Written Answers of 27 March 1996

TRANSPORT

  HGV Drivers (Eyesight Tests)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates he received letters from officials of the Transport and General Workers Union requesting meetings to discuss the European driving licence directive, 91/439/EEC; what was his response; and if he will make a statement. [23066]

  Mr. Norris
  The national secretary of the road transport (commercial) division of the Transport and General Workers Union wrote to me on 22 January commenting on the new eyesight standards for drivers of large goods vehicles and passenger carrying vehicles and requesting a meeting to discuss this; I received a further letter on 22 February again requesting a meeting. I replied fully to the first letter on 6 March setting out the considerations underlying the new requirements and did not therefore consider that a meeting could usefully take matters forward. I confirmed this in a letter of 13 March. I replied to a further letter, dated 11 March, on 18 March.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated concerning the number of (i) fatal and (ii) other accidents, concerning the drivers of heavy goods vehicles in each of the last five years; and in respect of how many such accidents the cause was attributed to the heavy goods vehicles' drivers wearing glasses, contact lenses, or having below standard eyesight. [23076]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies that I gave to earlier questions covering the same issue, recorded in the Official Report dated 6 February, column 302 and 8 February, columns 157–58.

  Mr. Dixon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral statement of 6 March,Official Report, column 306, if he will name the 95 bodies consulted; and which bodies were in favour and which opposed to the continuation of grandfather rights. [22891]

  Mr. Norris
  Those consulted are as listed.BUSINESS

  1. Trade Associations

  (I) General Business Interest

  Alliance of Small Firms and Self Employed People

  Association of British Chambers of Commerce

  CBI

  CBI Wales

  CBI Scotland

  Forum of Private Business

  National Chamber of Trade

  The National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses Ltd.

  590

  (II) Trade/Employers Associations

  Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators

  Association of Tanker Container Operators

  Association of Local Authority Bus Managers

  British Association of Removers

  British Retailers Association

  British Road Federation

  Building Employers Federation

  Builders Merchants Federation

  Coach Operators Federation

  Community Transport Association

  Construction Plant Hire Association

  Dairy Trade Federation

  Federation of Public Passenger Transport Employers

  Freight Transport Association

  Institute of Road Transport Engineers

  National Owner Drivers Association UK

  National Playbus Association

  Road Haulage Association

  Showman's Guild of Great Britain

  Wales Community Transport Operators Association

  2. Employees Representative Bodies

  Fire Brigades' Union

  National Joint Committee for Young Large Goods Drivers

  National Union of Road Transport Operatives

  National Union of General and Municipal Workers

  Road Transport Association

  Trades Union Congress

  Transport and General Workers Union

  United Road Transport Union

  3. Insurance Industry

  Motor Insurers Bureau

  Association of British Insurers

  Lloyds Motor Underwriters Association

  4. Motor Trade

  Retail Motor Industry Federation

  Scottish Motor Trade Association Ltd.

  Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.

  SPECIALIST

  1. Medical

  Association of British Dispensing Opticians

  Association of Optometrists

  British Medical Association

  College of Ophthalmologists

  The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians

  Medical Committee on Accident Prevention

  Society of Opticians

  2. Road Safety

  Accident Officers Association

  Association of Independent Road Safety Officers

  Association of London Borough Road Safety

  Officers Institute of Road Safety Officers

  Parliamentary Advisory Council of Transport Safety

  Road Operators Safety Council

  Safety Training Advisory Council

  591

  3. User/Transport Interest

  Confederation of Passenger Transport UK

  Institute of Transport Administration

  Motorcycle Action Group

  National Advisory Unit for Community Transport

  Pedestrians Association

  Scottish Community Transport Group

  4. Motoring Organisations

  Automobile Association

  Royal Automobile Association

  . Driving Instructors

  Approved Driving Instructors

  Approved Driving Instructors of Scotland

  Driving Instructors Scottish Council

  Institute of HGV Driving Instructors

  Institute of RAC Registered Instructors

  Motor Schools Association of Great Britain

  National Association of Approved Driving Instructors

  Road Transport Industry Training Board

  5. Others

  Keep Death Off Our Roads (K-Door)

  National Council for Civil Liberties

  6. Press

  Commercial Motor Magazine

  Motor Transport Magazine

  GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

  1. Central Government

  Department of Employment

  Home Office

  Department of Environment, Northern Ireland

  Welsh Office

  2. Police

  Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)

  ACPO Scotland

  3. Courts

  Justices Clerks Society

  4. Local Authorit

  Association of County Councils

  Association of District Councils

  Association of Metropolitan Authorities

  Association of London Authorities

  Convention of Scottish Local Authorities

  London Boroughs Association

  National Association of Local Councils

  Welsh Office of the Association of District Councils

  Committee of Welsh District Councils

  5. Others

  States of Guernsey

  Isle of Man

  States of Jersey

  Sixteen of the above organisations responded: 11 supported abolition of grandfather rights; five opposed. We did not advise those consulted that their responses might be made public and therefore in line with established practice individual respondents are not identified.
  592

  London Underground
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce(a) delays on London Underground and (b) the number of station closures (i) for over 15 minutes due to attributable causes and (ii) due to repair work. [22946]

  Mr. Norris
  Responsibility for minimising delays and temporary station closures on the underground is an operational matter for London Underground Ltd. However, I have recently set new quality of service objectives for LUL to achieve by March 1999, with interim objectives for 1996–97. These objectives include higher targets for service reliability and for customer satisfaction with the quality of train service, and a new target for the percentage of scheduled train miles operated.

  All of the targets are set out in the table.

  Percentage

  1995–96

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1989–89

  Measure

  target

  to date

  target

  target

  Train service regularity (percentage headways achieved)

  95.7

  95.8

  95.7

  96.2

  Percentage schedule operated

  —

  96.4

  96.5

  97.2

  Ticket purchase (percentage queuing under 3 minutes)

  98.0

  97.5

  98.0

  98.0

  Escalator availability

  92.0

  92.7

  92.0

  94.5

  Lift availability

  95.0

  95.7

  96.0

  96.0

  Train service CSR

  77.0

  76.0

  76.0

  78.0

  Train and station information CSR

  —

  73.0

  73.0

  76.0

  Customer security and safety CSR

  83.0

  82.0

  83.0

  83.0

  Staff helpfulness and availability CSR

  69.0

  68.0

  69.0

  71.0

  Train and station cleanliness CSR

  —

  68.0

  69.0

  71.0

  CSR = Customer Satisfaction Rating.

  London Transport
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to provide the bulk of funds to London Transport announced by the Secretary of State in 1991. [22947]

  Mr Norris
  Grant for London Transport in 1992–93 was paid in line with that announced in the 1991 autumn statement. The plans then announced for grant in later years have been superseded by subsequent years' announcements. The Government's current plans for the provision of grant for London Transport were announced in the unified Budget in November 1995.

  Departmental Secondment
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the individuals, by name, civil service post and receiving company, who are on temporary secondment from his Department to industry as part of the continuing programme of interchange of staff with the private sector. [22791]
  593
  Mr. Norris
  The information is set out in the table.

  Transport secondees to private sector

  Name

  Grade in civil service

  Company seconded to

  Mr. Steve D. Allen

  7

  J. Henry Schroder & Co. Ltd.

  Mr. William Hills

  7

  Union Railways Ltd.

  Mr. Alan Jeffs

  7

  Black Country Development Corporation

  Ms Lynda Jones

  SEO (part time)

  Cispotel (lifeboat fund-charity)

  Mr. John H. Mairs

  SPTO

  International Atomic Energy Agency

  Mr. Nick Patel

  7

  Bristol Development Corporation

  Motorways (New Service Areas)
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on providing access from the motorway network to new motorway service areas; and if he will make a statement. [23721]

  Mr. Watts
  The Highways Agency is consulted on all planning applications for new motorway service areas—MSAs. It will not normally object so long as the proposal meets a range of minimum requirements relating to the facilities to be provided and the spacing of the site from other MSAs, and provided the proposed access arrangements are acceptable in safety and traffic management terms. As a matter of policy, however, we do not expect to connect new MSAs to any motorway which, because of exceptional traffic circumstances, has been or is expected to be widened to dual five lane standard. To do so would invite further congestion on what are the most heavily used parts of the motorway network

  Weighbridges
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trials are currently being undertaken in the United Kingdom of weighing-in-motion weighbridges; and what proposals he has to implement them nationally. [23300]

  Mr. Norris
  The Vehicle Inspectorate is trialling weigh-in-motion equipment at three sites. The results of the trials will inform decisions on how such equipment might be used most effectively to support enforcement against overloading.

  Highways Agency Expenditure
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the expected outturn expenditure of the Highways Agency for the financial year 1995–96, broken down between (i) assessment, strengthening, repair and upgrading of structures, (ii) capital maintenance of roads, (iii) motorway control and communications equipment, (iv) network enhancements, (v) national schemes, (vi) routine maintenance, (vii) research and development 594
  and (viii) other activities; and what proportion, by value of the work planned for 1995–96 in the Highways Agency's business plan, is expected to be completed within this financial year. [22757]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 27 March 1996:
  The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question in which you asked for details of the expected outturn of the Highways Agency for the financial year 1995–96. I attach detailed forecasts, broken down into the categories which you requested, which were prepared on the basis of outturn figures available at the end of February. I expect the final outturn to be rather higher but still within the Agency's overall Vote of £1782m.
  You also asked what proportion, by value of the work planned for 1995–96 in the Business Plan, is expected to be completed within this financial year. The Agency is on course to meet all of the targets in the Business Plan, as amended by Ministers in January.

  Forecast Outturn 1995–96 £ million

  (i) assessment, strengthening, repair and upgrading structures

  108.1

  (ii) capital maintenance of roads

  303.7

  (iii) motorway control and communications equipment

  48.6

  (iv) network enhancements

  67.3

  (v) national schemes

  775.6

  (vi) routine maintenance

  161.5

  (vii) research and development

  11.8

  (viii) other activities (including Preparation and Supervision and Land)

  410.6

  Total Programme Forecast (Gross)

  1,887.2

  Total Programme Forecast (net of appropriations-in-aid)

  1,749.2

  Note:

  Routine Maintenance includes Routine and Winter Maintenance and Communications Maintenance.

  Source:

  February 1996 MMR and 1996–97 Business Plan.

  Forth Rail Bridge
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much British Rail and its successor bodies have spent on the painting of the Forth rail bridge in each of the last four financial years, and in the current financial year; and what changes have occurred in the method used for painting the bridge. [22843]

  Mr. Watts
  On the question of costs, I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 22 November 1995, column 150.

  I understand that the painting methodology changed in the early 1980s when British Rail began moving from a short-term cycle of repainting to a long-term cycle.

  Aircraft Movements
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 March,Official Report, columns 308–9, what records the Civil Aviation Authority maintains of aircraft taking off and landing without allocated slots. [21733]
  595
  Mr. Norris
  The CAA does not maintain records specifically of aircraft taking off or landing without being allocated a runway slot.

ENVIRONMENT

  Organic Pollutants
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government will support the efforts of the UN environment programme to draw up a global, legally binding treaty to ban the most dangerous identified persistent organic pollutants at the forthcoming meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development. [22265]

  Mr. Gummer
  The UK has played a major role in developing a proposed protocol on persistent organic pollutants under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe convention on long-range transboundary air pollution. The Government support the United Nations Environment Programme initiative to build on this work and will play an active role in its development.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to draw up a national plan of action(a) to end the United Kingdom's use of the most dangerous identified persistent organic pollutants and (b) to phase out the disposal of raw sewage and industrial waste in rivers and oceans. [22266]

  Mr. Gummer
  The 12 most dangerous persistent organic pollutants identified by the United Nations Environment Programme are no longer used in this country, except for polychlorobiphenyls, the use of which is being phased out.

  In line with the requirements of the urban waste water treatment directive, an implementation programme, which includes the provision of treatment for all significant discharges of sewage, has been established. A copy of this programme is in the Library of the House.

  The discharge of industrial waste from prescribed processes is controlled by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. In issuing permits, it requires dischargers to apply the best available techniques not entailing excessive costs.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the operators of purpose-built incinerators concerning the Government's policy statement, "Making Waste Work". [22955]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have received a number of representations from organisations representing the industry.

  Drinking Water
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated average cost per gallon of treating drinking water drawn from(a) reservoirs, (b) rivers and (c) groundwater. [22980]
  596
  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The information requested is not held by my Department.

  Trafford Home Improvement Services
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what actions have been taken by his Department since the liquidation of Trafford Home Improvement Services to safeguard(a) public money and (b) moneys owed to owner-occupiers and building firms; and when these actions were taken; [23043]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the position of creditors of Trafford Home Improvement Services; [23044]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the discussions he has held with Trafford council in respect of the liquidation of Trafford Home Improvement Services; [23045]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the liquidation of Trafford Home Improvement Services in Trafford, Greater Manchester; [23046]

  (5) if he will make a statement on the relationship between his Department, Trafford council and Trafford Home Improvement Services, with reference to appointments to that body or concerning that body which were made by him, or by Trafford council and the financial regulations which he imposed; [23047]

  (6) when his Department was made aware of the financial position of Trafford Home Improvement Services which led to its liquidation; and what action his Department took. [23048]

  Mr. Clappison
  In early February, my Department was informed by Trafford council that Trafford Home Improvement Services had gone into voluntary liquidation. Trafford Home Improvement Services is a private company limited by guarantee, used by Trafford council to provide home improvement agency services in its area. None of the directors or guarantors of the company is appointed by the Government. I am unable, therefore, to comment on the position of the creditors. It is understood that the receivers appointed by the creditors will prepare a report in due course.

  Local authorities are invited each year to submit bids for grant towards the costs of providing home improvement agency services in their area. Authorities are responsible for agreeing individual budgets produced by home improvement agencies and for claiming grant on their behalf. In view of the collapse of Trafford Home Improvement Services, the Department has asked for a full report from Trafford council on affairs of the agency. The Department is also seeking to establish whether the authority has breached any of the grant conditions and, if appropriate, will seek recovery of grant.

  The Department has agreed to fund Trafford council's costs in employing an official for one month to assist with the orderly closure of the agency. Care and Repair Ltd., the national co-ordinating body appointed by the Government to advise on home improvement agencies, is also closely involved with the programme of work to wind up the affairs of the agency.
  597

  Departmental Cash Limits
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits for 1995–96. [23438]

  Mr. Gummer
  I propose to make the following changes:

  (a) The DOE/HC (Housing Corporation) non-voted cash limit, covering grants and capital expenditure by the Housing Corporation in England, will be increased by £4,316,000 from £1,149,089 to £1,153,405,000. The increase is to fund an additional £2,820,000 in respect of city challenge expenditure; and to effect a transfer of £1,496,000 from current to capital expenditure under the rough sleepers' initiative.

  (b) The DOE/LACAP (local authority capital) non-voted cash limit will be increased by £1,649,000 from £1,924,064,000 to £1,925,713,000. The increase is due to take up of end-of-year flexibility for supplementary credit approvals to local authorities to enable funding of projects within the Housing Partnership Fund. The EYF entitlement of £933,000 was announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82, but was subsequently recalculated following revised forecast outturn data. The increase will be charged to the reserve and will therefore not add to the planned control total of public expenditure.

  (c) The DOE/RCW (regeneration and countryside and wildlife) non-voted cash limit will be decreased by £2,262,000 from £1,504,274,000 to £1,502,012,000. The decrease is the net effect of a transfer of £2,820,000 to the non-voted cash limit for the Housing Corporation (DOE/HC), to allow expenditure on city challenge projects financed by the Housing Corporation in England and an increase met by a transfer of £558,000 from the cash limit on class VII, vote 4 to allow the issue of supplementary credit approvals in respect of the urban programme.

  (d) The external financing limits will be increased for urban development corporations by £500,000 from £259,514,000 to £260,014,000 to allow Merseyside development corporation to bring forward regeneration projects; and for housing action trusts by £2,855,000 from £89,979,000 to £92,834,000 to accelerate progress on the redevelopment of housing action trust estates.

  (e) The DOE/OES (other environmental services) non-voted cash limit will be increased by £4,703,000 from £32,832,000 to £37,535,000. This increase reflects the take up of end year flexibility (£2,310,000) as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82, to fund increases in provision for: contaminated land; recycling; and, Isles of Scilly water and sewerage supplementary credit approvals. The increase also includes a technical transfer of £2,393,000 from the DOE/NT (new towns) non-voted cash limit in respect of local authority contributions to the Commission for the New Towns under road cost sharing arrangements. The increase will be used to provide supplementary credit approvals to local authorities to cover their capital contributions to the Commission for the New Towns.

  598

  (f) The DOE/NT (new towns) non-voted cash limit will be reduced by £2,025,000 from -£125,000,000 to -£127,025,000. The reduction is the result of additional receipts of £2,393,000 from local authorities financed by the increase in DOE/OES described above. In addition, there is a decrease of £315,000 resulting from a change in the final EFL (from nil to -£315,000) of the former Letchworth Garden city corporation which ceased to exist on 30 September. This is offset by an increase of £683,000 through take up of end year flexibility as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82. I draw attention to the presentation of the DOEINT (new towns) non-voted cash limit for 1995–96 in the Summary and Guide to the Supply Estimates 1995–96 (Cm. 2775). It incorrectly showed the cash limit to be -£134,301,000 instead of the correct figure of -£125,000,000.

