Written Answers of 19 March 1996

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Access to Government Information
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the operation of the code of practice on access to Government information during 1995. [22057]

  1993 (from 1 July 1993)

  1994

  1995

  1996 (up to 14 March 1996

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  CCC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  0.07

  —

  —

  COI1

  1

  0.3

  1

  0.15

  8

  0.5

  1

  0.2

  CSC

  1

  0.3

  2

  0.3

  4

  0.25

  —

  —

  HMSO1

  2

  0.6

  10

  1.6

  13

  0.9

  8

  1.6

  OHSA

  1

  0.3

  —

  —

  5

  0.3

  1

  0.2

  RAS

  5

  1.6

  10

  1.6

  10

  0.6

  4

  0.8

  SAFE1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  0.4

  TBA2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1Agencies which are Government Departments in their own right, reporting to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  2Agencies which transferred to the Office of Public Service on 1 January 1996.

  Secondly, since this Department was formed in May 1992 the number of hon. Members' questions passed to agencies for response and this figure as a percentage of the total number of letters received is shown in the table:

  Parliamentary years

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995 (up to 14 March 1996)

  Total PQs

  778

  768

  791

  477

  Agency answers

  2

  nil

  8

  6

  Percentage of total

  0.25

  nil

  1.01

  1.25

  Recruitment and Assessment Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to protect the pension entitlement of staff of Recruitment and Assessment Services; what assessment he has made of efficiency gains from privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [20663]

  Mr. Willetts
  All those bidding to acquire Recruitment and Assessment Services will have to offer its staff a pension scheme certified by the Government Actuary as offering broadly comparable benefits to those available in the principal civil service pension scheme, or to offer sufficient compensation—such as a higher rate of pay—where benefits are not comparable. Bidders not fulfilling this requirement will be disqualified.
  98
  Mr. Freeman
  I have today announced the publication of the Government's report on the operation of the code of practice during 1995, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [19420]

  Mr. Willetts
  Records are not held centrally for letters received before July 1993, when computer records began. The table covers the number of hon. Members' letters passed to agencies for response and this figure as a percentage of the total number of letters from July 1993:

  Further efficiency gains can be expected after privatisation. RAS will be free to pursue new business in the private and public sectors and so will be able to spread its overheads over a wider customer base.

  HMSO (Privatisation)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what length of notice customer organisations of the HMSO agency were given regarding its proposed privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [20605]

  Mr. Freeman
  I announced a review of options for the future of HMSO, with a view to privatisation, on 27 September 1995 and confirmed the Government's intention to sell the business on 13 December. Customers have been aware of our proposals since then.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which functions of HMSO are to be sold in the course of its privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [20667]

  Mr. Freeman
  HMSO's business includes print, publishing and distribution, office supplies, business systems, office furniture and copiers. It has facilities across the UK to serve its almost exclusively public sector customers.

  As I said in the House on 13 December last year, at column 989, the Government intend to privatise the whole of HMSO, apart from a small residual body carrying out statutory and quasi-statutory functions.
  99
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what factors underlay his decision on the time scale for privatising HMSO; and if he will make a statement. [20622]

  Mr. Freeman
  My aim is to complete the privatisation as soon as possible, subject to the need to ensure that the process is fully controlled and that all relevant concerns have been addressed.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consultations he held with staff of HMSO prior to the announcement of its privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [20662]

  Mr. Freeman
  I gave details of my contacts with HMSO staff and unions in my answer of 4 December 1995 to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East, column 33. Since then, I have had a further meeting with national and local trade union representatives.

  The Government are committed to ensuring that staff are treated fairly during the privatisation, and to ensuring that their legal rights are fully respected. I and my colleagues and officials will continue to keep HMSO staff informed, and are willing to hold further meetings as necessary.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has for a public consultation in respect of the privatisation of HMSO; and if he will make a statement. [20668]

  Mr. Freeman
  I and my officials are naturally willing to discuss matters with those with an interest in HMSO. In particular, we have already been in contact with customers and suppliers of HMSO, trade associations, unions and others with a direct interest in HMSO's privatisation.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to protect the pension entitlement of staff of HMSO after privatisation; what assessments he has made of efficiency gains from the privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [20666]

  Mr. Freeman
  All those bidding to acquire HMSO will have to offer its staff a pension scheme certified by the Government Actuary as offering broadly comparable benefits to those available in the principal civil service pension scheme. Bidders not fulfilling this requirement will be disqualified.

  Privatisation should result in efficiency gains in several areas. Trading in wider markets will enable the privatised business to spread its overheads over a wider customer base, the stationery office will become free to borrow and invest without seeking prior Treasury approval, and it will be freely able to diversify as business opportunities become available. This is consistent with the experience of previous privatisations.

  By contrast, if HMSO were to remain in the public sector, it would continue to be constrained by its shrinking market and the rigours of public expenditure controls. In these circumstances, further widespread job losses would be inevitable, resulting in an added burden to the taxpayer.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the market value of the skills of HMSO staff for the purposes of privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [20725]
  100
  Mr. Freeman
  The skills of HMSO's staff contribute to its performance. HMSO's trading record, together with its prospects and the value of its physical assets, provide the basis for the benchmark valuation which will be constructed by my advisors. It is not possible to separate out a value for staff skills, nor is it desirable to make public the overall valuation, since that would damage the Government's negotiating position and their ability to secure the best deal.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what has been the total cost of answering questions to the Deputy Prime Minister; [21176]

  (2) what was the cost of answering (a) an oral and (b) a written parliamentary question to the Deputy Prime Minister from (i) Opposition and (ii) Government Members in each parliamentary Session since 1989–90. [21456]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The information as requested is not available.

TRANSPORT

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total cost since 29 February to the sheriffs of enforcing eviction orders against protestors camped on the route of the Newbury bypass; and how much of this cost is expected to be recovered from the protestors who have been evicted. [21270]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Rendel, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the costs incurred by the Sheriff in evicting protestors from the route of the Newbury Bypass.

  No figures are yet available but the costs are not expected to be recovered from protestors. Costs orders awarded by the courts against defendants only cover the legal expense of bringing the action to court, not the Sheriff's costs.

  Sir Peter Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the levels of congestion which would apply to the A34 around Newbury by(a) 2005 and (b) 2015 if the current bypass project was not constructed. [20895]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Peter Fry, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the levels of congestion which would apply to the A34 around Newbury by (a) 2005 and (b) 2015 if the current by-pass project was not being constructed.

  The existing Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADF) flows on the A34 Inner Relief Road in Newbury are approximately 50,000 vehicles per day and this already results in significant congestion during weekday peaks and at times during summer weekends. Within these periods the road operates close to its maximum capacity. Conditions for long distance through traffic are generally very poor and intolerable at times. The overall level of service is very low.
  101
  The levels of congestion that would arise in the future without the bypass would be very much worse. It is difficult to quantify just how bad conditions would become because the exact level of congestion would depend on many factors including the general growth in travel demand, changing driver behaviour and the capacity of the A34.

  The ultimate carrying capacity of an urban road over a whole day depends on many factors. These include the urban nature of the road, the proportion of heavy vehicles, the effects of junctions and their capacities, the interaction of local and longer distance through traffic, the variation in traffic flows throughout the day and how traffic demand spreads from peak to off peak periods.

  The capacity also depends on the interaction of these factors which is complex. It is therefore very difficult to state a precise daily flow which represents the maximum flow the A34 could carry. In theory there is some scope for traffic flows to increase above existing levels outside the peak periods. But in practice, this would require a significant change in driver behaviour for instance travelling in the relatively less busy parts of the day.

  Any increase in flow would of course mean very much more serious congestion, for longer and longer periods than happens now, and a very poor level of service. In practice the very worst conditions that are experienced now would become a normal event; stop-start driving conditions through the town would extend over much of the working day. These conditions are likely to occur within the next five to ten years if there is significant growth in traffic levels.

  In the long term, traffic flows and congestion levels are much more difficult to assess. Our traffic forecasts go as far as 2010, the design year for the bypass. These imply very serious congestion on the A34 if nothing is done. We have not attempted to forecast the flows beyond 2010. The table below shows flows on the A34 within Newbury without the Bypass.

  Year

  A34 Inner Relief Road

  Low growth

  High growth

  2005

  61,000

  70,000

  2010

  65,000

  78,000

  The flows given are Annual Average Daily Traffic for low and high growth.

  I think it is also worth pointing out that congestion, as well as being a serious problem in terms of the delays and disruption to traffic, also leads to a significant environmental impact; heavy queuing traffic wastes fuel, causes greater air pollution and spoils the environment for the local community in Newbury.

  Transport Research Laboratory
  Mr. Whittindale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects to complete the privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory. [21765]

  Mr. Norris
  Negotiations with the preferred bidder, the Transport Research Foundation, are continuing. I expect the sale to be completed shortly.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has issued any further guidance to the franchising director. [21970]

  Sir George Young
  I have today written to the franchising director confirming that I am content for him to correct a minor error in the passenger service requirement for the InterCity east coast franchise. I am placing a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
  102
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned into the effects of rail privatisation on the number of passengers using the national rail network; and what was the cost of that research. [20779]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

  Vehicle Emissions
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the vehicles which are currently exempt from the emissions test of the MOT; [21251]

  (2) when he plans that all vehicles over three years old will be subject to the MOT emissions test; and if he will make a statement. [21250]

  Mr. Norris
  The emissions test has been suspended simply in relation to a number of car models registered on or after 1 August 1992. Full details are contained in "Special Notice 2/96", issued to authorised testing stations by the Vehicle Inspectorate, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. This includes some or all relevant models from: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin Lagonda, Caterham, Coleman Milne, Daihatsu, Fiat, Ford, HMC Sportscars, Isuzu, Jaguar, Lada, Lamborghini, Lancia, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Porshe, Renault, Rover, Saab, Subaru, Toyota, TVR, Vauxhall.

  We intend very shortly to consult on the necessary amending regulations for reintroducing the test for all affected vehicles.

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what directions were given(a) by him and (b) by officials of his Department to the harbourmaster dealing with the Sea Empress on the day on which the disaster first occurred; and if he will make a statement. [21580]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the pilot on the Sea Empress had been subject to routine drug and alcohol testing before he boarded the vessel. [18584]

  Mr. Norris
  There is no statutory requirement for routine drug and alcohol testing of harbour pilots. The investigation into the incident by the marine accident investigation branch will consider whether alcohol or drugs had a bearing on the incidents.

  Departmental Staff (Working Hours)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many persons in his Department worked in excess of 48 hours per week in any of the last 52 weeks; and what percentage of the staff employed this represents. [21515]

  Mr. Norris
  All civil servants in the Department work conditioned hours — that is, 36 hours per week net of lunch breaks in London and 37 hours elsewhere.
  103
  Staff in senior grades down to and including grade 6 are not entitled to compensation in respect of hours worked in excess of conditioned hours. The Department holds no records which would identify which individuals in these grades had worked more than their conditioned hours or how many hours had been worked.

  Staff in grades up to grade 7 are entitled to take time in lieu or to claim overtime in respect of extra hours worked. No records exist in respect of those staff who have made arrangements with their line managers to take time in lieu. Where staff have claimed overtime payments, records are held by the Chessington Computer Centre. Although an analysis of records could be undertaken by the Chessington Computer Centre, this would be at disproportionate cost.

  Airport Development
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 212, if he will make a statement on the action taken by the BAA to investigate the possibility of less environmentally damaging options for runway development. [21379]

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that BAA plc is currently engaged in the first phase of this work, focusing on the technical feasibility of a close parallel runway at Gatwick.

  Institute of Advanced Motorists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to(a) publicise and (b) promote the Institute of Advanced Motorists. [21222]

  Mr. Norris
  I welcome the valuable contribution that organisations such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists make to improving road safety by raising awareness of driving standards. I would encourage all drivers to consider taking additional training throughout their driving careers.

  Oil Spills
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that adequate compensation is paid to all those who can prove loss of property or financial loss as a result of oil spills at sea; [21234]

  (2) what measures he has taken to ensure that companies which are affected indirectly from oil spills at sea are adequately compensated. [21235]

  Mr. Norris
  The 1969 international convention on civil liability for oil pollution damage and the 1971 international convention on the establishment of an international fund for compensation for oil pollution damage, implemented in the United Kingdom by the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, provide for compensation for pollution damage caused by spills from vessels carrying oil in bulk. The criteria for admissibility of these claims is described in the claims manual produced by the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. Copies of the claims manual have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Eyesight Regulations
  Sir Harold Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that drivers of vehicles entering the United Kingdom comply with United Kingdom eyesight regulations for driving. [21658]

  Mr. Norris
  Visitors to the United Kingdom are entitled by international convention to drive for up to one year on licences issued by their national authorities. For drivers from within the EU, minimum standards of medical fitness for driving, including eyesight requirements, are set in the first and second directives on driving licences, and implemented in national legislation. If it were to become clear that the eyesight standards of any visiting drivers were unacceptable in terms of road safety, we would take the matter up, in the first instance, with the relevant national authority.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost to date of the public inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road; what is the estimated total cost of the inquiry; and what is the estimated total cost of the Birmingham northern relief road scheme. [20776]

  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 19 March 1996:

  You asked the Secretary of State for Transport about costs in respect of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR).

  The public inquiry into the scheme closed on 4 October last year. The total cost to the Highways Agency was about £1.2 million.

  BNRR is a privately funded scheme and the total cost is a matter for Midland Expressway Ltd, the concessionaire.

  Road Schemes
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of the first three tranches of shadow toll road contracts over the period of each contract; and what would have been the cost of building these roads had they been built under the old procedures. [20781]

  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 19 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about the cost of public funds of the first three tranches of shadow toll road contracts over the period of each contract, compared with the cost of building them under the old procedures.

  part of the process of evaluating bids for a DBFO contract, we compare those bids with an analysis of the costs of procuring the new construction and maintenance by more conventional means. This enables us to satisfy ourselves that the proposed DBFO represents genuine value for money.

  Railway Timetabling
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the proposal to invite the train operators to take lead responsibility for compiling the railway timetable. [20902]

  Mr. Watts
  No such proposal has been received.

  North West Regional Railways
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects North West Regional Railways to be franchised. [21000]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 5 December 1995,Official Report, column 189.

  Vessels (Pilots)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which types of vessels are required to have a pilot on board when navigating in United Kingdom coastal waters. [20523]

  Mr. Norris
  Pilotage is compulsory only in the waters of statutory harbour authorities. Section 7 of the Pilotage Act 1987 provides for such an authority to direct that pilotage shall be compulsory if it considers that, in the interests of safety, it should do so. A pilotage direction may apply to all vessels over 20 m in length or to all ships of specified descriptions, and may relate to part or all of the harbour. Section 8 provides for pilotage exemption certificates to be granted to suitably qualified masters and first mates. There are three harbours where these are not available by virtue of an order under section 8(3) —Aberdeen, Forth and Sullom Voe.

  Labour force survey—Spring 1995 (GB)

  Age group

  All: 16–24

  All: 25–64

  Males: 16–64

  Females: 16–24

  Region of work

  Employees earning less than £58 per week (thousands)

  Percentage of total age group

  Employees earning less than £58 per week (thousands)

  Percentage of total age group

  Employees earning less than £58 per week (thousands)

  Percentage of total age group

  Employees earning less than £58 per week (thousands)

  Percentage of total age group

  South East

  222.3

  20.4

  368.6

  6.3

  128.4

  3.6

  462.5

  16.5

  East Anglia

  —

  —

  75.6

  11.2

  1—

  1—

  80.4

  26.8

  South West

  53.7

  22.8

  157.9

  10.4

  54.2

  6.4

  157.4

  22.6

  West Midlands

  77.6

  21.3

  159.0

  9.7

  1—

  1—

  157.3

  20.7

  East Midlands

  60.7

  22.4

  103.3

  8.0

  1—

  1—

  61.2

  10.2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  61.2

  25.3

  200.4

  11.8

  51.5

  5.3

  210

  29.5

  North West

  93.1

  24.7

  155.4

  7.8

  1—

  1—

  201.0

  21.3

  North

  —

  —

  109.7

  12.3

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Wales

  51.1

  29.3

  73.7

  9.4

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Scotland

  59.3

  15.7

  123.6

  7.8

  1—

  1—

  116.9

  14.2

  1 Sample size too small to give reliable estimate.

  Government Bonds
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current different of yield between long United Kingdom bonds and long German bonds; and how much interest would be saved annually if these United Kingdom bonds had the same yield as their German equivalent. [21555]

  Mrs Angela Knight
  On 15 March 1996, the standardised yield differential between 10-year UK and

TREASURY

  Taxation
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people pay tax at each rate as a percentage of (i) those in work and (ii) the total available for work; and how many of those in work pay no tax on income. [19814]

  Mr. Jack
  The latest estimate is that 25.8 million individuals will pay income tax in 1996–97. Of these, 6.3 million will be lower rate taxpayers, 17.3 million basic rate taxpayers and 2.2 million higher rate taxpayers.

  The summer 1995 labour force survey shows that, in the UK, 28.8 million people are available for working, including 26.3 million who are in employment.

  It is inappropriate to calculate the number of taxpayers as a percentage of the working population because the taxpayer population includes individuals who are not in employment but pay tax on pensions and investment income.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of people, by gender and region, who earn less than £58 per week, who are aged(a) 16 to 24 years, (b) 25 to 49 years and (c) 50 to 64 years. [20783]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information at this level of detail is not readily available. Summary data from the labour force survey (spring 1995) are shown in the table.

  German Government bonds was 1.7 per cent. The average differential for the first 11 months of this financial year has been 1.5 per cent. For every £1 billion borrowed, the current yield differential would save £17.3 million per year until the bonds mature. The Government aim to issue around £31.5 billion of bonds including redemptions in 1995–96.

  Vat on Fuel (NHS)
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 March,Official

  107
  Report, columns 552–53, what estimates he has made of VAT receipts in respect of expenditure on fuel from the NHS in each year 1979 to 1995. [21398]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  All supplies of fuel and power were zero-rated before 1 July 1990. Estimates of VAT receipts in respect of expenditure on fuel and power by the NHS are given for each year from 1990 to 1994. Figures are not yet available on which to base an estimate for 1995.

  £ million

  1990

  70

  1991

  180

  1992

  200

  1993

  200

  1994

  200

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [19419]

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the following table.

  Year

  Passed to agencies

  Per cent. of total

  Letters

  1991

  501

  5.6

  1992

  756

  7.9

  1993

  1,104

  9.0

  1994

  1,079

  8.3

  1995

  1,416

  12.5

  PQs

  1991

  0

  n/a

  1992

  4

  0

  1993

  0

  n/a

  1994

  2

  0

  1995

  1

  0

  Company Board Members (Termination Settlements)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what statutory provisions govern challenges by shareholders to a termination settlement for a board member of a publicly quoted company; [20897]

  (2) if he will introduce legislation to require that the terms of termination agreements for board members of publicly quoted companies are made available to (a) all board members and (b) all shareholders; [20900]

  (3) what statutory provisions govern the termination agreements of board members of publicly quoted companies and the rights of all members of the board to be aware of the terms of such agreements. [20896]
  108
  Mr. Oppenheim
  Sections 312 to 316 of the Companies Act 1985 make various provisions in respect of compensation payments to directors for loss of office. They apply only in cases where the director does not have a contract with the company; they do not cover bona fide payments by way of damages for breach of contract or by way of pension in respect of past service. Under section 312 of the Act it is unlawful for a company to make a compensation payment without particulars of the proposed payment, including the amount, being disclosed to members of the company and approved by the company. Section 313 makes such payments unlawful when made in connection with the transfer of the whole or part of the undertaking or property of a company and when made by third parties, unless particulars have been disclosed to shareholders and approved by the company. Section 314 provides that where such a payment is to be made to a director of a company in connection with the transfer of all or any shares of the company resulting from an offer to shareholders, it is the duty of the director to take all reasonable steps to include particulars of the proposed payment with any notice of the offer given to shareholders.

  Under section 318 of the Companies Act 1985, where a director has a written contract of service the company must make available a copy of the contract for inspection by any member of the company without charge. Where the contract is not in writing, the company must make available for inspection a written memorandum setting out the terms of the contract. However, these requirements do not apply where the unexpired portion of the term for which the contract is to be in force is less than 12 months, or where the contract can, within the next ensuing 12 months, be terminated by the company without payment of compensation.

  I have no plans to introduce further legislation on these subjects.

