —

  1993–94

  —

  200.0

  1994–95

  —

  —

  Total

  7,823.5

  200.0

  1 This represents the amount of grant awarded each year for specific projects.

  Historic Railway Structures
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list(a) the stations open to the public and (b) other structures and features in Scotland owned by Railtrack which are listed as historic buildings, in each case giving their grading; [19328]

  (2) what was the total grant paid by public bodies responsible for historic buildings in Scotland to British Rail and Railtrack towards repair or restoration of listed buildings and structures in Scotland in each year from 1975 to 1995 at outturn prices. [19329]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: Since these are matters for Historic Scotland, I have asked the agency chief executive, Mr. Graeme Munro, to write to the hon. Member as soon as possible. A copy of Mr. Munro's letter will be placed in the Library of the House as the information requested will be lengthy.

  Outstanding Payments
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [20484]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Housing Finance
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated outturn public expenditure
  735
  on housing for 1995–96 and what is the planned public expenditure on housing for each of the years 1996–97 to 1998–99 (a) inclusive of capital receipts, (b) net of capital receipts, (c) inclusive of gross capital investment only, defined as local authority non-housing revenue account, local authority housing revenue account, Scottish Homes approved development programme, Scottish Homes own stock and new towns and (d) gross capital investment but excluding non-HRA. [19285]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 13 March 1996]: The information requested is shown in the table. Further details will be published shortly in the Scottish Office departmental report. From 1996–97 expenditure on the non-HRA block will be included in a single capital allocation for all programmes excluding the HRA issued to local authorities. Information on non-HRA expenditure is therefore included only for 1995–96. In 1996–97, 25 per cent. of HRA receipts will be applied to reducing debt and 50 per cent. thereafter, and the figures for expenditure inclusive of capital receipts and for gross capital investment have been adjusted accordingly.

  Public expenditure on housing

  £ million

  1995–96 estimated outturn

  1996–97 plans

  1997–98 plans

  1998–99 plans

  (a) Gross including capital receipts (and NLF repayments)

  1,105.90

  730.7

  642.1

  629.2

  (b) Net of capital receipts (and NLF repayments)

  627.7

  440.6

  446.7

  453.3

  (c) Gross capital1 Investment

  1,021.20

  655.3

  561.2

  540.3

  1 Of the five new town development corporations, two were wound up on 31 December 1995 and the remaining three will wind up on 31 December 1996.

  Oil Seed Rape
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the findings of project FF382, carried out by the Scottish Crop Research Institute on the characterisation of oil seed rape; when it will be published; and what correlation the study found between oil seed rape and allergies. [20553]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 13 March 1996]: The objective of the study was to determine the existence, identification, nature and mobility of volatile chemicals and pollen emitted by oil seed rape, and fungal spores from the crop, which are possible causes of an allergic response in humans, and to purify and standardise them for use in any clinical tests carried out. The study concluded that evidence that the crop can cause such problems has been obtained although as yet the precise cause or causes have not been identified. The study reports that some people react to pollen and fungal spores, but not in the numbers indicated by the percentage of study populations expressing symptoms, most of which showed no correlation with pollen or fungal exposure. The results indicated that agrochemicals seem unlikely to be involved in producing the symptoms. The study concluded that the most likely causes of allergic response in man appear to be volatile organic compounds, although categorical proof of the involvement of one or
  736
  more is required. The study therefore recommends that further research in a number of areas is required.

  Results from the study have already been published. Refereed papers include:

  1. Robertson, G. W., Griffiths, D. W., Macfarlane Smith, W. H. and Butcher, R.D., 1993. The application of thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to the analyses of flower volatiles from five varieties of oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera). Phytochemical Analysis 4, 152–157.

  2. Butcher, R. D., Macfarlane Smith, W. H., Robertson, G. W. and Griffiths, D. W. (1994). The identification of potential aeroallergen/irritant(s) from oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera): volatile organic compounds emitted during flowering progression. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 24, 1105–1114.

  3. Parrat, D., Macfarlane Smith, W. H., Thompson, G., Cameron, L. A. and Butcher, R. D. (1995). Evidence that oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera) causes respiratory illness in rural dwellers, Scottish Medical Journal 40, 74–76.

  4. Butcher, R. D., Goodman, B. A. and Deighton, N. (1995). Evaluation of the allergic/irritant potential of air pollutants. Detection of proteins modified by volatile organic compounds from oilseed rape (Brassica napus spp. oleifera) using electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 25, 985–992.

  In addition, the results of the research have been presented at a number of scientific meetings and in technical notes; to relevant agricultural trade bodies; and other bodies. A number of other publications are in preparation.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken, and what sums the Government have spent to address the health risks of oil seed rape; and if he will make a statement. [20554]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 13 March 1996]: The Scottish Office has funded the three-year research study by the Scottish Crop Research Institute into the volatile chemicals etcetera emitted by oil seed rape, at a cost of some £235,000. In addition, a research grant of £63,000 was awarded to Professor Anthony Seaton and colleagues at Aberdeen university in support of a three-year study into the health effects of oil seed rape.

  The results of the latter study indicated that the health effects were slight. However, we are considering the implications of these studies with a view to determining what further research into the health effects might be useful and appropriate.

  NHS Trust Directors (Insurance)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the chairmen of NHS trusts concerning insuring trust directors against liabilities other than in cases of malfeasance. [20557]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 13 March 1996]: None. The issue of guidance to the NHS in Scotland on the personal liability of non-executive directors is currently being considered.
  737

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Foreign Companies
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed by companies from(a) the north American region, (b) the south-east Asia region and (c) Europe in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) the Strangford constituency. [19489]

  Mr. Ancram
  The numbers of people employed by companies from(a) the north American region (b) the south-east Asia region and (c) Europe in (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) the Strangford constituencies are set out in the following table:

  Region

  Northern Ireland Employment in companies from the regions indicated

  Strangford Employment in companies from the regions indicated

  North American region

  16,693

  438

  South-east Asia region

  3,021

  —

  Europe

  6,964

  69

  Convictions
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those convictions in Northern Ireland which have come about as a direct result of information passed to the RUC from the Garda. [19624]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is not possible to identify those cases which were successfully prosecuted as a direct result of information passed to the RUC from the Garda.