  (g) The external financing limits for the British Waterways Board will be increased by £200,000 from £49,640,000 to £49,840,000. The increase arises from savings on other sub-heads within vote 3 (environmental protection and water) and it will fund additional capital and maintenance expenditure.

  (h) The cash limit for class VII, vote 4, (local government and planning, England) covering sections A to F of that vote, will be reduced by £558,000 from £30,086,810,000 to £30,086,252,000. This change is to allow savings due to lower charges for Valuation Office Agency non-domestic rating work on section A (valuation services) to be transferred to the non-voted cash limit for regeneration and countryside and wildlife to allow the issue of supplementary credit approvals for the urban programme.

  All the increases will be offset either by savings or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  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; and if he will supply the information in the same form as his answer of 7 February, Official Report, column 201. [23073]

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

  Month

  Requests for information

  Grant applications

  February 1995

  27,322

  42,801

  February 1996

  53,874

  58,551

  March 1995

  18,805

  32,390

  March 1996 (until 22nd)

  37,398

  43,450

  599

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Merseyside Fire Brigade
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the current situation in the Merseyside fire brigade dispute; and if he will make a statement. [22494]

  Mr. Sackville
  The dispute is a local matter about changes to leave arrangements proposed by Merseyside fire and civil defence authority. I understand that the authority and the Fire Brigades Union are engaged in talks at the Advisory, Consiliation and Arbitration Service and I hope that these discussions will lead to an early end to the dispute. In the interim, military assistance to provide fire cover if there are further strikes continues to be available to the fire and civil defence authority.

  Loyal Orange Lodge (Liverpool)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many marches have been made by the Loyal Orange Lodge on the streets of Liverpool in each of the past three years; how many police were involved in policing the marches; what was the cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [22450]

  Mr. Maclean
  The deployment of police resources and details of police arrests at particular events in Liverpool are operational matters for the chief constable of the Merseyside police. Such information is not held centrally.

  Immigration (Computers)
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for introducing computers into the handling of immigration casework. [23566]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The immigration and nationality department has developed a programme to computerise the handling of immigration casework in order to deliver improvements in service, to strengthen the administration of the control and to produce substantial efficiency savings. A seven-year contract is to be awarded to Siemens Business Services under the private finance initiative, by means of which the company will design, build, finance and operate a comprehensive new information technology system for this purpose and assist IND in the introduction of appropriate working methods.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the effect of the national lottery on charitable income. [23567]

  Mr. Howard
  The national lottery has provided an unparalleled source of new funds for charities and the voluntary sector generally. The National Lottery Charities Board has so far made awards totalling £159 million, exclusively for the benefit of the voluntary sector. Furthermore, a very large part of the awards from the other lottery distributors has gone to the voluntary sector. Of the £1 billion allocated so far to arts, sports, heritage and millennium projects, almost £400 million has been awarded to voluntary sector organisations. This means that almost 50 per cent. of available lottery moneys for 600
  good causes has gone to charities and voluntary organisations. As the lottery continues, similar sums of money will be available to the sector year on year.

  The claims which have been made so far have been based on surveys in which people state whether they have made any recent unplanned donations. These surveys say little about the size of donations, nor about whether any changes in giving are due to the lottery. A wide range of economic and social symptoms has been blamed on the lottery, from a decline in savings to a reduction in cinema attendances; but the causal link, not least for charities, is far from clear. The situation is further complicated by the fact that, while there are charities which have seen donations declining since the introduction of the national lottery, others have reported an increase.

  During the passage of the National Lottery etc. Bill, the Government gave a commitment to monitor changes in charities' income following the introduction of the Lottery. With the participation of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the Government have set up a research programme to look at charities' income before and after the lottery was established. Provisional findings should be available by late spring, more comprehensive findings by next year and final results by early 1998.

  Examination of charities' accounts is a more reliable and factually based method of approaching this issue than surveys of the public can be. It is, however, inevitably a longer-term exercise and, in the meantime, public surveys, a useful but secondary method of researching the issue, remain the main source of information. While this is the case, firm conclusions cannot be drawn.

  John Kearney
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the escape of John Kearney from prison officer custody. [21753]

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

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 27 March 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to your recent Question about the escape of John Kearney from prison officer custody.
  Mr. Kearney has served nine years of a life sentence. In August 1995, he successfully completed an escorted visit to his aged father who could not travel and whose health was failing. Mr. Kearney made a second request to visit his father. The governor, having taken into consideration Mr. Kearney's successful completion of an escorted visit, his continued good prison behaviour and his father's health, decided to allow another escorted visit.
  Mr. Kearney was handcuffed during the journey, but on the instructions of the governor, the handcuffs were removed on arrival. Mr. Kearney made good his escape by going out the front door and locking it, the officers were unable to follow. The escape was reported to the police and a thorough search of the area was conducted. Mr. Kearney is still at large. An investigation into the escape was ordered by the area manager responsible for Kingston.
  The investigation report into the escape is currently with the area manager responsible for Kingston who will decide what action needs to be taken.
  601

  Life Sentences
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of those convicted(a) twice and (b) more than twice for each of the last five years for each offence for which a lift sentence is imposable by discretion, were sentenced to (i) life, (ii) a determinate sentence of (1) 20 years or more, (2) 15 years or more, (3) 10 years or more and (4) under 10 years by type of offence; in respect of how many of those cases, in each category, the Attorney-General referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal; and if he will make a statement. [23033]

  Table 1: Offenders convicted twice of an offence carrying a discretionary life sentence

  Sentence length

  Offence1 2

  Less than 10 years

  10 years or more

  15 years or more

  20 years or more

  Life

  Total

  Manslaughter

  Number

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm

  Number

  25

  2

  —

  —

  —

  27

  Percentage

  93

  7

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Possession of firearms with intent

  Number

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Buggery

  Number

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Percentage

  67

  33

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Rape

  Number

  6

  1

  —

  —

  3

  10

  Percentage

  60

  10

  —

  —

  30

  100

  Aggravated burglary

  Number

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Percentage

  67

  33

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Robbery

  Number

  70

  1

  —

  —

  —

  71

  Percentage

  99

  1

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Kidnapping

  Number

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  False imprisonment

  Number

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Arson

  Number

  8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  All offenders

  Number

  123

  6

  —

  —

  3

  132

  Percentage

  93

  5

  —

  —

  2

  100

  1 Previous convictions are for any offence carrying a discretionary life sentence.

  2 There are several offences which carry a discretionary life sentence for which there were no second convictions in the sample weeks. These are attempted murder, unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13, incest with a girl aged under 13, conspiring to commit murder, endangering railway passengers, hijacking, criminal damage endangering life, possession or use of explosives with intent to endanger life or to do grievous bodily harm.

  602
  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The information requested is not collected routinely and data for each of the last five years are not available. A sample of those convicted in five weeks of 1993–94 for indictable offences includes 1,086 offenders convicted of offences carrying a discretionary life sentence. Some 132 offenders in the sample had been convicted twice of offences carrying a discretionary life sentence and 50 had been convicted more than twice. The sentence length given to these repeat offenders in the sample is shown for each offence in the tables. Information is not available on referrals to the Court of Appeal for the offenders included in the sample.

  603

  Table 2: Offenders convicted more than twice of an offence carrying a discretionary life sentence

  Sentence length

  Offence1 2

  Less than 10 years

  10 years or more

  15 years or more

  20 years or more

  Life

  Total

  Manslaughter

  Number

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm

  Number

  6

  1

  —

  —

  —

  7

  Percentage

  86

  14

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Buggery

  Number

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Rape

  Number

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Percentage

  50

  —

  —

  —

  50

  100

  Robbery

  Number

  32

  —

  —

  —

  1

  33

  Percentage

  97

  —

  —

  —

  3

  100

  Kidnapping

  Number

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  False imprisonment

  Number

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  Arson

  Number

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Percentage

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  100

  All offenders

  Number

  47

  1

  —

  —

  2

  50

  Percentage

  94

  2

  —

  —

  4

  100

  1 Previous convictions are for any offence carrying a discretionary life sentence.

  2 There are several offences which carry a discretionary life sentence for which there were no second convictions in the sample weeks. These are attempted murder, unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 13, incest with a girl aged under 13, conspiring to commit murder, endangering railway passengers, hijacking, criminal damage endangering life, possession or use of explosives with intent to endanger life or to do grievous bodily harm

  Casinos and Bingo Clubs
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reference number was given to the consultation paper concerning the deregulation of casinos and bingo clubs published on 27 February; to whom it was sent; how many copies were printed: if it is available from(a) Her Majesty's Stationery Office and (b) other outlets; and at what price. [22767]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The consultation paper on casinos and bingo clubs has the reference number ISBN: 1858935725.

  A full list of those consulted is given in appendix 1 to the paper. In addition, copies were sent to all hon. Members. Approximately 2,200 copies of the paper were printed.

  The paper is not available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office but can be obtained, free of charge, direct from the Home Office.

  Prisons (Drug Testing)
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make changes to the methods used for the mandatory drug testing of women prisoners. [22663]
  604
  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 Ms Janet Anderson, dated 27 March 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question regarding the methods used for the mandatory drug testing of women.
  The introduction of mandatory drug testing into women's prisons followed a thorough consideration of the issues involved. Mandatory drug testing procedures are subject to constant review and refinement. There are no immediate plans to alter the methods used for the mandatory drug testing of women.

  Director General of the Prison Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to date to fill the vacant position of the Director General of the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [21086]

  Mr. Howard
  I am considering the matter carefully and will make an announcement as soon as possible.
  605

  Reconviction Rates
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest reconviction rates two years and four years after release for(a) adults, (b) 15 to 17-year-olds and (c) 18 to 21-year-olds, breaking down the figures by gender. [22462]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The most recent available information is as follows:

  Two year reconviction rates1 for sentenced prisoners discharged from Prison Service establishments during 1992

  England and Wales

  Age at sentence

  Males

  Females

  Total

  Aged 15–17

  82

  256

  81

  Aged 18–203

  68

  49

  68

  Aged 18–21

  65

  48

  65

  All young offenders

  72

  51

  71

  Adults

  45

  36

  45

  Total

  52

  38

  511

  1 Relates to convictions for "standard list" offences only. These offences include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences. Rates are based on a sample of prisoners.

  2 This figure is based on only 59 discharges.

  3 Figures are supplied for those aged 18 to 20 in addition to those aged 18 to 21 as prisoners aged 21 at sentence are included among adults.

  Four year reconviction rates1 for sentenced prisoners discharged from Prison Service establishments during 1988

  England and Wales

  Age at sentence

  Males

  Females

  Total

  Aged 15–17

  87

  66

  87

  Aged 18–202

  75

  59

  74

  Aged 18–21

  73

  57

  73

  All young offenders

  79

  61

  78

  Adults

  58

  43

  57

  Total

  65

  47

  64

  1 Relates to convictions for "standard list" offences only. These offences include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences. Rates are based on a samples of prisoners.

  2 Figures are supplied for those aged 18 to 20 in addition to those aged 18 to 21 as prisoners aged 21 at sentence are included among adults.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Industrial Death and Redevelopment Scheme
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who was the last guarantor for the industrial death and redevelopment scheme. [22997]

  Mr. Page
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation, which remains liable to meet all entitlements under the industrial death and retirement scheme.

  Marathon Oil Well (Douglas Head)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the decision by Marathon Oil plc to drill an exploration well 5.6 miles east-south-east from Douglas head. [22455]
  606
  Mr. Page
  The proposed drilling activity will take place in block 112/29 which falls within the Isle of Man territorial waters and is therefore a matter for the Isle of Man Government.

  Seismic Tests (Solway Firth)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the decision by Esso plc to carry out exploratory seismic operations in the Solway firth; and if he will make a statement. [22454]

  Mr. Page
  Esso Exploration and Production UK Ltd. is the licensee of blocks 112/10, 112/14, 112/15 and 113/11 in the north Irish sea, which are located to the west of the Solway firth bay closing line. The licensed area of these blocks does not extend into the Solway firth.

  These blocks were awarded in the 14th round of offshore oil and gas licensing and are subject to strict conditions—which were agreed with other Government Departments and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee—to take account of the concerns of other users of the sea and protect any environmental sensitivities which have been identified in the area. I have placed a copy of the 14th round indicative licence conditions in the Library of the House.

  The company has already completed seismic operations in the area, and is close to concluding an extensive and wide-ranging consultation exercise regarding its plans to drill. Those consulted include Government Departments, the JNCC,the fishing industry and local authorities.

  Institute of Animal Health
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many scientists and researchers were employed at the Institute of Animal Health in Edinburgh in each year since 1990 up to the current date. [22951]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The number of people in terms of full-time equivalents employed at the neuropathogenesis unit in the science grades for the respective years since 1990 is:

  Year

  Number of science employees

  1990

  25

  1991

  30

  1992

  40

  1993

  41

  1994

  36.5

  1995

  26

  1996

  33

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those of his Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which(a) the Government are required to consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) the Government are required to publish their response to advice supplied by them. [21865]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: My Department is not required to consult its advisory non-departmental public bodies prior to

  607
  legislative proposals, although it does so whenever appropriate. Nor is it required to publish its response to advice supplied by advisory non-departmental public bodies.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency Offices (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency offices there have been in Wales in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [22375]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Benefits Agency was established in 1991 and the information requested from that date is set out in the table:

  Main processing offices

  Public caller outlets

  1991

  37

  38

  1992

  37

  38

  1993

  37

  38

  1994

  36

  39

  1995

  35

  40

  1996

  34

  41

  National Insurance (Actors)
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has (i) to take actors out of class 1 national insurance and (ii) to consult them before implementing such plans; and if he will make a statement. [22697]

  Mr. Heald
  We have been considering for some time the implications of treating actors as self-employed for national insurance purposes as the majority are now for tax purposes and we have already consulted widely on the matter. We have written to the British Actors' Equity Association and other performers' representatives to invite them to further discussions.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Somalia
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of(a) food stocks in Somalia, (b) the number of people suffering malnutrition in Somalia and (c) the possibility of famine in Somalia in the coming months. [23078]

  Mr. Hanley
  The food supply situation in Somalia has been affected by insecurity, erratic rains and pest infestation. The World Food Programme estimates a 1996 food shortfall of about 150,000 tonnes. The WFP plans to distribute 2,500 tonnes per month to meet immediate needs. To date, it has pledges of 39,000 tonnes.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of(a) the internal conflict in Somalia and (b) the capacity
  608
  for reconciliation; and what measures are being taken, or are planned, by (i) Her Majesty's Government and (ii) the EU to assist such reconciliation. [23079]

  Mr. Hanley
  We remain concerned at the instability in Somalia caused by factional fighting. A return to peace can be achieved only by agreement among the Somalis themselves. We are supporting efforts by the EU and UN to encourage national reconciliation.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made, and what discussions have taken place, between Her Majesty's Government and British and non-British non-governmental organisations of the possibility of making food aid available in Somalia; and what assessment he has made of the security of that food aid and of the people involved in distributing it. [23080]

  Mr. Hanley
  My noble friend Baroness Chalker and officials are in regular contact with international NGOs about food aid needs throughout the Horn of Africa. We have no outstanding requests for food aid for Somalia. We remain ready to consider further assistance if needs increase. In doing so, we would take into consideration the provision of adequate security for the food aid and those distributing it.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Indonesian police officers have received training in the maintenance of public order in each year since 1990 under the police management training project(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Indonesia by United Kingdom police officers. [22876]

  Mr. Hanley
  The training provided under this project has included courses on personnel management, business administration, training management, organisation development, leadership, and training for trainers, as well as attachments to UK police forces. It has not included training in the maintenance of public order.

  Research Establishments
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which former public sector research establishments in the Overseas Development Administration have been privatised since 1979; and which public sector research establishments in the Overseas Development Administration are currently undergoing reviews with a view to placing them in the private sector. [21940]

  Mr. Hanley
  From 1979 to date, no ODA research establishment has been transferred to the private sector. Over the period, a number of separate bodies were brought together to form the Natural Resources Institute. The transfer of the NRI to the private sector is in progress; a preferred bidder was announced on 5 March,Official Report, column 166.
  609

TREASURY

  Income Tax
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was taxable income after all allowances and reliefs as a percentage of total taxpayers' income in(a) 1979, (b) 1983, (c) 1987, (d) 1992 and (e) the latest year for which figures are available. [20344]

  Mr. Jack
  Estimates based on the survey of personal incomes are given in the table. A comparable figure is not available for 1996–97. For years prior to 1994–95, the married couple's allowance and mortgage interest relief affected the calculation of taxable income. From 1994–95, these have been available at a specified rate, so they no longer affect the calculation of taxable income. Taxable income—after allowances and reliefs given at marginal rates—on the new basis as a percentage of total taxpayers' income is estimated to be 73 per cent. in 1996–97.