  Export Licensing
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to publish a consultation paper including proposals for(a) the content of new legislation in place of the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 and (b) an export licensing system as recommended by Sir Richard Scott. [21298]

  Mr. Lang
  I have agreed to publish a consultation paper covering export control legislation and licensing procedures. The aim is to issue the paper by this summer.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to make available for public inspection applications for military equipment export licences in advance of the licence application being considered; and if he will make a statement. [21545]

  Mr. Lang
  As a response to the recommendations of Sir Richard Scott in his report, I have agreed to publish a consultation paper covering export control legislation and licensing procedures. This will cover consideration of the extent to which details of licence applications should be published. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has agreed to a review of the convention by which replies to parliamentary questions on arms sales are refused, and an information paper on this has already been placed in the Library of the House.

  Fur Trade
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the number of retail businesses involved in the fur trade in each of the last five years. [21372]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  None.

  Public Sector Research Establishments
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his policy towards public sector research establishments. [21259]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government set out their policy towards public sector research establishments in their response to the "Multi-departmental Scrutiny of Public Sector Research Establishments", published in September 1995, Cm 2991.

  This initiated a programme of prior options reviews of establishments, to allow Ministers collectively to take a strategic view of the UK's public sector research establishments. Each review is addressing the relationship of the establishment concerned to others in similar or related fields and will consider, among other things, the potential for privatisation or rationalisation.

  The results of these reviews will be considered by Ministers collectively, with the aim of completing the major part of the work by the end of 1996.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Renton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the most recent figures for inward investment into the United Kingdom over the past five years from(a) within the European Union and (b) outside the European Union; and how many jobs this investment (i) created and (ii) maintained. [21554]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  According to figures notified to my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau for the financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95, the number of projects, new and safeguarded jobs from within and outside the European Union are as follows:

  Number of projects

  Jobs new

  Jobs safeguarded

  EU

  1990–91

  127

  5,141

  18,061

  1991–92

  136

  5,772

  14,212

  1993–93

  108

  4,550

  20,727

  1993–94

  127

  5,031

  43,492

  1994–951

  103

  6,930

  15,094

  Total

  601

  27,374

  111,586

  Non EU

  1990–91

  237

  18,679

  42,839

  1991–92

  217

  16,801

  16,891

  1992–93

  225

  13,272

  23,098

  1993–94

  306

  25,610

  26,262

  1994–95

  352

  31,421

  38,764

  Total

  1,337

  105,783

  147,854

  1 Figures do not include Austria, Finland and Sweden who joined the European Union in January 1995.

  110
  All the figures are based on numbers of projects notified to the Invest in Britain Bureau at the time of the decision to invest. Companies are under no obligation to notify their investment decisions and the figures take no account of subsequent developments.

PRIME MINISTER

  Far East (Visit)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to the far east. [19934]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townsend) on 7 March,Official Report, columns 315–16.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 March. [20054]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 19 March. [20055]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I 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 Staff (Justices of the Peace)
  Mr. Sims
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what arrangements exist to give employees of the House of Commons who are appointed justices of the peace leave of absence to carry out their judicial training and duties. [21424]

  Mr. Beith
  Under the House of Commons Administration Act 1978, conditions of service of staff of the Commission are kept broadly in line with those in the home civil service. In line with this principle, such staff are allowed reasonable time off for attendance required by statutory bodies within section 29 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978. This allows staff who are appointed justices of the peace leave of absence to carry out their judicial training and duties.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Human Rights Abuses
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the United Kingdom will put forward to ensure that the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights takes consistent action on countries which commit human rights abuses. [21069]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We support a consistent approach by the UN Commission on Human Rights, but it
  111
  is not always possible to achieve the necessary majorities. Together with our EU partners, we will deliver a statement to the Commission commenting on human rights practices in over 40 countries. The EU will also table several resolutions on human rights practices in countries with exceptional bad records. We will be active in encouraging fellow members of the commission to support them.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what considerations underlie the United Kingdom's objection to clauses in the draft declaration on human rights defenders allowing third parties to take court action against violators of human rights. [21070]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We support the concept of non-governmental organisations acting as legal representatives of those alleged to be victims of human rights violations, and are happy to work with such organisations for the achievement of an acceptable outcome. However, we and others are opposed to the notion of individuals being entitled to bring actions in the courts relating to claims in which they themselves have no direct interest.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government(a) participation in and (b) policy towards the working group on the draft optional protocol to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; and what proposals he has to move the initiative forward at the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. [21071]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have participated actively at each session of the working group. We aim to negotiate, as rapidly as possible, a protocol to the torture convention, which will create a new UN body to visit and report on places of detention in the territories of states parties. At the forthcoming session of the Commission on Human Rights, we shall endeavour to ensure that the mandate of the working group is extended to enable it to continue this work.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the United Kingdom has to ensure that the United Kingdom Commission on Human Rights implements the Beijing declaration and platform for action on women. [21072]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We are fully committed to following up the recommendations of the Beijing platform for action on women. One of the main forums for discussion on this subject is the United Nations 112
  Commission on the Status of Women, currently in session in New York, but a few specific recommendations from the Beijing conference will also be discussed during the forthcoming session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The UK delegation is playing an active part in both forums.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the rules governing access to the Government broadcasting station on St. Helena. [21680]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The station manager has editorial discretion but operates under guidelines issued by the St. Helena Government.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure implementation of the recommendations produced by the multi-donor report on "The International Response to Conflict and Genocide: Lessons from the Rwanda Experience", published on 12 March. [21073]

  Mr. Hanley
  The circumstances that gave rise to genocide in Rwanda are worthy of a detailed international analysis. We will examine the recommendations carefully with other donors, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, and consider ways in which lessons can be learnt.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made and are making to the Government of Sierra Leone regarding human rights abuses. [21103]

  Mr. Hanley
  We take every opportunity to urge the Sierra Leone Government to bring perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice. Any lasting improvement in the political and human rights situation depends on the restoration of accountable, civilian Government in Sierra Leone and an end to the rebel war which we fully support.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Her Majesty's Government have held with the Government of Sierra Leone regarding immunity for those found guilty of human rights abuses during the civil war. [21104]

  Mr. Hanley
  No such discussions have taken place.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has for the future chairmanship of the Further Education Funding Council. [21968]

  Mr. Paice
  The current chairman, Sir Robert Gunn, has accepted my right hon. Friend's invitation to continue as chairman until 16 January 1998. We are very grateful to Sir Robert for his excellent contribution to the establishment and work of the council over the last four years, and for his willingness to continue to serve as chairman.

  Schools (Surplus Places)
  Mr. John Greenway
  to ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the numbers and percentages of surplus places in each local authority in England. [21969]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The following tables set out the numbers of surplus places, by local authority area, and the proportion that these represent of total capacity, as at January 1995. The data are drawn from the returns made during 1995 by local education authorities in respect of their schools and by the Funding Agency for Schools in respect of grant-maintained schools in stage 2 and 3 authority areas: data on surplus places in the 336 grant-maintained schools in stage 1 authorities are not available. These returns show that there were just over 880,000 surplus school places in January 1995, representing 12 per cent. of the total capacity of 7.6 million places. This represents a reduction overall of some 130,000 places between 1994 and 1995—some 2 per cent. of total capacity.

  This is encouraging, but the tables illustrate considerable variation in numerical and proportionate levels of surplus across the country. In some cases, combinations of pupil population growth and rationalisation are expected to reduce high levels of surplus to more acceptable levels. Where there is no sign of significant reduction in high levels of surplus, the Department will consult the authorities concerned about the extent to which any of that surplus is in practice removable. In the light of this consultation, my right hon. Friend will decide whether surplus place removal targets should be set for any of those authorities.

  Table 1: Surplus places by local authority area, excluding GM schools in stage 1 authorities, at January 1995

  Primary1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus

  Actual surplus

  LEA

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Avon

  6,432

  8

  11,242

  18

  Barking

  1,392

  9

  258

  3

  Barnet

  1,293

  6

  1,418

  27

  Barnsley

  1,460

  7

  2,467

  16

  Bedfordshire

  6,909

  15

  7,752

  215

  Berkshire

  4,895

  8

  5,949

  211

  Bexley

  1,457

  7

  1,606

  310

  Birmingham

  8,693

  8

  11,718

  215

  Bolton

  2,266

  9

  1,715

  210

  Bradford

  4,225

  11

  6,482

  213

  Brent

  2,139

  11

  1,452

  310

  114

  Table 1: Surplus places by local authority area, excluding GM schools in stage 1 authorities, at January 1995

  Primary1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus

  Actual surplus

  LEA

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Bromley

  1,443

  26

  608

  23

  Buckinghamshire

  8,900

  13

  3,041

  28

  Bury

  762

  5

  732

  7

  Calderdale

  2,522

  13

  1,782

  212

  Cambridgeshire

  6,420

  10

  2,048

  25

  Camden

  467

  5

  520

  25

  Cheshire

  14,601

  15

  8,233

  12

  Cleveland

  7,004

  11

  6,898

  16

  Cornwall

  3,048

  8

  1,166

  4

  Corporation of London

  15

  7

  —

  —

  Coventry

  4,357

  13

  4,060

  17

  Croydon

  2,429

  9

  1,350

  28

  Cumbria

  5,054

  12

  4,418

  213

  Derbyshire

  10,175

  12

  9,451

  214

  Devon

  8,825

  10

  3,399

  6

  Doncaster

  6,293

  20

  5,777

  21

  Dorset

  3,512

  8

  3,648

  28

  Dudley

  3,172

  11

  1,890

  210

  Durham

  8,139

  14

  6,528

  15

  Ealing

  3,991

  16

  609

  24

  East Sussex

  5,627

  10

  2,808

  8

  Enfield

  869

  4

  1,399

  27

  Essex

  13,348

  29

  16,881

  215

  Gateshead

  3,860

  19

  2,863

  20

  Gloucestershire

  5,895

  212

  2,999

  28

  Greenwich

  2,259

  11

  2,601

  16

  Hackney

  1,855

  11

  2,100

  22

  Hammersmith

  1,404

  15

  2,145

  227

  Hampshire

  18,080

  13

  5,783

  27

  Haringey

  1,043

  6

  1,119

  10

  Harrow

  985

  5

  883

  10

  Havering

  1,489

  7

  2,163

  213

  Hereford and Worcester

  5,943

  11

  6,086

  12

  Hertfordshire

  12,202

  13

  13,389

  216

  Hillingdon

  2,103

  210

  1,041

  37

  Hounslow

  1,590

  9

  773

  25

  Humberside

  10,641

  12

  10,237

  15

  Isle of Wight

  418

  6

  1,122

  10

  Isles of Scilly

  76

  30

  219

  63

  Islington

  1,706

  11

  1,512

  17

  Kensington

  731

  12

  751

  219

  Kent

  11,936

  9

  15,251

  213

  Kingston upon Thames

  83

  0

  510

  26

  Kirklees

  2,614

  7

  2,438

  9

  Knowsley

  3,247

  16

  1,208

  12

  Lambeth

  3,684

  19

  3,947

  238

  Lancashire

  11,685

  9

  9,639

  11

  Leeds

  8,839

  13

  6,167

  13

  Leicestershire

  7,348

  9

  9,426

  14

  Lewisham

  1,196

  6

  1,846

  15

  Lincolnshire

  7,218

  213

  4,680

  211

  Liverpool

  9,388

  18

  7,503

  220

  Manchester

  6,888

  14

  8,039

  27

  Merton

  928

  7

  1,164

  214

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,748

  12

  2,694

  14

  Newham

  2,123

  8

  2,131

  13

  Norfolk

  6,526

  10

  3,468

  28

  North Tyneside

  2,824

  16

  2,117

  13

  North Yorkshire

  8,279

  13

  4,990

  10

  Northamptonshire

  4,089

  8

  5,665

  211

  Northumberland

  4,960

  21

  3,231

  10

  Nottinghamshire

  10,194

  11

  17,250

  22

  115

  Table 1: Surplus places by local authority area, excluding GM schools in stage 1 authorities, at January 1995

  Primary1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus

  Actual surplus

  LEA

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Oldham

  2,251

  10

  947

  6

  Oxfordshire

  5,939

  12

  6,375

  15

  Redbridge

  425

  2

  867

  6

  Richmond upon Thames

  600

  5

  181

  2

  Rochdale

  1,047

  5

  1,949

  213

  Rotherham

  2,583

  10

  2,292

  11

  Salford

  2,890

  12

  2,187

  16

  Sandwell

  1,807

  6

  2,821

  14

  Sefton

  2,775

  10

  3,532

  16

  Sheffield

  5,003

  11

  5,376

  18

  Shropshire

  4,143

  11

  2,083

  28

  Solihul

  2,089

  10

  983

  7

  Somerset

  2,222

  6

  3,010

  10

  South Tyneside

  1,733

  11

  1,823

  16

  Southwark

  3,176

  15

  1,877

  217

  St. Helens

  1,942

  11

  1,991

  15

  Staffordshire

  13,917

  14

  3,867

  6

  Stockport

  2,229

  8

  1,575

  9

  Suffolk

  4,420

  9

  5,145

  10

  Sunderland

  5,553

  17

  2,031

  9

  Surrey

  7,766

  10

  3,275

  26

  Sutton

  725

  6

  515

  24

  Table 2: Distribution of surplus between LEA and GM schools in stage 2 and 3 authorities

  LEA

  GM

  Total

  Surplus

  Per cent.

  Surplus

  Per cent.

  Surplus

  Per cent.

  Primary

  Bromley

  1,248

  6

  195

  8

  1,443

  6

  Essex

  12,120

  10

  1,228

  6

  13,348

  9

  Gloucestershire

  5,425

  12

  470

  8

  5,895

  12

  Hillingdon

  1,911

  11

  192

  7

  2,103

  10

  Lincolnshire

  6,646

  14

  572

  7

  7,218

  13

  Secondary

  Barnet

  1,006

  10

  412

  4

  1,418

  7

  Bedfordshire

  7,360

  17

  392

  4

  7,752

  15

  Berkshire

  3,621

  9

  2,328

  20

  5,949

  11

  Bexley

  1,361

  11

  245

  6

  1,606

  10

  Birmingham

  10,374

  17

  1,344

  8

  11,718

  15

  Bolton

  1,401

  9

  314

  11

  1,715

  10

  Bradford

  6,425

  14

  57

  1

  6,482

  13

  Brent

  108

  6

  1,344

  11

  1,452

  10

  Bromley

  142

  4

  466

  3

  608

  3

  Buckinghamshire

  2,671

  9

  370

  4

  3,041

  8

  Calderdale

  1,035

  15

  747

  9

  1,782

  12

  Cambridgeshire

  1,272

  5

  776

  5

  2,048

  5

  Camden

  520

  6

  0

  0

  520

  5

  Croydon

  696

  9

  654

  8

  1,350

  8

  Cumbria

  2,600

  12

  1,818

  14

  4,418

  13

  Derbyshire

  7,929

  17

  1,522

  8

  9,451

  14

  Dorset

  2,800

  8

  848

  8

  3,648

  8

  Dudley

  1,719

  11

  171

  4

  1,890

  10

  Ealing

  403

  5

  206

  3

  609

  4

  Enfield

  1,138

  8

  261

  5

  1,399

  7

  Essex

  6,664

  19

  10,217

  13

  16,881

  15

  Gloucestershire

  1,317

  12

  1,628

  7

  2,999

  8

  Hammersmith

  2,145

  31

  0

  0

  2,145

  27

  Hampshire

  4,979

  7

  804

  5

  5,783

  7

  Havering

  2,163

  16

  0

  0

  2,163

  13

  Hertfordshire

  9,809

  18

  3,580

  13

  13,389

  16

  Hillingdon

  319

  13

  722

  6

  1,041

  7

  Hounslow

  684

  5

  89

  4

  773

  5

  Kensington

  708

  22

  43

  6

  751

  19

  116

  Table 1: Surplus places by local authority area, excluding GM schools in stage 1 authorities, at January 1995

  Primary1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus

  Actual surplus

  LEA

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Tameside

  1,369

  6

  1,387

  210

  Tower Hamlets

  1,635

  8

  1,826

  14

  Trafford

  1,331

  7

  1,943

  214

  Wakefield

  3,696

  12

  3,904

  16

  Walsall

  3,716

  14

  2,642

  212

  Waltham Forest

  1,420

  7

  1,200

  29

  Wandsworth

  4,270

  23

  1,919

  217

  Warwickshire

  7,387

  14

  5,816

  218

  West Sussex

  5,363

  9

  5,802

  13

  Westminster

  473

  5

  903

  11

  Wigan

  4,301

  14

  2,085

  10

  Wiltshire

  7,186

  14

  4,908

  212

  Wirral

  4,515

  13

  3,072

  14

  Wolverhampton

  4,395

  17

  3,088

  217

  Total

  477,503

  11

  405,652

  12

  1 Primary figures show surplus after taking account of any summer entry.

  2 Stage two for planning purposes.

  3 Stage three for planning purposes.

  1. Stage 1 = less than 10 per cent. of pupils in the GM sector.

  Stage 2 = between 10 per cent. and 75 per cent. of pupils in the GM sector.

  Stage 3 = 75 per cent. or more pupils in the GM sector.
  117

  Table 2: Distribution of surplus between LEA and GM schools in stage 2 and 3 authorities

  LEA

  GM

  Total

  Surplus

  Per cent.

  Surplus

  Per cent.

  Surplus

  Per cent.

  Kent

  8,298

  15

  6,953

  12

  15,251

  13

  Kingston upon Thames

  260

  5

  250

  8

  510

  6

  Lambeth

  2,968

  52

  979

  21

  3,947

  38

  Lincolnshire

  2,740

  12

  1,940

  10

  4,680

  11

  Liverpool

  6,853

  20

  650

  18

  7,503

  20

  Merton

  1,156

  15

  8

  1

  1,164

  14

  Norfolk

  3,082

  9

  386

  4

  3,468

  8

  Northamptonshire

  4,342

  11

  1,323

  13

  5,665

  11

  Rochdale

  1,949

  15

  0

  0

  1,949

  13

  Shropshire

  1,962

  9

  121

  3

  2,083

  8

  Southwark

  1,678

  20

  199

  8

  1,877

  17

  Surrey

  2,488

  7

  787

  4

  3,275

  6

  Sutton

  208

  4

  307

  4

  515

  4

  Tameside

  1,377

  11

  10

  0

  1,387

  10

  Trafford

  1,703

  16

  240

  7

  1,943

  14

  Walsall

  1,850

  13

  792

  10

  2,642

  12

  Waltham Forest

  1,120

  11

  80

  4

  1,200

  9

  Wandsworth

  1,088

  31

  831

  11

  1,919

  17

  Warwickshire

  4,861

  19

  955

  16

  5,816

  18

  Wiltshire

  3,438

  14

  1,470

  10

  4,908

  12

  Wolverhampton

  2,802

  18

  286

  10

  3,088

  17

  1. The GM column includes schools which became grant-maintained on or before 1 April 1995.

  2. LEA and GM percentage columns show the actual number of surplus places as a proportion of total capacity within that sector.

  Schools Access Initiative
  Sir Alan Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the schools access initiative. [21971]

  Mr. Forth
  Local education authorities are today being notified of supplementary credit approvals totalling £7.8 million in 1996–97 to enable them to improve access to mainstream schools for pupils with disabilities, and are being notified that capital grant of £974,000—grant to voluntary aided schools is paid at the rate of 85 per cent. of eligible expenditure—will support work in 1996–97 at voluntary aided schools. Together with partnership funding in many cases, the total value of the projects concerned is £10.6 million.

  I am delighted that this will enable many more schools to admit pupils with disabilities. It will improve facilities in over 700 mainstream schools, not only for pupils with physical disabilities, but for those with, for example, visual or hearing impairments. The result will be greater access to the curriculum and to the social life of school for these pupils.

  LEAs and schools are planning a wide variety of projects. Just a few examples of the many worthwhile and imaginative improvements which will be made are:

  providing ramps, lifts, handrails and walkways to improve access to buildings;

  adapting accommodation for particular curriculum areas or relocating this accommodation to make it accessible;

  purchasing specialist equipment such as teaching aids for the visually handicapped—for example, Braille microcomputers— or portable transmitter/receiver systems for profoundly deaf pupils.