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the current pupil-teacher ratios in Northern Ireland for each of the different types of secondary school. [19832]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  School type

  Management type

  1994–95 pupil: teacher ratio

  Non-Grammar Secondary

  Controlled

  13.9:1

  Maintained

  14.2:1

  All non-Grammar

  14.1:1

  Grammar Secondary

  Controlled

  15.3:1

  Voluntary

  16.3:1

  All Grammar

  16.0:1

  All Secondary

  14.8:1

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the pupil-teacher ratio in the last year for which figures are available in schools in Northern Ireland at(a) primary and (b) secondary level, and what comparisons he has made with the ratio in (i) Scotland and (ii) England and Wales. [19831]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) NI Primary pupil-teacher ratio for 1994–95–20.8:1

  (b) NI Secondary pupil-teacher ratio for 1994–95–14.8:1

  The latest available pupil-teacher ratios for all regions are for 1993–94 and are as follows:
  738

  Sector

  Northern Ireland

  Scotland

  England

  Wales

  Primary

  21.6:1

  19.5:1

  22.7:1

  22.3:1

  Secondary

  15.1:1

  12.8:1

  16.4:1

  15.9:1

  Film Industry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total financial subsidy given by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to the film industry in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; what subsidies and incentives are available to film producers to produce films in Northern Ireland; how many films have been produced(a) totally and (b) partially in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; what proposals he has to introduce an all-Ireland film board; and if he will make a statement. [19873]

  Mr. Ancram
  The total financial support given from within its grant in aid by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to the film industry in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years is as follows:

  1991–92: £10,538

  1992–93: £25,000

  1993–94: £80,000

  1984–95: £50,000

  1995–96 (estimate): £50,000

  Film production projects are eligible for funding from the national lottery and, in 1995, the Arts Council announced an award of £200,000 towards the production of a film in Northern Ireland.

  Information about the number of films produced totally or partially in Northern Ireland is not available.

  The Government have no proposals to introduce an all-Ireland film board, but are considering options for the development of film and television production in Northern Ireland.

  Anglo-Irish Agreement
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the recommendations made by the Government of the Irish Republic under article 6 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement since it was signed; and if he will list the appointments made as a result of these recommendations indicating to which bodies they were made. [19828]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Since the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, the Irish Government have suggested 153 people for public appointments in Northern Ireland. It is not possible to identify all those appointed since 1985, but 24 candidates proposed by the Irish Government currently hold 28 public appointments on the bodies to which they were nominated. All appointments are made on merit. It is not my practice to publish details of individuals so appointed.
  739

  Gaming Machines
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend the proposed deregulation on amusement with prizes gaming machines in Great Britain to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [19834]

  Mr. Moss
  These and other deregulation initiatives in the gambling field are being monitored to ascertain their local impact and the need for action to amend the law in Northern Ireland. Appropriate issues will be raised in the consultation paper to be published by the end of this year as part of a review of the local gambling law. Amending legislation will follow, as necessary, when decisions are taken.

  Sports Councils
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what projects were jointly funded between the Northern Ireland Sports Council and the Sports Councils in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the Irish Republic in 1995, and at what cost. [19866]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Sports Council for Northern Ireland is involved with the Scottish, Great Britain and Welsh Sports Councils in funding the following UK-wide initiatives, and contributes:

  £

  Drug testing

  15,000

  Coaching matters

  11,000

  Champion coaching

  20,000

  There are no projects funded with COSPOIR, the Republic of Ireland's Sports Council.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the chairman of the Northern Ireland Sports Council met the chairmen of the Sports Councils in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the Irish Republic in 1995. [19865]

  Mr. Ancram
  Meetings took place as follows:

  Chairman of the Scottish Sports Council: 14 times

  Chairman of the GB Sports Council: 17 times

  Chairman of the Welsh Sports Council: 16 times

  Chairman of COSPOIR: 3 times

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of co-operation between the Northern Ireland Sports Council and the Sports Councils in(a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) the Irish Republic; and what plans there are to enhance co-operation and promote more jointly funded projects. [19867]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Sports Council for Northern Ireland co-operates with the other home country Sports Councils in UK-wide initiatives. These are taken forward through committee representation, strategic planning and funding, for example:

  UK Facilities Design

  UK Management Award

  National Lottery

  Coaching Matters

  740

  Champion Coaching

  Major Events Support Group

  Drug Control Unit

  SC Advisory Group Marital Arts

  UK Research Consortium

  Valuing Volunteers

  Recognition Activities/Governing Bodies

  Sports Aid Foundation

  Mountain Leadership/Rescue

  Running Sport (Education/Training

  Youth Sport Trust

  UK Co-ordinating Committee for People with Disabilities

  The Northern Ireland Sports Council and the Sports Council in the Republic of Ireland, COSPOIR, have biannual information exchange meetings at members/officers level. These have resulted in formal and informal exchanges in areas such as:

  Strategy for Development of Sport

  Drug Testing

  Education/Training

  Research

  Sport for all Leader Award

  Mountain Leadership/Rescue

  European Funding

  Outdoor Centre Programmes

  Enhanced co-operation with COSPOIR is being explored in

  (a) development and implementation of strategies, particularly
  in relation to the 35 all-Ireland governing bodies of sport;

  (b) consideration of an all-Ireland sport for all leader award;
  and

  (c) development of education resource material.

  Jointly funded projects in 1995–96 are:

  Rationalisation of coach education schemes/awards: Cost £7,000

  Sport for all Leader Award: Cost £8,000

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what current agreements or restrictions apply in respect of class sizes in Northern Ireland. [19830]

  Mr. Ancram
  The maximum size of a class in a secondary school in Northern Ireland is restricted, by regulation 15 of the Secondary Schools (Grant Conditions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1973, to 20 pupils for a class in a practical subject and 35 in other subjects. There are no similar provisions in the primary sector.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the range of class sizes in which, five, six and seven-year-olds are taught; and how many children are taught in classes of each size. [20296]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is not collected in the form requested.

  Private Schools
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the areas in which he assists private schools with public money indicating the amounts of money spent in the past financial year. [19829]
  741
  Mr. Ancram
  No financial assistance was given to independent schools in Northern Ireland in the past financial year.

  Fishing Fleet
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present size of the Northern Ireland fishing fleet; what was its size in each of the last five years; how many boat owners have sought the financial incentives available to decommission their boats in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [19872]

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of licensed vessels in the Northern Ireland fishing fleet at the end of February 1996 and at the end of December of each of the previous five years is shown in the table.

  Length

  Over 10 metres

  10 metres and under

  1996

  199

  163

  1995

  207

  161

  1994

  215

  154

  1993

  219

  139

  1992

  253

  n/a

  1991

  257

  n/a

  For 1991 to 1993 the information is shown by registered length and from 1994 by overall length. The licensing of 10 m and under vessels was introduced with effect from 1 May 1993.

  There were no UK fishing vessel decommissioning schemes in 1991 and 1992. Under the 1993, 1994 and 1995 UK schemes 68, 84 and 30 applications respectively were received from Northern Ireland vessel owners. Under the 1995 Northern Ireland decommissioning scheme for nephrops vessels, 23 applications were received

  Sentencing
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce new proposals on sentencing in the courts similar to those announced for England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [20271]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary will shortly publish his proposals for England and Wales in a White Paper. I shall take a close interest in the public response and will be particularly keen to hear what people in Northern Ireland think about these important issues. It is, however, a well-established principle—at the heart of the new impetus we have sought to give in recent years to the development of criminal justice policy—that we have ultimately to develop our own solutions to crime problems in Northern Ireland, in the light of our own circumstances and pressures.

