Written Answers of 29 March 1996

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Primary Education
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of children at(a) primary level and (b) post-primary level are in integrated education in Northern Ireland. [22559]

  Mr. Ancram
  The percentage of children in integrated education is(a) 1.6 per cent. at primary level and (b) 1.8 per cent. at post-primary level.

  Education (Cross-community Contact)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums of money were spent in each of the education and library board areas of

  Education and Library Board

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Belfast

  44

  24

  69

  30

  82

  31

  Western

  47

  31

  76

  30

  82

  28

  North-Eastern

  42

  45

  63

  39

  75

  30

  South-Eastern

  57

  41

  107

  26

  104

  29

  Southern

  52

  36

  91

  34

  99

  38

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the expenditure on education in Northern Ireland as a percentage of the total expenditure in Northern Ireland for each of the last five years. [22560]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is set out in the table:

  Year

  Department of Education, Northern Ireland expenditure1

  As of NI2 expenditure (percentage)

  1990–91

  1,004

  18.2

  1991–92

  1,124

  18.7

  1992–93

  1,203

  18.3

  1993–94

  1,248

  17.6

  1994–95

  1,295

  17.5

  1Youth training programme expenditure has been excluded as responsibility for this activity transferred to Department of Economic Development from 1992–93.

  2includes Northern Ireland Office expenditure.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many orders under the negative 756
  Northern Ireland on education for mutual understanding and cross-community contact in each of the last five years. [22563]

  Mr. Ancram
  Expenditure is not available by board area. However, overall expenditure on cross-community contact in the last five years was as follows:

  Financial year

  Expenditure £

  1991–92

  391,571

  1992–93

  856,507

  1993–94

  1,265,268

  1994–95

  1,579,327

  1995–96 (Estimated)

  1,721,000

  Support for education for mutual understanding as a cross-curricular theme is provided by the curriculum advisory and support services operated by the education and library boards, separate costs are not available.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in each of the education and library board areas in Northern Ireland which have participated in the cross-community contact scheme in each of the last three years. [22562]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23312]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Since January 1995, six orders—statutory rules or orders—under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day that they have been made.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Northern Ireland social fund discretionary budget will be for 1996–97. [24345]

  Mr. Moss
  I am pleased to announce that the social fund gross discretionary budget for 1996–97 will be £36.71 million. Some £9.76 million will be allocated to grants; £26.85 million to loans; and £0.1 million will be held as a contingency reserve. The new allocations represent an increase nearing £5 million over the gross budget set at April 1995.

  Details of the individual district budget allocations, together with a note explaining the basis on which they have been made, will be placed in the Library today.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23317]

  Mr. Sproat
  None.

  National Lottery
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make statement about the breach of its 1994–95 running costs limit by the Office of the National Lottery. [24289]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The gross running cost limit for the Office of the National Lottery within class XI, vote 8 will be decreased by £130,000 from £2,440,000 to £2,310,000. The decrease arises from the imposition of a penalty following the breach of the gross running costs limit in the previous year, 1994–95. Oflot did not exceed its overall cash limit. Running costs were exceeded because of the difficulty in accurately estimating the costs associated with the launch of the national lottery. The Office of the National Lottery has reported that it has reviewed its systems and procedures to prevent a recurrence of the breach.

TRANSPORT

  Road Building
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new starts on road building have been made(a) by the Highways Agency and (b) under the design, build, finance and operate programme in each of the financial years for which figures are available. [22758]

  Mr. Watts
  For the two financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 that the Highways Agency has been in existence, 13 conventionally funded schemes started in 1994–95 and one in 1995–96. No design, build, finance and operate projects were let in 1994–95 but four DBFO projects have so far been let in 1995–96.

  Railtrack Incident Logs (Staffordshire)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of the Railtack incident logs for incidents occurring in Staffordshire in the last six months. [23087]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack incident logs are internal documents and are not for publication. All statutorily reportable accidents and incidents are reported to the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate.

  Train-mounted Cranes (Staffordshire)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many train-mounted cranes are currently available in Staffordshire; and what is the estimated response time of the cranes for an incident occurring at Stoke-on-Trent station. [23088]
  758
  Mr. John Watts
  Railtrack does not currently have any train-mounted cranes based in Staffordshire. However, the nearest crane is based at Crewe and the estimated response time for an incident occurring at Stoke-on-Trent Station is one to two hours.