  To maximise the benefits of the schools access initiative, LEAs and schools have secured partnership funding totalling some £1.8 million. This has come from
  118
  private contributions, business sponsorship, voluntary aided school governors' contributions and schools' own resources. It is a marvellous achievement.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will take steps to ensure that no disabled persons in Wales are denied benefit from the access to work scheme because of cash limits on the available budget; and if she will make a statement. [20787]

  Mr. Paice
  While additional funds have been allocated to the 1995–96 budget, it has been necessary to focus support mainly on people with disabilities who have been unemployed for at least four weeks and those to whom the Employment Service has existing commitments. The Government believe that this is the most equitable way of allocating the limited resources available across Great Britain.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many blind and vision-impaired people in the United Kingdom are currently receiving assistance from the access to work scheme; [21371]

  (2) how many people in (a) Nottingham and (b) the east midlands are currently receiving assistance from the access to work scheme; and of these how many are blind or visually impaired people. [21370]

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

  Letter from Mike Fogden to Mr. John Heppell, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of visually impaired people currently receiving help through the Access to Work programme;

  119
  the number of people currently being helped in Nottingham, and in the East Midlands; and the number of these who are visually impaired.

  We do not keep detailed records centrally about the characteristics of people currently being helped. However, during 1994–95 we helped 10,394 people nationally and we estimate that around 2,200 of these were visually impaired. Similar figures for 1995/96 will be available after the end of the year.

  In the East Midlands Region since Access to Work began, we have helped 1,480 people of whom 347 were visually impaired. The Nottingham Placing Assessment and Counselling Team helped 275 people, of whom 61 are visually impaired. These figures are included in the East Midlands Region total.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those areas of executive action where she has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for her decision. [20543]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested but reasons will normally be given to the individual affected either at the time the decision is communicated or, on request, afterwards.

  Schools (Special Educational Needs)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to review the powers and responsibilities of local education authorities in respect of the provision of special educational needs and education psychology services and specialist advice and support to schools; and if she will make a statement. [21082]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The powers and responsibilities of local education authorities in this regard are contained in the Education Act 1993 and associated legislation, including the code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs. The code came into force in September 1994, and the Department is currently monitoring its implementation by schools and LEAs, together with implementation of other aspects of the legislation. I understand that Ofsted intends shortly to publish a report on an interim survey by Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools on the implementation of the code of practice in the period from September 1994 to November 1995.

  Barnsley and Doncaster Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many types of Government audits Barnsley and Doncaster TEC has undergone. [20989]

  Mr. Paice
  Three types of audits have been undertaken by the Department at the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council. These are in the areas of TEC quality assurance: supplier management, health and safety and financial appraisal and monitoring.

  Autistic Children
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will review funding to ensure provision for autistic children; and if she will make a statement. [20877]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The assessment of autistic children and the identification of a suitable school for them is the responsibility of the local education authority in whose area they live. It is for LEAs to decide how best to use their financial resources in order to carry out statutory duties such as these in the light of local needs and priorities.

  The Department is, however, funding a series of joint seminars, to be organised by the National Autistic Society and the Society of Education Officers, which will draw attention to the implications of autism for LEAs.

  Schools (Financial Support)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has had, and what studies she has commissioned, since 1 January 1994, with the purpose of changing the balance of financial support between primary and secondary or middle schools. [21139]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has received a few representations on this issue but has commissioned no studies. The distribution of funds between primary and secondary schools is determined by the decisions of each local education authority.

  Football Players (Transfer System)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy that abolition of the transfer system on out-of-contract football players should also apply to non-EU players wishing to transfer from employment in the United Kingdom to other EU countries. [21169]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have been asked to reply.

  No. This is a matter for the football authorities which are independent of Government.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils(a) nationally and (b) in the Greater Manchester area received support under the assisted places scheme in each of the past four years. [21522]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Numbers of pupils holding assisted places

  Academic year

  England

  Greater Manchester

  1992–93

  28,674

  2,813

  1993–94

  29,291

  2,800

  1994–95

  29,747

  2,794

  1995–961

  30,200

  2,800

  1 Estimated.

  Numeracy and Literacy Centres
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local education authorities have been awarded grant for education support and training grants for the establishment of the 10 numeracy and 10 literacy centres announced in January 1996. [21556]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No decisions have yet been made about which local education authorities will be selected to run the literacy and numeracy centres. I hope to make an announcement about the successful local education authorities shortly.

  School Premises
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the safeguards against overcrowding contained in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996. [21306]

  Mrs Gillan
  Regulation 17(3) requires that every part of a school building shall be such that the health, safety and welfare of the occupants shall be reasonably assured. Further to this, regulation 7 requires that the buildings provided for a school shall be adequate to permit the safe and convenient passage of persons and movement of goods within the buildings.

  The new regulations will not require any school to take on more pupils: local authorities and school governors will continue to have exactly the same powers over admissions as they do now.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research she has commissioned into the impact of the private finance initiative on higher education institutions. [21310]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has set up a small expert group with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, the Standing Conference of Principals and others to consider the private finance initiative in higher education.

  Mature Students
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the Government's targets for the participation rate of mature students in higher education by 2000. [21312]

  Mr. Forth
  The number of mature entrants has increased by 160 per cent. since 1979 and there are now more mature than young people entering higher education. The Government welcome this increase but have not set any targets for the level of participation among mature students.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many mature female students entered higher education institutions in each academic year from 1985–86 to 1995–96. [21313]

  Mr. Forth
  The available information is given in the following table:122

  Home full-time mature1 female entrants to higher education

  England

  Academic year

  Numbers

  1985–86

  20,548

  1986–87

  22,268

  1987–88

  23,723

  1988–89

  26,467

  1989–90

  29,825

  1990–91

  33,024

  1991–92

  41,936

  1992–93

  51,992

  1993–94

  56,502

  1994–95

  57,745

  1 Those aged 21 and over on an undergraduate course, and those aged 25 and over on a postgraduate course.

  Higher Education (Student to Staff Ratio)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average student to staff ratio in higher education for each year from 1985–86 to 1995–96. [21314]

  Mr. Forth
  Information on the student-staff ratio in higher education institutions in England for the academic years 1990–91 to 1993–94, the latest available, are as follows:

  1990–91: 13.4

  1991–92: 14.6

  1992–93: 15.6

  1993–94: 16.5.

  Information on the same basis for earlier years is not available.

  Higher Education Funding Council for England
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many bids were received by HEFCE in response to circular 17/95; which institutions submitted bids; for what sums; and for what reasons the process was terminated in December 1995; [21316]

  (2) how many bids were received by HEFCE in response to its circular 18/94; which institutions were successful; how much funding they were allocated; and how many reader spaces were funded. [21315]

  Mr. Forth
  These are matters for the Higher Education Funding Council for England. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member with the details.

  Key Stage 2 Testing
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to publish the consultation paper on testing at key stage 2. [21304]

  Mr. Pake
  The Department published a consultation paper on the review of assessment and testing at key stages 1 to 3 on 25 January 1996. We intend to issue a separate consultation paper on key stage 2 performance tables in due course.

  School Admissions Policy
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to publish the
  123
  results of the consultation on increasing schools' flexibility to admit pupils on the basis of aptitude or ability. [21305]

  Mrs. Gillan
  A summary of comments on the draft circular on school admissions, together with an analysis of responses to the consultation note on deregulating GM schools' admission arrangements, will be placed in the Library in due course.

  Higher Education (Professors)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average salary paid to professors in higher education in each academic year from 1985–86 to 1995–96 broken down by gender. [21311]

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not held centrally.

DEFENCE

  Arms and Military Equipment (Exports)
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to present an annual statement to Parliament on the implementation of Government policy with regard to the export of arms and military equipment; and if he will make a statement. [21245]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We have no current plans for such an annual statement but, as I informed the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 11 March, Official Report, column 451, my Department will take the lead in the review of the convention on the disclosure of information about defence exports.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20545]

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

  Works of Art
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which former Minister was presented with a reproduction of "A View of the Admiralty" in 1994; and what was the value of the reproduction. [20829]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) who provided the valuation of the photographic reproduction of "A View of the Admiralty" given by his Department's staff to a Minister as a leaving gift in 1994; and what was that valuation; [20907]

  (2) how much was reimbursed to his Department by staff for the photographic reproduction "A View of the Admiralty", given to a Minister as a leaving gift in 1994. [20906]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Senior civil servants in my Department presented the reproduction "A View of the Admiralty" to my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Sir A. Hamilton) on his departure from 124
  the post of Minister of State for the Armed Forces in 1993. The Department's registrar assessed the reproduction as having only nominal value, a judgment confirmed by the Government art collection. The officers concerned contributed £70 to the Department's funds.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to put his Department's art collection on public display. [20837]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Twenty-seven of my Department's most important works of art are on permanent display at the National Maritime Museum. My Department is receptive to requests from exhibition organisers and works have been loaned on occasions to temporary exhibitions. One work will be displayed in London in April and four will be shown in Manchester during the summer.

  Competitive Tendering (Contracts)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21031]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department publishes each year in table 1.14 of "UK Defence Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library of the House, details of numbers and values of contracts placed by headquarters contract branches broken down by procurement route and pricing mechanism. A breakdown of these details by individual agencies could be produced only at disproportionate cost. The figures in table 1.14 exclude contracts placed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and the Meteorological Office since their inception and I have asked the chief executives of those agencies to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. Chisholm to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 18 March 1996:

  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence for the number and value of the contracts for goods and services awarded after competitive tendering by his Department and its agencies in the last three years. I am replying on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).

  The details you requested are as follows:

  Year

  Total number

  Total value (£000)

  1992–93

  378

  44,822

  1993–94

  596

  66,856

  1994–95

  3,081

  109,907

  Total

  4,055

  221,585

  The figures refer to the Defence Research Agency (DRA) which was formed on 1 April 1991 and became a Trading Fund on 1 April 1993. The DRA is now part of the larger agency known as DERA which became a Trading Fund on 1 April 1995.

  I hope this is helpful.
  125
  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 18 March 1996.

  I am replying as Chief Executive of the Meterological Office to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of contracts let my competitive tender in each of the last three financial years.

  Unfortunately the information could only be produced at disproportionate costs, although naturally as an Agency of the Ministry of Defence we follow the Department's policy on competitive tendering. I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

  Married Quarters Estate
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters properties are empty(a) in Lancashire and (b) in each local authority area in the country. [21246]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department owns 417 family quarters in Lancashire, 21 of which are currently vacant. Of these, 11 are presently unallocated and 10 are awaiting repair due to flood damage, etcetera. All these properties are required to house service families.

  The local authorities are:

  Preston: 2

  The Fylde: 17

  West Lancashire: 2.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials responsible for administration of the MOD married quarters estate had been(a) made redundant and (b) dismissed between 1 April 1992 and November 1995. [21378]

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

  RAF Personnel Management Centre
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about agency status for the Royal Air Force's personnel management centre. [21869]

  Mr. Soames
  Elements of the Royal Air Force's personnel management centre at RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, are to be considered as a candidate for agency status. The range of business being considered is the formulation and implementation of personnel management policy, the manning of posts and the career management of RAF personnel-both regular and reserves. Some 450 staff, over half civilians, are currently employed on these activities. Trade unions will be consulted on any proposals that arise from this review.

  A "prior options" study is being undertaken to establish whether agency status or other options would be appropriate. Comments are invited from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 2 April 1996 to:

  Air Marshal D Cousins CB AFC BA RAF

  The Air Member for Personnel

  Headquarters Personnel and Training Command

  RAF Innsworth

  Gloucester

  GL3 1EZ.

  Royal Navy (Vessel Procurement)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost of construction of the seven Trafalgar class strategic submarines nuclear(a) at year of completion and (b) at 1996 prices; [21396]

  (2) what was the cost of construction of the five Sandown class mine counter-measures vessels presently in service (a) at the year of construction and (b) at 1996 prices; [21392]

  (3) what was the cost of construction of each of the 12 type 42 destroyers remaining in service (a) at year of completion and (b) at 1996 prices; [21394]

  (4) what was the cost of construction of the 14 type 22 frigates built for the Royal Navy (a) at year of completion and (b) at 1996 prices; [21397]

  (5) what was the cost of construction of each of the 10 type 23 frigates accepted into service (a) at year of completion and (b) at 1996 prices; [21395]

  (6) what was the total cost of construction of the 13 hunt class MCMVs (a) at year of completion and (b) at 1996 prices. [21393]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Defence procurement set out on 14 January 1988 the basis for discontinuing the practice of publishing unit production costs of selected equipments,Official Report, column 373. This remains our position. We continue to make available to the Defence Committee of the House each year on a classified basis costs for those ships currently in production.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applicants have been waiting for more than a year for a decision from his Department in respect of an appeal against a refusal of an application for asylum. [21486]

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

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to expedite his Department's processing of appeals against a refusal of an application for asylum. [21487]

  Mr. Evans
  Additional adjudicators have been appointed and further recruitment plans are in hand. The number of hearing rooms has already been increased and further expansion plans are under consideration.
  127
  New asylum procedure rules aimed at reducing delays in the appeals process are being prepared following the recommendations in the report by KPMG Peat Marwick. The Lord Chancellor will consult interested organisations about the proposed new rules in due course.

  Northern Ireland Court Service
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current financial cost of the social security commissioners and child support commissioners within the Northern Ireland court service; what were the costs in each financial year from 1990 to 1995; and if he will provide a breakdown of the costs. [20520]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The estimated financial cost of the office of the social security commissioners and child support commissioners for the current financial year is as follows:

  Commissioners' salary costs £

  Staff salary costs £

  Ancillary costs £

  175,426.44

  102,290.94

  47.373.11

  Ancillary costs include postage, rent, electricity, maintenance, cleaning, service charges, telephones and travel.

  The figures for each of the financial years from 1990 to 1995 are as follows:

  Year

  Commissioners' salary costs £

  Staff salary costs £

  Ancillary costs £

  Total £

  1990–91

  119,444.79

  90,590.06

  32,396.00

  242,430.85

  1991–92

  135,786.72

  98,128.08

  45,373.65

  279,288.45

  1992–93

  153,751.28

  97,606.59

  65,960.82

  317,318.69

  1993–94

  159,295.20

  94,985.61

  68,472.05

  322,752.86

  1994–95

  168,385.91

  103,583.58

  294,284.51

  566,254.00

  The following amounts should be deducted from the overall yearly totals as they are recouped from the Department of Health and Social Services for the percentage of time spent by the commissioners and staff on cases involving non-contributory benefit:

  1990–91: £67,588.04

  1991–92: £75,578.39

  1992–93: £34,940.86

  1993–94: £99,465.27

  1994–95: £106,077.08

  1995–96: £51,359.19.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20538]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No areas have been identified, from readily available sources, in which there is a specific requirement to give reasons.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Health and Social Services Expenditure
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland further to the press statement issued on 12 February concerning health and social services expenditure for 1996–97 in respect of relative spending on health and social services in Northern Ireland and England, what is spending on health and social services per head in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) England. [20552]

  Mr. Moss
  Based on the 1995 public expenditure survey settlement, spending in 1996–97 on health and social services in Northern Ireland will be £954 per head. The comparable figure for England will be £835 per head.

  Commonwealth Day
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what celebrations, events or festivities were held in Northern Ireland to celebrate Commonwealth day; and what was the cost of those events in(a) 1995 and (b) 1996. [20595]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Northern Ireland Departments did not arrange any celebrations, events or festivities. However, the Department of Education encourages schools, by way of a circular which issues annually, to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the celebration of Commonwealth day to increase pupils awareness of the nature and significance of the Commonwealth and to extend the range of their knowledge and understanding of it.

  Metropolitan Transport Research Unit Report
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to the report of the metropolitan transport research unit submitted to his Department by the Balmoral residents association. [20873]

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]The report has been considered and a detailed response is being prepared.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  London News Radio
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if the Radio Authority has reported to her about the implications of the takeover of London News Radio as it relates to the franchise originally awarded and the quality and source of news gathering and output; and if she will make a statement; [21019]

  (2) if the consortium purchasing London News Radio has presented a programme plan in accordance with the terms of the station's existing franchise; and if she will make a statement. [21048]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department does not receive programme plans for radio services or reports on their day-to-day performances, since the award and regulation of licences for independent local radio services are solely matters for the Radio Authority.
  129
  The Broadcasting Act 1990, however, requires any person acquiring ownership of a licence to comply with the programming proposals included as conditions of the licence when it was awarded, except to the extent that the authority consents to any alteration within the parameters of section 106 of the Act. I understand that the authority has not received any recent proposals for altering the licensed programming of London News Radio and that it is content that the service is currently meeting its licence obligations.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list those areas of executive action where she has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for her decision. [20537]

  Mr. Sproat
  Comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested, but no provisions have been identified from readily available sources.

  National Lottery (Royal Opera House)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what account was taken of the absence of final planning permission for the Royal Opera house project in determining whether to allocate lottery funds; [20453]

  (2) what conditions have been imposed on the Royal Opera house in respect of the new building works before the Arts Council funding is finally committed. [20494]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: The decision whether, and under what conditions, to allocate lottery funds to the Royal Opera house was taken by the Arts Council of England, an independent lottery distribution body. I have asked the chairman of the Arts Council to write to the hon. Member placing copies of his response in the House Library.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department publish(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests, indicating in each case if this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [16826]

  Mr. Sproat
  [pursuant to his reply, 27 February 1996, c. 493–94]: Regrettably, the reply was incomplete.

  The full information is as follows:

  (a)

  Arts Council of England

  British Film Institute

  British Library1

  British Tourist Authority1

  Broadcasting Complaints Commission1

  Broadcasting Standards Council1

  Crafts Council

  English Heritage1

  English Tourist Board1

  Football Licensing Authority1

  Geffrye Museum1

  Horniman Museum1

  130

  Millennium Commission1

  Museum of London2

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester1

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  National Gallery2

  National Portrait Gallery2

  National Heritage Memorial Fund1

  Public Lending Right1

  Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts

  Royal Commission for Historic Monuments of England

  Sports Council.

  The following bodies are statutorily obliged to produce a triennial report:

  British Museum

  Natural History

  Museum National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  National Museum of Science and Industry

  Royal Armouries

  Tate Gallery

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  Wallace Collection.

  (b)

  Arts Council for England

  British Film Institute1

  British Library1

  British Museum1

  British Tourist Authority1

  Broadcasting Complaints Commission1

  Broadcasting Standards Council1

  Crafts Council

  English Heritage1

  English Tourist Board1

  Football Licensing Authority1

  Geffrye Museum1

  Horniman Museum1

  Imperial War Museum1

  Millennium Commission1

  Museum and Galleries Commission

  Museum of London1

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester1

  National Film and Television School1

  National Gallery1

  National Heritage Memorial Fund1

  National Maritime Museum1

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside1

  National Museum of Science and Industry1

  National Portrait Gallery1

  Natural History Museum1

  Public Lending Right1

  Royal Armouries1

  Sir John Soane's Museum1

  Sports Council

  Tate Gallery1

  Victoria and Albert Museum1

  Wallace Collection1.

  131

  (c)

  British Film Institute

  Sports Council.

  (d)

  British Film Institute

  Sports Council.

  (e)

  British Film Institute

  British Library.

  All DNH's executive NDPBs are currently developing registers of members' interests. Many of these are already in place and are open to the public on request.

  1Indicates where this is a statutory requirement.

  2Indicates where an annual report is published but the organisation is only statutorily obliged to publish a triennial report.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Attorney-General what factors underlay the decision not to provide the report of Gerry Olsen of the City of London police into BCCI to the lawyers acting for Mr. Imran Iman; and if a copy of the report will now be given to them. [20560]

  The Attorney-General
  Leading counsel for the prosecution advised that the report was not disclosable. Relevant underlying documents were disclosed.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20546]

  The Attorney-General
  No express statutory obligation to give reasons is imposed on the Attorney-General in respect of any of his functions. The extent to which it is appropriate for the Law Officers to give reasons for their decisions will vary according to the circumstances of the case.

  Leon Patterson
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects an inquest to be held into the death of Leon Patterson; and if he will make a statement. [21716]

  The Attorney-General
  As I said in my answer of 3 March 1995, column 729, the date of the further inquest is for the coroner to determine in his judicial capacity.

  Marchioness Incident
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 595, when he expects to determine whether he will initiate further criminal proceedings in respect of the Marchioness disaster. [20867]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service continues with the tasks outlined in my answer of 14 February 1996. It has also sought the advice of senior Treasury counsel. There is a substantial amount of 132
  material which requires to be given careful consideration and I am not able, at this stage, to give the indication sought.