  Community Relations Council
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the current members of the Community Relations Council; and what remuneration they receive. [19990]
  742
  Mr. Ancram
  The members of the council are as follows:

  Dr. Arthur Aughey

  Jonathan Bardon (Chairman)

  Ms May Blood

  Ms Joan Broder

  Ms Mary Canavan

  Ms Tanya Gallagher

  Ms Avila Kilmurray

  Rev. Tim Kinahan

  Fr. Brian Lennon

  Aodan MacPoilin

  Ms Geraldine McAteer

  Eamonn McCartan

  Ms Ann McLaughlin

  Ms Monica McWilliams

  Dr. Duncan Morrow

  George Patterson

  Billy Robinson

  A number of further Government appointments are expected to be made in the near future. The chairman receives an honorarium of £8,587 per annum for his services. The other members of the council receive no remuneration, other than travelling expenses.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the current members of the cultural traditions group of the Community Relations Council; and how they are selected. [19991]

  Mr. Ancram
  The cultural traditions group is a sub-committee of the Community Relations Council and currently consists of the following members of the council:

  Dr. A. Aughey

  Mr. J. Bardon

  Mr. A. MacPoilin

  Mr. E. McCartan

  Dr. M. McWilliams

  and the following external members who are co-opted by the council to the group in line with agreed criteria:

  Ms K. Baird

  Dr. J. Bell

  Ms I. Foley

  Ms C. Gallagher

  Professor D. Harkness

  Dr. J. Hawthorne

  Dr. M. Hill

  Ms M. Jefferson

  Mr. G. Lucy

  Mr. B. McFerran

  Mr. V. McIver

  Mr. M. McLoone

  Mr. S. Nolan

  Mr. C. Ryder

  Mr. P. Sweeney

  The term of several members of the group will end in March 1996.
  743

  Exports
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total value of exports from Northern Ireland for each of the past five years. [20016]

  Mr. Ancram
  Statistics on Northern Ireland's exports are currently available only for the financial years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 and are provided. These are taken from a survey undertaken on the Industrial Development Board's behalf by the Northern Ireland economic research centre and published in April 1995.

  Year

  Value of exports £ million

  1991–92

  4,124

  1992–93

  4,588

  1993–94

  4,764

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total value of exports from Northern Ireland to(a) the north American region, (b) Great Britain, (c) Europe, (d) south-east Asia and (e) the Republic of Ireland for each of the last five years. [20022]

  Mr. Ancram
  Statistics on Northern Ireland's exports are currently available only for the financial years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 and are provided in the table. These are taken from a survey undertaken on the Industrial Development Board's behalf by the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre and published in April 1995.

  £ million

  Destination of sales

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  North America

  173.9

  182.5

  242.6

  Great Britain

  2,312

  2,425

  2,516

  Europe1

  741.8

  1,057.40

  957.2

  South East Asia

  54.5

  104.3

  134.1

  Republic of Ireland

  424

  491

  557

  1> Excluding Great Britain and Republic of Ireland.

  Irish and Ulster Scots Languages
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the current budget of the central community relations unit is being devoted to(a) Irish language groups and (b) Ulster Scots language groups. [19992]

  Mr. Ancram
  The budget of the central community relations unit for 1995–96 is £5,327,000. Of this, £219,790–4.13 per cent.—is being used to assist Irish language groups, either directly or through the grant to the cultural traditions group.

  Some £13,970–0.26 per cent. of the CCRU budget—comprises grants made by the cultural traditions group to the Ulster Scots Heritage Council and the Ulster Scots Academic Press.

  In addition, district councils may have made small payments to Irish language and Ulster Scots groups drawing on grants from CCRU under its district council community relations programme.
  744

  Miss Rita O'Hare
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 1996,Official Report, columns 749–50, what efforts were made to arrest Miss Rita O'Hare on her recent visit to Scotland. [20044]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  This is a matter for the police, but I understand that the RUC had no knowledge of any visit by Miss O'Hare to Scotland.

  Mobile Classrooms
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many children in Northern Ireland are taught in mobile classrooms; [20288]

  (2) at the rate of closure in 1994–95, when the last mobile classroom currently being used in Northern Ireland will be closed; [20289]

  (3) how many mobile classrooms were in use in Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years. [20290]

  Mr. Ancram
  Information about the number of mobile classrooms in use in each of the past 10 years, and the number of children taught in such classrooms, is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The number of classrooms currently in use is estimated to be 4,000.

  There is no specific time scale for the closure of individual mobile classrooms. The replacement of mobile classrooms by permanent accommodation has a high priority in my Department's capital programme within the confines of available capital resources.

  School Computers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many computers are currently in use in Northern Ireland Schools and; how many children there are for every computer in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. [20291]

  Mr. Ancram
  Available data relate to 1993–94, when there were 25,500 computers and a pupil-computer ratio of 22:1 in primary schools and 8:1 in secondary schools.

  Teachers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training is provided to head teachers in Northern Ireland; and what proposals he has for additional provision. [20292]

  Mr. Ancram
  Training is provided by the education and library boards curriculum advisory and support services and the regional training unit, following annual consultation with schools about their training requirements. There are no immediate plans for additional provision.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the mechanisms for
  745
  (i) appraising and (ii) removing a head teacher who is underperforming; and what plans he has to change them; [20293]

  (2) if he will set out the procedures for ending the appointment of an inadequate teacher and the time scales involved; and what plans he has to alter the procedures. [20295]

  Mr. Ancram
  Teachers and head teachers are subject to the dismissal provisions contained in paragraph 5 of schedule 4 to the Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, or, where relevant, to dismissal procedures drawn up by individual school boards of governors. Proposals detailing the steps to be followed in dealing with teachers, including principals, whose work is unsatisfactory have recently been put to the Northern Ireland Teachers Council by the employing authorities.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present system of teacher appraisal; and what plans he has to review it. [20294]

  Mr. Ancram
  A staff development and performance review scheme is currently being introduced for all teachers, starting with the training of head teachers from the 1995–96 school year. It comprises preparation and job observation, followed by a discussion and a summary statement. Plans for its review have yet to be drawn up.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the occasions on which he and his predecessors have attended Council of Ministers meetings since April 1992. [20814]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Neither I nor my predecessor have attended any Council of Ministers meetings since April 1992.

WALES

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 4 March,Official Report, columns 93–94, how many inward investment company visits arranged by Invest in Britain have been made to Wales during the past 12 months; and in how many of these instances the companies concerned met officials from the Welsh Office. [20256]

  Mr. Hague
  There have been 13 inward investment visits introduced to Wales by the Invest in Britain Bureau over the past 12 months. The Welsh Office was involved in five of these visits and Welsh Office Ministers in two of those.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to extend and improve the range of titles in the Welsh language on multimedia software; and what assessment he has made of the titles available; [20310]
  746
  (2) what assessment he has made of the range of software in the Welsh language currently available to run on (a) the Pentium multimedia personal computers of Research Machines and (b) Acorn personal computers. [20311]

  Mr. Richards
  The Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales has a specific remit to commission multimedia software in Welsh, and has already sought tenders for three titles. Four hundred and twenty-five titles were offered under the multimedia initiative for primary schools. Only two were in Welsh. Neither was considered suitable for purchase. Our assessment of other software is that more is desirable, but its range and type are a matter for users in the first instance.