  Year

  Taxable income after all allowances and reliefs as a percentage of total taxpayers' income (per cent.)

  1978–79

  61

  1982–83

  62

  1986–87

  59

  1991–92

  62

  1996–97

  —

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the additional annual revenue which would be raised from Welsh taxpayers if the basic rate of income tax were increased from 24 to 25 per cent. [22688]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: It is not possible to provide a reliable breakdown below United Kingdom level for 1996–97. The latest available information is for 1993–94. The full-year yield from an increase in the basic rate of tax under the 1993–94 tax regime and at 1993–94 income levels is £1,600 million for the United Kingdom and £60 million for Wales.

  Privatisation
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines the Government have produced in relation to prospectuses for privatisation of public utilities. [20693]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: At the time of an initial or subsequent offer, the Government, as seller of the shares, and the company concerned, as issuer of the shares to be sold, are subject to the same legal and regulatory framework as other vendors or issuers. There are no guidelines relating specifically to the prospectuses for offers of shares in privatisations.
  610

  Public Sector Borrowing
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which years since 1978–79 the public sector borrowed more than was required to finance its net capital spending. [22389]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: The public sector borrowing requirement exceeded net capital spending in the years 1978–79 to 1985–86 inclusive and 1991–92 to 1994–95 inclusive.

  Small Pension Schemes
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total number of small self-administered pension schemes at the most recent date for which figures are available. [23055]

  Mr. Jack
  Information held by the Inland Revenue's pension schemes office shows that there are currently about 28,000 small self-administered pension schemes.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Inland Revenue staff are engaged in work relating directly to the administration of small, self-administered pension schemes. [23054]

  Mr. Jack
  Approximately 60 full-time staff units of the Inland Revenue's pension schemes office are engaged in work relating directly to the tax approval and monitoring of small self-administered pension schemes. In addition, some staff in local tax offices are periodically involved in this work, as a consequence of dealing with the tax affairs of specific companies and individuals.

  Personal Tax Allowance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue which would be raised by restricting the value of the personal tax allowance to relief of tax at the 24 per cent. rate and below. [22833]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The estimated full-year yield at 1996–97 income levels from restricting personal allowances to the basic rate is £1.6 billion.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the full year cost to the Exchequer of raising the value of the personal tax allowance by(a) £100, (b) £200, (c) £300, (d) £400, (e) £500, (f) £1,000, (g) £1,500 and (h) £2,000. [22832]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: Estimates are given in the table.

  Estimated full year costs at 1996–97 income levels (£ billion)

  Increase in non aged and aged personal allowances

  Full year cost £ billion

  100

  0.6

  200

  1.2

  300

  1.8

  400

  2.4

  500

  3.1

  1,000

  6.0

  1,500

  9.0

  2,000

  11.5

  611

  Married Couple's Allowance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present annual cost to the Exchequer of the married couple's allowance. [22830]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The estimated full-year cost at 1996–97 income levels is £3.3 billion. This includes the cost of allowances related to the married couple's allowance—the additional personal allowance and the widow's bereavement allowance.

  Taxation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the addition to Exchequer revenues which would result from raising the basic rate of tax from 24 per cent. to 25 per cent. in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–2001. [22834]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The estimated full-year yield would be about £1.6 billion at 1996–97 income levels. The yields for future years would depend on levels of incomes, tax reliefs and allowances in those years.

  Mortgage Interest Tax Relief
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present annual cost to the Exchequer of mortgage interest tax relief at source. [22831]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: In 1995–96, the estimated total cost of mortgage interest relief is about £2.7 billion, of which £2.6 billion is given through the MIRAS—mortgage interest relief at source—scheme.

  These figures are based on the assumption, by convention, of no change from the current estimated average building society interest rate of 7.3 per cent. The rate of relief is 15 per cent.

  VAT (Historic Buildings)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost of ending the payment of value added tax on repairs to historic buildings. [22690]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The best estimate is £60 million per year.

  Tobacco Duty
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the full-year revenue effect of raising the level of tobacco duty by the equivalent of 5p extra on a standard packet of cigarettes. [22691]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The Treasury publication "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs" shows that the estimated full-year revenue effect of raising the level of tobacco duty by 5p is £175 million.

  Duty (Hydrocarbon Oils)
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to prevent 612
  avoidance of duty on hydrocarbon oils by mixing products after the duty has been paid. [23503]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Subject to a resolution of the House, the Government will be bringing forward two new clauses at the report stage of the Finance Bill. These clauses will ensure that duty at the appropriate rate will have to be paid if non-dutiable kerosene is added to diesel road fuel, or to gas oil for use in off-road vehicles respectively. The first new clause will also ensure that lead or octane enhancers cannot be added to unleaded petrol by distributors or retailers without the higher rate of duty being paid. Both new clauses will come into force on a date to be specified in an order made by the commissioners of Customs and Excise.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the law covering the duty on hydrocarbon oils. [23507]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Customs and Excise will shortly be starting a major review of the legislation covering the way hydrocarbon oil duty is charged with the aim of bringing forward proposals next year for having it set out more clearly and simply. Customs will be consulting fully with the trade and other interested parties. The intention is not to review the rates of duty charged or the current rebates and exemptions or the time at which duty is charged, matters on which the Chancellor of the Exchequer will make his decisions in the normal way, but to put the existing provisions in a simpler and more robust format which will be better able to cope with the introduction of new products.

  Valuation Office
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets will be set for the Valuation Office executive agency for the year 1996–97. [23504]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The following key targets have been set for the Valuation Office in 1996–97:Operational

  to clear 100,000 appeals against the council tax valuation lists;

  to clear 330,000 appeals in aggregate against the 1990 and 1995 rating lists;

  to undertake 64,000 valuation cases for the Inland Revenue for capital gains tax and inheritance tax purposes.

  Financial and cost efficiency

  to ensure that the agency's net operating cost, after deducting the cost of statutory non-chargeable work, is at least fully covered by receipts;

  to break even from year to year within each business segment, after charging for the full cost of chargeable services including notional interest of 6 per cent. on the average working capital;

  to achieve efficiency savings of 7.9 per cent. on the agency's gross expenditure.

  Quality of service

  to reply to 100 per cent. of correspondence within 20 working days of receipt;

  to achieve specified time limits on 97 per cent. of cases undertaken;

  to achieve a specified valuation quality standard in 85 per cent. of cases carried out.

  Further details are set out in the agency's forward plan, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House on publication.
  613

  Government Borrowing
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the Government's borrowing programme for 1996–97. [23505]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Yes. The Government today published the 1996–97 debt management report. This report, the second of the series, includes details of the 1996–97 borrowing programme and the Government's remit to Bank of England for gilt sales in 1996–97. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Sales of Debt
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish a remit for sales of debt by the Department for National Savings. [23506]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The remit for the Department for National Savings for 1996–97 is as follows:Objectives

  The Department for National Savings' declared aim is to support the Government's management of their debt and their policies for personal savings by attracting and retaining investments from the retail market efficiently and cost-effectively.

  The Department's primary task is therefore to be an efficiency and cost-effective source of funding for Her Majesty's Government. It is also charged with maintaining a suitable range of schemes to encourage savings among the population.

  Volume of Funding in 1996–97

  The net contribution of national savings to funding in 1996–97 is assumed to be around £3.0 billion.

  Responsibilities

  The Treasury is responsible, under the National Loans Act 1968, for setting the terms of national savings products. DNS will normally take the lead in bringing forward proposals to Treasury Ministers on product terms, including rates.

  Cost Comparisons

  The Government intend that National Savings' contribution to funding should offer value for money overall compared with other sources of funding. Product terms will take account of the need for DNS to retain the capability and market presence to contribute to the Government's funding needs over the medium term.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987–88; how many were not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the grounds that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21150]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The figures for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments since 1987–88 are in the table.614

  Year

  Oral questions

  Written questions

  1987–88

  354

  2,205

  1988–89

  264

  1,275

  1989–90

  247

  1,461

  1990–91

  227

  1,214

  1991–92

  123

  757

  1992–93

  332

  1,775

  1993–94

  220

  1,285

  1994–95

  235

  1,761

  1995–96

  87

  639

  These figures have been produced from the POLIS—parliamentary on-line information system—database. The figures reflect the number of questions answered and should be treated as indicative only; because of certain factors, complete accuracy on departmental activity cannot be provided.

  The further information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Fish Farming
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, what the annual production of table-sized rainbow trout from the 104 fattening ponds has been in each of the last 10 years. [21799]

  Mr. Ancram
  This information is not available. The licences under which these small ponds operate precludes the sale of the fish produced.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, which Government Department sanctions and licences the movements of the live juvenile rainbow trout from the fish farms which supply to each of the fattening ponds. [21803]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, if he will list by title and location each of the ponds where rainbow trout are artificially fed. [21811]

  Mr. Ancram
  A list of the names and addresses of those holding fish culture licences for garden ponds has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, if he will publish the licences of recorded movements of juvenile rainbow trout from the fish farms which supply each fattening pond. [21805]

  Mr. Ancram
  A copy of the permits issued during 1995 under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 which authorise the movement of live fish and which relate to the supply of juvenile rainbow trout from the fish farms which supply each pond has been placed in the Library of the House.
  615
  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, how often the ponds are tested for enteric red mouth disease. [21809]

  Mr. Ancram
  No routine disease monitoring is undertaken at these ponds where production is not permitted to exceed 500 fish per annum. Testing for a range of diseases, including enteric redmouth is carried out when exposure to infection is suspected and when abnormal mortalities or disease outbreaks are reported as required under the terms of fish culture licences.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, what information the operators of the ponds are required to provide to the Fisheries Conservancy Board. [21797]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, if a fish dealer's licence is required to purchase the mature rainbow trout from the fattening ponds for supply to fishmongers, hotels and the catering trade. [21801]

  Mr. Ancram
  The supply of fish to fishmongers, hotels and the catering trade is precluded by the terms of the licences under which these ponds operate.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, how many recorded uses of chemicals at the ponds there were in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994 and (iii) 1995. [21808]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, on what date each of the 104 ponds were granted a fish culture licence under section 11 of the Fisheries Act Northern Ireland 1966. [21800]

  Mr. Ancram
  This information is contained on the list of holders of fish culture licences in respect of garden ponds which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, how many of the sites where rainbow trout are artificially fed have been granted a fish culture licence under section 11 of the Fisheries Act Northern Ireland 1966. [21804]

  Mr. Ancram
  All known sites where rainbow trout are artificially fed have been granted a fish culture licence under section 11 of the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, how often officials of the Fisheries Conservancy Board visit each of the fattening ponds. [21802]

  Mr. Ancram
  There is no routine monitoring of ponds by officials of the Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland: the monitoring of compliance with fish culture licence conditions is the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland.
  616
  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, what measures are in place to ensure that rainbow trout from the ponds have been reared to Government standards. [21806]

  Mr. Ancram
  Appropriate requirements are imposed as conditions of the fish culture licence.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, how many of the ponds are used and supplied directly by Movanagher fish farm to grow on to maturity. [21810]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 January,Official Report, column 525, if he will list the fish farms which have supplied and are currently supplying juvenile rainbow trout to the 104 fattening ponds. [21798]

  Mr. Ancram
  Historic information on those fish farms which have supplied juvenile rainbow trout to the ponds is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  During 1995, Seven Springs trout hatchery, Bush Valley fish farm and Movanagher fish farm supplied juvenile fish to ponds.

  Organised Crime
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he is taking to combat organised crime. [23509]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government are continuously seeking to enhance the effectiveness of the law to combat racketeering and organised crime in Northern Ireland in a way which balances the freedom of law-abiding people to go about their business against the threat from those who would pervert this freedom.

  Our primary concern has been to counter the murderous campaigns of republican and loyalist terrorists. This will remain the case so long as it is necessary to combat the activities of groups, or a particular group, who espouse violence as a means of achieving their ends. The Government recognise that racketeering in Northern Ireland is intimately bound up with the activities of the terrorists. Indeed, the problem did not disappear during the ceasefires.

  There has never been a clear distinction between "terrorist" racketeering and racketeering for personal gain and the report of the Home Affairs Select Committee on Organised Crime has recently warned that combating this menace
  "should not be hindered by concern about what is and is not 'organised' crime".

  This is why we are taking a number of measures to strengthen the law in dealing with organised crime—no matter what its motivation.

  It is vital that those who are willing to testify against criminals are properly protected. Included in the Criminal Procedures and Investigation Bill are proposals which protect the fairness of trials from being prejudiced by intimidation: it will be possible for acquittals to be

  617
  reopened where there has been an offence involving intimidation of witnesses and jurors. In the same Bill, the rules of disclosure in advance of trial are to be recast, with the intention of reducing the risk of unmeritorious acquittals, as where a prosecution has to be stopped to protect the identity of informers. And we hope shortly to bring forward proposals for a new offence of witness intimidation. In other areas, changes which will enable the security services to become involved in the investigation of serious crime will extend to Northern Ireland. No less importantly, we will be taking steps to strengthen and update the law on the confiscation of the proceeds of criminal activity of any nature, in the draft Proceeds of Crime (Northern Ireland) Order which I hope will be laid soon.

  I will also be looking for ways to enable improved co-operation and exchange of information between the RUC and other forces, whether this concerns intelligence, information technology, DNA samples or other issues. I will look carefully at arrangements between police forces to make sure that arrangements which best serve the needs of the RUC and other forces in the UK are implemented in Northern Ireland. I am also considering ways to facilitate the sharing of information between different agencies and to make sure that Northern Ireland can benefit from full participation in new arrangements at the international level.

  Numbers and percentages of unemployed claimants in travel to work areas' on 8 February 1996

  Travel-to-work area

  Total unemployed by travel-to-work area

  Percentage unemployed

  Males

  Females

  Total

  Males

  Females

  Total

  Ballymena

  1,735

  611

  2,346

  10.0

  4.5

  7.6

  Belfast

  32,498

  9,414

  41,912

  13.7

  5.3

  10.2

  Coleraine

  4,084

  1,132

  5,216

  17.3

  6.9

  13.1

  Cookstown

  1,356

  341

  1,697

  18.4

  8.7

  15.0

  Craigavon

  5,330

  1,460

  6,790

  12.7

  4.9

  9.5

  Dungannon

  2,134

  574

  2,708

  17.1

  7.5

  13.5

  Enniskillen

  2,512

  570

  3,082

  16.4

  6.2

  12.5

  Londonderry

  7,756

  1,544

  9,300

  22.4

  6.4

  15.8

  Magherafelt

  1,531

  400

  1,931

  16.3

  6.6

  12.5

  Newly

  4,682

  1,042

  5,724

  22.0

  7.8

  16.5

  Omagh

  2,081

  508

  2,589

  16.2

  6.0

  12.2

  Strabane

  2,076

  373

  2,449

  23.3

  7.8

  17.9

  Northern Ireland total

  67,775

  17,969

  85,744

  15.3

  5.7

  11.4

  1 Travel-to-work areas are designated by the name of the major town in the area. Some of them coincide with a single District Council area and some are made up from several District Council areas.

  2 All rates are based on the estimated workforce at June 1994.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Attorney-General what amounts of money have been paid out by(a) his Department and (b) executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations for which he is accountable to Parliament, to how many staff or former staff in respect of (i) alleged equal opportunities breaches which do not proceed to tribunals or courts and (ii) equal opportunities breaches which proceeded to tribunals or courts in (1) the current year and (2) the two previous years. [22515]
  618

  Orders in Council
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the annual number of extra Northern Ireland Orders in Council that will flow from the proposed Deregulation and Contracting-out Order in Council. [14546]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 13 February 1996]: A composite deregulation Order in Council will be introduced next year and as frequently as necessary thereafter, to carry forward in Northern Ireland, as appropriate, changes being made in Great Britain under the order-making powers in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 and any measures unique to Northern Ireland.

  Unemployment
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current number of(a) men and (b) women unemployed (i) as a percentage of the work force and (ii) in total for each council or other convenient geographical area. [22010]

  Mr. Ancram
  Travel-to-work areas are the only geographical areas within Northern Ireland for which both unemployment numbers and rates are available. Male, female and total figures for Northern Ireland TTWAs at 8 February 1996 are shown in the following table:

  The Attorney-General
  No such payments have been made by the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Government Property Lawyers or the Serious Fraud Office.

  The Crown Prosecution Service has made the following payments in respect of alleged equal opportunities breaches which did not proceed to tribunals or courts:

  1994: 2 payments of £4,000 each to existing staff.

  1995: 1 payment of £17,595.80 to a former member of staff.

  1996: Nil.