  Parental Bindovers
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Attorney-General what guidance is given to the Crown Prosecution Service and its representatives in respect of breach of parental bindovers. [21055]

  The Attorney-General
  Section 120 of the Magistrates' Court Act 1980 applies to proceedings to estreat a recognisance entered into a parent or guardian under section 58 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Breach proceedings are civil proceedings initiated by complaint. They are not commenced or conducted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

ENVIRONMENT

  Education Authority Budgets
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 7 February,Official Report, columns 196–97, which local education authorities budgeted by more than £50,000 below their capping limits in the years 1992–93 and 1993–94; and in each case by how much in cash and percentage of total spending. [19967]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The local education authorities which budgeted more than £50,000 below their capping limits in 1992–93 and 1993–94 are as follows:

  £ million

  1Percentage of budget requirement

  (a) 1992–93

  City of London

  3.585

  4.7

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3.197

  2.4

  Wandsworth

  35.378

  15.3

  Westminster

  29.362

  14.5

  Barnet

  0.500

  0.2

  Bexley

  4.435

  3.0

  Brent

  10.131

  3.8

  Bromley

  8.765

  5.0

  Croydon

  13.361

  5.7

  Ealing

  5.289

  2.0

  Harrow

  0.137

  0.1

  Kingston upon Thames

  0.401

  0.4

  Redbridge

  2.750

  1.6

  Oldham

  3.944

  2.2

  Trafford

  3.301

  2.3

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  0.053

  0.02

  Sunderland

  0.755

  0.3

  Solihull

  0.248

  0.2

  Wolverhampton

  0.341

  0.2

  Bedfordshire

  2.000

  0.6

  Cumbria

  0.279

  0.1

  Essex

  36.980

  3.9

  Hampshire

  38.465

  4.2

  Hertfordshire

  4.543

  0.7

  Kent

  23.358

  2.4

  North Yorkshire

  10.712

  2.6

  West Sussex

  28.066

  7.3

  Wiltshire

  2.553

  0.8

  Isles of Scilly

  0.151

  6.2

  133

  £ million

  1Percentage of budget requirement

  (b) 1993–94

  City of London

  3.146

  4.3

  Wandsworth

  7.329

  3.0

  Westminster

  17.275

  8.5

  Barking and Dagenham

  1.537

  1.4

  Bromley

  0.891

  0.5

  Ealing

  0.801

  0.3

  Hillingdon

  1.360

  0.8

  Trafford

  0.563

  0.4

  Sunderland

  0.108

  0.05

  Solihull

  0.958

  0.8

  Essex

  3.959

  0.4

  Hampshire

  36.056

  4.2

  Hereford and Worcester

  3.725

  1.0

  Leicestershire

  7.102

  1.3

  Northamptonshire

  2.848

  0.8

  Surrey

  2.390

  0.4

  West Sussex

  8.637

  2.2

  Isles of Scilly

  0.116

  4.8

  1 Budget requirement to finance services including education.

  Housing
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the funding available for new-rental housing association houses in 1996–97; and if he will estimate what funding would have been available if funding plans in the 1993 autumn statement had been maintained for each local authority in the east midlands. [19883]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The 1996–97 funding allocations made by the Housing Corporation in the east midlands for the provision of rented housing by housing associations through new build and rehabilitation are listed in the table. The Housing Corporation's estimate of what the allocations may have been for 1996–97 if funding plans in the 1993 autumn statement had been maintained are also listed. These estimates can only be hypothetical since the actual allocations depend on a series of factors including the nature of the schemes submitted by housing associations, local housing needs, local authority involvement and value for money. In any one year, activity by housing associations in a particular authority area can vary according to the schemes proposed and approved.

  £ million

  Local authority

  1996–97 allocations

  Estimate of allocations based on 1993 autumn statement

  Amber Valley

  0.71

  0.77

  Ashfield

  0.89

  0.97

  Bassetlaw

  0.66

  0.72

  Blaby

  0.28

  0.30

  Bolsover

  0.43

  0.47

  Boston

  0.18

  0.20

  Broxtowe

  0.60

  0.65

  Charnwood

  0.60

  0.65

  Chesterfield

  0.66

  0.72

  Corby

  0.21

  0.23

  Daventry

  0.19

  0.21

  Derby

  2.85

  3.10

  Derbyshire Dales

  0.49

  0.53

  East Lindsey

  0.94

  1.02

  East Northamptonshire

  0.32

  0.35

  Erewash

  0.73

  0.79

  Gedling

  0.53

  0.58

  Harborough

  0.27

  0.29

  134

  £ million

  Local authority

  1996–97 allocations

  Estimate of allocations based on 1993 autumn statement

  High Peak

  0.62

  0.67

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  0.37

  0.40

  Kettering

  0.51

  0.55

  Leicester

  3.44

  3.74

  Lincoln

  0.68

  0.74

  Mansfield

  0.64

  0.70

  Melton

  0.23

  0.25

  N/E Derbyshire

  0.48

  0.52

  N/W Leicestershire

  0.55

  0.60

  Newark and Sherwold

  0.36

  0.39

  North Kesteven

  0.40

  0.43

  Northampton

  1.13

  1.23

  Nottingham

  3.39

  3.68

  Oadby and Wigston

  0.23

  0.25

  Rushcliffe

  0.59

  0.64

  Rutland

  0.10

  0.11

  South Derbyshire

  0.39

  0.42

  South Holland

  0.37

  0.40

  South Kesteven

  0.80

  0.87

  South Northamptonshire

  0.29

  0.32

  Wellingborough

  0.26

  0.28

  West Lindsey

  0.68

  0.74

  Total

  28.05

  30.48

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

  Local Authority Voids
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage and number of void local authority housing properties in each of the 10 local authorities with the highest figures. [20734]

  Mr. Clappison
  The 10 local authorities in England reporting the highest percentages of management vacants, dwellings available for letting immediately or after minor repairs, on 1 April 1995 are listed in the table.

  Number of management vacants

  Management vacants as a percentage of total stock

  Redbridge

  248

  3.67

  Hackney

  1,180

  2.98

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,067

  2.72

  Lambeth

  1,114

  2.59

  Trafford

  261

  2.22

  Mansfield

  196

  2.18

  Blackburn

  245

  2.13

  Carlisle

  186

  2.04

  Arun

  83

  2.03

  Burnley

  117

  2.03

  Source:

  1995 housing investment programme (HIP1) returns.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the effects of methyl bromide on the ozone layer. [20583]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department has received 21 representations, covering a range of views, on methyl bromide over the last year.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to introduce measures to reduce emissions of methyl bromide. [20584]

  Mr. Clappison
  The UK has already introduced controls on methyl bromide through EC regulation 3093/94, which is directly applicable to UK law. The regulation obliges all precautionary measures practicable to be taken to prevent leakages of methyl bromide during fumigations. It also includes a freeze on methyl bromide production and consumption at 1991 levels from January 1995 and a further 25 per cent. cut from 1998.

  The meeting in December of the parties to the Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer agreed to phase out methyl bromide in developed countries by 2010. The EC regulation will need to be amended in line with this decision, and the Council of Ministers has requested the Commission to come forward with appropriate proposals as soon as possible.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to establish monitoring facilities for methyl bromide levels in the atmosphere. [20585]

  Mr. Clappison
  Regular measurements of atmospheric concentrations of methyl bromide are carried out by the university of East Anglia on behalf of the Department of Environment at Macehead in the Republic of Ireland and Cape Grim in Australia in collaboration with international measurement programmes. Additional measurements have been made from time to time in urban areas, over the oceans and in the free atmosphere to investigate the sources and removal mechanisms for methyl bromide.

  Local Authority Rent Arrears
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 10 local authorities with the largest rent arrears together with amounts outstanding; what percentage this figure represents of the annual rent collectable; and what is the largest single sum owed by a tenant in each authority. [20733]

  Mr. Clappison
  The 10 local authorities in England with the highest cumulative rent arrears as a proportion of rent roll on 31 March 1995, the latest date for which figures are available, are as follows:

  Cumulative arrears as a percentage of 1994–95 rent roll

  Total cumulative rent arrears £000

  Haringey

  33.4

  20,318

  Hackney

  31.6

  32,675

  Brent

  29.3

  13,750

  Southwark

  20.8

  26,160

  Lambeth

  19.8

  19,491

  Greenwich

  19.6

  14,984

  Ealing

  19.1

  10,809

  136

  Cumulative arrears as a percentage of 1994–95 rent roll

  Total cumulative rent arrears £000

  Liverpool

  17.2

  12,763

  Islington

  16.0

  16,072

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  15.1

  6,553

  Source:

  Housing subsidy claim forms.

  Information about amounts owed by individual tenants is not held centrally.

  Housing Associations (Wirral and Liverpool)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the moneys available in(a) the Wirral and (b) Liverpool-based housing associations for expenditure in the Wirral. [20786]

  Mr. Clappison
  In 1996–97, the Housing Corporation's funding allocation to the Wirral is £4.5 million. These funds are distributed to all housing associations whose proposed housing schemes in the Wirral were successful in this year's competition for funding irrespective of where those associations are based. Details of allocations to individual housing associations will be published in the Housing Corporation's regional allocations statements in early May.

  Rural Housing
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from organisations on the extent of rural homelessness; and of the responses to this Department's White Paper on housing, what percentage expressed concern over the extent of rural homelessness. [20983]

  Mr. Clappison
  The representations we have received recently about rural housing issues, including those in response to the housing White Paper, have primarily been concerned with the proposed purchase grant proposals. My Department has commissioned research into the nature of housing need and the demand for housing in different types of rural areas. The results are expected later this year.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what safeguards he will introduce to ensure that future provision of rural social housing meets demand. [20981]

  Mr. Clappison
  Guidance is provided by the Department to local authorities on the preparation of their housing strategies and the need to identify and prioritise rural housing needs alongside other housing needs in their areas. Their priorities guide the allocation of Housing Corporation funding for new social housing to meet housing need in each area.

  Public funding continues to support the Housing Corporation's rural housing programme which provides new social housing in small rural villages of 3,000 and fewer population. Between 1996–97 and 1998–99 this programme is expected to approve around 1,500 new rural homes a year which is over 300 more than the number being provided in 1995–96.
  137
  To safeguard the supply of affordable rented housing and ensure the continued provision of sites, the Government are proposing to exempt small rural villages of 3,000 and fewer population from the purchase grant scheme. This exemption will also apply to the voluntary scheme that is being launched in April 1996.

  A new rural housing enhancement factor will be introduced on 1 April 1996 to address the additional costs associated with developing schemes in rural areas. The effect of this multiplier will be to increase by up to a quarter the proportion of grant which schemes would otherwise receive.

  We have also recently issued for consultation a draft circular on planning and affordable housing that provides practical advice to local planning authorities and developers on the implementation of affordable housing policies and clarification of how to assess need.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the level of rural homelessness(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the national total of homeless households in each year since 1989. [20980]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information is not available centrally. The data collected from local authorities on homeless households accepted for re-housing do not differentiate between households from rural and non-rural areas.

  I have today placed in the Library a summary print showing the reported acceptances in each local authority area in England for the years 1980 to 1995.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of rural housing is unfit for human habitation. [20982]

  Mr. Clappison
  The 1991 English house condition survey found 7.6 per cent. of rural housing to be unfit under section 604 of the Housing Act 1985, as amended by schedule 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

  Competitive Tendering (Contracts)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21032]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not held centrally by my Department and is obtainable only at disproportionate cost.

  Pollution Controls
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider his decision to delay the implementation of pollution controls on volatile organic compound emissions; and if he will make a decision. [20878]

  Mr. Clappison
  No. The decision, announced last June, was justified pending the review of the relevant statutory guidance notes. It avoided industry incurring what might prove to be unnecessary expenditure. We are well on 138
  course to achieving a 30 per cent. reduction in volatile organic compound emissions by 1999 in accordance with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe VOC protocol. This reduction will not be compromised by the extension to the implementation time-scale.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of changes to the home energy efficiency scheme on pensioner households. [21049]

  Mr. Clappison
  All householders aged over 60 remain entitled to grants under this successful high-quality scheme. Those on low incomes or receiving disability benefits will continue to be eligible for 100 per cent. grants for better insulation of their homes and for energy advice. From 1 April, better-off householders over 60 will be entitled to free advice, and to insulation measures at a substantial discount.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) requests for information and (b) applications for grants were made under the home energy efficiency scheme in (i) February 1995, (ii) February 1996, (iii) March 1995 and (iv) March 1996 to the latest available date. [21261]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The table shows the numbers of requests for information received by Eaga Ltd. the scheme managers, and the numbers of grants claimed.

  Month

  Inquiries handled by Eaga Ltd.

  Grant claims

  February 1995

  27,322

  42,801

  February 1996

  53,874

  58,551

  March 1995

  18,805

  32,390

  March 1996 (until 8th)

  12,605

  27,225

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many home energy efficiency scheme(a) applications and (b) grants have been made since 1 April 1995 to the latest available date; [21262]

  (2) how many households have had work carried out under the home energy efficiency scheme since 1 April 1995 to the latest available date. [21263]

  Mr. Jones
  From 1 April 1995 to 8 March 1996, 602,791 home energy efficiency scheme grant claims in respect of work completed were received by Eaga Ltd. Applications to installers for work to be done are not centrally recorded. In the same period, Eaga Ltd. received 330,000 inquiries about the scheme.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the waiting list of applications for home energy efficiency scheme grants which have been received but have yet to be processed at the latest available date. [21264]

  Mr. Jones
  I estimate that installers now have, on average, about 18 weeks, work from people who have registered an interest in the home energy efficiency scheme.
  139
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money from the 1996–97 home energy efficiency scheme budget will be used to fund work where the application was made on or before 31 March; and how many grants will be paid for in this way. [21287]

  Mr. Jones
  I estimate that up to 210,000 claimants may have registered an interest by 31 March 1995. If all of them are eligible for grants under the present rules, up to £34 million of the 1996–97 budget could be spent.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in how many cases where applications for home energy efficiency scheme grants have been approved the work has not yet been carried out; [21265]

  (2) what proportion of households who successfully apply for home energy efficiency scheme grant in (a) the third quarter of financial year 1995–96 and (b) the fourth quarter of financial year 1995–96 will have the work carried out within financial year (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [21266]

  Mr. Jones
  I understand that over 200,000 people who have inquired about grants are waiting for work to be done. The table gives the information requested about times of inquiry and estimated payment of grant.

  Percentage

  Period of enquiry

  Work completed in 1995–96

  Work completed in 1996–97

  Third quarter of 1995–96

  95

  5

  Fourth quarter of 1995–96

  25

  75

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of home energy efficiency scheme grants made in(a) financial year 1994–95 and (b) financial year 1995–96 to the latest available date, were made to people who will no longer be eligible for a full grant after 1 April. [21267]

  Mr. Jones
  I estimate that in 1994–95, 33 per cent. of all home energy efficiency scheme grants were paid to people aged over 60 who did not also claim an income-related benefit, and the equivalent figure for 1995–96 is likely to be about 45 per cent. I expect the proportion to fall in future.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the national average waiting time for(a) processing applications for home energy efficiency scheme grants and (b) carrying out work under the home energy efficiency scheme once an application was approved, in each month of 1995 and each month of 1996 to the latest available date; [21268]

  (2) what was the average waiting time in each region of England and in Scotland and Wales for (a) processing applications for home energy efficiency scheme grants and (b) carrying out work under the home energy efficiency scheme once an application was approved in each month of 1995 and each month of 1996 to the latest date. [21269]

  Mr. Jones
  The information requested is not available on a regional basis. National data are given in the table. Average waiting times nationally, allowing for seasonal 140
  variations in demand, are not significantly longer this winter than last, despite the recent increase in demand for the scheme.

  Month

  Mean time from inquiry to work completed (weeks)

  1995

  January

  14

  February

  12

  March

  9

  April

  8

  May

  7

  June

  6

  July

  6

  August

  7

  September

  7

  October

  7

  November

  8

  December

  8

  1996

  January

  12

  February

  14

  March

  18

  Orimulsion Burning (Emissions)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the permissible daily tonnage of PM 10s which will be emitted from power stations burning orimulsion; and what monitoring procedures have been agreed. [20847]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: With reference to Pembroke power station, proposals have been received from National Power for the burning of orimulsion, and these are currently being evaluated by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. It is intended that releases of particulate matter would be continuously monitored.

  With regard to Ince power station, over 90 per cent. of the particulates from orimulsion combustion are removed by the electrostatic precipitators. The particulate emission limits for orimulsion are currently the most stringent of the black fossil power generation processes.

  HMIP requires continuous monitoring of particulates emissions, and specific limits have been imposed for short-term (two hours), medium-term (48 hours), and long-term (monthly) average emission levels. In addition, maximum annual tonnage limits are specified.

  The authorisation of Ince power station under EPA90 is soon to be modified, and it is expected that PowerGen will be required to assess the effect of emissions (including PM 10s) on local air quality with a view, if necessary, to reducing concentrations under adverse meteorological conditions.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the measures to be taken at power stations burning orimulsion to ensure there are no emissions of vanadium and other heavy metals as well as pentoxide fumes; and what monitoring procedures have been agreed. [20848]
  141
  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Orimulsion, in common with most heavy fuel oils, contains a small amount of vanadium and heavy metals which form part of the particulates produced in combustion.

  The one power station which is currently firing orimulsion is Ince, and this uses electrostatic precipitators which effectively reduce vanadium and heavy metal emissions levels by more than 90 per cent. as a requirement of its IPC authorisation.

  Currently, HMIP imposes an annual tonnage limit on power stations for vanadium and heavy metal emissions. In the forthcoming modified authorisation for Ince power station, this limit has been reduced by 15 per cent.

  Telecommunications Masts and Wind Turbines
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what planning restrictions there are on the number of wind turbines erected in a particular area; [21414]

  (2) what planning regulations apply to anemo meters; [21412]

  (3) what planning regulations apply to the erection of wind turbines; [21408]

  (4) what statutory protection is provided to areas on the outskirts of areas of outstanding natural beauty from wind farms; [21418]

  (5) what protection is provided to areas of outstanding natural beauty from wind farms by (a) planning regulations and (b) guidance; [21409]

  (6) what plans he has to review the section on planning policy guidance note 22 dealing with the erection of wind farms. [21411]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Wind turbines are subject to the same planning controls as other types of development, and are subject to national policies for the protection of the countryside. Planning policy guidance note 22 gives full and clear advice on the planning framework. The same planning controls apply to anemometers. If a local planning authority wishes to protect a locally important area, it should draw up a policy to do so in its development plan.

  All planning applications for wind turbines should be considered on their own merits. Local planning authorities should balance the benefits of developing a clean and renewable source of energy against any impacts on the local landscape depending upon local circumstances.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what method his Department recommends for the safe disposal of(a) mercury, (b) lead, (c) cadmium and (d) polychlorinated biphenyls. [21390]

  Mr. Clappison
  The recommended method of disposal for these substances will depend on their chemical and physical form, the quantity and the availability of disposal facilities. In general where they are not recovered,142
  mercury, lead and cadmium my be safely disposed to a suitable landfill either directly or after chemical and/or physical treatment.

  PCB wastes should be incinerated. At very low concentrations they may be landfilled. There are other specific treatments for PCB-contaminated transformer oils which destroy the PCB to an extent that allows the oil to be reused.

  Detailed guidance on methods for the safe disposal of wastes is available in waste management papers published by the Department. The relevant papers are:

  WMP No. 12 Mercury-bearing Wastes;

  WMP No. 24 Cadmium-bearing Wastes;

  WMP No. 6 Polychlorinated Biphenyls; and

  WMP No. 11 Metal Finishing Wastes which includes some lead wastes.

  In addition, WMP No. 26F co-disposal landfill, currently in preparation, will give guidance on loading rates for these and certain other wastes.

  Housing (Environmental Appraisal)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper was subject to an environmental appraisal using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment", produced by the Department of the Environment; and if he will publish the appraisal; [21074]

  (2) what alternative courses of action from those listed in the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper were considered in the environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department; [21075]

  (3) in what ways the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper was modified by the results of the environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department. [21076]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The planning policy on affordable housing is set out in planning policy guidance note 3. Because the draft circular does not change policy, but only explains how it can best be implemented, an environmental appraisal was not necessary. However, if any comments are received from consultees on environmental impact, they will be carefully considered.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedures have been put in place by his Department to monitor the environmental impacts arising from the implementation of the draft circular on planning and affordable housing consultation paper. [21077]

  Mr. Jones
  There are no direct environmental impacts of the draft circular. The policy guidance on affordable housing is in PPG3 in which environmental issues are fully addressed, and which was revised following the
  143
  1990 White Paper "This Common Inheritance". The draft circular is intended not to add to the policy guidance to planning policy guidance note 3, but to advise on how that guidance might be best given effect.