  Ariane Programme
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the European Commission's Ariane programme as a means of promoting the Welsh language and Wales in the European Union. [20260]

  Mr. Richards
  Priority will be given to lesser-used languages under the Ariane programme; Welsh language organisations will be encouraged to apply when the programme is agreed.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the European Commission's Ariane programme; and if he will publish them. [20259]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend and I have received representations from the Arts Council of Wales and Ms Eluned Morgan MEP; I have placed copies of the representations in the Library of the House, together with copies of my replies.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will undertake a study of the criteria for determining areas designated for regional assistance in Wales to identify discrepancies between those areas currently most in need of assistance, and the areas recognised as in need on this basis of the criteria used when the last regional assistance map was established. [20008]

  Mr. Hague
  No. The assisted areas map can be reviewed only on a Great Britain basis. It was introduced in 1993 and the Government have made it clear that it will not be reviewed within the lifetime of this Parliament.

  Multimedia Portables Initiative
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations were undertaken with primary schools(a) in drawing up the specifications for the Welsh Office multimedia portables initiative and (b) once the bids were received, on supplying them with hardware and software under the Welsh Office multimedia portables initiative; [20003]

  (2) what consultations were undertaken with (a) the Welsh Joint Education Committee, (b) the Wales

  747
  Curriculum and Assessment Authority and (c) the Welsh Language Board, (i) in drawing up the specifications for the Welsh Office multimedia portables initiative and (ii) once the bids were received, on supplying schools with hardware and software under the Welsh Office multimedia portables initiative. [20005]

  Mr. Richards
  Schools were invited to choose between a multimedia suite and portable computers. Those who chose multimedia were invited to indicate a preference for one of three platforms; those who chose portables to indicate what type of portable. No guarantee was given that the Department would meet first preferences. Further consultation either on detailed technical specifications or post-bid would have been impracticable. The Department was assisted throughout by meetings with local education authority advisers.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he gave for the availability of software that would be operable in the Welsh language when drawing up the specifications for the Welsh Office multimedia portables initiative; and if this was a consideration when the contract for(a) the hardware and (b) the software was offered to Research Machines. [20001]

  Mr. Richards
  Careful consideration was given to this both pre-tender and post-tender. Research Machines has no contract to supply software.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make additional finance available for primary schools to train teachers to use the Pentium 75 multimedia personal computers provided under the Welsh Office multimedia portables initiative; [20263]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost to schools using Acorn personal computers of making full use of Research Machines Pentium personal computers. [20002]

  Mr. Richards
  Funding will be made available under the grants for education support and training programme as planned. Primary schools can draw on the £3 million made available under GEST to promote the use of IT in 1996–97. The platform purchased represents the best buy in overall value-for-money terms.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he made of the capability of Research Machines, under the contract awarded through the Welsh Office multimedia portables initiative, to support the statutory study of the Welsh language in the national curriculum. [20000]

  Mr. Richards
  Support of this character is for the Department and the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales among others, not for Research Machines.

  Agriculture Department
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were employed by his Department's agriculture department in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [20172]

  Mr. Hague
  The total numbers of full-time equivalent permanent staff employed within the Welsh Office agriculture department at 31 December in each year are as follows:

  1993: 416

  748

  1994: 443

  1995: 432

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people he estimates will be employed by the agriculture department at the end of the current year; and if he will make a statement. [20077]

  Mr. Hague
  Four hundred and fifty-four permanent full-time equivalent staff on 31 March 1996.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many claims for capital grants and environmentally sensitive area payments his Department's agriculture department's divisional offices has processed in(a) 1994 and (b) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [20171]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is shown in the following table:

  Number of claims processed in

  Scheme

  1994

  1995

  Capital grants

  3,119

  2,070

  Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESAs)

  1,454

  1,384

  GP Vacancies
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to monitor the number of vacancies for general medical practitioners in Wales. [20254]

  Mr. Hague
  It would serve no useful purpose to collect this information routinely at a national level. Family health services authorities hold information about the number of vacancies in their area and provide advice to my Department on general trends as and when necessary.

  FHSAs also provide more specific advice to the Medical Practices Committee. The MPC has responsibility for controlling the distribution of GPs in England and Wales with the aim of ensuring that there are adequate numbers of GPs throughout the country.

  Livestock Schemes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many claims for the four main livestock schemes his Department's agriculture department's divisional offices have dealt with in(a) 1994 and (b) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [20170]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The numbers of claims processed were as follows:

  1994

  1995

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances

  14,143

  13,444

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme

  16,440

  15,441

  Suckler Cow Premium Scheme

  15,752

  14,777

  Beef Special Premium Scheme (Finals)

  22,420

  25,017

  749
  The number processed under each scheme each year varies according to the number of claims carried forward for payment from one year to the next.

  Manufacturing Projects
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 5 March,Official Report, column 207, on the number of new manufacturing projects given financial assistance by his Department, if he will review the industrial investment incentives of his Department to secure a higher number of offers in Gwynedd and Dyfed; and if he will make a statement. [20265]

  Mr. Hague
  There are no proposals for the operating departments to review the terms of the regional selective assistance scheme. The Welsh Development Agency and others are working very hard to achieve a wider spread of manufacturing projects throughout Wales.

  School Computers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of primary schools use(a) Acorn personal computers and (b) Pentium personal computers supplied by Research Machines. [20004]

  Mr. Richards
  Precise percentages are not held by the Department.

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funds will be available to recompense those engaged in tourism who have been financially affected by the oil spillage from the Sea Empress. [20010]

  Mr. Hague
  Compensation for economic loss caused by oil pollution from the Sea Empress will be available from the vessel's insurers and from the international oil pollution compensation fund, up to a limit of about £57 million.

  In addition, the Wales tourist board has launched a campaign to reassure visitors that the beaches of south-west Wales will be clean by the summer season.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the occasions on which he and his predecessors have attended Council of Ministers meetings since 9 April 1992. [20846]

  Mr. Hague
  I attended the meeting of the Environment Council on 4 March this year. My predecessor attended a Transport Council on 19 June 1995. The then Minister of State, Welsh Office—the right hon. Member for Conwy (Sir W. Roberts)—attended the informal council on regional policy on 12 and 13 November 1993.