  619

  Electro-shock batons
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will seek to prosecute(a) SMDS, (b) J and S Franklin, (c) Compass Safety International/Compass Maritime, (d) CCS, and (e) Civil Defence Supply for their role in the supply of electro-shock batons. [22978]

  The Solicitor-General
  The question of prosecution does not arise unless there has been a prior criminal investigation. These companies to which the hon. Member refers have not featured in the investigation carried out by the Ministry of Defence police. If she has any evidence tending to support allegations that these companies or their employees have committed criminal offences, then she should make it available to the police.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what amounts of money have been paid out by(a) her Department and (b) executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations for which she is accountable to Parliament, to how many staff or former staff in respect of (i) alleged equal opportunities breaches which do not proceed to tribunals or courts and (ii) equal opportunities breaches which proceeded to tribunals or courts in (1) the current year and (2) the two previous years. [22518]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is set out in the following table:

  Financial year

  (a) (i)

  (a) (ii)

  (b) (i)

  (b) (ii)

  1995–96

  1 person £1,000

  2 people £5,000 + £ 12,000

  1 person £1,000

  —

  1994–95

  —

  —

  1 person £16,105

  —

  1993–94

  —

  —

  1 person £500

  1 person £1,500

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines are currently in force in her Department and its executive agencies relating to competitive tendering and the use of single negotiated tenders; on what grounds single negotiated tenders can be used; and what procedures are in place within her Department to ensure that the use of single negotiated tenders in competitive tendering processes is justified in all cases. [22847]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Written guidance is fully in accordance with Government procurement policies, including the principles set out in the recent White Papers "Competing for Quality" and "Setting New Standards" and compliant with the EC procurement directive has been disseminated to staff.
  620
  Tendering processes are designed to ensure that the Department achieves best value for money when entering into contracts. Single tender action is undertaken only after justification has been provided to, and written agreement received from, senior management.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded by her Department and its executive agencies on the basis of single negotiated contracts in each of the last three years; if she will list the companies involved and the value of the contract in each case; what percentage this represented of contracts awarded by her Department and its agencies after competitive tendering; and, in each case, why the contracts were awarded on the basis of a single negotiated tender. [22861]

  Mr. Squire
  Information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions have taken place with(a) the voluntary sector, (b) trade unions and (c) other groups to encourage people from outside the private sector to join training and enterprise council boards of directors; and if she will make a statement. [22173]

  Mr. Paice
  The membership of training and enterprise council boards is a matter for individual TECs, subject to the requirements for two thirds of the board to comprise chief executives or senior directors of private-sector organisations. The remaining directors must be chief executives or their equivalents from education, economic development, trade unions, voluntary organisations or the public sector.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research her Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the local consequences of the mergers between training and enterprise councils and chambers of commerce; and if she will make a statement. [22174]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department has commissioned independent consultants to look at the impact of training and enterprise council-chamber mergers. They have been asked to report their findings by November 1996.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will take steps to improve the communication and consultation between training and enterprise councils and local democratically elected bodies; and if she will make a statement. [22175]

  Mr. Paice
  The Government's strategic guidance to training and enterprise councils stresses the need for TECs to work in partnership with other local organisations to meet the needs of their local communities. The criteria for the award of a three-year licence to TECs to take account of TEC participation in local partnerships.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to alter the auditing requirements of training and enterprise councils; and if she will make a statement. [22176]
  621
  Mr. Paice
  The Department is carrying out a review of training and enterprise councils audit arrangements in conjunction with the TEC National Council. Any agreed findings will be implemented as soon as practical.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action will be taken where training and enterprise councils do not fulfil the criteria for a three-year licence; and if she will make a statement. [22177]

  Mr. Paice
  After 1997, the Government do not propose to contract with training and enterprise councils which fail to meet the criteria for a licence. The round 3 licensing prospectus, due to be issued shortly, explains what happens if a TEC fails to meet the criteria. A copy of the prospectus will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will ensure that answers to hon. Members' questions on training and enterprise councils are published in the Official Report. [22178]

  Mr. Paice
  Answers to hon. Members' questions on training and enterprise councils are published in the Official Report.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what mechanisms are available to ensure that training and enterprise councils are accountable to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [22179]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils are private companies operating under contract with a number of Government Departments. They are accountable through their contract with the appropriate Secretaries of State, and through them to Parliament.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how the different costs of training schemes in different sectors are taken into account when providing funding for training and enterprise councils; and if she will make a statement. [22180]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils prepare annual business plans setting out their training proposals. Funding, based on these plans, is negotiated between the TEC and its local Government office. The extent to which the cost of training in different sectors is taken into account is an issue for negotiation between the TEC and the Government office.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines her Department issues in respect of the levels of reserves held by training and enterprise councils. [22183]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department requires each training and enterprise council to specify a prudent minimum reserve level, together with a target level to be met at the end of each operational year. The prudent minimum is determined by each TEC's directors and will include reserves earmarked for specific purposes such as funding fixed assets, financing working capital and specific projects such as business link support.
  622
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list those training and enterprise councils that currently hold more than £3 million in reserve; and if she will make a statement. [22184]

  Mr. Paice
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 29 February 1996,Official Report, column 38. This provides a list of training and enterprise councils and their reserves, as shown in their annual statutory audited accounts, at the end of the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will introduce measures to ensure that the system for measuring training and enterprise councils' performance is(a) simplified, (b) standardised and (c) gives greater value for money and efficiency; and if she will make a statement. [22186]

  Mr. Paice
  The management information collected from training and enterprise councils provides a sound basis for measuring and comparing TEC performance. We are always looking, with TECs, to improve performance measurement arrangements.

  Training (Outcome-related Payments)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to bring within the system of successful outcome payments the training costs of basic skills up to NVQ level 1. [22181]

  Mr. Paice
  Payments for qualifications in basic skills below NVQ level 1 are already made. Foundation level wordpower and numberpower are payable outcomes for individuals with endorsed literacy and numeracy training needs in training for work and youth training. A separate pre-vocational training programme for unemployed adults, including basic skills, is to be piloted in 1996–97. Basic skills qualifications below NVQ level 1 will be payable in the pilots.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to alter the definition of a job placement for the purpose of outcome-related payments in order to take account of the quality and content of the position gained and the likely length of its duration. [22182]

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to alter the definition of a job placement for outcome related payments in training for work.

  Training Schemes (Administrative Costs)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the annual administrative costs of youth training and training for work schemes for all available years; and if she will make a statement. [22185]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department does not collect information on the administrative costs of individual programmes.

  Jobseeker's Allowanee
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of existing postal claimants who will no
  623
  longer be eligible to sign by post when the jobseeker's allowance is introduced (a) in total and (b) by parliamentary constituency. [22549]

  Mr. Forth
  The rules allowing certain jobseekers to make their declarations by post will change with the introduction of jobseeker's allowance. The facility will be available to people whose normal journey to or from the jobcentre would take more than one hour, or would involve an absence from home of over four hours. People whose mobility is restricted by disability will also be considered for the postal facility. We estimate that the total number of postal signers will be reduced by up to 50 per cent. from the present level of about 120,000. It is not possible to break this estimate down by parliamentary constituency.

  Firlands Training Ltd.
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to issue guidance to training and enterprise councils that they should not sign contracts with Firlands Training Ltd. of Aylesbury pending the completion of the investigations by the Department of Trade and Industry companies investigation branch under section 447 of the Companies Act 1985 into the involvement of the company's principals in the collapse of the AST group of companies. [23037]

  Mr. Paice
  As private companies, the contract between training and enterprise councils and their providers is a matter for the parties concerned.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Senior Salaries
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the annual salaries received by those covered by the Review Body on Senior Salaries(a) before and (b) after the latest awards; and in each case what was the pay increase awarded on a weekly income basis. [21746]

  Mr. Freeman
  The 18th report of the Review Body on Senior Salaries—SSRB—was published on 8 February 1996, Cm 3094. It included recommendations on the remuneration of holders of judicial office, senior civil servants and senior officers of the armed forces.

  Pay ranges and rates for all three groups before the application of the 1996 recommendations are set out in appendix D of the SSRB report.

  The Government decided to stage the awards recommended by most pay review bodies this year. The tables show the salaries payable from 1 April 1996 and from 1 December 1996 when the second stage of the award becomes payable. The weekly rates represent the weekly increase over the previous level of salary.

  For the senior civil service, the Government accepted the SSRB's recommendations for the new system of pay ranges from 1 April 1996. Details of the new pay band framework and calibration are included in chapter 2 of the SSRB report. Awards will be determined on an individual basis by the employing Department.
  624

  Members of the judiciary

  1 April 1996

  1 December 1996

  Annual salary (£)

  Weekly increase (£)

  Annual salary (£)

  Weekly increase (£)

  Group 1

  130,906

  130 (71)

  132,178

  25

  Group 2

  121,054

  119 (66)

  122,231

  23

  Group 3

  116,062

  114(63)

  117,190

  22

  Group 4

  103,425

  86 (56)

  104,431

  19

  Group 5

  88,266

  58 (47)

  89,123

  17

  Group 6

  75,978

  66 (41)

  76,716

  14

  Group 7

  62,018

  52 (33)

  62,621

  11

  The posts included in each group and details of pay variations within each group are listed in appendices C and D of the SSRB report. The 1 April increase for the judiciary includes the committed annual increase which the SSRB recommended in its 1994 report. The figures in brackets show the element of the increase which resulted from the SSRB's 1996 recommendation.

  All service personnel are paid on a daily basis and daily pay rates are produced for every rank throughout the armed forces. The weekly rates shown above have therefore been produced by multiplying the daily rates for each rank by seven and not by dividing the annual rates by 52.

  Senior officers of the armed forces

  1 April 1996

  1 December 1996

  Annual salary (£)

  Weekly increase (£)

  Annual salary (£)

  Weekly increase (£)

  Five star

  124,640

  73

  125,852

  24

  Four star

  100,255

  60

  101,233

  18

  Three star

  74,288

  67

  75,000

  13

  Two star

  65,656

  44

  66,291

  12

  The posts included in each group and details of pay variations within each group are listed in appendices C and D of the SSRB report.

  The 1 April increase for the judiciary includes the committed annual increase which the SSRB recommended in its 1994 report. The figures in brackets show the element of the increase which resulted from the SSRB's 1996 recommendation.

  All service personnel are paid on a daily basis and daily pay rates are produced for every rank throughout the armed forces. The weekly rates shown above have therefore been produced by multiplying the daily rates for each rank by seven and not by dividing the annual rates by 52.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what amounts of money have been paid out by(a) his Department and (b) executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations for which he is accountable to Parliament to how many staff or former staff in respect of (i) alleged equal opportunities breaches which do not proceed to tribunals or courts and (ii) equal opportunities breaches which proceeded to tribunals or courts in (1) the current year and (2) the two previous years. [22517]

  Mr. Willets
  The Departments, agencies and other bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible paid £51,000 in 1996 in out-of-court settlements of two cases of alleged breaches involving former members of staff.
  625

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Legislation
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) those Acts of Parliament and (b) those statutory instruments which were enacted in pursuance of the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Communities Act 1972. [19945]

  Mr. David Davis
  I have looked into the hon. Member's question. We do not hold such information centrally and could collate it only at disproportionate cost.

  Embassies and Missions (EU)
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, columns 255–58, who, on what occasion and with what authority, sanctioned the establishment by the European Union of delegations in third countries. [22769]

  Mr. David Davis
  The establishment by the European Commission of delegations in third countries falls within the Commission's power to organise its own administration. There is therefore no requirement on the Commission to obtain authority to establish these delegations, although it does consult member states before opening new delegations. Of course, all Commission spending is subject to scrutiny during the annual budget negotiations with the Council and European Parliament.

  Cyprus
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he(a) has had or (b) plans to have with Mr. Glafcos Clerides following his recent statement relating to the number of people described as missing following the events of 1974; how many Cypriots from (i) Greek and (ii) Turkish communities, are now listed as missing; and if he will make a statement. [23052]

  Mr. David Davis
  None. A UN committee on missing persons was established to investigate the fate of the missing. A total of 1,993 cases of Cypriots who remain unaccounted for have been submitted to the UN committee. We understand from the UN that 1,493 of these are Greek Cypriots and 500 are Turkish Cypriots.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had had with(a) Mr. Glafcos Clerides and (b) the Greek Government on the future resettlement of (i) Greek and (ii) Turkish Cypriots in Famagusta; and if he will make a statement. [23038]

  Mr. Davis
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 26 March 1996, column 499.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress there has been in the implementation of the United Nations confidence-building measures in Cyprus; what assessment he has made of the policy of the(a) Greek Cypriot and (b) Turkish Cypriot Governments to these confidence-building measures; when Nicosia international
  626
  airport will be reopened; when Cypriots will be allowed to resettle in Varosha; and if he will make a statement. [23018]

  Mr. Davis
  Negotiations on the United Nations package of confidence-building measures have seen no progress since June 1994. We continue to believe that these measures could make a positive contribution towards an eventual solution to the Cyprus problem.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he(a) has had and (b) plans with the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the present position of the Turkish Cypriots living in areas of southern Cyprus. [23020]

  Mr. Davis
  The high commission in Nicosia maintains close contact with the United Nations force in Cyprus humanitarian branch, which is responsible for overseeing the welfare of Turkish Cypriots living in southern Cyprus. We fully support its work in this field.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the British Government will support an official inquiry into the alleged killing of Greek Cypriots by Greek Cypriot troops during the Greek Cypriot coup d'etat in 1974. [23039]

  Mr. Davis
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 26 March 1996, column 480.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the British Government plan to remain one of the guarantor powers for Cyprus. [23019]

  Mr. Davis
  Yes.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) Mr. Glafcos Clerides and (b) the Greek Government about the number of foreign residents now living in southern Cyprus; what is his most recent estimate of the total number; and if he will make a statement. [23041]

  Mr. Davis
  None. We are responsible for the consular protection of some 7,000 British residents on the island. This does not include 200,000 or so dual nationals who are the responsibility of the Republic of Cyprus. We support the call in UN Security Council resolution 789 for a Cyprus-wide census under the auspices of the United Nations.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the Turkish Republic of Cyprus about Cyprus's membership of the European Union; what assessment he has made of the Turkish Cypriot Government's support for Cyprus's membership; and if he will make a statement. [23032]

  Mr. Davis
  Staff at the high commission in Nicosia regularly discuss Cyprus' accession to the EU with members of the Turkish Cypriot community. We welcomed Mr. Denktash's statement last December outlining the circumstances in which he would be prepared to support EU accession by Cyprus within the terms of an overall settlement.
  627

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded by his Department and its executive agencies on the basis of single negotiated contracts in each of the last three years; if he will list the companies involved and the value of the contract in each case; what percentage this represented of contracts awarded by his Department and its agencies after competitive tendering; and, in each case, why the contracts were awarded on the basis of a single negotiated tender. [22874]

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of single negotiated contracts awarded in each of the last three years is not centrally available and collection of the associated data requested could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

  Russia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the Russian assault on Sernovodsk with the Russian Government; and if he will make a statement. [22928]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We and our EU partners continue to make known our deep concerns about the continuing violence in Chechnya, most recently in the Foreign Affairs Council declaration of 25 March 1996, which refers specifically to events in Sernovodsk.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines are currently in force in his Department and its executive agencies relating to competitive tendering and the use of single negotiated tenders; on what grounds single negotiated tenders can be used; and what procedures are in place within his Department to ensure that the use of single negotiated tenders in competitive tendering processes is justified in all cases. [22858]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government's public purchasing policy consolidated guidelines require goods and services to be acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. In addition, the EC procurement directives and the world trade organisation Government procurement agreement require most contracts above specified thresholds to be graded following competition, subject to certain specified exceptions.

  Guidelines in force in the Department and the Overseas Development Administration and its executive agency reflects best purchasing practice and advocate the use of competition as an essential ingredient for the achievement of value for money for the Department, the ODA and the taxpayer. At the same time, the guidelines acknowledge that in certain circumstances it may be necessary to purchase from a single provider, either by negotiation with a monopoly or otherwise to standardise equipment or take account of (1) only one source being available for technical or quality reasons; (2) repair of original manufacture; (3) repeat order, where the supplier has the tooling, designs or artwork etc; (4) the only supplier responding to a competitive invitation to tender; (5) extreme urgency arising from circumstances outside the Department's control; (6) low value; or
  628
  (7) additional costs outweighing the benefit of renewed competition, takin into account the complexity of the service, the resources originally committed to setting it up and the cost effectiveness of change.

  It is standard practice for the reasons which justify single tender action to be recorded and approved at a senior level in advance of awarding a contract.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if the Government are funding, in whole or in part, training schemes,(a) in the Untied Kingdom and (b) elsewhere, involving members of the Indonesian special forces, the Indonesian military, police or security forces; [23056]

  (2) what specific questions participants in training schemes, which Her Majesty's Government have funded in whole or in part in other countries involving members of the Indonesian special forces—Kopassus--or the Indonesian military, police or security forces, were asked about their past activities with regard to human rights considerations. [23053]

  Mr. David Davis
  Details of training under the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme are confidential between Governments.