  Local planning authorities, in taking account of PPG3 and other guidance notes in drawing their local plans, are already advised to carry out an environmental appraisal of these plans.

  Local Authority Contracts
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, by service, the local authorities in England that have been challenged by his Department under regulations under section 9 of the Local Government Act 1992 in relation to their internal arrangements for establishing client-contractor splits. [21547]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Although we have received allegations of anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities about the arrangements for establishing a client-contractor split, none has proceeded to statutory action. Records are not available by service area of the allegations which have been received.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by authority and service area, the recorded deficits made by local authority direct labour or services organisations in England that have failed to meet the rate of return requirements operating contracts under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and

  Year

  Total number of complaints

  Number of authorities receiving notices

  Total number of notices

  Number of authorities given directions

  Total number of directions

  1990–91

  59

  6

  6

  3

  3

  1991–92

  41

  6

  7

  2

  2

  1992–93

  70

  8

  9

  5

  6

  1993–94

  110

  12

  13

  6

  6

  1994–95

  65

  12

  15

  8

  9

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints his Department received alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities in England under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Land) Act 1980 for each financial year from 1990–91 to 1994–95; and how many local authorities were subsequently issued with a section 19a notice or 19b direction. [21552]

  Year

  Number of complaints

  Number of authorities receiving notices

  Total number of notices

  Number of authorities given directions

  Total number of directions

  1990–91

  21

  —

  0

  —

  0

  1991–92

  15

  3

  3

  0

  0

  1992–93

  36

  2

  3

  3

  3

  1993–94

  40

  5

  6

  6

  8

  1994–95

  15

  3

  3

  2

  2

  144
  Land) Act 1980 and for the Local Government Act 1988 for each financial year from 1990–91 to 1994–95 in both cash and constant prices. [21551]

  Sir Paul Beresford

  334 (14.5 per cent.) of the 2,302 1994–95 local authority direct labour/service organisation accounts for 1994–95 received by my Department recorded a deficit.

  For 1993–94, 2,381 accounts were received, of which 307 (12.9 per cent.) recorded a deficit.

  For 1992–93, 2,409 accounts were received, of which 321 (13.3 per cent.) recorded a deficit.

  For 1991–92, 2,260 accounts were received, of which 242 (10.7 per cent.) recorded a deficit.

  Detailed lists by authority and service area for the years 1991–92 to 1994–95 have been placed in the Library of the House. A list for 1990–91 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints his Department received alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities in England under the terms of the Local Government Act 1988 for each financial year from 1990–91 to 1994–95; and how many local authorities were subsequently issued with a section 19a notice or 19b direction. [21548]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The table gives, for the years in question, the number of complaints received by the Department of the Environment alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities under the Local Government Act 1988. It also shows the number of authorities on which notices were served under section 13 and to which directions were given under section 14, and the total numbers of notices and directions.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The table gives, for the years in question, the number of complaints received by the Department of the Environment alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. It also shows the number of authorities on which notices were served under section 19A and to which directions were given under section 19B, and the total numbers of notices and directions.
  145
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority direct labour and direct service organisations in England, operating contracts under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Land) Act 1980, have achieved the required rate of return for each financial year from 1992–93 to 1994–95 and similarly under the Local Government Act 1988. [21549]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  For the financial year 1994–95, my Department recorded 2,302 local authority direct labour and direct service organisation accounts. Some 1,968 of these accounts showed that the statutory financial objective had been met.

  For 1993–94, 2,381 accounts were received, 2,057 of which met the required rate of return.

  For 1992–93, 2,409 accounts were received, 2,060 of which met the required rate of return.

  Local Government Finance
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last issued comprehensive guidance on the system of local authority capital finance; and if he will make it his policy to up-date this at annual intervals. [21559]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Comprehensive guidance was last issued in the Department's circular 11/90, on 2 August 1990. A replacement guide is in preparation. Once issued, it will be updated as the need arises.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the primary and subordinate legislation affecting local authority capital finance. [21558]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The primary legislation is parts IV and V of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended. The main subordinate legislation is as follows:

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) Regulations 1990 [SI 1990/432]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 [SI 1990/1273]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 1991 [SI 1991/500]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 [SI 1992/738]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 1992 [SI 1992/1618]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 1992 [SI 1992/2819]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) (No.4) Regulations 1992 [SI 1992/3257]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 [SI 1993/520]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 1993 [SI 1993/2014]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 1993 [SI 1993/3054]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 [SI 1994/553]

  The Local Authorities (Companies) Order 1995 [SI 1995/849]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 [SI 1995/850]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 [SI 1995/1526]

  146

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 1995 [SI 1995/1982]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 [SI 1996/568]

  The Local Authorities (Companies) (Amendment) Order 1996 [SI 1996/621].

  In addition, there are 13 sets of regulations dealing with detailed issues concerning the rate of discount, borrowing, approved investments; and two other sets of regulations dealing with capital finance implications of local government reorganisation.

  Local Authority Trading Accounts
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by authority the surplus achieved on trading accounts for each financial year from 1992–93 to 1994–95 for(a) general highways work, (b) construction and maintenance of sewers, (c) works on new construction and (d) maintenance work, delivered by local authorities' direct labour or services organisations in England by the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Land) Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988. [21550]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  A detailed list of the surpluses achieved for these services for the years 1993–94 to 1994–95 has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Similar figures for 1992–93 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total running cost to Department for the financial years 1991–92 and 1993–94 of the local government compulsory competitive tendering enforcement team. [21553]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The estimated costs of enforcing the compulsory competitive tendering provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Land Act) 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988 are £250,000 in 1991–92 and £420,000 in 1993–94.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the additional costs likely to fall on local authorities as a result of the implementation of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 in respect of their statutory duties under(a) existing homelessness legislation, (b) the Children Act 1989 and (c) the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. [21705]

  Mr. Clappison
  Officials in my Department and the Department of Health have invited the local authority associations to provide information on the likely costs that authorities will face.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reasons the special grants he is proposing to make available under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to authorities which face additional costs as a result of the withdrawal of
  147
  benefits under the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 will be subject to a threshold. [21706]

  Mr. Clappison
  Because it is reasonable for authorities to meet some costs from their own resources.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the minimum threshold of expenditure for each London local authority will be in respect of housing benefit subsidy for-gone and unavoidable additional social services expenditure for the special grants under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to authorities which face additional costs from the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996. [21595]

  Mr. Clappison
  The thresholds have not yet been determined.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make special grants available under section 88B of the Local Government Finance act 1988 to authorities which face additional costs from the introduction of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 for the current year only; and what plans he has for similar grants in subsequent years. [21596]

  Mr. Clappison
  An official in my Department wrote on 26 February to chief executives of local authorities in England explaining the basis on which the Government intend to make special grants available to authorities for 1995–96 and 1996–97. I am placing a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the primary and subordinate legislation affecting local authorities's ability to take advantage of the private finance initiative; and what plans he has to(a) consolidate this legislation and (b) provide a guide to it for those companies wishing to enter into partnerships with local authorities. [21557]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The primary legislation is parts IV and V of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended. Subordinate legislation aimed at assisting local authorities to take advantage of the private finance initiative is as follows:

  The Local Authorities (Companies) Order 1995 [SI 1995/849]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment) Regulation 1995 [SI 1995/850]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1995 [SI 1995/1982]

  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 [SI 1996/568]

  The Local Authorities (Companies) (Amendment) Order 1996 [SI 1996/621]

  Consolidation of the capital finance regulations is in hand, as in the preparation of a guide to the capital finance system. My Department will ensure that there is adequate advice, for both local authorities and potential provider companies, on the private finance initiative in local government.

  Gun Clubs
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning advice is given to local planning authorities concerning applications for gun clubs; and if he will make a statement. [21707]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The express planning permission of the local authority is required for any development proposal to change the use of a building to use for the purposes of a gun club or to erect a new building. Other land, not in the curtilage of a building, may be used for those purposes for not more than 28 days in a calendar year without express planning permission. Planning applications must be publicised so that local views can be taken into account before decisions are taken. My Department does not issue planning advice specifically on gun clubs. Gun clubs in England and Wales are subject to a licensing regime, independent of the planning legislation, operated by my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many display leaflets inviting people to purchase the White Paper on Rural England were distributed to post offices in Scotland. [21488]

  Mr. Clappison
  Post Office Counters provided my Department with details of rural post offices in England to which display material on the English rural White Paper was to be sent. To the best of my knowledge, one post office in Scotland received copies of the display material in error. Post offices were under no obligation to display the material. The leaflets informed the public how to buy a copy of "Rural England" or to obtain the free summary document.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all cases since 1987 where his Department has bought computer capacity from(a) other Departments and (b) the private sector, giving the value of each contract and the name of the private sector contractors. [19450]

  Mr. Boswell
  Since 1987, the Ministry has not bought in any computer capacity from other Government Departments but has let one outsourcing contract to the private sector company Data Sciences. The value of the contract with Data Sciences is estimated to be £1.5 million.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20550]

  Mr. Boswell
  Comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested. Identification of the kind of provisions referred to could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what environmental impact assessments his Department has made in respect of methyl bromide. [20581]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  The stratospheric impact of Methyl Bromide was reviewed by the UK stratospheric ozone review group in its last report "Stratospheric Ozone 1993". Its next assessment will be published by the end of 1996.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines his Department has issued regarding the use of methyl bromide. [20582]

  Mrs. Browning
  My Department has not issued specific guidelines relating to the use of methyl bromide. The British Pest Control Association operates a strict system of regulation, certification and training for the use of methyl bromide which was drawn up in collaboration with my Department and the Health and Safety Executive. Industry has a good history of self-regulation and only those who obtain a BPCA certificate may be supplied with methyl bromide.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what alternative fumigants to methyl bromide are approved for use in the United Kingdom. [20586]

  Mrs. Browning
  There is no single alternative to methyl bromide in all of its wide range of uses.

  Approved alternative fumigants for soil sterilisation include chloropicrin, 1,3 dichloropropene and formaldehyde. Phosphine may be used for commodity fumigation. No alternatives to methyl bromide exists for rodent control and insect elimination aboard aircraft.

  Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much funding the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research at Aberystwyth received from his Department in(a) 1985, (b) 1990, (c) 1992, (d) 1993, (e) 1994 and (f) 1995; how much will be allocated in 1996; and if he will make a statement. [20995]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research was not established until 1989. Records of payments made to the institute by the Ministry in respect of research and deveopment projects are kept on a financial year basis only. These show:

  1990–91: £9,093,000

  1992–93: £7,164,000

  1993–94: £7,452,000

  1994–95: £7,426,000

  1995–96: £7,449,000 (estimate).

  It is too early to forecast total payments for 1996–97 but, to date, some £5,823,000 of expenditure has already been committed.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations his Department has recently received from the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research; and if he will make a statement. [20997]
  150
  Mr. Boswell
  This Department is a major funder of research at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research and, as such, maintains regular contact in the course of monitoring and reviewing its on-going research. Most recently, discussions have focused on the future scope and content of the MAFF programme on oat breeding at IGER. A formal mid-term review meeting was held on 13 March at which this issue was considered. No final decisions have yet been taken.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much grant aid from the European Commission the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research received in(a) 1990, (b) 1992, (c) 1994 and (d) 1995; how much is to be allocated in 1996; and if he will make a statement. [20998]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research received grant in aid from the European Commission for the respective years as follows:

  1990–91: £30,000

  1992–93: £155,000

  1994–95: £458,000

  1995–96: £383,000.

  The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which is the Research Council responsible for IGER, estimates that in 1996–97 IGER will receive £240,000 from the European Commission.

  Merchant Shipping Act 1988
  Mr. French
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the implications of the ruling by the European Court of Justice that the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 contravenes European Law. [20827]

  Mr. Baldry
  Action has already been taken to amend merchant shipping legislation following the European Court of Justice's judgments in earlier Factortame cases (C 221/89 and C 246/89) in 1991.

  In regard to the recent judgment on the latest Factortame case (C 48/93) and the steps which the Government plan to take to deal with quota hopping, I would refer to the replies which my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Ives (Mr. Harris) on 5 March 1996, Official Report, columns 130–31, and to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) on 6 March 1996, Official Report, column 345.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. French
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vessels are currently licensed to fish in British waters; and of those, how many are owned by Spanish operators. [20844]

  Mr. Baldry
  As at 1 January 1996, some 8,500 British registered vessels were licensed to fish for profit in British and Community waters, although not all of these are entitled to fish for the full range of stocks subject to quota.

  Following the introduction of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Shipping) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993 No. 3138), the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen no

  151
  longer collects details of shareholdings in UK companies owning British-registered fishing vessels. We estimate, however, that there are more than 100 licensed UK vessels with a significant Spanish interest.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many veterinary officers and technical assistants were involved on(a) 13 February, (b) 14 February, (c) 15 February and (d) 16 February, in lairages near Dover, in inspecting animals to ensure that they were fit to travel under the Welfare of Animals During Transportation Order 1994 and to deal with other related matters; [20772]

  (2) how many consignments containing calves on 13, 14, 15 and 16 February were inspected by his veterinary officers and technical assistants; and how many hours were spent in carrying out the inspections. [20771]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Glandford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 20 February 1996,Official Report, columns 136–37 and on 26 February 1996, Official Report, columns 381–82).

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Women Prisoners (Drug Tests)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the procedures involved in respect of the random mandatory drug testing policy for women prisoners. [20618]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the procedures involved in respect of the random mandatory drug testing policy for women prisoners.

  In most respects the procedures for the random testing of women prisoners are the same as those for men. Ten per cent. of each prison's population is randomly selected by computer at the beginning of each month. Prisoners are given no advance warning that they are to be tested and are escorted immediately to the sample collection site.

  At the sample collection site the prisoners are informed of the reason and authority for the test. All prisoners are searched before being asked to give a sample. Each prisoner is then required to wash her hands to remove any potential contaminants.

  Prisons have been advised to assess the risk of false samples being substituted and to take appropriate security measures. Male members of staff are not permitted to collect or to observe the collection of samples from women prisoners.

  If a prisoner is unable to provide a sample straight away, she may be confined at the collection site for up to five hours. She is offered a third of a pint of water each hour. If it is suspected that the prisoner is having genuine difficulty in providing a sample, the prisoner is
  152
  asked if she wishes to see a health care worker. Prisoners who refuse to provide a sample or who fail to provide a sample without a medical reason are charged with disobeying a lawful order.

  Samples are equally divided between two bottles. Screening and confirmation tests are carried out on the urine from one bottle, the second may be analysed at an independent laboratory on the prisoner's instructions. Both sample bottles are sealed with bar-coded seals and then sealed into a chain of custody bag for despatch to the laboratory. All of this takes place in the prisoner's presence.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women prisoners have been tested under the random mandatory drug testing policy; and what were the results. [20616]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of women prisoners tested under random mandatory drug testing and the results of those tests.

  Between April 1995 and January 1996 586 prisoners were randomly tested for drugs in women only prisons. Of the 586 samples tested 136 (23.2 per cent.) were positive for drugs; 57 (9.7 per cent) were for cannabis, 50 (8.5 per cent.) for benzodiazepines (tranquillisers) 26 (4.4 per cent.) for opiates, two (0.3 per cent.) for cocaine, and one (o.2 per cent.) for methadone.

  Statistics from establishments which house both male and female prisoners are not yet broken down by sex.

  Prisons ("Advice to Governors")
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy relating to public access to the documents "Advice to Governors", issued to prison governors. [20617]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the policy relating to public access to the documents Advice to Governors.

  In responding to requests from members of the public for access to such documents the Prison Service follows the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Each request is considered on its merits and there is a presumption in favour of disclosure.

  Charge Reductions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will advise police authorities that they should repay retrospectively reductions in charges when an error has taken place and has been admitted. [20888]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: I would expect police authorities to correct any overcharging when it came to notice, in the same way as any other organisation.

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the security cameras currently operating at Buckley Hall prison are constantly monitored; and for how long the videotape recording made by the cameras are stored. [20918]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Brian Landers to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about whether the security cameras at Buckley Hall prison are monitored constantly and for how long the video recording made by the cameras are stored.

  Security cameras at Buckley Hall are monitored constantly. Video recordings made are held for one week before being taped over, unless they are considered to be useful for future use, in which case they would be held for a longer period.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attempted escapes have been recorded at Buckley Hall prison since its opening; and what was the average number for male category C training prisons over the same period. [20920]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Brian Landers to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking how many attempted escapes have been recorded at Buckley Hall prison since its opening; and the average number of attempted escapes for male category C training prisons for the same period.

  The number of attempted escape incidents reported from Buckley Hall prison since its opening on 14 December 1994 to 29 February 1996 is three.

  The average number of attempted escape incidents reported during that period for male category C prisons is 1.6.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department(a) what is the average absenteeism rate among prison officers at Buckley Hall prison and (b) what is the average absenteeism rate amongst prison officers at male category C training prisons. [20923]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about average absenteeism rates among prison officers at Buckley Hall and male Category C training prisons.

  Questions about staff issues at Buckley Hall prison are a matter for the contractors, Group 4, and I am unable to provide information about absenteeism at that establishment.

  You also ask about absence rates per uniformed prison officer in male Category C training prisons. Information on sick absence (which accounts for virtually all absence form work apart from
  154
  annual leave), is that, the average sick absence was eight days per officer during the period April 1995-February 1996. (These figures relate to basic grade prison officers, senior officers and principal officers).

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 445, what steps are being taken to eradicate smuggling into Buckley Hall prison through items being thrown over the prison fence. [20924]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Brian Landers to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the steps being taken at Buckley Hall prison to eradicate smuggling through items being thrown over the prison's fence.

  Every effort is being made at Buckley Hall to eradicate smuggling through items being thrown over the prison fence, by prohibiting the access of prisoners to the most vulnerable sections and twice daily checking of these areas by staff.

  Arrangements are being made for the installation of additional fencing at the most vulnerable points of the prison fence which, it is expected, will reduce the potential for this method of smuggling by 80 per cent. There will also be more stringent policing of other areas of fencing.

  Consideration is also being given to the installation of external cameras so as to allow early warning to be given to the police in the event of any cause for concern arising.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have received authorized leave from Buckley Hall prison after protesting on the prison hospital's roof because of the denial of authorized leave. [21272]

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

  Letter from Brian Landers to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners who have received authorised leave from Buckley Hall prison after protesting on the prison hospital's roof because of the denial of authorised leave.

  One prisoner has been given authorised leave from Buckley Hall after a protest regarding the cancellation of a period of leave. The temporary release was granted to allow him to attend a job interview and was completed successfully.

  Prison Cells
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the statutory minimum size of prison cells; [19333]

  (2) what is the average cell size per inmate in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement; [19334]

  (3) what is the (a) average cell size and (b) current average number of prisoners per cell, in each prison in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [19335]
  155
  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about average cell size and average number of prisoners per cell in each prison in England and Wales and the statutory minimum size of prison cells.

  Information regarding the size of cells is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  With regard to the number of prisoners per cell, the position at the end of January this year was that some 8,488 prisoners were housed two to a cell which was designed for one person. There were no instances of three prisoners sharing a single cell.

  There is no statutory minimum size for existing prison cells, although Prison Service operating standards do lay down an ideal minimum size of 5.5 square metres. Section 14 of the Prisons Act 1952 requires cells to be certified as being fit as regards their size, lighting, heating, ventilation and fittings.

  Football Matches
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the financial problems for association football clubs arising from the costs imposed by police services in respect of the attendance of police officers at games; and if he will make a statement. [20872]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: The taxpayer already foots the bill for policing outside football grounds as part of the duty of the police to keep the peace and prevent crime. It is right for those who benefit—the club and the supporters attending the match—to pay for police services inside grounds.

  Featherstone Prison (Drug Parties)
  Mr. Hawksley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold an inquiry into the making of a video showing drug parties in Featherstone prison, near Wolverhampton; and if he will make a statement. [21681]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Warren Hawksley, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about a video purporting to show a drugs party in Featherstone.

  The governor of Featherstone will conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident once a copy of the video has been received. Any action to be taken will depend on the conclusions of the investigations now taking place.