  Wilprint Ltd.
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date Wilprint Ltd. was removed from the approved contractors' list for departmental printing work. [20845]

  Mr. Hague
  27 April 1992.
  750

HEALTH

  Pensioners (Health Costs)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many pensioners received(a) free prescriptions, (b) courses of (i) free and (ii) reduced rate dental treatment and (c) free NHS sight tests, reduced private sight tests and spectacle vouchers for (1) 1989 and (2) the most recent year for which information is available under the NHS low income scheme; [19651]

  (2) how many pensioners received assistance with NHS health costs from (a) income support, (b) being in receipt of certificate AG2 and (c) being in receipt of certificate AG3; and what estimate he has made of the number who paid full charges but could have received reduced charges if they had applied for AG2 or AG3 in (i) 1989 and (ii) the most recent year for which information is available. [19650]

  Mr. Malone
  All pensioners are entitled to free national health service prescriptions. Pensioners as a group are not entitled to free NHS sight tests, spectacle vouchers or dental treatment but may be entitled to help through the NHS low income scheme. Pensioners are not identified in the information collected about the number of free or reduced cost courses of dental treatments, NHS sights tests and spectacle vouchers. No information is available about the number of pensioners who pay for sight tests, spectacles and dental treatment but would be entitled to help if they made a low income scheme claim.

  The available information is in the table:

  Thousands

  1989–90

  1994–95

  1. Pensioners claiming income support

  11,432

  11,584

  2. Partners of pensionable age

  179

  208

  3. Pensioners holding certificate AG22

  not available

  229

  4. Partners of pensionable age

  not available

  87

  5. Pensioners holding certificate AG32

  not available

  178

  6. Partners of pensionable age

  not available

  73

  7. Prescriptions dispensed to pensioners

  3147,300

  4184,200

  8. Courses of NHS dental treatment for patients aged 65 or over treated as exempt on grounds of low income5

  370

  6—

  Lines 1–6 are in respect of Great Britain. Lines 7–8 are in respect of England.

  1From a sample in May each year.

  2AG2/AG3 are issued for six months.

  3Based on fees for prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only.

  4Based on items dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only.

  5This includes holders of AG2s/AG3s and recipients of Income Support or Family Credit. Information is not available separately in respect of each group.

  6Figures are not now produced routinely and recent figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Pensioners are women aged 60 or more and men aged 65 or more.

  Safety of Medicines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget the Licensing Authority made available to the Committee on Safety of Medicines for each year from 1971 to 1994 in respect of its statutory role to promote the collection of adverse drug reactions. [20060]
  751
  Mr. Malone
  The Medicines Control Agency undertakes the role of promoting the collection of adverse drug reactions on behalf of the committee and seeks its advice as appropriate. An overall budget of £821,986 was devoted to running and promoting the spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting scheme in the financial year 1994–95. Information since 1971 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the occasions since the coming into effect of the Medicines Act 1968 on which(a) the Licensing Authority, (b) the medicines division of the Department of Health, (c) the Medicines Control Agency or its staff and (d) the Committee on Safety of Medicines or its chairman have (i) sought and (ii) obtained an injunction or interdict preventing publication of information relating to the safety of medicines licensed or formerly licensed under the provisions of the Act; and if he will list for each case the date on which an injunction or interdict was sought, the products concerned, the grounds on which the action was taken, if the action was contested, and the outcome. [20064]

  Mr. Malone
  We have no record of any such proceedings.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the procedures of the Medicines Control Agency. [20058]

  Mr. Malone
  The procedures of the Medicines Control Agency are a matter for the agency chief executive operating within relevant statutory provisions and the agency's framework document. The chief executive is accountable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health for the efficient management and overall performance of the agency. The agency is subject to regular review. The latest review was completed last year and a summary of its findings placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are available to members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines who wish to raise matters of concern in relation to the workings of the committee. [20062]

  Mr. Malone
  Committee members have the power to regulate the committee's procedures under schedule 1, paragraph 4 of the Medicines Act 1968. In addition, individual committee members are free to raise any issues which they consider to be of relevance to the workings of the committee, either with the chairman, at committee meetings or by writing to the appointing authority, the United Kingdom Health Ministers.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training in the interpretation of epidemiological data is provided to new members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on their appointment. [20061]

  Mr. Malone
  Members are appointed for their individual expertise in the fields of medicine, pharmacy or science. Their specialist knowledge and judgment contribute to the advice given by the Committee to the Licensing Authority. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 11 December 1995,Official Report, columns 521–24.
  752
  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates(a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues met the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines since 1 January 1995. [20063]

  Mr. Malone
  The chairman of the committee met me on 3 October 1995.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in the consideration of issues relating to third generation oral contraceptives prior to the decision taken on 16 October 1995. [20057]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made in the House on 23 October 1995 at columns 701–11.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes have been made in the(a) data sheets and (b) summary of product characteristics of third generation oral contraceptives on the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines. [20059]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  North Staffordshire Trauma Centre
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral statement of 6 March,Official Report, columns 356–68, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the North Staffordshire trauma centre; and if he will ensure continued funding for the centre. [20188]

  Mr. Horam
  We published on 6 March a report of a Sheffield university research study on the cost-effectiveness of the regional trauma centre in the north-west midlands.

  The continued funding of the North Staffordshire trauma centre is a matter for local health authorities.

  Hydrotherapy Pools
  Sir Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he is giving to health authorities and those involved with the design of acute hospitals in respect of the provision of hydrotherapy pools. [20323]

  Mr. Horam
  NHS Estates has issued, to NHS trusts and health authorities, health building note 8 "Rehabilitation—accommodation for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy" (1991) which includes details of the requirements for hydrotherapy suites. Technical advice is given in health technical memoranda 2027 (HTM)—"Operational management—Hot and cold water supply, storage and mains services" (1995); and HTM 2040 "Design considerations and operational management—the control of legionellae in healthcare premises—a code or practice" (1994).

  Copies of the documents will be placed in the Library.
  753

  Water Fluoridation
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the fluoridation of London's drinking water supply. [20390]

  Mr. Malone
  Fluoridation of water supplies is a matter for local decision.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the national health service executive is taking in respect of the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales paper on the community health council review process; when it was submitted to the NHS executive; and if he will make a statement. [20604]

  Mr. Malone
  The national health service executive received details of the Association of Community Health Councils views on how the CHC review process might work and the appropriate relationship with regional offices, under cover of a letter dated 11 January 1996. The NHS executive is considering the views expressed by the association.

  Medical Waste
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if there is a list of approved contractors dealing with medical waste from hospitals. [20768]

  Mr. Horam
  There is not a central list of approved contractors for disposal of clinical waste. It is for each national health service trust or contracting authority to satisfy itself, prior to any invitation to tender, that those invited to bid have the capability to meet the required technical, financial and quality performance standards.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on how many occasions in the past five years letters have been sent by the National Health Service Estates agency to NHS hospital trusts about medical waste management; [20789]

  (2) what reviews of waste management procedures the National Health Service Estates agency has asked each NHS hospital trust to undertake; [20790]

  (3) if he will publish the guidelines for the disposal of medical waste form (a) hospitals, (b) nursing homes, (c) mortuaries, (d) doctors' surgeries and (e) veterinary surgeries. [20759]

  Mr. Horam
  The National Health Service Estates agency has issued five guidance documents and two estates policy letters to the NHS in the past five years. They relate to NHS bodies obligations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and their duty of care in relation to the disposal of clinical waste. These are specifically aimed at hospitals and primary care services. The NHS Estates agency is not responsible for issuing guidance to private nursing homes or veterinary surgeries.