  Railway Staff (Safety)
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks the Health and Safety Executive makes on the working practices of safety-critical rail staff. [23118]

  Mr. Watts
  Inspecting officers of Her Majesty's railway inspectorate frequently visit railway sites such as signalboxes, maintenance depots, track work and signalling installations. At such times, and when travelling in driving cabs, they consider, among many other matters, the competence of, and working arrangements for, persons carrying out safety-critical work. In addition, they look at managers' arrangements for monitoring compliance with the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994, and provide advice and guidance.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are taken by Railtrack to ensure that staff carrying out designated safety-critical work, employed by Railtrack or its contractors, are fit to do so. [23119]

  Mr. Watts
  The Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994 place responsibility on employers for ensuring that their employees are competent and fit to undertake safety-critical work.

  Railtrack has railway group standards in place which set out competence and medical fitness standards, and which apply to its own staff, staff of train and station operators and staff of infrastructure contractors, who carry out safety-critical work on the Railtrack network. Group standards require employers to monitor fitness for work on a regular basis. Periodic re-examination of medical fitness and reassessment of competence is also mandatory.

  Railtrack's safety and standards directorate carries out audits of compliance with group standards by the Railtrack zones, and operators and contractors.

  Roads (Speed Limits)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the speed limits in respect of each type of road; and if he will make a statement. [23110]

  Mr. Norris
  Speed limits for all types of road are set out in the Highway Code (page 53). Realistic speed limits and sensible driving can and do make a significant contribution to road safety.

  Traffic Light Switching Device
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the new scheme to fit fire engines in Nottinghamshire with a device to switch traffic lights to green will be expanded(a) nationally and (b) to passenger carrying vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [23333]
  759
  Mr. Norris
  The introduction of such facilities is the responsibility of the local highway authority and bus companies concerned. Similar schemes are already providing buses with benefits in London and other cities.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of Jersey's decision to ban bull bars from cars and vans by the end of the year. [23342]

  Mr. Norris
  I recognise the interest in road safety which has prompted Jersey to take action against aggressive bull bars.

  Passenger Carrying Vehicle Drivers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances(a) EU and (b) United Kingdom drivers' hours regulations apply to PCV drivers. [23340]

  Mr. Norris
  EU drivers' hours rules apply to drivers of vehicles with 18 or more seats on regular national services over 50 km and on non-regular services. They also apply to international journeys in vehicles with 10 or more seats. UK drivers' hours rules apply to drivers of public service vehicles and to motor vehicles—other than public service vehicles—constructed or adapted to carry more than 12 passengers, on journeys which are outside the scope of the EU regulations.

  Islands British Rail Line
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in franchising the Islands British Rail line. [24285]

  Mr. Watts
  The franchising director has today announced the draft passenger service requirement for the Island line franchise. The draft PSR sets out the proposed level of passenger rail services the franchise operator must provide and for which subsidy will be made. The operator will have the opportunity to run additional services to those set out in the PSR to respond to passenger requirements and develop his business.

  Comments are invited by 24 May.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits. [24346]

  Sir George Young
  The cash limit for class VI, vote 5 (roads and local transport) is reduced by £1,300,000 from £512,615,000 to £511,315,000. The reduction will offset cash limited expenditure on class VI, vote 6 in relation to the clean-up operations necessary following the recent grounding of the oil tanker, Sea Empress.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23310]

  Mr. Norris
  None.
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HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Upper Waiting Hall Exhibition
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Housing Aid Society to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [24133]

  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 6 May to Friday 10 May 1996.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many full general national vocational qualifications have been awarded in each year since their introduction at each level; and how many awardees have been taught in (i) further education and sixth form colleges, (ii) secondary schools and (iii) other. [23081]

  Mr. Paice
  The first five GNVQs began their pilot phase at intermediate and advanced levels in 1992. The GNVQ awarding bodies estimate that the number of full GNVQs awarded since 1993 is as follows (rounded to the nearest 100):

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Advanced

  —

  2,000

  15,400

  Intermediate

  1,800

  18,600

  41,700

  Foundation

  —

  700

  3,600

  Information on the type of GNVQ centre attended by individual awardees is not collected centrally at present. The Department is developing a GNVQ database which will enable this information to be supplied in future.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her Department's estimate of public expenditure on pre-16 general national vocational qualifications provision. [23083]