  Fine Defaulters
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost of keeping a fine defaulter in prison. [21115]
  156
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the average weekly cost of keeping a fine defaulter in prison.

  Information on the cost of prisoners according to their type of offence is not collected centrally. The average weekly net operating cost of a prison place in 1994–95 was £458.

  Mrs. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently held in prison on convictions relating to fine defaults. [21113]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking, how many people are currently held in prison on convictions relating to fine defaults.

  The latest available information is for 31 January 1996. On that date there were 358 persons in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for non-payment of a fine.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if prisoners from Doncaster prison are eligible for unaccompanied visits to(a) Doncaster and (b) surrounding towns after good behaviour; and if he will make a statement; [21005]

  (2) what provision is available in Doncaster prison for (a) therapeutic and (b) psychological treatment when inmates receive positive results to tests for transmissible diseases; and if he will make a statement; [20991]

  (3) what regular medical checks prisoners in Doncaster prison receive; what systematic checks are carried out for transmissible diseases; and if he will make a statement; [20999]

  (4) what steps are taken to prevent discrimination against prisoners in Doncaster prison with specific health problems; and if he will make a statement; [20993]

  (5) what percentage of the annual budget for Doncaster prison is designated for health care; and if he will make a statement; [21002]

  (6) how many (a) nurses and (b) doctors are employed in Doncaster prison; and if he will make a statement; [20992]

  (7) what mechanisms exist in Doncaster prison relating to the prevention of (a) transmissible or (b) contagious diseases (i) in general and (ii) in respect of specific outbreaks; and if he will make a statement; [21001]

  (8) how many prisoners in Doncaster prison are currently recorded as being terminally ill; if he will list the illnesses diagnosed; and if he will make a statement; [20990]
  157
  (9) what provisions are made for those prisoners in Doncaster prison known to be terminally ill; and if he will make a statement; [20994]

  (10) what steps are taken to ensure the confidentiality checks on prisoners in Doncaster prison, with particular reference to cases involving transmissible diseases; and if he will make a statement; [20978]

  (11) how many prisoners have died in Doncaster prison since it opened; and if he will list the figures where the cause of death was (a) self-inflicted, (b)accidental, (c) murder, (d) disease, (e) AIDS, (f)tuberculosis, (g) cancer and (h) vascular and heart disease. [21004]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about unaccompanied visits for prisoners and medical matters at Doncaster prison.

  No prisoners from Doncaster are eligible for unaccompanied visits to Doncaster or any other towns in the area.

  Four prisoners have died within Doncaster since the prison opened. Two inquests have been held, one of which recorded a verdict of death from natural causes and one a verdict of death by suicide. In addition, two have died in outside hospital, one from natural causes and one suicide. All prisoners are given a physical and mental health check on reception. Prisoners who are identified with pre-existing conditions receive reviews as clinically indicated. All are asked about their experience of transmissible diseases. If clinically indicated, and the prisoner agrees, they undergo the appropriate tests.

  Medical confidentiality is of paramount importance at Doncaster and helps reduce the chance of discrimination against any prisoner on the grounds of health. All medical information on prisoners is kept within the Health Care Centre and is provided to nobody except authorized staff. With regard to transmissible diseases, health promotion posters and literature are displayed freely throughout the prison. Doncaster has also had a contagion control policy in preparation for the outbreak of any contagious disease. This policy allows a number of internal and external resources to be deployed in the event of specific outbreaks. The prison has registered mental nurses with counselling skills, as well as qualified counsellors and psychologists to assist prisoners who receive positive results having been tested for a transmissible disease.

  There are currently no prisoners in Doncaster who are terminally ill. Should any prisoner be so diagnosed, an application can be made to the Area manager for release on compassionate grounds.

  The contract for Doncaster prison specifies the health care requirements that the contractor is required to meet. Distinct services within the total operation are not broken down by price. The way these requirements are met and staffing details are matters for Premier Prison Service.

  Prison Officers (Training)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of training received by prison officers at(a) Buckley Hall prison and (b) other male category C training prisons. [21054]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  158
  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the level of training received by prison officers at (a) Buckley Hall prison and (b) in other male category C training prisons.

  The contract for Buckley Hall prison specifies the level of staff training, both basic and continuing, which the contractor is required to meet.

  The detail of how these requirements are fulfilled is a matter for Group 4.

  All new prison officers joining other category C establishments will have received nine weeks training in both theoretical and practical skills.

  Prisoners (Threats to Witnesses)
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last five years prisoners have telephoned or written from Her Majesty's prisons to witnesses in such a way that charges of perverting the course of justice or other charges relating to attempts to interfere with witnesses in criminal cases have resulted. [20726]

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

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Mike O'Brien, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about prisoners who may have telephoned or written to witnesses in such a way that charges of perverting the course of justice or other charges have resulted in criminal cases.

  Unfortunately this information is not available.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions prisoners have been disciplined in Her Majesty's prisons in each of the last five years as a result of complaints about letters or telephone calls by prisoners making threats to witnesses in their case. [20727]

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

  Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Mike O'Brien, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about prisoners who have been disciplined in the last five years as a result of complaints of threats to witnesses in their case.

  Unfortunately this information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Competitive Tendering (Contracts)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21028]
  159
  Mr. Howard
  The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, it is Home Office policy to buy all goods and services by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. Purchases in excess of about £100,000 are subject to European Community competition procedures, as laid down in statutory instruments.

  Prison Service (Medical Staff)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what controls(a) his Department and (b) the Prison Service has over medical staff who undertake work for them and are engaged in medical research; and if he will make a statement. [19953]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Alastair Papps to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about controls on medical staff who are engaged in medical research.

  I understand that there are no medical staff employed on medical research in the main Home Office.

  Within the Prison Service all medical and health care research requires ethical approval, the consent of the governor of the prison and the free and informed consent of the prisoner concerned.

  Such ethical approval is obtained either from the Prison Service Health Research Ethics Committee, which has an independent chairman and membership drawn from the independent Health Advisory Committee to the Prison Service and health care professionals from outside the Prison Service or the appropriate NHS committee.

  Harry Duggan
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Harry Duggan, who is serving a life sentence, was allowed to attend his mother's funeral in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [21516]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking if Harry Duggan who is serving a life sentence, was allowed to attend his mother's funeral in the Republic of Ireland.

  An application by Mr. Duggan to attend the funeral of his mother in the Republic of Ireland was carefully considered but refused for security and jurisdictional reasons.

  Hewell Grange (Maintenance and Repair)
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 March,Official Report, columns 411–12, what use Hewell Grange was put to when it was under Home Office responsibility before it was used as a prison; what maintenance and
  160
  repairs were undertaken; and what condition the building was in when it was handed over to the Prison Service. [21443]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Andrew Faulds, dated 19 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the use Hewell Grange was put to when it was under Home Office responsibility before it was used as a prison; what maintenance and repairs were undertaken; and what condition the building was in when it was handed over to the Prison Service.

  Hewell Grange has been used as an open prison for male adult offenders since 1991. Prior to that change of role, it was used as a Young Offenders Institution to accommodate young offenders in open conditions.

  The building was acquired for use as a penal institution in 1947. There are no records of its condition at that time. A full range of maintenance work and repairs has been undertaken during its ownership by the Prison Service. Details are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Chief Fire Officers
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a reply will be sent to the hon. Member's letter of 13 February, ref. 3185/96, concerning chief fire officers. [21229]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: My right hon. and noble Friend replied to the letter on 18 March.

  Immigration (Pakistan)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the home country report on Pakistan is to be completed and placed in the Library; what steps are taken to ensure the accuracy and completeness of such reports; if such reports are normally made available to those representing appellants at immigration appeals; and if he will make a statement. [21517]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Our aim is to finalise the report and place it in the Library quite soon. It will also be made available to those concerned with the asylum appeals system. The report, like those on Nigeria and Ghana, will draw on all available, relevant sources of information, and will be updated as necessary.

  Alcoholic Lemonade
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned regarding the consumption of alcoholic lemonades by under-age drinkers; and what representations he has received regarding(a) such studies and (b) the prohibition of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic lemonades. [9462]

  Mr. Maclean
  Although no research has been commissioned by my Department into the consumption of alcoholic lemonades by under-age drinkers, concerns that these drinks may provide a temptation for children to start drinking have been expressed in letters from members of the public on general law and order issues. We welcome reports that the Portman group, set up by the eight leading
  161
  United Kingdom drinks companies to promote sensible drinking and reduce alcohol misuse, are considering a code of practice to its industry members on the use of names that include, for example, lemonade, cola or other soft drinks.

SCOTLAND

  Computers
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [19454]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Since 1987, the Scottish Office has not purchased computer capacity from other Departments or the private sector to augment the Department's own computing capability. Payroll and superannuation processing services have been bought from other Departments, and these have included an element of computer processing.

  Department

  Amount £

  Her Majesty's Treasury (Chessington Computer Centre—Payroll Services)

  1,922,400

  Ministry of Defence (Superannuation services)

  115,700

  In addition, from time to time, the Scottish Office has purchased other services which may have included some computer processing as part of the work undertaken but it is not possible to identify these services except at disproportionate cost.

  Multi-storey Housing Blocks
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the total number of people living in multi-storey blocks of flats in Scotland. [21118]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Local authorities in Scotland are estimated to have 51,000 dwellings in blocks of flats more than four storeys high.

  Information on the number of households, by lowest floor level of accommodation, was published in the report of the General Register Office for Scotland on the 1991 census, a copy of which is available in the House Library.

  Mr. Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of blocks of multi-storey flats over 10 floors high in Scotland; and where they are located. [21119]

  Mr. Robertson
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  The table provides information on the number of individual dwellings in blocks of flats of 15 or more storeys let by local authorities in Scotland.
  162

  Housing stock estimates: Super high-rise dwellings (15 or more storeys)

  Authority

  Super high rise (15 or more storeys)

  Scottish Borders Council

  0

  Dumfries and Galloway Council

  0

  Fife Council

  223

  Highland Council

  0

  Clackmannanshire Council

  0

  Falkirk Council

  0

  Stirling Council

  0

  Aberdeenshire Council

  0

  City of Aberdeen Council

  2,943

  Moray Council

  0

  City of Edinburgh Council

  2,047

  East Lothian Council

  0

  Mid-Lothian Council

  0

  West Lothian Council

  0

  Argyll and Bute Council

  0

  City of Glasgow Council

  20,273

  West Dunbartonshire Council

  1,524

  East Dunbartonshire Council

  0

  East Ayrshire Council

  0

  North Ayrshire Council

  0

  South Ayrshire Council

  0

  East Renfrewshire Council

  0

  Inverclyde Council

  1,471

  Renfrewshire Council

  1,090

  North Lanarkshire Council

  2,982

  South Lanarkshire Council

  0

  Angus Council

  0

  City of Dundee Council

  2,230

  Perthshire and Kinross Council

  0

  Orkney Islands Council

  0

  Shetland Islands Council

  0

  Western Isles Council

  0

  Scotland

  34,783

  Rented Housing
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the total number of houses in the rented sector in Scotland; and what was the figure in 1979. [21117]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The estimated number of rented houses in Scotland was, at December 1979, 1,283,000; and, at December 1994, 948,000. These figures cover both private and public sectors, and include housing associations.

  Urban Environment
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is Scottish Natural Heritage's policy on the urban environment; and if he will make a statement. [21095]

  Mr. Kynoch
  On 30 November 1995, Scottish Natural Heritage published"Natural Heritage In and Around Settlements: A Framework for Action", which sets out the principles that guide SNH's activities throughout urban areas and other settlements in Scotland. I have asked for a copy to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  SNH supports many projects and initiatives in urban areas, including some £1.5 million per annum for projects in the countryside in and around towns programme.

  Permitted Development Orders
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he proposes to ensure the accountability of planning decisions taken within the areas covered by the permitted development orders. [21041]

  Mr. Kynoch
  No such measures are necessary. There is only one permitted development order, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, which covers the whole of Scotland. It grants a form of general planning permission, known as permitted development, for certain types of non-controversial development which would otherwise invariably be granted planning permission. These permitted development rights are subject to various limitations and conditions to protect amenity and the environment. Some classes of permitted development, that is for agricultural and forestry buildings, are subject to a prior approval procedure which gives planning authorities the opportunity to influence matters such as siting, design and external appearance.

  Provided a person is satisfied that a proposed development is permitted development there is no need to apply to the planning authority for consent and no basis for addressing the accountability of decisions not before the authority.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many approaches his Department has had during the last five calendar years from local authorities seeking to amend the terms of permitted development orders; and on how many occasions his Department has responded positively to these requests. [21044]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Department receives numerous approaches from local authorities, and others, suggesting changes to the permitted development order and other pieces of planning legislation. Like all planning legislation, the permitted development order is kept under regular review and any suggestions for amendment are taken into account. The Department responds to all such approaches explaining what action, if any is to be taken. No record is kept of the number of these approaches.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures are used by his Department in considering whether to renew the terms of a permitted development order. [21043]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 is a statutory instrument and so remains in force until it is amended or revoked by a subsequent statutory instrument. Thus, while there is no requirement to renew the order, it is kept under review and from time to time it is subject to amendment. Suggestions for change can arise from research, a policy change or ideas submitted by interested parties.

  Any proposals to amend the order are normally subject to public consultation with planning authorities and a wide range of individuals and organisations representing developer, business, environmental and community interests before being implemented.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement listing the permitted 164
  development orders currently in force, the facilities these orders relate to, when they were initially enacted and when they were last reviewed by his Department. [21045]

  Mr. Kynoch
  There is only one order, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992. It presently covers 71 different classes of development, which would require too much space to list here. However, a copy of the order is available in the Library. The current order came into force on 13 March 1992 and, like all planning legislation, is subject to regular review. It has been amended on several occasions since then, most recently in February 1995.

  Disabled Students
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which authority will be responsible from 1 April for paying the travel costs of college students who have disabilities; and if he will make a statement. [21099]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Travel costs for college students with disabilities are paid through bursaries or the students awards scheme for those studying on higher education level courses.

  From 1 April 1996, responsibility for bursaries will transfer from local authorities to the 43 incorporated further education colleges. Bursaries for further education students studying outwith the incorporated colleges will remain the responsibility of local authorities. The student awards agency for Scotland will continue to administer the student awards scheme.

  Prisoners (Self-harm)
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many self-inflicted deaths have occurred in Scottish prisons in 1996 at the latest date for which figures are available by(a) age, (b) sex and (c) prison establishment; [21015]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to collate figures on incidents of self-harm in Scottish prisons. [21016]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of the questions relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Michael Connarty, dated 19 March 1996:

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your questions relating to the number of self-inflicted deaths in Scottish prisons in 1996 and whether figures on incidents of self harm will be collated as a matter of policy.

  There have been three deaths in custody in 1996 to date. The table below gives the information by age, sex and prison, as you requested. The cause of death in each case is subject to the findings of Fatal Accident Inquiries.

  Age

  Sex

  Prison

  54

  Male

  Edinburgh1

  37

  Male

  Edinburgh

  20

  Male

  Greenock

  1A Fatal Accident Inquiry into this death is due to be held on 20 March 1996.

  When you raised with me last year the question of maintaining statistics on incidents of self harm, I indicated that I would need to be sure it was a practical and useful proposition and that I would

  165
  give it further thought. The Scottish Prison Service has commissioned Dr. Kevin Power and Dr. Joseph McElroy of the Department of Psychology at the University of Stirling to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of our Suicide Prevention Strategy. In addition, Professor Gunn of the Institute of Psychiatry has been commissioned to consider the appropriateness of the strategy against developments in the care of "at risk" people in other jurisdictions. Both these reports are expected in the near future and I shall consider your suggestion again in the light of these reports.

  Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenson Bypass
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current progress on the Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenson bypass. [21046]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The position has not changed significantly since my answer to the hon. Member on 24 November 1995,Official Report, column 321. The revised design work is still on-going, and will be completed soon, allowing consideration to be given to publication of new draft standing orders this summer.

  Special Needs Housing
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to increase the number of special needs houses in Scotland; and if he will make a statement; [21121]

  (2) what is the total number of special needs houses in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland. [21120]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Community care is one of four national priorities for local housing authorities. It is also a priority for Scottish Homes.

  Between 1979 and 1995, the stock of sheltered dwellings provided by public authorities and housing associations increased by more than fourfold to around 34,000. In 1995, these bodies also provided just over 7,900 dwellings for disabled people; just over 24,000 specially adapted houses; over 17,400 amenity houses; and over 23,000 dwellings with alarms. In addition, many community care users live in mainstream housing with suitable support services and a number are in private provision.

  A breakdown of the total numbers of such dwellings by parliamentary constituency is not available.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people received into prison on remand during 1994 were(a) acquitted, (b) freed at court, (c) sentenced to non-custodial sentence and (d) sentenced to a term of imprisonment (i) in total and (ii) by gender. [21017]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Scottish Natural Heritage Projects
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total amounts spent by Scottish 166
  Natural Heritage in each of the last three years on projects in each constituency in Scotland. [21096]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The information requested is not held in the form required. Details of Scottish Natural Heritage's annual expenditure are set out in its annual reports, copies of which are lodged in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Competitive Tendering (Contracts)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21035]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office and its executive agencies follow Government policy that goods and services should be acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. Formal competitive tendering procedures are normally used for all purchases over £10,000 in value. Details of the value and numbers of all contracts placed could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the name of the new chairperson of Scottish Homes; and if he will make a statement. [21098]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement shortly.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the total numbers of people who are(a) unemployed, (b) old age pensioners, (c) in receipt of benefits, (d) under 16 years of age, (e) on low incomes, (f) living in poverty and (g) homeless in each of the new parliamentary constituencies in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [21102]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The information requested is not available.

  Roads
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was spent by the Scottish Office on(a) construction and improvement of trunk roads and (b)grants to local authorities for construction and improvement of other roads in Scotland at outturn prices in each year from 1975 to 1995. [19306]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: The information required is set out in the table for 1975–76 to 1994–95. Only expenditure on grants to local authorities for specific schemes is included. Grant aid to the majority of local authorities roads construction and improvement activity is subsumed within revenue support grant. Information for grants to local authorities for specific schemes from 1975–76 to 1983–84 for roads could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  167

  £ million

  Year

  Net capital expenditure on trunk roads1

  Grants to local authorities for roads2

  1975–76

  43

  —

  1976–77

  44

  —

  1977–78

  62

  —

  1978–79

  65

  —

  1979–80

  74

  —

  1980–81

  81

  —

  1981–82

  88

  —

  1982–83

  102

  —

  1983–84

  96

  —

  1984–85

  97

  3

  1985–86

  101

  5

  1986–87

  95

  4

  1987–88

  112

  2

  1988–89

  110

  4

  1989–90

  136

  2

  1990–91

  172

  2

  1991–92

  173

  1

  1992–93

  196

  2

  1993–94

  191

  2

  1994–95

  208

  2

  1 Includes expenditure on construction and improvement, structural repairs and other capital grants on trunk road projects. Figures taken from "Scottish Transport Statistics" Bulletins.

  2 Includes grants to assisted areas for access roads under the Industrial Development Act 1982 and specific grants under section 3 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. Roads and transport capital consent allocations are excluded.

  Fox Fur Farms
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fox fur farms there are in each county of Scotland. [21375]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  There are no fox fur farms in operation in Scotland.

  Municipal Farms
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each current region and district council in Scotland(a) the number, (b) the size and (c) the market value of each farm owned by the council or on its behalf; and which are planned to be sold (i) before and (ii) after local government reorganisation. [21201]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many licences were issued for mink farms in each county of Scotland in each of the last five years. [21374]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The numbers of licensed mink farms are as set out in the table. No licences have been issued since 1993.

  Region

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Grampian

  1

  1

  1

  Strathclyde

  1

  1

  —

  Total

  2

  2

  1

  Firearms
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total number of gun clubs in each Scottish local government district, the total number of weapons held in each and the total membership in each for each year since 1985. [21715]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are currently 247 gun clubs in Scotland approved by the Scottish Office under section 15 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. More detailed information about these clubs is not available centrally, but I am arranging for it to be collected and made available to the inquiry to be held by Lord Cullen.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total number of firearms certificates(a) which are issued for new applications, (b) which are renewals and (c) which are valid for more than one year for each year since 1985. [21708]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The information is as follows:

  New certificates

  Renewals1

  1985

  3,167

  2—

  1986

  3,391

  10,200

  1987

  3,223

  9,800

  1988

  3,307

  9,900

  1989

  2,669

  10,100

  1990

  2,697

  8,700

  1991

  1,850

  8,400

  1992

  1,851

  8,300

  1993

  1,770

  8,500

  1994

  1,991

  9,200

  1 The renewals figures have been estimated centrally to take account of forces unable to provide this information.

  2 Not collected.

  New firearm certificates granted prior to 1995 were initially made valid for three years and could be renewed after this time for further three-year periods. Since the Firearms (Period of Certificate) Order 1994 came into effect on 1 January 1995, the order has extended the life of all firearm certificates granted or renewed after that date to five years.