  As waste producers, NHS bodies' are bound to ensure that waste is disposed of safely and properly. Enforcement of the Act is, however, the responsibility of the local environmental health department. The NHS Estates agency does not have responsibility for reviewing procedures.
  754
  The guidance documents are:

  Health Guidance Note—Clinical Waste Incineration Joint Venture Arrangements (March 1995);

  Health Guidance Note—Safe Disposal of Clinical Waste Whole Hospital Policy (April 1995);

  Strategic Guide for Waste Management (March 1991);

  Strategic Guide to Clinical Waste Management (January 1994);

  Health Service Guidelines HSG(94)50 Clinical Waste Management (December 1994).

  The estates policy letters, EPL(92)8 and EPL(95)33 reminded the NHS of the previous guidance.

  Copies of the guidance will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the tendering procedures for the disposal of medical waste from hospitals. [20791]

  Mr. Horam
  Tendering procedures for the disposal of clinical waste from hospitals should be in accordance with the Public Services Contract Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/3228) and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. In addition, the National Health Service Estates agency has issued guidance on medical waste management.

  Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what communications he has received from Plymouth Hospitals NHS trust regarding the elderly patient who fell to his death at Derriford hospital, Plymouth, on 9 March; and if he will make a statement. [20599]

  Mr. Horam
  We have received no communication from Derriford hospital about this matter. I understand that the trust is holding a full inquiry. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Vernon Seccombe, JP, chairman of Plymouth Hospitals NHS trust, for further information.

  Aids for Elderly and Disabled People
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the local authority social services departments that make charges for aids for elderly and disabled people. [20757]

  Mr Bowis
  Information reported by authorities shows that some two thirds of social services departments in England gained no income from fees or charges in relation to adaptations to homes or the provision of disability equipment for elderly or physically or sensorily disabled people in the financial year 1993–94. Specific information about individual authorities' charges are not available centrally.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [16013]
  755
  Mr. Horam
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 February 1996, c. 289]: I regret that my previous answer contained incorrect information relating to the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting; the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work; the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; and the Medical Practices Committee. The revised reply is as follows:

  Those NDPBs which are:

  Subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;

  Medical Practices Committee.

  Subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission:

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

  Subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;

  Medical Practices Committee;

  National Biological Standards Board;

  National Radiological Protection Board;

  Public Health Laboratory Services Board.

  Proportions of individuals in households with household income that is (i) wholly earned (ii) part earned, part unearned (iii) wholly unearned, for each quintile of the income distribution and overall, United Kingdom, 1992–93

  Percentage

  Quintiles of income distribution

  Percentage of individuals in households where the household income is:

  Bottom

  Second

  Third

  Fourth

  Top

  All individuals

  Before housing costs

  Wholly earned

  1

  2

  3

  5

  4

  3

  Part earned, part unearned

  32

  55

  79

  85

  88

  68

  Wholly unearned

  68

  44

  18

  11

  8

  29

  All income

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  After housing costs

  Wholly earned

  1

  2

  4

  5

  3

  3

  Part earned, part unearned

  31

  57

  79

  83

  87

  68

  Wholly unearned

  67

  41

  17

  12

  10

  29

  All income

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1. Earned income includes income for employment and self-employment. Unearned income includes state pensions and any other income from benefits (including Child Benefit), occupational and personal pensions, investment income, and any other miscellaneous income.

  2. The information in the table is derived from the 1992–93 Households Below Average Income dataset. 1992–93 is the latest date for which results are available. Figures for 1992–93 are for two calender years data combined.

  3. Each quintile represents 20 per cent. of the income distribution.

  4. All estimates are subject to sampling error. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated increased administrative cost for his Department resulting from the introduction of the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Amendment Regulations 1996. [16624]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Operational procedures have not yet been finalised, but the administrative costs are not expected to be significant.
  756

  Subject to statutory provisions for open government:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Subject to performance indicators:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work;

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting;

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;

  National Biological Standards Board;

  National Radiological Protection Board;

  Public Health Laboratory Services Board.

  Subject to provisions under the Citizen's Charter:

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incomes
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) households and (b) individuals have (i) wholly earned, (ii) wholly unearned and (iii) part-earned and part-unearned incomes; and if he will break down the figures by income level. [13483]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Such information as is available is in the tables.

  Pensions
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals currently have their earnings-related pension reduced as a result of payments from a company pension scheme. [18854]

  Mr. Heald
  As at 31 March 1995, there were 2,305,840 individuals whose additional pension was reduced, or extinguished, as a result of contracted-out deductions in respect of payments from a company or personal pension scheme.
  757
  The contracted-out deduction is the term used to describe the reduction in the additional pension of someone who has been a member of a contracted-out pension scheme or a personal pension scheme used in place of the additional pension.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 February,Official Report, column 40, (a) what the breakdown in public spending per capita and per recipient is estimated by the Government Actuary to be on (i) retirement pensions, (ii) the state earnings-related pension scheme, (iii) other public pensions and (iv) all publicly provided pensions, (b) what is the corresponding estimate of contributions required per capita and per contributor from national insurance and (c) what is the corresponding estimate of the percentage of gross domestic product of total public spending on pensions, on the basis of the Government's assumption of 1.5 per cent. per annum growth in (1) 1994–95, (2) 2000–01, (3) 2010–11, (4) 2020–21 and (5) 2030–31, at 1994 prices. [19031]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. Public spending on all publicly provided pensions is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Government Actuary's Department does not forecast the number of SERPS recipients.

  Such information as is available is shown in the tables:

  Breakdown of public spending

  £

  1994–95

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  Retirement pensions

  Per capita

  474

  514

  566

  584

  693

  Per recipient

  2,663

  2,709

  2,710

  2,838

  2,850

  SERPS

  Per capita

  32

  72

  141

  181

  198

  Per recipient

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Other public pensions

  Per capita

  18

  13

  11

  20

  19

  Per recipient

  2,485

  2,462

  2,340

  2,600

  2,600

  Contributions required

  £

  1994–95

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  Retirement pensions

  Per capita

  474

  514

  566

  584

  693

  Per contributor

  1,300

  1,313

  1,400

  1,419

  1,753

  SERPS

  Per capita

  32

  72

  141

  181

  198

  Per contributor

  87

  185

  350

  440

  502

  Other public pensions

  Per capita

  18

  13

  11

  20

  19

  Per contributor

  50

  32

  27

  49

  47

  758

  Percentage of GDP

  Total spending on pensions (i), (ii) and (iii)

  Percentage

  1994–95

  4.4 per cent.

  2000–01

  4.7 per cent.