  Mr. Paice
  The Department has made no such estimate.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when her Department or its predecessor began its assessment of the need for an education lead body for the development of S/NVQs for(a) the youth service and (b) youth work; [23167]

  (2) what are the implications of the creation of S/NVQs for (a) the youth service or (b) youth work for public funding for the voluntary youth service sector; [23170]

  (3) what representations she has received alleging disadvantages faced by the voluntary youth sector as a result of the absence of S/NVQs for the youth service or for youth work; [23169]
  761
  (4) what targets have been set by her or by those responsible in her Department for the date by which S/NVQs for (a) the youth service and (b) youth work should be in place. [23168]

  Mr. Paice
  In 1994, the former Employment Department funded the National Youth Agency to commission a feasibility study by Professor Eraut of Sussex university to explore the scope for developing NVQ standards for youth and community work. He recommended that a comprehensive occupational and functional analysis of the field should be completed, together with a cost-benefit analysis. Following extensive consultation with the youth service field, including the voluntary sector, there is now general agreement that such an analysis should take place. No targets have been set for the introduction of NVQs for youth work or of a lead body for this occupational sector.

  The Department would fund any occupational and functional mapping exercise, a cost-benefit analysis, the development of standards and qualifications and the implementation of those qualifications. Funding is also normally available to assist with the training costs of assessment.

  The Government are committed to completing the NVQ framework and I am pleased to say that the voluntary sector has been generally supportive of the need to develop NVQs in the youth service.

  General Certificate of Secondary Education Results
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the average point scores for(a) GCSE English language, (b) GCSE mathematics, (c) both subjects and (d) all GCSEs together of each 20th group (i) of all l5-year-olds, (ii) boys and (iii) girls when ranked according to (d) indicating the average number of entries per pupil in each group and in (a) to (d), the number of pupils in each group and in total and

  Year

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  Mergers

  Other

  Mergers

  Other

  Mergers

  Other

  1993

  196

  62

  7

  16

  1

  19

  1994

  205

  48

  12

  14

  6

  18

  1995 (provisional)

  87

  41

  9

  17

  6

  17

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23307]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Since January 1995, no orders made by my right hon. Friend subject to the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day on which they were made.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Sir Mark Lennox-Boyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress Bradford and District training and enterprise council and Lancashire 762
  the average score for (a) to (d) for all such pupils (1) in England, (2) in the local education authority maintained sector, (3) in the grant-maintained sector, (4) in the whole maintained sector and (5) in the independent sector for each year from 1991 to 1995. [23346]

  Mr. Paice
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the answer in the Library.

  School Closures and Mergers
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in England have(a) closed and (b) merged for each year since 1985, giving the totals for (i) primary, (ii) secondary and (iii) special schools. [23390]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on the number of maintained schools closing each year is available only from 1987 onwards. For years before 1993, full information is not available to show whether closures occurred as the result of a merger or other closure. The total number of closures recorded in each year since 1987 is as follows:

  Year

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  1987

  192

  n/a

  31

  1988

  198

  176

  47

  1989

  152

  96

  18

  1990

  265

  127

  31

  1991

  229

  67

  41

  1992

  318

  108

  27

  1993

  258

  23

  20

  1994

  253

  26

  24

  1995 (provisional)

  128

  26

  23

  This table excludes 111 primary, 15 secondary and 21 special schools which closed during this period for which the precise closure date is not readily available.

  The following table breaks down closures since 1993 between those recorded as mergers and other closures.

  Area West training and enterprise council are making in meeting the criteria for the award of a three-year licence. [24219]

  Mr. Paice
  I am pleased to announce the award of a three-year licence to Bradford and District TEC and LAWTEC who have now completed the process of meeting the rigorous standards we set.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Equitas
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has taken a decision under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 on the authorisation of Equitas; and if he will make a statement. [24286]
  763
  Mr. Nelson
  I have considered carefully the proposals made by Lloyd's for the authorisation of Equitas Reinsurance Ltd. and Equitas Ltd. ("Equitas"). Lloyd's proposes to reinsure the market's 1992 and prior non-life liabilities into Equitas, and to provide matching assets together with an additional solvency margin of free assets. Equitas would be a pure reinsurer, and Lloyd's application does not seek authorisation for it to undertake any subsequent business.