WALES

  Fire Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review his allocation of funds to the fire services consequent on the formation of the new local government unitary authorities; and if he will make a statement. [20649]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Unitary authorities are responsible for funding fire authorities' revenue expenditure from their unhypothecated resources. The local government revenue settlement for 1996–97 was approved by the House of Commons on 8 February. Funding of fire authorities' capital expenditure is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

  School Class Sizes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what current restrictions apply in respect of class sizes in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [20729]
  169
  Mr. Richards
  Class sizes are a matter for individual school governing bodies to consider in the light of their local statutory responsibilities and their perception of educational needs and priorities.

  Wheelchairs
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce in Wales(a) a scheme to provide on the NHS powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs for severely disabled people and (b) a voucher scheme for the purchase of wheelchairs. [21256]

  Mr. Richards
  In the light of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health's recent announcement about the provision of powered wheelchairs and a wheelchair voucher scheme, we are currently examining the implications of introducing similar arrangements in Wales.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce in Wales a similar scheme to that announced by the Government on 23 February for England to provide powered indoor and outdoor wheelchairs for the severely disabled and financial aid for wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement. [21302]

  Mr. Hague
  I am currently examining the implications of introducing similar arrangements in Wales.

  Nursery Vouchers Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit St. Anthony's county primary school, Saltrey Ferry and Broughton county primary school to meet teachers, parents and governors to discuss the voucher scheme; and if he will make a statement. [21131]

  Mr. Richards
  Neither my right hon. Friend nor I has any plans to do so. Each primary and nursery school in Wales has had a copy of a letter from the Welsh Office giving details of the scheme and addressing some common misunderstandings. In addition, I am sending a letter to all schools in Clwyd to set right misleading comments I have seen in material from the Clwyd Federation of Primary Headteachers.

  Smoking (Children)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Wales what estimate he has made of the proportion of 15-year-old(a) girls and (b) boys who smoke regularly. [21126]

  Mr. Richards
  The Welsh youth health survey undertaken by Health Promotion Wales shows that, in 1994, the latest year for which it has figures, the percentages were as follows:

  Daily

  Weekly

  Girls

  20.7

  25.1

  Boys

  15.5

  17.8

  Nurses
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the British Medical Association about the work load of nurses. [21122]
  170
  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend has recently discussed with representatives of the BMA the increasing work load of hospital services and its implication for staffing as a whole.

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the current pupil-teacher ratios in Wales for each(a) grant-maintained and (b) non-grant-maintained primary schools; and if he will make a statement; [20985]

  (2) if he will list the current pupil-teacher ratios in Wales for each of the (a) grant-maintained and (b) non-grant-maintained secondary school; and if he will make a statement. [20984]

  Mr. Richards
  Information from which pupil-teacher ratios for individual schools may be calculated is collected centrally only for the purpose of compiling statistical aggregates. PTRs for individual schools are not estimated on a regular basis, and their accuracy is not confirmed with the schools. The calculation and checking of these ratios would therefore involve disproportionate cost.

  Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research
  Mr. Llywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has recently received from the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research; and if he will make a statement. [20996]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  Departmental Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cost and number of items of equipment and furniture that(a) have been stolen and (b) are otherwise unaccounted for from his Department and its agencies in each of the last five years, itemising any items valued at £5,000 or over, and indicating information technology material separately. [21087]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) on 7 March 1996,Official Report, column 362.

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 13 March,Official Report,column 628, if he will give the date of publication of the departmental report in each year since 1990. [21399]

  Mr. Hague
  The departmental report has been published only since 1991. Publication dates from 1991 to 1995 were as follows: 15 February 1991; 14 February 1992; 15 February 1993; 10 March 1994; 9 March 1996.

  Welsh National Opera
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received and what consultations he has undertaken on the provision of a permanent home for the Welsh National Opera company. [21428]
  171
  Mr. Hague
  I have received a number of representations on the proposed Cardiff bay opera house. While I have not instigated any consultations on the matter, the subject was raised with me at three meetings.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation concerning the outcome of the meeting convened by the Institute of Welsh Affairs on 8 March; what plans he has received for expenditure(a) by the corporation and (b) grant aided by the corporation in relation to the proposal for a large-scale lyric theatre in Cardiff bay; and if he will make a statement. [21427]

  Mr. Hague
  I have discussed with the chairman the outcome of the meeting convened by the Institute of Welsh Affairs on 8 March. I have received no plans for expenditure by Cardiff Bay development corporation on the construction of a lyric theatre in Cardiff bay.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the out-turn figure for expenditure on(a) administration and (b) the architectural design competition of the Cardiff bay opera house trust from his departments grant in aid to the Cardiff Bay development corporation in 1994–95; and what estimate he has made for the same categories for the year 1995–96. [21425]

  Mr. Hague
  Financial contributions by Cardiff Bay development corporation towards meeting the cost of administration of the Cardiff bay opera house trust and the architectural design competition are operational matters for the corporation. I have asked the chief executive of the corporation to respond and I shall arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Viticulture
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the proportion of the agricultural land area of Wales which is suitable for viticulture; and if he will make a statement. [21308]

  Mr. Hague
  No assessment has been made.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number and acreage of commercial vineyards in Wales. [21309]

  Mr. Hague
  The latest data from the Wine Standards Board show 18 commercial vineyards in Wales totalling 23 hectares.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grants are available to livestock and arable farmers in Wales to convert their holdings to viticulture. [21317]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to publish the final report by Coopers and Lybrand into the circumstances leading up to and the financial implications of the departure of the former chief executive of Pembrokeshire NHS trust. [21426]
  172
  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I have him on 15 January 1996,Official Report, column 385.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he plans to make in the division of responsibilities between himself and his junior Ministers; and if he will make a statement. [21303]

  Mr. Hague
  I have overall responsibility for all policy issues within the Welsh Office. I have recently made one change to my junior Minister's duties. Mr. Jones has assumed responsibility for all rural and agricultural matters as set out in the rural White Paper.

  EstateCare (Privatisation)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 12 March,Official Report,column 559, what was the date of the item of correspondence between his Department and the Welsh Health Common Services Authority which would most accurately fit the description of a decision letter concerning the privatisation of the EstateCare Group of the authority. [21307]

  Mr. Hague
  My officials wrote to the Welsh Health Common Services Authority on 16 August 1995.

  Departmental Staff (Location)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the geographical location of the place of work of all civil servants within the Welsh Office. [21679]

  Mr. Hague
  Welsh Office—excluding Cadw—staff work from the following locations: London; Cardiff; Caernarfon; Carmarthen; Llandrindod Wells; Lampeter; Colwyn Bay; Haverfordwest; Milford Haven; Dolgellau; Swansea; Newtown; Brecon; Aberystwyth; Ruthin; Holyhead; Newport; Gwent and Conwy.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fraud
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to tackle fraudulent social security claims. [19712]

  Mr. Heald
  Our strategy, including the additional measures announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Social Security on 5 March,Official Report, columns 164–68, is set to save the taxpayer £1.5 billion next year.

  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what incentives he is giving local authorities to combat fraud. [19716]

  Mr. Heald
  Local authorities are rewarded for successfully detecting housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud through the anti-fraud financial incentive scheme. The scheme allows authorities to earn additional cash subsidy through successful detection of fraud, as measured against their weighted share of a national threshold. I am stepping up the incentives by ear-marking £8 million for challenge funding to encourage innovation
  173
  in fighting fraud, strengthening the financial regime by providing higher rates of return for better performing authorities, and increasing the penalties for those which are failing to tackle fraud seriously.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been prosecuted as a result of Operation Rattle. [19718]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To date, there have not been any prosecutions as a result of Operation Rattle which was launched in November 1995.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce a guaranteed minimum income for pensioners above the current income support levels; and if he will make a statement. [19713]

  Mr. Heald
  We have no plans to introduce a guaranteed minimum income which would have the effect of extending means-testing to all pensioners.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners who have an income of less than 20 per cent. of average male earnings. [19710]

  Mr. Heald
  In 1993, there were around 650,000 pensioner households with an income below that level.

  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioners are in the least well off fifth of the population; and what the figure was in 1979. [19885]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Percentages of pensioners in the bottom 20 per cent. of the overall United Kingdom income distribution

  Percentages

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  1979

  47

  46

  1992–93

  25

  20

  1. The information in the tables is derived from the 1979 and 1992–93 households below average income datasets. 1992–93 is the latest date for which information is available. Figures for 1992–93 are for two calendar years data combined.

  2. Figures are based on the standard households below average income definition of income—weekly household disposable income adjusted for household size and composition (equivalised). These particular results are especially sensitive to the choice of equivalence scale. For example, results before housing costs vary between 32 per cent. and 54 per cent. in 1979, and 19 per cent. To 30 per cent. in 1992–93. However, results present a similar picture of changes over time, regardless of which particular equivalence scale is used. Further information on equivalisation and tests for sensitivity to choice of equivalence scale is given in Appendix 4 of households below average income 1979 to 1992–93.

  3. All estimates are subject to sampling error.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Scotland(a) are dependent on income support and (b) have an income less than £10 above income support levels. [20067]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. Pensioners are defined as men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over. The number of 174
  pensioners in Scotland who are dependent on income support is 176,000, as at May 1995. This figure has been rounded to the nearest thousand and it represents customers and partners over pension age who are dependent on income support.

  Information on the number of pensioners who have income less than £10 above the income support levels is not collated.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the proportion of pensioner's income taken up by(a) housing costs and (b) council tax, broken down by (i) quintile and (ii) region. [20013]

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

  Estimated proportion of income spent on housing costs and council tax

  Percentage

  Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  Q5

  Pensioner couple

  Housing costs

  13

  15

  10

  5

  3

  Council tax

  6

  5

  4

  3

  2

  Single pensioner

  Housing costs

  17

  21

  27

  20

  7

  Council tax

  8

  5

  5

  4

  2

  All pensioners

  Housing costs

  15

  18

  21

  11

  5

  Council tax

  7

  5

  5

  4

  2

  Notes:

  1. Reliable data for a breakdown by region (using the 12 standard regions) cannot be given due to limited sample size.

  2. The data have been separated into information on single pensioners, pensioner couples and all pensioner benefit units. A pensioner benefit unit is defined as a single person over state pension age or a couple where the husband, or head, is over state pension age.

  3. The figures are the estimated percentages, given to the nearest percentile, of the proportion of unequivalised net income taken up by housing costs and council tax liability for single pensioners, pensioner couples and all pensioner benefit units.

  Source:

  Pensioners' income series 1993, based on 1993 family expenditure
  survey.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the change in the mean income of pensioners in(a) the lowest and (b) the highest quintile in each region of the United Kingdom since 1979. [20218]

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

  For the UK as a whole, the estimated mean income of the lowest quintile of pensioner benefit units has risen by 21 per cent. in real terms since 1979. For the highest income quintile this figure is 68 per cent.

  Notes:

  1. There is no information available on a regional basis due to the limited sample size.

  2. Pensioner benefit units are defined as a single person over state pension age or a couple where the husband, or head, is over state pension age.

  Source:

  Pensioners' income series 1993, based on the 1993 family expenditure survey.

  Benefit Recipients (Newham)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals in the London borough of Newham are in receipt of social security benefits. [19714]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The available information on locally paid benefits is set out in the table:

  Caseloads

  Counts taken

  London borough of Newham area:

  Housing benefit

  39,640

  August 1995

  Council tax benefit

  33,460

  August 1995

  Unemployed claimants signing on

  17,368

  January 1996

  Benefits Agency Newham district area:

  Income support

  50,018

  November 1995

  Incapacity benefit

  7,311

  January 1996

  Maternity allowance

  124

  January 1996

  Severe disablement allowance

  850

  January 1996

  Notes:

  1. Information on the numbers receiving centrally paid pensions and
  benefits is not available.

  2. Some individuals will be in receipt of more than one benefit.

  3. Unemployed claimants includes those on income support, unemployment benefit and those signing on for credits only.

  Sources:

  Benefits Agency central data unit, Employment Service regional office informzttion unit and DSS HB/CTB management information system.

  Low-Income Families
  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that the benefit system assists the families on the lowest incomes. [19717]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The Department maintains a comprehensive system of income-related benefits which are effective in focusing help on low-income families. Some 85 per cent. of income-related benefit expenditure goes to households in the bottom 40 per cent. of the income distribution and around a fifth of all social security expenditure goes to families with children.

  Debt Recovery Scheme
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which areas have been chosen as pilots for the privatised debt recovery scheme. [19719]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The six areas are the north central and west Scotland, Wales, Merseyside, Tyne Tees, Chilterns, south London and West Sussex.

  The contractors will also deal with 600 cases for centrally administered benefits, which will be spread at random throughout Great Britain.

  Retirement Pensions (Centenarians)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the number of centenarians in receipt of retirement pensions breaking the figure down by sex and age, for each year after and including 100; and if he will make a statement. [19720]
  176
  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Age

  Men

  Women

  100

  530

  2,420

  101

  240

  1,800

  102

  230

  1,150

  103

  70

  850

  104

  30

  400

  105

  50

  270

  106

  10

  170

  107

  20

  80

  108

  0

  50

  109

  0

  10

  110

  0

  10

  111

  0

  0

  112

  0

  10

  Total

  1,180

  7,220

  Notes:

  1.Figures include persons residing overseas.

  2. "retirement pension" comprises contributory retirement pension, non-contributory retirement pension and graduated retirement benefit.

  Source:

  10 per cent. sample of retirement pension awards.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information will be stored on the proposed social security identity card. [19722]

  Mr. Heald
  We are looking to the successful private sector supplier to bear the risk of fraud. It is therefore up to them to propose any additional features. However, we expect the details to be held either on the face of the card or within its memory to be kept to the minimum required for the card to act as a secure key to access the payments database.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of child support collected by the Child Support Agency represents a net income increase for parents with care. [19724]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Of the total number of parents with care who currently have a full maintenance assessment, 13 per cent. are receiving family credit or disability working allowance, and 8 per cent. are non-benefit cases. Subject to the level of any previous maintenance agreement these cases represent a net income increase.

  For parents with care receiving income support, maintenance is a portable income, giving greater flexibility and choice should they wish to return to work. The child maintenance bonus, due to be introduced from April 1997, will provide additional income at the point parents do return to work.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent changes there have been in(a) the working of the Child Support Agency and (b) its performance against targets; and what factors have led to them. [15766]

  Mr. Mitchell
  Recent changes to the agency's operations include: measures to improve the accuracy of its assessments through enhanced training and better
  177
  targeted quality checks; the more efficient use of field office staff in the take-on of responsibility for pre= assessment work; improvements to the child support computer system; and the roll-out of computer support to the field offices.

  These and other measures to simplify the child support scheme have enabled the agency to make considerable progress over the past year. Accuracy rates have improved significantly and currently exceed the 75 per cent. target. Further improvements are expected in the coming year. The agency has also collected and arranged maintenance of over £230 million so far this year and is on track to meet the 1995–96 target of £300 million. In January 1996, the agency collected maintenance in excess of £14 million which is more than that collected in the whole of its first year of operations. Payments of maintenance to parents with care have been made within 10 working days in 97 per cent. of cases against a target of 90 per cent.

  The changes which have been made and the improvements in the agency's performance are the result of the Government's commitment to the success of the child support scheme and the determined efforts of staff across the agency to deliver the quality of service which the public is entitled to expect.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of staff(a) joining and (b) leaving the Child Support Agency for each of the last 24 months for which figures are available; what was the total number of employees of the agency in each month during that period; and if he will make a statement. [20619]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ann Chant to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 18 March 1996:

  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency staffing.

  The total number of employees of the Agency from February 1995 to January 1996 inclusive is shown in the attached table. This also shows the fluctuations in staffing levels for each month in that period. Information on the numbers of staff leaving and joining the Agency each month during this period is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member shortly with the outstanding information.

  The figures do not include information on staff within the Belfast Child Support Agency Centre. This is because staffing issues at this centre are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Staff-in-post for the period 1 February 1994 to 31 January 1996

  Month

  1994

  1995

  1996

  January

  —

  5,799.0

  6,298.7

  February

  4,677.5

  5,830.5

  —

  March

  4,685.0

  5,965.4

  —

  April

  4,731.0

  6,055.0

  —

  May

  4,779.0

  6,047.1

  —

  June

  4,874.0

  6,045.9

  —

  July

  5,074.0

  6,029.9

  —

  August

  5,322.0

  5,989.8

  —

  September

  5,456.0

  6,064.9

  —

  October

  5,650.0

  6,146.5

  —

  November

  5,749.5

  6,139.1

  —

  December

  5,829.0

  6,220.9

  —

  178
  Staff-in-post figures up to and including February 1995 are shown as full-time equivalents. They are shown as whole-time equivalents thereafter.

  Mr Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken to complete child support assessments. [19725]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The average time for making an assessment is around 30 weeks but in straightforward cases, where both parents co-operate, the agency aims to complete the process in six to 12 weeks.

  Benefits Agency Medical Service
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current situation in respect of privatisation of the Benefits Agency medical service; and if he will make a statement. [19726]

  Mr. Burt
  The work of the Benefits Agency medical services with the exception of policy and adjudication functions, will be contracted out to the private sector.

  A competitive process is to be undertaken to select the most appropriate companies to provide a medical service for the Benefits Agency. The process will commence shortly with the placement of an advertisement inviting expressions of interest from private sector companies. The award of contracts is scheduled for April 1997.

  HGV Drivers (Eyesight Testing)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which social security benefits will be available for drivers of heavy good vehicles affected by the forthcoming European Community regulations on eyesight. [19886]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Many of those adversely affected by the forthcoming EC directive on driving licences will find other employment, either with their existing employer or elsewhere. Others will have opportunities for retraining. Those remaining may be entitled to social security benefits, depending upon their circumstances.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the savings in respect of benefits no longer paid under the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 to(a) asylum seekers with children, (b) persons housed under the homelessness legislation, and (c) other persons seeking asylum. [21597]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The estimated savings in respect of benefits no longer paid to asylum seekers with children are £50 million in 1996–97, rising to £107 million in 1997–98. Estimated savings for those housed under the homelessness legislation are not available. Estimated savings for other persons seeking asylum are £68 million in 1996–97, rising to £147 million in 1997–98.

  Notes:

  1.Figures are based on income support and housing benefit administrative statistics for 1994, uprated in line with departmental forecasts and Home Office estimates of asylum applications.

  2. Figures relate to income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit and jobseeker's allowance combined.
  179
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the savings to his Department as a result of the implementation of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 in respect of housing benefit no longer paid. [21598]

  Mr. Evans
  The estimated savings in respect of Housing Benefit no longer paid to asylum seekers are £60 million in 1996–97, rising to £130 million in 1997–98.

  Note:

  Figures are based on housing benefit administrative statistics for 1994, uprated in line with departmental forecasts and Home Office estimates of asylum applications.

  Figure 16—Replacement ratios for the working population1

  Number with replacement ratios at or above each level2 3 4

  19855

  1992–936

  1993–947

  1994–958

  000

  Per cent.

  000

  Per cent.

  000

  Per cent.

  000

  Per cent.

  100 per cent.+

  60

  0.5

  5

  91

  10

  9—

  10

  9—

  90 per cent.+

  210

  1.5

  35

  0.3

  40

  0.3

  35

  0.3

  80 per cent.+

  730

  5.2

  160

  1.2

  175

  1.3

  190

  1.4

  70 per cent.+

  1,870

  13.4

  445

  3.2

  465

  3.5

  505

  3.8

  1 Calculated for benefit units selected from FES data where the head works 30 hours or more a week. Excludes the self-employed and pensioners. Estimates are cumulative.

  2 Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 5,000 (subject to a margin error of 20,000). Proportions are rounded to the nearest 0.1 per cent., and any change of 0.5 percentage points is statistically significant.