  Cuba
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications for United Kingdom relations with(a) the United States of America and (b) Cuba of the Cuba Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act. [23075]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have made clear to the US Administration our concern about the Helms-Burton Act. We will be urging them to use discretion in the way in which they implement the legislation, and will take whatever action we can to protect our legitimate trading interests. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said in the House on 20 March,Official Report, columns 332–36, our policy towards Cuba remains the same.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Disabled Football Supporters
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to discuss with(a) the authorities at Wembley stadium and (b) professional football clubs access for disabled supporters; and if she will make a statement. [22426]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: I have no such plans. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 creates new rights of access for disabled people. All goods, facilities and services provided to the public are covered by these rights, including those provided in sports stadia. The Act places a duty on service providers to make adjustments to their premises, where reasonable, to make them more accessible. The Government are currently consulting on the timetable for implementing the rights of access.
  629
  The Football Licensing Authority already encourages football clubs to meet the standards set out in the Government's guide to safety at sports grounds and the Football Stadia Advisory Design Council's best practice guidelines, which both include recommendations relating to spectators with disabilities. The Football Trust is also keen to encourage clubs to aim for the highest possible standard for spectators with disabilities, and always takes particular account of facilities for such spectators when looking at applications from clubs for grant assistance towards new redevelopment projects.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Research Establishments
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which former public sector research establishments in his Department have been privatised since 1979; and which public sector research establishments in his Department are currently undergoing reviews with a view to placing them in the private sector. [21943]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has none.

  Legal Aid (Marchioness Incident)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what was the value of work covered by legal aid for work by senior counsel, junior counsel or instructing solicitor in the Marchioness case before commencement of representations by the grantees on 13 March 1995; [21978]

  (2) what were the full terms, and date, of directions given by him, or on his behalf, in the context of the Marchioness legal aid grant under section 4(4)(a) of the Legal Aid Act 1968; [21976]

  (3) what was the daily or hourly rate for senior counsel, junior counsel and the instructing solicitor in the Marchioness legal aid grant; [21980]

  (4) what was the date of the grant of £200,000 given in legal aid to those involved in the Marchioness disaster; [21975]

  (5) what is the total amount paid or to be paid under the grant for the Marchioness inquest as assessed by the Legal Aid Board when satisfied that the work, as outlined in the estimate, had been carried out; [21979]

  (6) if the Marchioness legal aid grant (a) was intended to and (b) did cover payment for any work by senior counsel, junior counsel or instructing solicitor acting for the grantees before the commencement of representations from the grantees on 13 March 1995. [21977]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The direction given to the Legal Aid Board in respect of the Marchioness grant was made on 10 March 1995. The terms of the direction were as follows:"To make a grant of up to £200,000 to the firm of Christian Fisher to cover the costs of representation for the families involved in the Marchioness disaster at the forthcoming inquest. The grant is to be made from the legal aid fund under the powers given by Section 4(2)(b) of the Legal Aid Act 1988."
  630
  A number of conditions were also made under the direction. These were: that no further public funds would be made available; that the grant would enable any of the families involved who wished to be represented to have representation; that representation would cover the whole of the inquest; that there would be no claims on the grant other than those channelled through the firm of Christian Fisher; and that the grant would be released only on the production of detailed bills of costs demonstrating that the work had been carried out.

  The direction was given following representations made to the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the families concerned on 21 February 1995. The grant was a global figure, based on estimates submitted by the families' solicitors, for work by the solicitors, senior and junior counsel and two experts. The grant was intended to, and did, cover urgent preparatory work in the four days immediately preceding the start of the inquest on 13 March 1995.

  On receipt of bills submitted by the solicitors, the Legal Aid Board satisfied itself that work up to the value of £200,000 had been carried out, and paid that sum on 30 June 1995 to the firm of Christian Fisher.

  Frederick and Rosemary West
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy that any moneys raised by the sale of any book to be written by Mr. Geoffrey Mansell and commissioned by the Official Solicitor which uses copyright material from the West estate, or any other sums which drive from West memorabilia, will be used exclusively for the benefit of victims of the Wests. [22098]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Government have no involvement with the sale of rights in the West estate. The Official Solicitor, who is independent of Government, has been appointed as administrator of the West estate by the court. Like any other administrator, he is accountable to the court and, through the court to the beneficiaries.

  The distribution of the estate and any income derived from it is a matter of law. The family of a murder victim might have a claim against an offender's estate.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what amounts of money have been paid out by(a) his Department and (b) executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations for which he is accountable to Parliament, to how many staff or former staff in respect of (i) alleged equal opportunities breaches which do not proceed to tribunals or courts and (ii) equal opportunities breaches which proceeded to tribunals or courts in (1) the current year and (2) the two previous years. [22503]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Lord Chancellor is responsible for four executive agencies. As this is an operational matter, I have asked the chief executives of the Land Registry and of the Public Record Office to reply direct. The chief executives of the Public Trust Office and
  631
  of the Court Service, which became executive agencies during the period specified in the question, will reply direct in respect of the period since their creation. In respect of the Lord Chancellor's Department and all other organisations for which he is responsible, no payments to staff or former staff for breaches of equal opportunities have been made over the last three years.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 March 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply in respect of the Court Service to your Question about equal opportunities breaches and tribunals.
  Since the Court Service was established, on 3 April 1995, it has made no payments in respect of alleged equal opportunities breaches which did not proceed to tribunals or courts. The Court Service has paid £3,000 in respect of cases that did proceed to tribunals or courts.

  Letter from Julia C. Lomas to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 March 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question, listed on 21 March 1996 regarding amounts paid out in the current year and the two preceding years for equal opportunities breaches proceeding to tribunals or courts, and for alleged breaches which did not so proceed.
  The figures are as follows:-

  1993–4: Nil

  1994–5: Nil

  1995–6: Nil.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 March 1996:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question requesting details of monies paid out to staff or former staff in respect of alleged equal opportunities breaches.
  I can inform you that no monies have been paid out by HM Land Registry in such circumstances.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 March 1996:
  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about equal opportunities breaches.
  The Public Record Office has made no payments to staff or former staff in respect of (i) alleged equal opportunities breaches which do not proceed to tribunals or courts or (ii) equal opportunities breaches which proceeded to tribunals or courts, in (1) the current year or (2) the two previous years.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance he has issued to adjudicators concerning family credit in appeals relating to recourse to public funds and defining couples as being self-supporting in the long term referred to in respect of cases cited by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the hon. Member for Leeds, North-East (Mr. Kirkhope), during the Adjournment debate on 21 February,Official Report, columns 340–46; and if he will make a statement. [23074]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  None.
  632

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Publications
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans he has for ensuring that non-governmental publications previously available through the Vote Office will continue to be so available. [22413]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  Non-governmental publications which are published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office or for which HMSO is the selling agent can be ordered through the Vote Office, subject to certain exclusions such as works of reference. There are a few cases in which organisations have ceased to use HMSO. There are no immediate plans to alter the green form system, but a review may be appropriate if the problem of dispersed publishing becomes widespread.

  "Commonwealth Year Book"
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what proposals there are to continue to make the "Commonwealth Year Book" available to hon. Members through the Vote Office. [22414]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The green form system in the Vote Office applies only to publications which are available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office. I understand that the next edition of the "Commonwealth Year Book" is not to be published by HMSO. That decision is not a matter for the Committee.

  Internet Exhibition
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to educational benefits to pupils gained through access to the Internet to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [23322]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 1 April to Friday 5 April 1996.

  Health Education Authority Exhibition
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Health Education Authority's campaign "Active For Life", to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [23089]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 3 June to Friday 7 June 1996.
  633

DEFENCE

  Works of Art
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which works of art held by his Department have been purchased by staff to use as gifts; to whom they were given; and if he will make a statement. [20911]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department knows of only one such purchase. Senior civil servants in my Department purchased the reproduction "A View of the Admiralty" to present to the right hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell Sir A. Hamilton on his departure from the post of Minister of State for the Armed Forces in 1993.

  Army Careers Information Offices
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 February,Official Report, column 682, what definitions his Department applies to short-term retained offices; and if he will make a statement. [22500]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 29 February,Official Report, column 682, which explains that short-term retained offices are those that will remain open until April 1997.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of decommissioning, in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency guidelines, those facilities due to be replaced by the new capital works programme at AWE Aldermaston. [22357]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The cost will be substantial, reflecting the complexity and duration of the task. The work must be undertaken in a careful and progressive manner and in conformity with all relevant guidelines and legislation and the requirements of the regulatory bodies. However, detailed costs of the defence nuclear programme have been regarded by successive Governments as inappropriate for public disclosure.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers and types of Tornado aircraft in service with the RAF, indicating in each case which numbers and types have(a) global positioning systems integration, (b) "smart" weapons guidance and control systems, (c) ground radar suppression systems, (d) all-weather night navigation systems and (e) electronic reconnaissance systems. [22586]

  Mr. Soames
  The strength of the RAF, broken down by aircraft type and number is listed in the annual "Statement on the Defence Estimates," a copy of which is in the Library of the House. It is not my Department's policy to provide detailed information on specific operational capabilities.

  Ammunition
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the contract for 81 mm mortar ammunition. [22541]
  634
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place an order to supply the Army with 81 mm mortar ammunition; and if he will make a statement. [22977]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  There are three separate tenders for 81 mm ammunition in progress. The high explosive and illuminating rounds are subject to competitive tendering and a non-competitive contract for the smoke round is presently being negotiated with Royal Ordnance. I expect the three contracts to be in place by the end of April.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was his Department's total expenditure on explosives, propellants, and related ammunition and products over the last five years; and what proportion of this was procured from(a) Royal Ordnance and (b) overseas sources. [22589]

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

  Al-Yamamah Deal
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Al-Yamamah deal between Britain and Saudi Arabia included electric shock batons. [22708]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 17 January 1995,Official Report, column 452.

  Navy Accommodation
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) officer and (b) other rank accommodation for each individual (i) barracks, (ii) airfield, (iii) shore naval base and (iv) Royal Marine base in Scotland. [22713]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: Single living accommodation at sites in Scotland is shown in the following table:

  Officers

  ORS

  RN Shore Establishments

  HMS Gannet, Prestwick

  41

  263

  HMS Neptune, Helensburgh

  228

  2,109

  HMS Caledonia, Prestwick

  28

  487

  RM Establishments

  RM Condor, Arbroath

  58

  980

  RM Reserve Scotland: main location

  12

  159

  Glasgow, with detachments at Greenock, Dundee and Edinburgh

  In addition accommodation is available at the Royal Naval Armament Depot, Coulport and the Clyde Submarine Base, Faslane

  Army Barracks

  Redford Infantry Barracks, Edinburgh

  23

  412

  Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh

  44

  606

  Fort George, Inverness

  26

  453

  Barry Buddon, Training Camp, Dundee

  32

  475

  635

  Officers

  ORS

  RAF Stations

  RAF Buchan, Grampian

  60

  264

  RAG Kinloss, Grampian

  112

  787

  RAF Leuchars, Fife

  142

  845

  RAF Lossiemouth, Grampian

  101

  1,053

  RAF Macrihanish, Strathclyde

  0

  103

  RAF Saxa Vord, Shetland

  14

  137

  RAF Stornaway, Western Isles

  0

  4

  RAF Turnhouse, Lothian

  34

  80

  RAF Edzell, Grampian

  7

  1128

  1 Plus 15 suites available for overspill.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent shooting incident that took place in Limassol, Cyprus that involved a British soldier in a local bar. [22883]

  Mr. Soames
  The recent shooting of a service man in Limassol is currently under investigation by the Republic of Cyprus police and service police. I cannot, therefore, comment at this stage.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action is to be taken by his Department to seek to improve the general behaviour of British military personnel based in Cyprus when they are off duty with special reference to visiting resorts on the island of Cyprus. [22881]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department attaches great importance to ensuring that the very good relations which exist between service personnel in Cyprus and the local population are maintained. All service personnel are briefed on the importance of this on arrival and the message is regularly reinforced.

  If difficulties do arise firm measures are taken. Specific areas or individual premises are placed out of bounds from time to time. For example, the area of Ayia Napa remains out of bounds in the wake of the death of Louise Jensen in September 1994, and the tourist "strip" in Limassol and Larnaca are subject to a 1 am curfew for service personnel and dependants. The need to increase or reduce the out of bounds area is kept under constant review. Infringement of the rules is a punishable offence resulting in stiff penalties for the individual, ranging from fines, through loss of rank, to being sent home.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the number of British military personnel who have been charged with being drunk and disorderly in Cyprus in each of the last three years. [22882]

  Mr. Soames
  This information is not held centrally and be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines are currently in force in his Department and its executive agencies relating to competitive tendering and the use of single negotiated tenders; on what grounds single negotiated tenders can be used; and what procedures are in place within his Department to ensure that the use of single negotiated tenders in competitive tendering processes is justified in all cases. [22853]
  636
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department has a number of formal internal guidance documents which detail the procedures to be followed on all aspects of defence contracting, including the selection of the procurement route most likely to produce best value for money. These are supplemented where necessary by occasional memoranda on developments in best practice or updated guidance on specific aspects. A process of delegated authorities constrains the selection of non-competitiveness procurement strategies to instances where the justification for these has been rigorously examined and approval obtained from senior staff, including Ministers in high-value cases. Arguments that may be considered persuasive in support of a non-competitive procurement strategy are the absence of user rights on design information, technical or commercial risk or operational urgency. While the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and the Meteorological Office are responsible for the placing and administration of their own contracts, they none the less receive copies of MOD procurement guidance and their procedures are consistent with the description given.

  Export Applications
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has advised companies since 1987 on ways to alter descriptions of goods on export applications to ensure that licences are granted, when previous applications for export or transhipment licences for the same goods have been refused. [22971]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I know of no instance where my Department has acted improperly in this manner.

  Courts Martial
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army and Air Force court martial appeals reached, and were decided by, the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice in 1995; and when reports of these appeals will be publicly available. [23017]

  Mr. Soames
  Seven Army and three RAF court martial appeals were heard in 1995 by the Court-Martial Appeal Court, the members of which are civilian judges of the Court of Appeal. Copies of the judgments should now be available from the Court-Martial Appeal Court office.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to paragraphs D1.27 and D.1.28 of the Scott report, if he will list those matters relating to the work of his Department since 1979 classified as matters about which successive Administrations have refused to answer. [174191

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 26 February 1996]: Matters about which successive administrations had refused to answer questions was last set out in a memorandum by the Principal Clerk to the Table Office in 1972—appendix 9 to the report of the Select Committee on Parliamentary Questions, July 1972 HC 393. As far as I am aware, there has been no such classification since 1979.
  637
  The present Government's policy is to be as open as possible with Parliament, withholding information only when disclosure would not be in the public interest, which is decided in accordance with parliamentary convention, the law and any relevant Government code of practice.

  Military Training
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the decisions to provide United Kingdom military training assistance to(a) Indonesia, (b) Guatemala and (c) Sudan between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1995. [22696]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The military training assistance provided to Indonesia, Guatemala and Sudan between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1995 was in support of defence and wider foreign policy aims.

  Army Tanks
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tanks the Army possessed in(a) 1979 and (b) 1996. [17758]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [pursuant to his reply, 28 February 1996, c. 557]: I regret that my answer which gave details of tank numbers erroneously stated that at 1 January 1996 the Army possessed 470 main battle tanks of which 350 were deployed in operational units. I can now confirm that on that date the Army possessed 513 main battle tanks, of which 351 were deployed in operational units.

  Beef Purchases
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much beef was purchased by his Department in each of the last five years; how much of this was British; if he will list the other countries from which his Department purchases beef together with the quantity; and what plans he has to review his policy in respect of purchasing British beef. [23000]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Since 1 October 1994, the supply of food to the armed forces has been the responsibility of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute. My Department does not specify the source from which NAAFI should obtain beef—or any other meat—but the majority is supplied from south America and until recently some from EC intervention stocks. The use of British beef joints is therefore extremely small, but a range of beef products—for example mince, offal and beefburgers produced from British beef—is provided to the armed forces.

  Prior to October 1994, beef was purchased directly by my Department but no records were kept of the quantities sourced by a particular country, although the majority was imported from south America.

  In view of yesterday's announcement, there is no perceived reason to change existing arrangements.

  Equipment Exports
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of state for Defence what arrangements he is making to examine the nature and extent of information currently provided on the export of defence equipment as recommended in Sir Richard Scott's report; and if he will make a statement. [23294]
  638
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department is leading the review recommended by Sir Richard Scott. It will examine the nature and extent of information currently provided, and will take account of the industrial, employment and diplomatic implications of any change in the longstanding parliamentary convention governing the disclosure of information. We shall be seeking the views of a wide range of interested parties and will report back to the House before the summer recess.

  Hon. Members and others wishing to comment on any issue that the review might cover should write to:

  Mrs. Mollie Field

  Export Information Review

  Room 0206

  Ministry of Defence

  Main Building

  Whitehall

  London SW1A 2HB.

  Copies of the document already placed in the Library of the House which sets out the current position in relation to informing Parliament about the export of defence equipment can be provided on request.

  The closing date for contributions to the review process will be 24 May 1996.

  Minesweeping Exereise (Firth of Clyde)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, during the forthcoming minesweeping exercise in and around the firth of Clyde, Royal Navy vessels will carry fishery liaison officers; and if he will make a statement. [22453]

  Mr. Soames
  I am pleased to say that fishery liaison officers will indeed be embarked on Royal Navy vessels during the initial minesweeping serials conducted in the new exercise areas in and around the firth of Clyde, following agreement with local fishermen's representatives. Their role will be to develop mutual understanding between the mine countermeasures staff and the fishermen, and to ensure that both may go about their business safely and with the minimum of disruption.