  Lloyd's proposals are based on a thorough review of the 1992 and prior liabilities and in particular of exposure to US asbestos and pollution claims. This review has been assisted by work undertaken by a number of leading firms of consulting actuaries and chartered accountants.

  I have decided to authorise Equitas on the basis of Lloyd's proposals, subject to certain conditions which Lloyd's does not expect to fulfil before August this year. Of these, the most important are, first, that the contracts reinsuring names' liabilities into Equitas cannot be completed until Lloyd's can demonstrate that the assets available to Equitas are such as to ensure it has the minimum solvency margin I have required. Lloyd's statement of assets available to Equitas will be subject to independent review by Coopers and Lybrand, which is to be appointed as Equitas' auditors once the contracts are completed. Secondly, there are conditions to ensure that if developments between now and August should lead to an increase in the estimate of the overall level of liabilities, then a matching increase in the assets would have to be provided. In addition, there is a condition making any dividend to any shareholders or return premium to reinsured names subject to DTI consent. Any future proposal that Equitas should undertake further business would require DTI consent.

  Under section 32 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982, UK insurance companies are required to maintain a minimum margin of free assets, calculated according to a formula. The formula was not devised with circumstances such as the Equitas proposal in mind, and is likely to produce widely fluctuating requirements over the first four years of Equitas' life. I have therefore decided to exercise the discretion to which I am entitled under the Act to make a direction under section 68 to modify the normal requirements in 1996 and 1998.

  In reaching this decision, I have been mindful of my responsibilities under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 in relation to the authorisation of new insurance companies and the protection of policyholders in general. In this case, I have to consider whether policyholders would be better protected if Equitas is authorised than if it is not. I must also be satisfied that all the statutory requirements for authorisation under the Act have been met.

  The main reasons for my decision are as follows.

  First, policyholders will benefit from substantial additional funds which would not otherwise be likely to be forthcoming. The provisions made for 1992 and prior liabilities have been increased by more than £1.5 billion. Equitas will be funded to meet its estimated liabilities and to provide the additional margin of free assets. Some £1 billion plus of the funding is to be provided from sources which have no obligation to support 1992 and prior losses, together with approaching a further £2.5 billion deriving from new money from names, the settlement of the current
  764
  litigation and from 1993–94–95 profits which would not otherwise be necessarily or immediately available to support these losses. The Equitas proposals will also ensure that the assets to cover these provisions will be fully paid, in contrast to the present position in which some £4 billion of Lloyd's assets is represented by uncalled losses or unpaid cash calls. Furthermore, subject to the division of Equitas' assets between US, Canadian and UK trust funds, the assets of Equitas will be fully mutualised and all available to support all of Equitas' liabilities to policyholders.

  Secondly, the creation of Equitas offers a strong prospect of lower claims handling costs and higher investment yields than would otherwise be the case, the benefits of which will accrue to policyholders in the first instance.

  Overall, I am satisfied that the resources available to support 1992 and prior policyholders through Equitas will be greater and more certain than without its authorisation. The Government Actuary takes the view that there is a reasonable prospect that Equitas will be able to pay off its liabilities in full as they fall due.

  Thirdly, if, against expectation, the liabilities of Equitas at some future point should appear to be on the point of exceeding the assets available, arrangements will have been built into the reinsurance contract with names designed to ensure that policyholders would continue to receive an uninterrupted flow of claims payments, albeit at less than 100 per cent., with the residual balance of claims falling back on to the reinsured names. These arrangements would provide a much superior outcome for all policyholders, including reinsured names, than conventional insolvency proceedings for Equitas.

  Fourthly, the creation of Equitas as proposed will very significantly improve the security of 1993 and subsequent policyholders at Lloyd's, by substantially removing the risk that further deterioration in the 1992 and prior liabilities would affect them.

  Last, if Equitas does not proceed, Lloyd's has acknowledged that there is a significant risk that Lloyd's as a whole would have to cease underwriting. In that event, the subsequent run-off would face an uncertain future. I therefore consider Lloyd's proposals are a well-judged response to this situation in the interests of existing Lloyd's policyholders, and of reinsuring names as policyholders.