  3 Estimates assume full receipt of benefit entitlement both in and out of work and are based on income from all sources after housing costs. Figures for 1990–91 and 1991–92 incorporate the effects of the community charge benefit and the independent taxation of husbands and wives.

  4 Estimates for 1985 make arbitrary allowance for travel-to-work costs. However the use of a single figure to represent such costs is inadequate, and survey evidence suggests that up to one in three employees may have no travel to work costs. For those reasons, estimates for 1980–90 onwards make no allowance for travel to work costs.

  5 Extrapolated from the 1982, 1983 and 1984 family expenditure survey.

  6 Extrapolated from the 1987, 1988 and 1989 family expenditure survey.

  7 Extrapolated from the 1988, 1990 and 1991 family expenditure survey.

  8 Extrapolated from the 1990, 1991 and 1992 family expenditure survey.

  9 Indicates case load less than 0.1 per cent.

  This replaces the information published in the 1995 departmental report which unfortunately was in error as a result of a computer modelling problem.

  State Retirement Pension
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of allowing people to claim a full state pension from the age of 60 years. [19715]

  Mr. Heald
  The estimated cost of allowing people to claim a full state pension from the age of 60 is £15 billion in 2025 and £12 billion in 2035.

  Notes

  1. These costs are based on estimates of an equal state pension age of 65 published in "Pensions Bill 1994, Report by the Government Actuary on the Financial Provisions of the Bill on the National Insurance Fund" (December 1994 Cm 2714), and on estimates of an equal state pension age of 60 published in "Options for Equality in State Pension Age" (December 1991, Cm 1723). All estimates have updated to 1995–96 prices, and do not take account of changes to invalidity benefit and contracting-out since then.

  2. The change in SPA is assumed to be implemented from 2010 to 2020.

  3.Costs assume that the proportion of men who claim basic retirement pension at age 65 at present would claim at age 60 under the proposed scheme.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the level at which age-related rebates for appropriate personal pensions should be set. [19728]

  Mr. Heald
  Representations from a range of interested parties were received in response to the Government Actuary's consultation paper issued in August 1995.

  Benefit Replacement Ratios
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he holds on benefit replacement ratios in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [22056]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is in the table.

  4. The baseline costs assume that state pension ages are equalised at 65 in 2020 in accordance with the provisions of the Pensions Act 1995.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of paying the state retirement pension on the day when the pensioner reaches pensionable age. [13142]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Bradley) on 23 October 1995,Official Report, columns 485–86. Unfortunately, there was a factual error in the reply. The correct information is as follows.

  The estimated gross cost of paying state retirement pension from the day the pensioner reaches state pension age is £14 million.

  This figure includes basic and additional pension and cases who are awarded after reaching minimum pension age.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people's national insurance contributions record leaves them without entitlement to a full retirement pension; and how many of these are(a) women below retirement age and (b) women above retirement age. [20736]
  181
  Mr. Heald
  At 31 March 1995, there were 4,642,330 people over state pension age whose national insurance contributions record leaves them without entitlement to a full retirement pension. Of these, 4,449,500 were women. The information is not available for people under state pension age.

  Child Support
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent changes have been made to the system of child support; and if he will make a statement. [17007]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  A number of changes have been made to the child support scheme over the past year. These include:

  an allowance in the formula for travel-to-work costs and provision to recognise existing property and capital settlements;

  a cap on maintenance assessments which restricts the amount an absent parent is assessed to pay to a maximum of 30 per cent. of net income;

  changes to streamline administration including simplifications in the review procedures and in the definitions of housing costs and earnings for the purposes of the maintenance assessment;

  provisions paving the way for the introduction of future changes which will allow for a departure from the formula assessment in prescribed circumstances, and for the payment of a child maintenance bonus to parents with care moving off benefit into work.

  These changes have been made in the light of live running of the scheme in order to address the main areas of concern, avoid undue hardship for the parents involved and enable the Child Support Agency to operate more effectively.

  April 1995

  May 1995

  June 1995

  July 1995

  August 1995

  September 1995

  October 1995

  November 1995

  December 1995

  January 1996

  Total

  Birmingham1

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11,308

  Exams performed

  —

  31

  740

  1,775

  2,816

  4,430

  6,803

  7,658

  5,040

  6,832

  36,125

  Failures to attend2

  —

  51

  149

  316

  550

  839

  1,317

  1,671

  1,622

  1,949

  8,468

  Bootle

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,858

  Exams performed

  —

  37

  1,271

  2,521

  3,352

  3,819

  4,550

  4,777

  3,758

  4,851

  28,936

  Failures to attend

  —

  7

  57

  399

  598

  1,049

  1,189

  1,441

  1,124

  1,291

  7,155

  Bristol

  Exams schedules

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,250

  Exams performed

  —

  15

  465

  1,385

  2,383

  2,653

  2,757

  2,957

  2,394

  3,038

  18,047

  Failures to attend

  —

  7

  47

  193

  458

  575

  739

  700

  605

  589

  3,913

  Caridff

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10,893

  Exams performed

  —

  0

  899

  2,724

  3,921

  4,880

  4,585

  5,747

  3,804

  5,734

  32,294

  Failures to attend

  —

  2

  75

  432

  623

  962

  948

  1,197

  895

  1,205

  6,339

  Edinburgh

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3,890

  Exams performed

  —

  112

  809

  1,666

  1,819

  2,421

  2,793

  3,158

  2,301

  2,847

  17,926

  Failures to attend

  —

  4

  3

  64

  196

  413

  434

  627

  579

  704

  3,024

  Glasgow

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,460

  Disability Living Allowance
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the extent to which hospitals are accumulating funds from the mobility component of the disability living allowance being received by patients. [16283]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Departmental officials had discussions with a number of NHS trusts throughout Great Britain last summer. These suggest that this was a considerable problem in the past but is now rare.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many examinations for the all-work test of capacity have been scheduled but have not yet taken place in each of the 11 medical services centres; [20165]

  (2) what proportion of people who have been examined for the all-work test since April 1995 are new claims; [20167]

  (3) how many people have (a) failed to return the IB50 all-work test questionnaire and (b) failed to attend an examination for the all-work test in each month since April 1995 for each of the 11 medical services centres; [20175]

  (4) how many people have been examined for the all-work test of incapacity (a) in total and (b) during each month since April 1995, for each of the 11 medical services centres. [20179]

  Mr. Burt
  Information is not available in the format requested. At 31 January 1996, 319,449 incapacity benefit all-work test examinations had been performed. Available information for individual medical centres is given in the table.
  183

  April 1995

  May 1995

  June 1995

  July 1995

  August 1995

  September 1995

  October 1995

  November 1995

  December 95

  January 1996

  Total

  Exams performed

  —

  435

  1,909

  2,241

  3,614

  3,911

  4,604

  5,129

  3,986

  4,423

  30,252

  Failures to attend

  —

  89

  248

  407

  938

  1,223

  1,333

  1,543

  970

  1,514

  8,265

  Leeds

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,1301

  Exams performed

  —

  62

  1,670

  2,491

  4,046

  5,874

  6,007

  6,677

  5,065

  7,205

  39,097

  Failures to attend

  —

  13

  129

  225

  595

  1,036

  1,193

  1,670

  1,416

  1,319

  7,596

  Manchester

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10,757

  Exams performed

  —

  96

  1,338

  2,029

  3,820

  4,497

  4,697

  4,834

  4,008

  6,068

  31,387

  Failures to attend

  —

  4

  173

  336

  499

  1,199

  1,070

  1,395

  1,335

  1,769

  7,780

  Newcastle

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4,960

  Exams performed

  —

  42

  913

  1,518

  2,724

  3,621

  3,736

  3,998

  2,886

  4,356

  23,794

  Failures to attend

  —

  21

  75

  182

  359

  649

  674

  601

  400

  532

  3,493

  Sutton

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8,081

  Exams performed

  —

  32

  1,099

  2,864

  3,487

  3,715

  4,184

  5,616

  3,915

  5,845

  30,757

  Failures to attend

  —

  76

  174

  391

  622

  968

  1,153

  1,339

  848

  1,043

  6,614

  Wembley

  Exams scheduled

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9,262

  Exams performed

  —

  43

  741

  2,204

  4,190

  4,642

  4,822

  5,102

  3,966

  5,124

  30,834

  Failures to attend

  —

  15

  127

  199

  840

  1,041

  1,461

  1,167

  992

  1,243

  7,085

  1Figures include those for Nottingham.

  2Number of examinations scheduled but not yet taken place as at 31 January.

  1. Failures to attend relate to appointments rather than individual benefit claimants.

  Payments (Indian Sub-continent)
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the value of the social security payments dispatched to the Indian sub-continent in each of the last 10 years. [19794]

  Mr. Heald
  [holding answer 11 March 1996]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  £

  1990

  12,076,092

  1991

  12,403,954

  1992

  13,851,020

  1993

  14,805,616

  1994

  16,107,573

  1995

  17,722,346

  1.Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  2.Figures have been rounded to nearest £1.

  3.The figures include details for Retirement Pension, Widow's Benefit and War Pensions.

  Fraud Freeline
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what analysis his Department has made of those phone calls received under the pilot fraud referral freeline service Operation Speakeasy; and if he will make a statement. [20866]

  Mr. Heald
  Analysis of calls made to the pilot freephone fraud referral lines is currently being conducted. The results of the pilot are expected to be available at the end of March 1996.

HEALTH

  Adverse Drug Reactions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the rate of reporting by general practitioners via the yellow card system since 1 October 1995. [20065]

  Mr. Malone
  Suspected adverse drug reaction reports are received through the yellow card scheme from general practitioners, hospital doctors, dentists and coroners directly and via pharmaceutical companies. Between 1 October 1995 and 29 February 1996, 4,546 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions were received from general practitioners compared with 4,866 reports over the same period in 1994–95. The difference in number of reports is a consequence of the major campaign to immunise children with measles-rubella vaccine which was carried out in November 1994.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of drugs issued on prescription by general practitioners to which patients have an adverse reaction. [20886]

  Mr. Malone
  The Medicines Control Agency receives reports of suspected adverse reactions to licensed medicinal products via the yellow card scheme. A report of a suspected reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the medicine. As the scheme is voluntary, not all adverse reactions are reported. Therefore an estimate of the proportion of drugs issued on prescription by general practitioners to which patients have an adverse reaction can not be made from the available data.

  Pensions (Abatement Rules)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the abatement rules announced on 11 July 1991,Official Report, columns 425–26, apply to members of staff given service-related severance payments by an NHS trust and re-employed by a health authority in the same area; and if he will make a statement. [20387]

  Mr. Malone
  The abatement rules announced in 1991 generally still apply. National health service pensions are subject to abatement where an employee returns to NHS employment before age 60.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20540]

  Mr. Horam
  Comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested.

  Adoption Bill
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the draft Adoption Bill. [20788]

  Mr. Bowis
  A draft of the proposed Adoption Bill will be issued shortly in the form of a consultation document.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will(a) introduce a statutory disregard of capital resources for those in need of long-term social and nursing care and (b) give a higher priority to the well being of this group; and if he will make a statement. [20656]

  Mr. Bowis
  The legislation and guidance for local authorities contained in the "Charging for Residential accommodation Guide" clearly state the amount of capital that must be disregarded for charging for residential accommodation. The development of services for older people—(the majority in this group)—has been and remains one of the Government's priority areas. The new capital limits being introduced from April will enable them to retain a minimum of £10,000 of their capital assets.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for new measures on long-term care. [19727]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government will consult shortly on proposals to encourage people to make provision for long-term care, as announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement on 28 November 1995.

  Residential Accommodation (Charges)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the final allocation in 1996–97 to Hereford and Worcester county council in respect of costs incurred as a result of the raising from 8 April of the capital limits for charges for residential accommodation. [20756]

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 14 March 1996]: The final allocation for Hereford and Worcester will be £765,086.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average length of time it takes for his Department to pay pharmacists for their NHS contract work; [21111]

  (2) what plans he has to shorten the time taken by his Department when paying pharmacists for their NHS contract work. [21112]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggars) on 12 December 1995,Official Report, column 580.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many increases there have been in the cost of NHS prescriptions since 1979. [21124]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 12 March,Official Report, column 776.

  NHS Management
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he has issued in respect of the performance-related element of the chief executives of NHS trusts, regional health authorities and district health authorities. [20856]

  Mr. Malone
  National health service trusts boards are accountable for the proper appointment, appraisal and remuneration of their senior executives and, as in all their functions, boards must have regard to the public service values of accountability, probity and openness enshrined in the codes of conduct and accountability issued to NHS boards in April 1994. The code of accountability requires all NHS boards to establish a remuneration and terms of service committee to exercise proper control of executive board member's remuneration.

  For those staff employed on the national terms and conditions for general and senior managers, guidance has been issued periodically on performance-related pay in a series of health service guidelines, health circulars and personnel memoranda, copies of which are in the Library.

  Medical Students
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the training of medical students. [20858]

  Mr. Malone
  Under the Medical Act 1983 the education committee of the General Medical Council has the statutory responsibility for determining the skills and knowledge required for the granting of primary medical qualifications in the United Kingdom.

  General Practitioners
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of out-of-hours general practitioners co-operatives and the number of general practitioners included in these co-operatives; [20859]
  187
  (2) how many out-of-hours general practitioner co-operatives there were in each of the last five years. [20885]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners' premises are currently below minimum standards (i) by region and (ii) nationally. [20879]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) on 30 January,Official Report, column 711.

  Consultants (Accident and Emergency)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency consultants have been in post in each of the last five years. [20883]

  Mr. Malone
  The information for England is shown in the list.

  1990: 200

  1991: 220

  1992: 240

  1993: 260

  1994: 270

  (Numbers rounded to the nearest 10; latest available figures; figures were as at 30 September in the relevant year; source: Medical and Dental Workforce Census 1990 to 1994).

  Child Supervision
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce his decision following the recent consultation exercise on supervised activities and holiday play schemes used by children under eight years of age; and if he will make a statement. [20903]

  Mr Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 18 March Official Report, column 324.

  Temazepam
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what clinical guidelines have been issued on the prescribing of temazepam capsules as opposed to temazepam tablets. [21009]

  Mr. Bowis
  In October 1995, issue No. of the chief medical officer's update, issued to all doctors in England, notified a ban on the national health service prescribing by general practitioners of the capsule formulation of temazepam from 1 January 1996 and advised on measures taken to increase controls over temazepam generally. British National Formulary No. 31, March 1996, page 151, draws specific attention to the risks associated with the misuse of temazepam capsules. A copy of CMO's update and the British National Formulary have been placed in the Library. Temazepam tablets remain available to meet all clinical needs.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died in each of the last five years from abuse of temazepam capsules. [21010]
  188
  Mr. Bowis
  The number of deaths certified as due to abuse of temazepam—ICDs1 304.1, 304.7, 304.8. 305.4, 305.9—alone or with other drugs for the years 1990–94 in England and Wales is

  1990: 12

  1991: 13

  1992: 15

  1993:15

  1994: 22

  The available data do not differentiate between the different formulations of temazepam that may be available in any one year.

  Note

  1Internal Classification of Disease ninth revision.

  Generic Prescriptions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Heath what is the average percentage of generic prescriptions by(a) non-fundholding and (b) fundholding general practitioners. [20882]

  Mr. Malone
  The percentage of generic prescriptions written by non-fundholding general practitioners in England and dispensed in 1994–95 is 50.5 per cent. The equivalent figure for fundholding general practitioners is 55.3 per cent.

  Notes

  1. The data cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England.

  2.The analyses are based on prescriptions written by GPs and dispensing doctors in England only, wherever they are dispensed

  Casualty Admissions
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions to casualty departments there have been in each of the last five years. [20884]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is set out in table 4 of the statistical bulletin "NHS hospital activity statistics: England 1984 to 1994–95", copies of which are available in the Library. This shows the number of attendances at accident and emergency departments in NHS hospitals.

  Competitive Tendering (Contracts)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21033]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health and its agencies competitively tender for all their contracts.

  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Acute Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute psychiatric beds are available(a) in total and (b) per head of population in the North West region. [21421]

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

  Average daily number of available short-stay beds—wards open 24 hours—NHS hospitals: North West region —mental illness 1994–95

  Number of beds1

  2Number of beds per 100,000

  2,011

  47.8

  1 Source of data: Department of Health KHO3 returns.

  2 Based on OPCS estimate of 4,206,500 as resident population.

  1. Definition of short-stay: an element of the component of the ward classification intensity of care (psychiatric). Facilities for the mentally ill who are intended to stay less than one year.

  2. The table excludes places in special hospitals and NHS secure wards, which are not defined in this way.

  3. "Bed availability for England", a copy of which is in the Library, contains information by individual National Health Service providers, i.e., trusts, directly managed units and the special health authorities, with summary tables for England. Data are collected by broad ward classification rather than by clinical specialty and returns are made on a financial year basis. 1994–95 is the latest year for which data are available.

  Life Expectancy
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the average life expectancy for(a) women and (b) men by health authority. [21667]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 15 February,Official Report, columns 686–87.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have died while on waiting lists in each of the last three years; and if he will indicate the treatment for which they were waiting. [21675]

  Mr. Horam
  Information is collected on removals from waiting lists but does not differentiate between the various reasons, which include death. Emergencies are always treated immediately and patients who need urgent treatment are given priority.

  Residential Care (Capital Allowance)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources are being made available to local authorities to reflect the changes to the capital allowance for those in residential care. [19723]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff) on 5 March,Official Report, column 189.

  Intensive Care
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average annual cost of providing an intensive care bed; and if he will provide a breakdown of the main costs involved. [21163]
  190
  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inquiries his Department has held into intensive treatment unit beds in each year since 1979; and if he will indicate their date. [21502]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health has commissioned three inquiries on intensive care since 1979. The "Study of Provision of Intensive Care in England, 1993" was published in January 1995.

  An inquiry called "Investigation into the Neurosurgery Patient Transfers" was published in March 1995. It was jointly commissioned by the Department.

  In addition, the Department contributed to the funding of a report of a multi-disciplinary working party on paediatric intensive care published by the British Paediatric Association in December 1993.

  Copies of the documents are available in the Library.

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those organisations which were short listed for the purchase of the headquarters in Harrogate of the former regional health authority. [21525]

  Mr. Malone
  Following pre-tender qualification, the companies invited to tender for the new headquarters of the Northern and Yorkshire regional office in Durham, which also included the requirement to purchase the former headquarters of the Yorkshire regional health authority in Harrogate, were:

  Wickes Properties Ltd.

  Grantchester Group plc

  Durham County Council

  Dysart Developments Ltd.

  Doctors
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical doctors qualified in each year since 1970. [21485]

  Mr. Malone
  The information available relates to the number of degrees awarded in medicine and is collected by the higher education funding councils. This information is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to compensate local authorities for additional costs from the implementation of the Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1996 in respect of their statutory duties under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 and Children Act 1989. [21594]

  Mr. Bowis
  On 11 January,Official Report, columns 331–65, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for

  191
  Social Security announced that the Government proposed to assist local authorities with any unavoidable additional costs arising under the homelessness legislation or the Children Act 1989.

  The Government have since decided that a special grant under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act
  192
  1988 will cover 80 per cent. of social services authorities' unavoidable additional expenditure above a certain threshold.

  The grant will be paid in arrears on the basis of evidence submitted by authorities. Threshold levels have yet to be determined.

  Sir David Hannay: Attendance at Bilderberg Conference
  Sir David Hannay: Attendance at Bilderberg Conference
  Taiwan: Chinese Military Exercises
  Taiwan: Chinese Military Exercises
  Torture
  Torture
  Ukraine: ECGD Cover
  Ukraine: ECGD Cover
  Burma: UK Investment
  Burma: UK Investment
  Prisons: Cognitive Skills Programmes
  Prisons: Cognitive Skills Programmes
  Schools Access Initiative: Grants
  Schools Access Initiative: Grants
  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Acts of Parliament: Internet Publication
  Acts of Parliament: Internet Publication
  Irish Republic EC Funding: UK Contribution
  Irish Republic EC Funding: UK Contribution
  Armed Forces: Ethnic Minority Recruitment and Promotion
  Armed Forces: Ethnic Minority Recruitment and Promotion
  Paramilitaries: Resettlement
  Paramilitaries: Resettlement
  Prisoners Convicted of Terrorism: Release During IRA Ceasefire
  Prisoners Convicted of Terrorism: Release During IRA Ceasefire