  2010–11

  5.0 per cent.

  20020–21

  4.7 per cent.

  2030–31

  4.8 per cent.

  1. All figures are based on 1994–95 prices. Spending is rounded to the nearest £1, and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.1 per cent.

  2. Retirement pensions are comprised of basic retirement pension and graduated retirement benefit.

  3. Other public pensions are comprised of widows' pension (basic) and widows' pension (additional pension).

  4. Expenditure on benefits and population figures are taken from the report by the Government Actuary on the third quinquennial review under section 137 of the Social Security Act 1975.

  5. Numbers of recipients and contributors are taken from, or under the Pensions Bill 1994 report by the Government Actuary on the financial provisions of the Bill on the national insurance fund, except for 1994–95 which are based on actual numbers.

  6. The number of contributors each year excludes approximately 200,000 people paying class 3 contributions.

  7. The underlying GDP figures assume 1.5 per cent. per annum growth from the 1994–95 GDP figure given in table 6A.1 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1996–97.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) public spending on SERPS and (b) the corresponding contribution rate in respect of SERPS only (i) before the Pensions Act 1995 and (ii) in (1) 1994–95, (2) 2000–01, (3) 2010–11, (4) 2020–21 and (5) 2030–31, at 1994 prices. [19211]

  Mr. Heald
  There is no corresponding contribution rate in respect of SERPS only. The contribution rate is a global figure calculated so that it is sufficient to pay all national insurance fund benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. However, some indication of a contribution rate equivalent to net SERPS expenditure is given in the table.

  Percentage

  1994–95

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  Pre Pensions Act 1995

  Net SERPS expenditure £ billion

  1.8

  4.2

  9.2

  14.5

  18.7

  Equivalent contribution rate

  0.8

  1.5

  2.6

  3.7

  4.5

  Post Pensions Act 1995

  Net SERPS expenditure £ billion

  1.8

  4.2

  8.4

  10.9

  12.0

  Equivalent

  0.8

  1.5

  2.4

  2.8

  2.8

  contribution rate

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  per cent.

  Notes:

  1. The principle underlying the table is that if, say, estimated net SERPS expenditure equals one-quarter of total expenditure on national insurance fund benefits then one-quarter of the contribution rate necessary to balance the Fund pays for the net SERPS. Hence, the lower is net SERPS expenditure the lower the equivalent contribution rate will be.

  2. The contribution rate in the above table is that part of the gross class 1 contribution rate required to meet the estimated cost of net SERPS. However, it is assumed that a similar proportion of class 2, 3 and 4 contributions is also used to meet the cost of net SERPS.

  3. The expenditure on net SERPS is in respect of retirement pensions only and is in 1994–95 prices.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.
  759

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of home owners whose attendance allowance was withdrawn because they were in residential care temporarily paid for by the local authority pending the sale of their homes, in each year of the allowance's operation. [19325]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available.

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [19453]

  Mr. Burt
  There are no such cases.

  From March 1994 the Department had a contingency arrangement with the private sector to protect some of its mainframe computers. The contract was never enacted. From June 1995, after outsourcing of the Department's data centre services, EDS became responsible for the mainframe computers. The Department requires EDS to guarantee a specific level of service but the specifics of contingency arrangements are a matter for EDS.

  Compensation Recovery Scheme
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on the compensation recovery scheme. [19767]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 17 October 1995,Official Report, column 223.

  Pensioners (Benefits)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates he has made of the number and percentage of(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples (1) under and (2) over 75 years of age entitled to, but not in receipt of, (i) council tax benefit, income support and housing benefit, (ii) income support and housing benefit, (iii) income support and council tax benefit, (iv) housing benefit and council tax benefit, (v) council tax benefit alone, (f) income support alone and (g) housing benefit alone. [19652]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not readily available. Where obtainable, it could be provided only at disproportionate cost and would not produce reliable results.

  Lowered Standard of Occupation Allowance
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discretion Ministers have on the payment of allowance for lowered standard of occupation in individual cases. [20037]

  Mr. Heald
  Article 21 of the Naval, Military and Air Forces etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983 provides that the allowance for lowered 760
  standard of occupation may be awarded to ex-service men and women who, because of the effects of their war pensioned disablement, are incapable, and likely to remain permanently incapable, of following their regular occupation and any other occupation which is of an equivalent standard and suitable for them. The Secretary of State will pay the allowance where he is satisfied that those conditions are met.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many additional claimants would qualify for the disability working allowance if the functional test were applied for initial claims for those not receiving a qualifying benefit; and what estimate he has made of the net cost. [20166]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of disability working allowance have earnings below the lower earnings limit. [20168]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The lower earnings limit for 1995–96 is £58. On the 31 October 1995 there were 7,644 claimants in receipt of disability working allowance, of whom 2,620 were earning less than £58 per week.

  Source:

  Disability working allowance computer system 100 per cent. scan of all awards.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the current level of unemployment benefit for an adult aged over 25 years in each EU state; and what percentage this figure represents as a proportion of the current national average wage in each country. [20317]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information on the level of unemployment benefits in each European Union country is contained in MISSOC "Social Protection in the Member States of the European Union", published by the European Commission. Information on unemployment benefits as a percentage of average earnings in member states is available in "Social Protection in Europe 1995", also published by the European Commission. Copies of both publications are in the Library.

  Severe Weather Conditions
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what additional funding will be made available to help people in receipt of income support who have suffered loss and damage as a result of the recent severe weather. [21290]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I recently announced additional funding for four districts in the Glasgow area amounting to £268,308 for 967 applications. At the same time I also made available a further £80,000 from the contingency reserve for any future emergencies.

  Since then, two further districts—Sefton and Highlands and Islands—have been awarded additional allocations from this sum of £80,000 due to their increased expenditure during the severe weather.
  761
  On 29 February Sefton district reported a total of 76 awards at a cost of £25,315 and Highlands and Islands 396 awards at a cost of £42,000 a total expenditure of £67,315. The majority of awards were for budgeting loans.

  I have therefore agreed that a further social fund in-year allocation of £67,315 should be made to the district offices affected.

  The latest information we have suggests that there is unlikely to be any further requirement for additional allocations in the current financial year.

  Benefit Statistics
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total amount paid in each of the last five years to workers in(a) full and (b) part-time employment in the form of housing benefit, family income support and other benefits paid by his Department. [20121]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information in respect of the in-work benefits is set out in the table. It has been provided in respect of all workers, including those who are self-employed, irrespective of the number of hours they work. In addition to the benefits shown, workers may benefit from a range of categorical benefits, such as child benefit.

  £million

  Benefit cost

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Family credit1

  494

  626

  929

  1,208

  1,480

  Disability working allowance1

  3—

  3—

  3—

  7

  13

  Housing benefit2

  340

  395

  525

  600

  700

  Community charge benefit2

  170

  80

  95

  3—

  3—

  Council tax benefit2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  130

  140

  Total

  1,004

  1,101

  1,549

  1,945

  2,333

  Sources:

  1 1995 departmental report.