  Civil Servants (Secondment)
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the individuals, by name, civil service post and receiving company, who are on temporary secondment from his Department to industry as part of the continuing programme of interchange of staff with the private sector. [22792]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  There are 26 MOD civil servants who are currently seconded from MOD to industry as part of the Ministry's interchange with industry programme. The list of receiving companies or organisations, with the civil service grade(s) of their secondee(s), is as follows:

  Organisation

  Grade number

  Involvement and Participation Association

  Grade 6 x 1

  Prince's Youth Business Trust

  Grade 7 x 1

  Raytheon Ltd.

  Grade 5 x 1

  Opportunities for People with Disabilities

  Grade 5 x 1

  SEO x 1

  EO x 1

  Docklands Light Railway Ltd.

  Grade 5 x 1

  639

  Organisation

  Grade number

  Grade 7 x 1

  South Dorset Economic Partnership

  EO x 1

  Hunting/Brae Ltd.

  HPTO x 2

  BAe SEMA

  Grade 6 x 1

  Addison Wesley Longman

  Senior Librarian x 1 Engineering

  Dalmuir Suspension

  Technician x 1

  Cray Communications Ltd.

  Grade 7 x 1

  British Railways Board

  Grade 5 x 1

  Civil Aviation Authority

  Fire Services Officer x 1

  Science Management

  BMT Defence Services Ltd.

  Trainee x 1

  The Trident Trust

  HEO x 1

  Chief Typing Manager x 1

  Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust

  HEO x 1

  EO x 1

  Bristol and Avon Enterprise Agency

  SEGO x 1

  Northern Development Company

  Grade 7 x 1

  Kings College, London—Centre of Defence Studies

  HEO x 1

  Fairfax Electronic Commerce Resource Centre

  Senior Patents Officer x 1

  It is MOD policy not to name individual civil servants who may be working outside the Ministry.

  Helicopters (Crossmaglen)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from(a) sporting organisations and (b) others about helicopter operations from the base in Crossmaglen in Northern Ireland. [23065]

  Mr. Soames
  Representations are received from time to time about helicopter operations in Northern Ireland but no record of these is kept centrally. Helicopters are essential to the Army acting in support of the police in Northern Ireland. Every effort is made to minimise any nuisance or inconvenience to the public.

  Attack Helicopter Contract
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to place a contract for the new attack helicopter for the Army; and if he will make a statement. [23664]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Following the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations, I am pleased to announce that a contract has been signed with GKN-Westland Helicopters for 67 Apache attack helicopters each to be equipped with the Longbow fire control radar and powered by Rolls-Royce RTM322 engines. Apache will replace the Army Air Corps' Lynx anti-tank helicopter.

  Around 180 UK companies are involved in the order. Hunting Engineering and Shorts of Belfast will be involved in supplying the weapons.

  To ensure we have the optimum mix of flexibility and fire power, 48 of the aircraft will be deployed to the frontline in three regiments of 16 aircraft—two with 24 Air Mobile Brigade at Wattisham and one with three (UK) Division at Dishforth. These regiments will also provide support to 1 (UK) Division and the Royal Marines. Nine aircraft will be based at Middle Wallop for training and trials and one at Boscombe Down for trials. The remaining
  640
  nine aircraft will be held at royal naval aircraft yard, Fleetlands as a peacetime attrition reserve. A regiment from 24 Air Mobile Brigade will form the core of the lead aviation battle group of the joint rapid deployment force.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the question from the hon. Member for Cynon Valley of 26 February relating to matters classified as ones which successive Administrations have refused to answer. [23059]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Today.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987–88; how many were not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the grounds that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21148]

  Mr. Boswell
  The number of questions tabled to this Department in each Session since 1987–88 is as follows:

  Session

  Number of questions tabled

  1987–88

  2,536

  1988–89

  3,001

  1989–90

  2,852

  1990–91

  1,618

  1991–92

  790

  1992–93

  2,697

  1993–94

  1,925

  1994–95

  1,846

  1995–961

  624

  1 As at 20 March 1996

  These figures have been produced from the POLIES database (Parliamentary On-Line Information System). These figures reflect the number of questions answered and should be treated as indicative only; because of certain factors complete accuracy on departmental activity cannot be provided.

  The rest of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but is a matter of public record.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent in total in answering parliamentary questions in each parliamentary Session since 1989–90. [22878]

  Mr. Boswell
  This Department does not calculate the data requested, and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Fisheries Conservation
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to modify the regulations governing the western waters effort limitation scheme; and if he will make a statement. [22451]
  641
  Mr. Baldry
  None. The arrangements for regulating and monitoring fishing effort in western waters are set out in Council regulations (EEC) Nos. 685/95, 2027/95 and 2870/95. These regulations provide for the adoption of further measures including catch reporting, integrated computerised control systems and technical conservation. Detailed rules for recording effort in EU logbooks are set out in Commission regulation (EC) No. 2945/95.

  EU Assistance
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide details of the agricultural projects which have been approved in the south-west objective 5b area. [23568]

  Mrs. Browning
  The European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund provides assistance to agriculture and food industries in the south-west objective 5b area. This area takes in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, parts of Devon and parts of west Somerset.

  EAGGF products processed in the south-west objective 5B area

  Project title

  5(b) area to benefit

  Expenditure £

  EAGGF grant

  MAFF grant

  1. Island Procedure—Establishment of a Potato Group

  Isles of Scilly

  38,000

  9,500

  9,500

  2. Isles of Scilly Horticultural Development Initiative

  Isles of Scilly

  202,900

  63,450

  5,845

  3. Horticulture 2000 (including horticultural facilitator

  Phase I

  5(b) Area as a whole

  540,000

  200,000

  100,000

  Phase II

  1,196,000

  371,000

  251,000

  4. Festival of West Country Food and Drink

  5(b) Area as a whole

  34,700

  8,700

  500

  5. Inchs Cider Apple Orchard Group

  Devon

  927,000

  231,750

  231,750

  6. Cheese Farm Market Development

  Cornwall

  6,000

  1,500

  1,500

  7. Plant Biomass—Phase I

  5(b) Area as a whole

  972,100

  284,330

  254,900

  8. Quality Cheese Production

  Devon and Cornwall

  593,000

  130,000

  130,000

  9. Plant Production and Sales Centre

  Cornwall

  108,400

  21,680

  21,680

  10. Exmoor Oak and Timber Products

  Devon and West Somerset

  722,500

  145,178

  145,178

  11. SW Pig Production Development

  5(b) Area as a whole

  12,000

  3,000

  3,000

  12. 5b Facilitator—Mr. G. N. Parker (Bio-mass, Industrial Corps, Diversification and Speciality Foods)

  5b Area as a whole

  135,022

  67,511

  67,511

  13. 5b Facilitator—Mr. N. J. Wendover (Livestock, Cereals and the Environment)

  5(b) Area as a whole

  153,916

  76,958

  76,958

  14. 5b Facilitator—Mr. and Mr. J. M. Woodcraft (Farm Tourism)

  5(b) Area as a whole

  82,530

  41,265

  41,265

  15. Wheal Sara Flowers

  Cornwall

  43,200

  7,560

  7,560

  16. Western Quality Pigs

  5(b) Area as a whole

  750,000

  183,000

  173,000

  17. West Cornwall Vegetable Packing

  Cornwall

  240,000

  45,367

  45,367

  18. Kingsbridge Estuary Conservation Project

  Devon

  60,000

  25,250

  2,750

  19. West Country Tourist Board Farm Tourism Project

  5(b) Area as a whole

  3,854,500

  819,081

  819,081

  20. River Tamar 2000 Conservation Project—Phase I

  Devon and Cornwall

  989,200

  304,650

  224,650

  21. Brimpts Barn—Re-use of farm buildings for training purposes

  Devon

  176,600

  29,775

  29,775

  22. Improvement/Development of Winter Cauliflowers

  Cornwall

  234,302

  74,813

  74,814

  23. North Cornwall Poultry Group—Feasibility Study

  Devon and Cornwall

  9,346

  2,336

  2,337

  24. Bodmin Moor Commoners

  Cornwall

  25,282

  11,016

  10,106

  25. Ostrich Farm International

  5(b) Area as a whole

  1,238,653

  150,092

  150,093

  Total

  13,345,151

  3,308,762

  2,880,030

PRIME MINISTER

  Departmental Equipment and Furniture
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Prime Minister 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 the Cabinet Office and its agencies
  642
  Under the programme MAFF is able to provide support which in turn draws in EAGGF money from Europe. Assistance is generally available in support of farm tourism, agricultural and horticultural development and diversification, protection and enhancement of the environment and the generation of energy from alternative sources by the agriculture industry. In addition, there is a special package for the Isles of Scilly.

  The first EAGGF projects under this programme were approved in March 1995. In the 12 months which have followed, a total of 25 projects have been approved and these will lead to the eventual investment of more than £13 million in the objective 5b area. The projects approved vary from small schemes, such as that to develop a market for farm cheese, to a multi-million pound project to promote farm tourism in the whole area. Geographically, they span the objective 5b area from horticultural enterprises in the Isles of Scilly to timber products on Exmoor and there is no part of the region which will not benefit. I am very pleased with the interest shown and hope that many more projects will be approved in the future.

  Full details of the approved projects are as follows:

  in each of the past five years, listing by name any such items valued at £5,000 or more, and showing information technology material separately. [21703]

  The Prime Minister
  For this purpose, my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 26 March.
  643

  Duchy Lands and Assets
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if the lands and assets of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall are the property of Her Majesty's Government. [22811]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: No. Formal title to the lands of the Duchy of Lancaster is vested in the sovereign and of the Duchy of Cornwall in the Prince of Wales. However, neither the sovereign nor the Prince of Wales is able to dispose of the estates' capital; they are entitled only to the annual income.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Prime Minister what amounts of money have been paid out by(a) his Department and (b) executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations for which he is accountable to Parliament, to how many staff or former staff in respect of (i) alleged equal opportunities breaches which do not proceed to tribunals or courts and (ii) equal opportunities breaches which proceeded to tribunals or courts in (1) the current year and (2) the two previous years. [22513]

  The Prime Minister
  For these purposes my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 26 March.

SCOTLAND

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding his policy of care in the community; and if he will make a statement. [21334]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We have received many comments on many aspects of the policy.

  NHS Trust Contracts (Glasgow)
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts have been awarded by NHS trust in the Greater Glasgow health board area following the competitive tendering process. [21335]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Forty-six.

  Depopulation (Hawick)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make an official visit to Hawick to discuss the implications of depopulation in the area; and if he will make a statement. [21336]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I would be pleased to consider such an invitation.

  Schools
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average number of schools for each local authority director of education in Scotland. [21337]
  644
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Each authority has one director of education. However, on the information available, the ratio of senior officials to schools varies between 1:2 to 1:7.

  Electoral Registers
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average size of the electoral register for parliamentary constituencies in Scotland. [21338]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The answer is 55,043.

  Education Policy
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss future education policy; and if he will make a statement. [21339]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend has no plans for such a meeting.

  Local Government Expenditure
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on local government expenditure. [21340]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Local government expenditure in Scotland has increased by almost 20 per cent. in real terms since 1985–86, and is 30 per cent. higher per head of population than in England.

  Deprived Areas (Education)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to give priority treatment to areas of deprivation with particular reference to education. [21341]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The 1996–97 local government finance settlement makes provision for 1,000 additional teachers for areas of deprivation. In addition the Scottish Office-led urban partnership initiatives have established education strategies.

  Flood Protection (Tay Valley)
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about a flood protection scheme for the Tay valley; and if he will make a statement. [21343]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has received no representations about a flood protection scheme for the Tay valley. The Perth flood prevention scheme, which aims to protect the city of Perth, has been advertised and submitted to him for confirmation. A number of objections are being addressed by Tayside regional council.

  The regional councils at present, and the new unitary councils from 1 April 1996, have permissive powers under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961 to carry out flood prevention schemes for the protection of non-agricultural land. Following the 1993 Tay floods, Tayside regional council commissioned a study of the entire Tay catchment. It will pass information from this

  645
  to the new Perth and Kinross council regarding possible flood protection work for rural communities in the Tay. This will enable the new council to prioritise work that it considers necessary.

  Defence Orders
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what United Kingdom defence orders have been gained by Scottish-based companies in the last 12 months. [21344]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The latest available statistics show that the value of Ministry of Defence procurement orders placed with Scottish companies in 1993–94 was £550 million.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of Scottish jobs dependent on inward investment. [21346]

  Mr. Kynoch
  In 1994, there were an estimated 83,000 persons directly employed in foreign-owned manufacturing companies in Scotland. However, the estimated total number of jobs dependent on these foreign-owned manufacturing companies is estimated at almost 165,000.

  Community Hospitals (Grampian)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chairman of Grampian health board of discuss community hospitals. [21347]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend and I meet health board chairmen regularly to discuss all matters of current interest.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress in reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease in Scotland. [21348]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The target set in "Scotland's Health—A Challenge To Us All", the national policy statement issued in 1992, is to reduce mortality from coronary heart disease by 40 per cent. between 1990 and 2000 in persons under 65. By the end of 1994, a substantial and encouraging reduction of some 21 per cent. had been achieved.

  Crime
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met chief constables to discuss crime. [21349]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend met chief constables on 20 January.

  Drugs (Money Laundering)
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of legitimate businesses which are used for the laundering of money from illegal drug trafficking; and if he will make a statement. [21350]
  646
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is not possible to estimate the number of businesses which are currently being used for the laundering of money from drug trafficking. Where, in the course of their investigation, the police have reason to believe a business has been used as a front for money laundering activities, they will bring the matter to the attention of the procurator fiscal.

  Severe Weather Assistance
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what claims he has now received from local authorities for financial assistance resulting from problems caused by the severe weather at new year; and if he will make a statement. [21351]

  Mr. Kynoch
  To date, 40 local authorities have responded to the Scottish Office's request for information on the extent and nature of expenditure incurred as a result of severe weather at the turn of the year. Of these, eight are nil returns and the remainder are being examined to establish whether the scale of expenditure would justify the triggering of the Bellwin scheme.

  Salmon and Trout Fishing
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet representatives of the fishing industry to discuss offshore drift netting for salmon and sea trout. [21352]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I will be meeting representatives of the Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards on 3 April.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of objective 1 projects in the highlands and islands. [21353]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Since the start of the programme, 255 European regional development fund and 554 European social fund projects have been approved for funding along with a further 20 supported by the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund financial instrument of fisheries guidance. The total expenditure committed, including match funding from project sponsors, amounts to around £308 million. This is made up by £230 million, ERDF; £44 million, ESF; and £34 million, EAGGF-FIFG. A further bidding round is under way and funding decisions will be made in June of this year.

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Cabinet committees he and his colleagues attend on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of each Committee. [21354]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn) on 18 July 1995,Official Report, columns 1005–12.
  647

  Higher Education Students
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the change in the number of students in higher education between(a) June 1970 and February 1974, (b) 1974 and 1979 and (c) 1979 and 1991. [21355]

  Mr. Raymonds Robertson
  The number of full-time higher education students for the years requested is as follows1

  Number

  Number of full-time HE students in 1970–71

  57,656

  Number of full-time HE students in 1974–75

  66,136

  Change in number of full-time HE students between 1970–71 and 1974–75

  an increase of 15 per cent.

  Number of full-time HE students in 1974–75

  66,136

  Number of full-time HE students in 1979–80

  70,008

  Change in number of full-time HE students between 1974–75 and 1979–80

  an increase of 6 per cent.

  Number of full-time HE students in 1980–81

  72,152

  Number of full-time HE students in 1991–92

  108,079

  Change in number of full-time HE students between 1980–81 and 1991–92

  an increase of 50 per cent.

  1 Figures for 1991 and 1979 are not directly comparable, 1980 is the first year for which comparable figures are available.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for enlargement of the assisted places scheme. [21356]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 29 February,Official Report, columns 622–23, setting out our proposals for increasing the number of assisted places in the next school year to 3,500.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contribution he has made to the Government's White Paper on the forthcoming intergovernmental conference; and if he will make a statement. [21357]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Government's policy on the intergovernmental conference was determined by the Cabinet. I was therefore fully involved in decisions on policy and fully consulted on the terms of the White Paper.

  Housing
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of Scottish Homes to discuss housing provision and need in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [21358]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend and I meet representatives of Scottish Homes from time to time to discuss a range of issues. I last met members of the board on 6 March.
  648

  Fire Service
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on Government funding for the fire service in 1996–97. [21342]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend received a number of representations from local authorities, fire service organisations and members of the public before 1996–97 revenue budgets for the fire brigades were determined.

  Economic Prospects
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about Scotland's future economic outlook. [21345]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The economic outlook for Scotland is very encouraging. Independent forecasts are predicting healthy levels of gross domestic product growth, falling unemployment and rising employment both this year and next.