  2 Estimates derived from the 1 per cent. Housing Benefit Management System sample annual enquiry.

  3Represents periods before benefits were introduced/after they were replaced.

  Earnings Disregard
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effect on public revenues in 1996–97 and 1997–98 of increasing the earnings disregard under income support for all claimants to at least(a) £10, (b) £15, (c) £25 and (d) £50 based on the assumption that (1) the disregard applies equally to individuals and the joint earnings of couples and (2) each partner in a couple is allowed the full disregard. [18104]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [holding answer 29 February 1996]: The information is set out in the tables.
  762

  Table 1:1996–97

  £ million

  Change in disregards

  Assumption 1

  Assumption 2

  At least £10

  20

  20

  At least £15

  40

  40

  At least £25

  110

  110

  At least £50

  240

  240

  Table 2:1997–98

  £ million

  Change in disregards

  Assumption 1

  Assumption 2

  At least 10

  10

  10

  At least 15

  30

  30

  At least 25

  100

  100

  At least 50

  230

  230

  1. Estimates are modelled on the 1991–92–93 Family Expenditure Surveys and the 1994 Annual Statistical Enquiry, uprated to 1996–97 and 1997–98 levels of prices, earnings and benefit rates. Costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Estimates are lower in 1997–98 than in 1996–97, as they take into account the change to the couples disregard for income support and jobseeker's allowance that is to be introduced in October 1996.

  3. Costs include the increased cost of housing benefit and council tax benefit due to increased entitlement to these benefits.

  4. The costs are shown as the same under both assumptions because of the small number of claims where both the claimant and partner work part time.

  5. Behavioural changes, which would be considerable with the higher disregards have been ignored.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Executive Agencies (Contracts)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidelines he has issued on the vetting of private companies tendering for contracts with a next steps agency. [20190]

  Mr. Willets
  The principles to be followed are laid out clearly in "The Government's Guide to market Testing", paragraphs 6.14 and 6.27, and guidance note No. 40, paragraphs 10.2 and 15.2, issued by Her Majesty's Treasury's central unit on procurement. The guidelines for next steps agencies are the same as those for the rest of central Government. "The Government's Guide to Market Testing" is available in the Library of the House. I am arranging for copies of the CUP guidance note No. 40 to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what vetting procedures are employed to verify the credentials of private companies tendering for contracts with next steps agencies. [20193]

  Mr. Willetts
  Departments and agencies act in accordance with the guidelines laid out in "The Government's Guide to Market Testing", paragraphs 6.14 and 6.27 and the central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 40, paragraphs 10.2 and 15.2.

  In compiling a shortlist, Departments and agencies check companies' capacity and competence for performing the work, their experience in similar work and their financial status. Further checks are made when

  763
  evaluating bids on companies' organisation and personnel policies, their technical status, their existing commitments and their financial status, including, creditworthiness, and details of any holding/guarantor companies providing financial backing.

  "The Government's Guide to Market Testing" is available in the Library of the House. I am arranging for copies of the CUP guidance note No. 40 to be placed in the Library of the House.

  "Competing for Quality" Review
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the "Competing for Quality" review will be published. [20450]

  Mr. Willetts
  It is anticipated that the review will be finished shortly and the results will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

  Civil Servants (Stress-related Illness)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number of civil servants who have left the service(a) by age, (b) by gender and (c) by Department on grounds of stress-related illness in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [20333]

  Mr. Willetts
  Stress is rarely cited as a specific cause of ill health retirement, but conditions which may be precipitated or exacerbated by stress fall into the International Classification of Diseases categories for neurotic disorders. The data available relate to civil servants who have retired on grounds of ill health because of neurotic disorders in the calendar years 1993 and 1994, the data for 1995 are currently being analysed.

  There were 3,731 ill health retirements from the civil service in 1993, 2,208 male and 1,523 female. There were 4,169 ill health retirements in 1994, 2,346 male and 1,823 female.

  Table 1 shows the total number of ill health retirements classified as being due to neurotic disorders, broken down by age at retirement and gender. It further shows these ill health retirements as a percentage of the total number of ill health retirement certificates issued in the year.
  764

  Table 1

  1993

  1994

  Age

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  <40

  34

  54

  58

  71

  40–49

  85

  55

  105

  68

  50–59

  98

  93

  123

  94

  60+

  15

  7

  12

  2

  Total

  232

  209

  298

  235

  As percentage of all IHR's

  10.5

  13.7

  12.7

  12.9

  Tables 2a and 2b, respectively, show for 1993 and 1994 the retirement rate from neurotic disorders in the larger Departments and in the civil service as a whole, as a percentage of staff in post.

  Table 2a: 1993

  Department

  Staff in post

  Neurotic disorder IHR's

  Percentage IHR rate

  Ministry of Defence

  129,225

  56

  0.04

  DSS Group

  84,824

  71

  0.08

  Inland Revenue

  66,521

  55

  0.08

  Employment Group

  52,408

  50

  0.1

  Home Office Prison Service

  38,527

  48

  0.12

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise

  25,137

  34

  0.14

  Others

  157,570

  127

  0.09

  All civil service

  554,212

  441

  0.08

  Table 2b:1994

  Department

  Staff in post

  Neurotic disorder IHR's

  Percentage IHR rate

  Ministry of Defence

  121,552

  91

  0.07

  DSS Group

  87,122

  83

  0.1

  Inland Revenue

  62,374

  63

  0.1

  Employment Group

  49,289

  27

  0.06

  Home Office Prison Service

  38,003

  61

  0.16

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise

  25,115

  50

  0.2

  Others

  149,895

  158

  0.11

  All civil service

  533,350

  533

  0.1

  Local Government: Structure
  Local Government: Structure
  London: Advisory Bodies
  London: Advisory Bodies
  GLC Abolition: Cost Effect
  GLC Abolition: Cost Effect
  Asylum Seekers: Help to Local Authorities
  Asylum Seekers: Help to Local Authorities
  Consultant Physicians: Classification
  Consultant Physicians: Classification
  Lloyd's: Compliance
  Lloyd's: Compliance
  ECGD: Payments
  ECGD: Payments
  Ford Motor Company: Subsidy
  Ford Motor Company: Subsidy
  Business Support Agencies
  Business Support Agencies
  Nursery Education Voucher Scheme
  Nursery Education Voucher Scheme
  Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Regulations
  Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Regulations
  Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill [H.L.]
  Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill [H.L.]
  "Sea Empress" Incident
  "Sea Empress" Incident
  Northern Ireland: Resettlement and Rehabilitation Organisations
  Northern Ireland: Resettlement and Rehabilitation Organisations
  Housing Benefit: Arrangements
  Housing Benefit: Arrangements
  Lone Parents Ceasing to Receive Benefit
  Lone Parents Ceasing to Receive Benefit
  Diplomatic Service: Ethnic Minorities
  Diplomatic Service: Ethnic Minorities