  Disabled Students
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances the college boards in Scotland will be expected to administer the travel expenses of students with disabilities after April 1996; what additional funding will be provided to cover these costs; and from what source it will come. [22288]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Students, including those with disabilities, attending incorporated colleges of further education will be eligible to apply for assistance with travel expenses from the bursary scheme operated by the college at which they are studying. A total of £45 million has been transferred to the colleges of further education for the purpose of operating the bursary scheme. Bursary awards can include an element to cover travel expenses.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of students with disabilities in Glasgow who will have their travel costs provided for by the new unitary authority after April 1996. [22296]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: Information on the number of students with disabilities who seek assistance with their travel costs is not held centrally. From 1 April 1996 students attending incorporated colleges should approach their college about a bursary award, which can include an element in respect of travel costs. Students attending non-incorporated colleges should contact their new unitary authorities which will be responsible for their bursary awards.

  Marine Pollution
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the measures taken in Scotland following the recommendations of the 1995 world government meeting on land-based sources of marine pollution; and if he will make a statement. [22228]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The UK delegation took a leading part in the conference organised by the UN Environmental Programme in Washington DC between 23 October and 3 November 1995, which adopted the global
  649
  programme of action for the protection of the marine environment from land-based activities. This programme of action reflects the approach being adopted throughout the United Kingdom, and by the other states in north-west Europe, to this task. Implementation in Scotland will therefore be achieved by continuing our present policies.

  Fishing (Firth of Clyde)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet, in the near future, representatives of the Clyde Fishermen's Association in order to discuss commercial fishing activities in and around firth of Clyde; and if he will make a statement. [22452]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I was due to meet representatives of the Clyde Fishermen's Association in Aberdeen on 14 March. However, as a result of the tragedy at Dunblane on 13 March I was unfortunately unable to keep that appointment. I expect the meeting to be rescheduled for a mutually convenient date in the near future.

  Dunblane Incident (Criminal Injuries Compensation)
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made for those who may be entitled to make a criminal injuries compensation claim following the Dunblane incident. [23570]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This is a matter for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The board has already responded to a number of direct inquiries and has made arrangements with Victim Support (Scotland) and others for advice to be available locally.

  I understand from the board that advice is given on request on the differences between compensation under the present scheme and under the new scheme, which will replace the present scheme on 1 April for all applications received on or after that date. This advice is available from the board to any potential applicant and their representative who might seek assistance in determining whether application in respect of injuries caused before 1 April should be made under the present or under the new scheme.

  More generally, I also understand that the board has made arrangements to enable applications to be received up until midnight on 31 March.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have a statutory base, and which(a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20093]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The following bodies have a statutory base:

  Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest

  Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland

  Building Standards Advisory Committee

  Children's Panel Advisory Committees

  Consultative Committee on Freshwater Fisheries

  650

  Extra Parliamentary Panel

  General Teaching Council for Scotland

  Hill Farming Advisory Committee for Scotland

  Historic Buildings Council for Scotland

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland

  Police Advisory Board

  Scottish Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council

  Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Scottish Police College Board of Governors

  Scottish Records Advisory Council

  Scottish Valuation Advisory Council

  Secretary of State's (Electricity) Fisheries Committee.

  The following publish their advice to the Government:

  (i) under a statutory requirement

  General Teaching Council for Scotland

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland

  Scottish Records Advisory Council

  Secretary of State's (Electricity) Fisheries Committee.

  (ii)voluntarily

  Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum

  Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Scotland's Travelling People.

  The following publish an annual report:

  (i) under a statutory requirement

  Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland

  General Teaching Council for Scotland

  Historic Buildings Council for Scotland

  Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Scottish Valuation Advisory Council

  Secretary of State's (Electricity) Fisheries Committee.

  (ii) voluntarily

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

  Post Qualification Education Board for Health Service Pharmacists in Scotland

  Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum

  Scottish Records Advisory Council

  Scottish Standing Committee for the Calculation fo Residual Values of Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs.

  The following lay an annual report before Parliament:

  (i) under a statutory requirement

  Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland

  Historic Buildings Council for Scotland

  Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Scottish Records Advisory Council

  Secretary of State's (Electricity) Fisheries Committee

  Scottish Valuation Advisory Council.

  (ii) voluntarily

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

  Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of

  651
  members' interests, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings (i) under a statutory requirement and (ii) voluntarily. [20110]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:

  (a) children's panel advisory committees hold public meetings on a voluntary basis.

  (b) The following conduct public consultation exercises:

  (i) under a statutory requirement

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland.

  (ii) voluntarily

  Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum.

  (c) The Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum voluntarily consults outside commercial interests.

  (d) Nil.

  (e) and (f) The General Teaching Council for Scotland and children's panel advisory committees voluntarily publish agendas and minutes of meetings.

WALES

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made to reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [21123]

  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Coombs), on 18 March,Official Report, column 1.

  Wheelchairs
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans(a) to introduce the scheme to provide

  South Glamorgan

  Mid Glamorgan

  Gwent

  Number of registrations

  Percentage change

  Number of registrations

  Percentage change

  Number of registrations

  Percentage change

  1981

  1,757

  —

  2,064

  —

  1,812

  —

  1982

  1,682

  -4.3

  2,182

  +5.7

  1,833

  +1.2

  1983

  1,771

  +5.3

  2,232

  +2.3

  2,081

  +13.5

  1984

  1,827

  +3.2

  2,524

  +13.1

  2,193

  +5.4

  1985

  1,891

  +3.5

  2,564

  +1.6

  2,286

  +4.2

  1986

  1,879

  -0.6

  2,813

  +9.7

  2,239

  -2.1

  1987

  1,708

  -9.1

  2,613

  -7.1

  2,413

  +7.8

  1988

  1,884

  +10.3

  2,557

  -2.1

  2,246

  -6.9

  1989

  1,932

  +2.5

  2,420

  -5.4

  2,221

  -1.1

  1990

  2,101

  +8.7

  2,857

  +18.1

  2,109

  -5.0

  Source:

  Wales Cancer Registry

  Health Authority Managers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total pay bill for health authorities' chief executives and general managers in Wales for the year ended 31 March 1990. [21725]
  652
  powered indoor wheelchairs for severely disabled people and (b) to introduce a voucher scheme for the purchase of wheelchairs for the disabled. [20913]

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

  Hospital Casualty Units
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the future development of hospital casualty units in Wales; what assessment he has made of the Audit Commission report; and if he will make a statement. [21386]

  Mr. Richards
  The future development of hospital accident units will be judged against the criteria of clinical safety, ease of access and value for money.

  The Audit Commission's report "By Accident or Design—Improving A&E Services in England and Wales" is currently being considered. It will undoubtedly aid the Department's review of accident and emergency services throughout Wales.

  The recently launched patients charter for Wales anticipated a number of the Audit Commission's recommendations and others are being considered for future editions of the charter.

  Cancer
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have been diagnosed as having cancer in(a) South Glamorgan and (b) Mid Glamorgan and Gwent in the last 10 years; what was the percentage change in each year; and if he will make a statement. [21873]

  Mr. Richards
  The number of malignant neoplasms registered in each year since 1981 and the percentage change in each year is given in the following table. Figures for 1991 and later years are not yet complete.

  Mr. Richards
  There were no chief executive posts in health authorities in Wales in 1990. The salary bill for NHS general managers in Wales in 1989–90 was £508,000.

  Source: The summarised accounts of the health authorities in Wales and of the family health services authorities in Wales for the year ended 31 March 1990.
  653

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what basis he decides if there are sufficient people being trained to work as general medical practitioners in Wales and whether adequate resources are being invested by the Welsh Office in the training of medical personnel in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [22201]

  Mr. Hague
  It is the Government's policy to secure an adequate supply of appropriately trained doctors in each sector and specialty. This is achieved through advisory and planning mechanisms at a UK and Wales level.

  The medical workforce standing advisory committee considers the longer-term need for doctors and for making recommendations on the intake of medical schools. In 1995, the committee recommended an increase of 11 per cent. in UK medical school intakes by 2000 to a total of 4,970. The Government have accepted that recommendation.

  The Welsh Office is involved in UK work force planning through its representation on the Advisory Group on medical education and staffing. The advisory group is currently examining the issue of recruitment and retention of GPs. My officials also have regular discussions with professional educationalists in Wales to ensure that the provision of training for intending GPs is appropriate.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what dates(a) he (b) fellow Ministers at the Welsh Office met representatives of the Medical Practices Committee to discuss the adequacy of the number of general practitioners throughout Wales. [22200]

  Mr. Hague
  My officials met representatives of the Medical Practices Committee on 31 October 1995, and will meet them again on 28 March 1996.

  Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much funding Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin received from his Department in(a) 1990, (b) 1992, (c) 1994 and (d) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [22401]

  Mr. Richards
  Funding by the Welsh Office to Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin is shown as follows: the figures are expressed in terms of financial years.

  Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin: Funding by the Welsh Office

  Funding under the child and family services grant scheme £

  Section 26 of the Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 £

  Section 21 of the Education Act 1980 £

  Total £

  1990–91

  127,751

  358,250

  15,000

  501,001

  1991–92

  175,526

  400,000

  7,000

  582,586

  1992–93

  152,872

  457,000

  —

  609,872

  1993–94

  152,872

  473,544

  12,900

  639,316

  1994–95

  152,872

  537,000

  5,306

  695,178

  1995–96

  152,772

  537,000

  —

  689,872

  654

  Intensive Care Units
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many beds there are in each intensive care unit in Wales; and if he will make a statement; [22399]

  (2) how many hospitals in Wales have intensive care units; and if he will make a statement; [22402]

  (3) what is the annual cost per intensive care bed in each hospital in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [22400]

  Mr. Richards
  There are 17 hospitals in Wales with intensive care beds. These are as follows:

  Hospital

  Number of intensive care beds in 19951

  Princess of Wales, Bridgend

  5

  Bronglais General

  2

  East Glamorgan General

  6

  Ysbyty Glan Clwyd

  4

  Llandough

  5

  Prince Philip, Llanelli

  3

  Morriston

  8

  Neath General

  1

  Nevill Hall

  2

  Prince Charles, Merthyr

  4

  Royal Gwent

  5

  University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust:

  —University Hospital

  7

  —Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  5

  West Wales General

  2

  Withybush General

  3

  Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor

  4

  Ysbyty Gwynedd

  8

  Total

  74

  General intensive care beds only. No information is held centrally on the cost of intensive care beds in each hospital.

  All health authorities in Wales have been asked to review the number of intensive care and high dependency beds needed in their areas and to take action to address any shortfalls identified.

  Arts Council Funding
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much funding the Arts Council for Wales received from his Department in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [22460]

  Mr. Richards
  The Arts Council of Wales received a total grant of £13,696,000 in 1994–95.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of students in further and higher education in Wales; and what is the current ratio of school leavers to the number entering higher education. [22368]

  Mr. Richards
  The number of student enrolment at further and higher education institutions in Wales for 1994–95 was 188,681 (provisional). In 1993–94, 9,100 pupils aged 17 and over left school in Wales, of these 64 per cent.—5,860—entered higher education.
  655

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with further education colleges on the amalgamation of existing colleges in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [22370]

  Mr. Richards
  None. It is for the governing bodies of further education colleges to consider mergers and, if appropriate, put a proposal to the Further Education Funding Council for Wales.

  Data Gathering
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he intends to improve the statistical and data-gathering functions of the Welsh Office, with special reference to those areas for which his Department has specific responsibility. [22994]

  Mr. Hague
  The statistical and data-gathering activities of the Welsh Office support research and decision making within the Department and beyond. These activities will continue to be developed, with an emphasis on meeting the specific needs of users of statistics while keeping the burden of form filling to a minimum. A new publication series, the "Digest of Welsh Local Area Statistics", providing statistics for the new local authority areas, has just been introduced.

  Welsh Development Ageney
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list in constant 1996 prices (i) the amount of expenditure and planned expenditure and (ii) the percentage of expenditure and planned expenditure spent by the Welsh Development Agency on(a) Wales as a whole, (b) the north division, (c) the south division and (d) the west division in 1996–97 and each of the preceding three years indicating the percentage change for each category over the whole period; [22698]

  (2) what was (a) the amount and (b) the percentage of the Welsh Development Agency's international and marketing budget spent in 1995–96 on promoting inward investment for (i) the north division, (ii) the south division, (iii) the west division and (iv) Wales as a whole. [22699]

  Mr. Hague
  I will arrange for the chief executive of the agency to write to the hon. Member and for a copy of his letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Oil Pollution (Sea Empress Incident)
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the oral statement made by the Secretary of State for Transport on 22 February,Official Report, columns 493–96, what arrangements he has made to evaluate the environmental impact of the Sea Empress oil spill. [23508]

  Mr. Hague
  In consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, I have appointed Professor Ron Edwards to chair an independent steering group of 11 experts in the marine environment, to 656
  co-ordinate the environmental evaluation of the impact of the Sea Empress oil spill. This will include consideration of the response, clean-up procedures and the techniques employed following the oil spill. The group will also ensure that a comprehensive set of relevant environmental data is obtained; it will assess the overall impact of the incident on environmental resources of the area affected—including fisheries, agriculture, amenity and wildlife; as well as passing any information relevant to human health to public health authorities for assessment.

  Professor Edwards, who chaired the national parks review panel from 1988 to 1991, is currently a member of the Environment Agency. The first meeting of the group will be held on 2 April at the Welsh Office in Cardiff. I have asked Professor Edwards to provide me with a report within 18 months, which will be made public. Interim reports, which will also be made public, will also be produced.

  Apart from Professor Edwards, the 11 members of the steering group I have appointed are—Mr. David Bedborough, marine pollution control unit; Dr. Malcolm Smith, Countryside Council for Wales; Dr. John Portmann, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Dr. Charlie Pattinson, National Rivers Authority, Welsh Region; Mr. Nic Wheeler, Pembrokeshire Coast national park; Mr. David Seal, Pembrokeshire county council; Mr. Roy Bunce, Department of the Environment, European wildlife division; Dr. Allan Elliot, university of North Wales, Bangor, department of marine sciences; Mr. Arthur Hacking, ADAS, agricultural science advisers to the Welsh Office; Dr. Ian White, managing director, International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation; Dr. Havard Prosser, Welsh Office scientific adviser.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the national health service bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open Government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [21834]

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: All national health service bodies, as defined by the Cabinet Office, in Wales are subject to investigation by the Health Service Commissioner for Wales (ombudsman), and scrutiny by both the Audit Commissioner and the National Audit Office.

  The principles of open government are incorporated in the code of practice on openness in the national health service with which all national health service bodies must comply. The principles of the citizens charter apply to national health service bodies and have been incorporated in the charter for patients in Wales. The Welsh Office Health Department monitors the performance of all national health service bodies in Wales.
  657

HEALTH

  Health Authorities (Capital Spending)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the capital spending by health authority in each of the last five years. [21670]

  Mr. Horam
  This information will be placed in the Library.

  Finance
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which (i) regional and (ii) district health authority made the payments amounting to £579,000 to support staff relocation which the NHS executive deemed to be beyond its powers. [21996]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: The figure relates to payments made by the former Yorkshire regional health authority and South Birmingham district health authority.

  Relocation
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the payments made by regional and district health authorities to staff to support relocation by(a) each year since 1990–91, (b) authority and (c) grade to staff. [21998]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 8 March 1995, column 242.

  NHS Contracts
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued, and when, to NHS personnel on contract prepayments. [22741]

  Mr. Horam
  Relevant guidance was set out in the "National Health Service Trusts Finance Manual", part 3, chapter 9, issued in February 1992. This was followed up with a letter to finance directors in March 1994, FDL (94)24. Copies of the documents are available in the Library.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued, and when, to NHS personnel on the letting of contracts,(a) without tender and (b) non-competitively; and in what circumstances such procedures are permitted. [22740]

  Mr. Horam
  National health service contracting authorities are all aware of their obligations under the statutory rules relating to public procurement. Where a contract comes within scope of the relevant regulations, there are only limited circumstances where a negotiated procedure not involving competition is allowable.

  In its guidance on the drawing up of standing financial instructions, the Department has made it clear that contracts of a more than minimal level should be based on competitive tender and any waiving of this requirement should be subject to board level approval based on overall value for money. The reasons for such decisions should be recorded for audit scrutiny.
  658

  Consultancy Fees
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid in(a) consultancy and (b) outsourcing fees and contract payments by each regional health authority in each year since 1992. [22747]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Treatment Guidelines
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) who is responsible for informing a patient when cancer treatment has been carried out on them for conditions that were subsequently diagnosed as benign; [22593]

  (2) who is responsible for informing patients that treatments have been carried out on them without prior diagnostic confirmation of their condition. [22584]

  Mr. Horam
  This is a matter for local agreement within the trust.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) who is responsible for issuing guidelines in respect of the circumstances in which laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy for endometrial cancer may be attempted; and to what extent such guidelines are available to(a) patients, (b) members of the public and (c) Parliament; [22596]

  (2) who is responsible for issuing guidelines relating to procedures involving radical cancer surgery to the vulva; and to what extent these guidelines are accessible to (a) patients, (b) the public and (c) Parliament. [22552]

  Mr. Horam
  Development of clinical guidelines for patient treatment is done by the relevant professional body. Guidelines can be made available to patients, members of the public—as potential future patients—and Parliament on request.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the clinical audit of laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomies by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; and how many such hysterectomies have been carried out(a) in total and (b) in the circumstances of endometrial uterine cancer. [22651]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health is funding a joint study by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists medical audit unit and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The vaginal, abdominal or laparoscopic uterine excision hysterectomy study will compare the long-term outcome of hysteroscopic surgery as opposed to conventional hysterectomy. The total number of vaginal hysterectomies in 1993–94 was 14,141. It is not possible separately to identify laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomies within that total. Neither is it possible to identify the number undertaken for endometriauterine cancer.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what requirements are placed on doctors to confirm diagnosis of conditions and diseases by objective tests before asking patients for consent to undergo treatment; [22554]
  659
  (2) what guidelines his Department issues to doctors requiring them to confirm diagnosis of cancer by objective tests before asking patients for consent to radical surgery. [22583]

  Mr. Horam
  Development of clinical guidelines for the management of patients is done by the relevant professional body. Confirming the diagnosis by appropriate investigation would be encompassed in such clinical guidelines and is part of the general duty of care.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances a patient's consent may be deemed to be invalidly given. [22585]

  Mr. Horam
  In normal circumstances, patients need to be able to make a balanced judgment before giving valid consent to treatment. They should therefore receive sufficient information to enable them to understand the proposed treatment, the possible alternatives and any substantial risks.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name the 36 NHS trusts which recorded a retained deficit in 1994–95 giving, in each case, the deficit in cash terms and as a percentage of turnover and indicating the principal reason for the deficit. [22670]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is shown in the tables.

  NHS trusts with deficits in 1994–95, principally, for reasons of a technical accounting nature as analysed in the National Audit Office report on NHS summarised accounts for England 1994–95

  Trust

  Deficit £000

  As percentage of income

  Reason for deficit

  South Tees Acute Hospitals

  97

  0.1

  Early retirement costs

  Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care

  811

  1.6

  Other reasons

  South Lincolnshire Community and Mental Health Services

  46

  0.2

  Early retirement costs

  Oxfordshire Community Health

  161

  0.5

  Early retirement costs

  Allington

  141

  0.8

  Early retirement costs

  Horizon

  8,378

  18.9

  Early retirement costs

  Southend Health Care Services

  1,082

  1.6

  Loss on disposal of fixed assets

  Homewood NHS Trust

  2,463

  10

  Loss on disposal of fixed assets

  Lifecare

  527

  2.3

  Early retirement costs

  The Royal West Sussex

  271

  0.7

  Loss on disposal of fixed assets

  Frimley Park Hospital

  39

  0.1

  Other reasons

  East Somerset

  1,121

  3.1

  Loss on disposal of fixed assets

  Bath Mental Health Care

  61

  0.2

  Other reasons

  South Warwickshire Health Care

  120

  0.6

  Early retirement costs

  South Warwickshire General Hospitals

  940

  2.2

  Loss on disposal of fixed assets

  South Warwickshire Mental Health Services

  304

  2

  Early retirement costs

  Premier Health NHS Trust

  413

  1

  Other reasons

  Christie Hospital

  275

  0.8

  Early retirement costs

  East Cheshire

  1,587

  2.6

  Early retirement

  660

  NHS trusts with deficits in 1994–95, principally, for reasons of a technical accounting nature as analysed in the National Audit Office report on NHS summarised accounts for England 1994–95

  Trust

  Deficit £000

  As percentage of income

  Reason for deficit

  Guild Community Healthcare

  1,210

  3.3

  costs Early retirement costs

  NHS trusts with deficits in 1994–95 where the reasons are other than technical accounting as analysed in the National Audit Office report on the NHS summarised accounts for England 1994–95

  Trust

  Deficit £000

  As percentage of income

  Reason of deficit

  Humberside Ambulance Service

  622

  5.1

  Excess expenditure

  United Leeds Teaching Hospitals

  334

  0.2

  Excess expenditure

  Louth and District Healthcare

  25

  0.2

  Shortfall in planned income

  Lincoln Hospitals

  257

  0.4

  Activity levels greater than contracted

  Sheffield Children's Hospital

  245

  1.1

  Shortfall in planned income

  East Anglian Ambulance

  68

  0.3

  Other reasons

  Mid Anglia Community Health

  44

  0.2

  Other reasons

  Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

  3,436

  11.6

  Other reasons

  Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital

  826

  6.8

  Other reasons

  Greenwich Healthcare

  2,888

  2.8

  Shortfall in planned income

  Crawley Horsham

  1,154

  2.6

  Other reasons

  Swindon and Marlborough Hospitals

  522

  0.8

  Other reasons

  The Poole Hospital

  226

  0.4

  Excess expenditure

  Royal United Hospital, Bath

  2,545

  3.8

  Shortfall in planned income

  Worcester Royal Infirmary

  944

  1.6

  Other reasons

  Wolverley

  155

  1.1

  Other reasons

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name the 13 NHS trusts which exceeded their external financing limits in 1994–95. [22672]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is contained in "NHS Trusts: 1994/95 Financial Performance", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name the 93 NHS trusts which failed to meet their target rate of return on average relevant net assets in 1994–95 giving, in each case, the margin on both cash and percentage terms by which it failed to do so. [22671]

  Mr. Horam
  National health service trusts are required to make a 6 per cent. return on their net relevant assets, not a target figure in cash terms. Tables showing the actual return achieved in percentage terms by each trust for 1994–95 is contained in "NHS Trusts: 1994/95 Financial Performance", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Sheffield University School of Health and Related Studies
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) courses have been attended at the Sheffield

  661
  university school of health and related studies and (b) other resources of the school have been used by (i) NHS management trainees and (ii) existing NHS staff. [22735]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts have been awarded to Sheffield university school of health and related studies since 1994 by(a) his Department, (b) the NHS executive, (c) the Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority, (d) the former Yorkshire regional health authority and (e) Trent regional health authority; for what purposes these contracts were awarded; if they were awarded by competitive tender; and what was the value of each of these contracts. [22734]

  Mr. Horam
  The information is not available centrally.

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the(a) costs of and (b) savings from the out-sourcing of (i) the nursing division and (ii) the priority and community services group of the former Yorkshire regional health authority to the university of Leeds. [22743]

  Mr. Malone
  This is a matter for Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the authority for details.

  Peter Walker Associates
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts, and of what value, have been awarded in each of the last four years by(a) the former Yorkshire regional health authority, (b) the Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority, (c) the Trent regional health authority, (d) district health authorities within the two regions and (e) NHS trusts within the two regions to Peter Walker Associates. [22751]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Professional Misconduct
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued on the appropriate time scale for initiating investigations of allegations of professional misconduct by health authorities and trusts. [22553]

  Mr. Malone
  Guidance was issued in circular HC(90)9 to national health service employers in March 1990 on disciplinary procedures for hospital and community medical and dental staff.

  This guidance recommended indicative time limits for dealing with cases of professional misconduct. This states that the time taken from the decision that there is a prima facie case to referral of the final report to the employer should not exceed 32 weeks.

  Yorkshire Services Organisation
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost of services provided to the former 662
  Yorkshire regional health authority by the Yorkshire Services Organisation in each year since 1992; and what services, and at what cost the Yorkshire Services Organisation currently provides to (i) the Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority and (ii) the Trent regional health authority. [22750]

  Mr. Horam
  This is a matter for the Northern and the Yorkshire and Trent regional health authorities respectively. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairmen of those authorities for details.

  Royal College of Obstetrieians and Gynaecologists
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) research projects, (b) reviews and (c) audits he has asked the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to undertake; and for how many he has provided financial support. [22592]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health provides core funding for the college's audit unit. The Department has also funded two audits:

  National endometrial ablation survey

  Pregnancy care for health women.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has sought the advice of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; and on what topics. [22595]

  Mr. Horam
  The royal college has frequent contact with Health Ministers and their officials on a wide range of health and health service matters.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what matters the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is currently preparing clinical guidelines at his request. [22667]

  Mr. Horam
  The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, other royal colleges and interested groups are in the process of producing clinical guidelines for the management and treatment of osteoporosis.

  Northern and Yorkshire Regional Headquarters
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who conducted the full option appraisal into the relocation of the Northern and Yorkshire NHS regional headquarters to the Mountjoy science park in Durham. [22673]

  Mr. Malone
  The appraisal was carried out jointly by members of Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority and a team provided by the national health service executive of the Department of Health.

  Medical Research
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research commissioned by his Department is currently being carried out at(a) the Royal Hallamshire hospital, (b) the Doncaster royal infirmary, (c) the Weston Park hospital, (d) the Pontefract general hospital and (e) the Mexborough royal infirmary, Sheffield; and if he will show in his answer the total amount of funds made available by his Department for each project. [23069]

  Mr. Malone
  Research commissioned within the Department's policy research programme is set out in "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme" and
  663
  "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme: Commissions 1994–95", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Cancer (Sellafield)
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the report from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment on the incidence of cancer and leukaemia in the vicinity of the Sellafield site, west Cumbria. [23569]

  Mr. Horam
  The Government are grateful to the committee for its thorough and comprehensive report, copies of which have been placed in the Library. Ministerial colleagues and I note the Committee's concern about the continuing excess of leukaemia and lymphoma in young people in Seascale. We accept the recommendations made in the report, including the committee's recommendation that the incidence of leukaemia and other cancers in the area be kept under surveillance and reviewed periodically by the appropriate authorities. Government also accept the committee's advice that there will be no benefit from continuing to investigate Seascale in isolation in the absence of new evidence of particular causative characteristics which could be relevant.

  We welcome COMARE's advice on research priorities and will continue to fund the Department's long-standing programme of research into radiation protection, seeking advice as necessary from expert sources. The Department will also maintain contact with other funding bodies to ensure priority is given to relevant, high quality research.

  The Government's commitment to maintaining and updating effective radiation protection policies is demonstrated by the Department's current spend of nearly £2 million a year on radiological protection research, together with support amounting to some £6.5 million year for the National Radiological Protection Board.

  Following is COMARE's main conclusion:
  "We conclude that there has been a continuing excess of leukaemia and other cancers in 0–24 year olds in Seascale Ward in the post—Black period 1984–1992, primarily due to an excess of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and NHL. Taken together with the results for the earlier period 1955–62 (for which comparable statistical analysis is not possible) and 1963–1983 the data show that there has been a continued excess of leukaemia and NHL in Seascale for four decades. Such evidence as we have does not indicate any excess between 1900 and 1945. We have investigated possible causes of the excess in later decades and conclude that:

  (i) On current knowledge, environmental radiation exposure from authorised or unplanned releases could not account for the excess. Much work has been done to reduce the uncertainties present in the previous assessment although some uncertainties do still remain.

  (ii) On current knowledge occupational exposure to radiation is very unlikely to account for the excess. Although there are uncertainties regarding internal radiation exposures it is not clear how these could affect the population of Seascale and not the other residents of small towns and villages nearby where workers from the Sellafield site also live.

  (iii) Other possible hypotheses regarding chemicals and infectious aetiology have been considered. We conclude that environmental exposure to chemicals is unlikely to offer an explanation although admittedly the data are sparse. We do,
  664
  however, believe that a mechanism involving infection may probably be a factor affecting the risk of leukaemia and NHL in young people in Seascale.

  We conclude that the excess of leukaemia and NHL in young people in Seascale for the period 1963 to 1992 is highly unlikely to be due to chance alone. Various factors considered above could affect the incidence of leukaemia and NHL but no one factor alone could account for the increase. We cannot rule out interactions between different possible factors but, as yet, have no way of quantifying their effects nor of saying why the interaction would be unique to Seascale.
  We have now produced four reports to Government on the incidence of childhood cancer and leukaemia around particular nuclear installations. The first and present reports have been concerned with the Sellafield site. Our work to investigate the cause has entailed one of the most intensive investigations of a local public health concern, due to a suspected environmental problem, ever undertaken in the UK. In addition to our efforts, the input from Government in sponsoring research, from the NRPB and many other independent research bodies and individuals, including industry, has been very substantial. Given this effort there exists a natural expectation of a clear and unambiguous answer to the key issues being addressed. Certainly, we are in no doubt of the raised incidence of leukaemia and NHL which has occurred in the young people of Seascale, and its persistence over several decades is probably unique in this country.
  We have examined leading available current hypotheses and pathways by which the observed excess could have come about and have been unable to find any convincing explanation. We have, of course, been constrained by the fact that mechanisms involved in human leukaemogenesis are still not clearly understood. It is our view that current research efforts being undertaken in the UK and worldwide should eventually supply answers to these questions. However, until this research provides the required information we advise against further work specifically addressing the Seascale cluster until new insights into possible carcinogenic mechanisms suggest possible causes to test".

  COMARE has made five recommendations, as follows:
  "Recommendation I (Chapters 2, 4, 6, 8)
  We note that there are a number of epidemiological studies underway which will examine the various hypotheses which have been discussed in this report. The United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study is testing both radiation and non-radiation hypotheses including infectious aetiology and possible predisposing features to carcinogenesis. We recommend that these should be supported to completion.
  Recommendation 2 (Chapter 2)
  We share the concern about the continuing excess of childhood and adolescent leukaemia and lymphoma and possible excess of other cancers in Seascale and we recommend that the incidence of leukaemia and other cancers in the area be kept under surveillance and reviewed periodically by the appropriate authorities and that any new cases of leukaemia or other cancer be fully characterised.
  Recommendation 3 (Chapters 2 and 7)
  We recommend that the mortality/incidence of both childhood and adult leukaemia and other cancers in Seascale for the years 1946–62 be examined as thoroughly as possible to connect the mortality study of 1900–45 with the incidence studies of 1963–92.
  Recommendation 4
  With regard to radiation specifically, our investigations have made us aware of several areas where an urgent need exists for improved knowledge. We consider that their investigation is both important for the scientific basis of radiation protection generally and for the evaluation of potential future problems in the field of radiation and public health. We therefore recommend support, wherever possible, for innovative research in the areas [set our in COMARE's report].

  665
  Recommendation 5 (Chapters 8 and 9)
  We are aware that our inability to identify causative mechanisms to explain all the Seascale leukaemia and NHL excess reflects the present inadequate state of knowledge regarding the causes of childhood leukaemia. It is possible that this excess, and any others if they occur in future, will continue to elude explanation until underlying mechanisms are better understood. We expect such understanding to come from current and future initiatives in leukaemia and cancer research, whether related to radiation or not. We recommend that high quality innovative research, especially where it permits hypothesis testing, should be supported wherever possible, that this should be considered a necessary part of the remit of radiation protection, and that there should be continued liaison between funding bodies to ensure that essential research receives adequate priority for available funds."

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make additional funds available for high-dose chemotherapy and autografting for women with breast cancer within the two nationally agreed clinical studies. [22492]

  Mr. Horam
  Any additional proposal would require careful consideration in the design criteria for existing studies before further funding could be considered.

  Treatment Protocols
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy not to allow health authorities not to provide treatments without reference to ministerial protocols; [22496]

  (2) if he will bring forward protocols to avoid recurrence of health authorities deciding not to provide treatment to sick children, with special reference to the case of child B. [22497]
  666
  Mr. Horam
  Health authorities are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local populations and for securing services to meet those needs through available resources. The Government have made it clear that there should be no clinically effective treatment which health authorities decide as a mater of principle should not be provided. There will always be exceptional cases and each should be considered on its merits.

  Sick Children
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the compliance of the Government's policy towards the treatment of critically ill children with the provisions of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child. [22493]

  Mr. Bowis
  In our report to the United Nations committee on the rights of the child, HMSO 1994, we noted that advances in medical science offer new opportunities in the acute care of children. We accept the evidence that critically ill children are best treated in dedicated paediatric intensive care units, and on 6 March my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced that he had asked for a report by the end of April on the implementation of plans for the development of paediatric intensive care.

  Secondments
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the individuals, by name, civil service post and receiving company, who are on temporary secondment from his Department to industry as part of the continuing programme of interchange of staff with the private sector. [22790]

  Mr. Horam
  There are none.

  COMARE Report
  COMARE Report
  National Lottery: Effect on Charities
  National Lottery: Effect on Charities
  Asylum Seekers with Relatives in the UK
  Asylum Seekers with Relatives in the UK
  Mr. Festus Otono
  Mr. Festus Otono
  Immigration Casework: Computerisation
  Immigration Casework: Computerisation
  Motorway Service Areas: Access Applications
  Motorway Service Areas: Access Applications
  Export of Defence Equipment: Review
  Export of Defence Equipment: Review
  Crown Accommodation Classification and Grading Scheme
  Crown Accommodation Classification and Grading Scheme
  Hanish Islands
  Hanish Islands
  Zambian Constitution: Harare Declaration
  Zambian Constitution: Harare Declaration
  Zambia: Detention of Editors
  Zambia: Detention of Editors
  Indonesia: UK Aid
  Indonesia: UK Aid