  It is now for the members of Lloyd's to decide whether to support Lloyd's proposals as the next step before Equitas can go live later this year.

  Iraq (Exports)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidelines covered the provision by United Kingdom companies of computer services for the Iraqi air force immediately before the outbreak of the Gulf war; what dispensation had been(a) sought by and (b) given to the ICL company at West Gorton, Manchester; and if he will make a statement. [21295]

  Mr. Lang
  The provision of services to Iraq before the imposition of UN sanctions in August 1990 was not controlled and there were no guidelines.
  765
  ICL and other computer companies applied for many licences under the Export of Goods (Control) Orders to export computer equipment to Iraq. These applications are included in appendix A, part A of Sir Richard Scott's report and were considered in the same way as other equipment with potential for military use. Sir Richard Scott looks at some of the licence applications submitted by ICL in sections D2.403.10 and D6.269.76 of his report.

  Proprietary and Mutual Companies
  Mr. French
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what legal provisions prevent a proprietary company from calling itself mutual. [21253]

  Mr. Nelson
  None.

  Employment Legislation
  Sir Roger Moate
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the cost to British companies caused by the application to contracting for services of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the acquired rights directive; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this matter; what progress is being made in securing changes to the directive; and if he will make a statement. [23589]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department has received a great many representations concerning the financial and practical implications of the application of the EC acquired rights directive to contracting for services. The Government do not believe that the directive was generally intended to apply to the contracting out of a service or to the transfer from one provider to another of a contract to supply services, nor is it suitable for such circumstances.

  Despite several rulings by the European Court of Justice, uncertainty still exists about the application of the directive. The Government believe that such uncertainty can be resolved only by amendment of the directive itself, and have sought, with the support of several other member states, changes to it. The European Commission brought froward a proposal in September 1994 to amend the directive in a number of respects. It has not been possible to reach agreement on the basis of that text but the Government will continue to press for changes to the directive. We expect the Commission to bring forward a revised proposal shortly.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23314]

  Mr. Lang
  One.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a list of all overseas visits made by all Ministers of his Department since 1990, including(a) details of the places visited and brief reasons for the visit, (b) details of the size, composition and cost
  766
  to public funds of the delegation and (c) the names of non-ministerial members of each delegation and the capacity in which each was present. [17484]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 1 March 1996]The lists for the years 1992 to present have been placed in the Library of the House. Recovery of data for the years 1990 to 1992 would incur disproportionate costs. Details of the size, composition and function of each delegation would also incur a disproportionate cost. Business people accompanying Ministers are not normally paid for by public funds and the need for officials to accompany Ministers is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  China and Taiwan
  Sir Nicholas Scott
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make clear to the Government of China during his forthcoming visit that the attempts of China to interfere by the threat of force in the democratic politics of Taiwan are unacceptable to the United Kingdom, that a programme of interference in recognised international sea and air routes by firing shells and missiles is also unacceptable and that any renewal of either of these will result in restrictions on investment in trade with China. [22207]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  We have already made very clear to the Chinese Government our grave concerns about their recent military activity. We will continue, on every appropriate occasion, to urge restraint and an early resumption of dialogue with Taiwan.

  HMSO
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what changes he plans to HMSO's external finance limit for 1995–96. [24344]

  Mr. Freeman
  Due to adverse trading conditions and costs associated with an on-going redundancy programme, HMSO is now expected to have a positive external finance requirement in the current year. An external finance limit will therefore be set for 1995–96 at £20,000,000. The increased requirement will be funded from the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Civil Service Management Functions
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which civil service management functions he proposes to delegate to Departments and agencies from 1 April 1996. [24343]

  Mr. Freeman
  I have agreed that, under the terms of the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992, Ministers and office holders in charge of Departments should have delegated authority from 1 April 1996:

  (a) to prescribe the qualifications (so far as they relate to age, knowledge, ability, professional attainment, aptitude and potential) for the appointment of home civil servants (with the exception of the fast stream development programme) in their respective departments; and

  767

  (b) to determine in respect of home civil servants in their respective departments the number and grading of posts outside the senior civil service and the terms and conditions of employment in so far as they relate to the following:

  (i) classification of staff, with the exception of the senior civil service;

  (ii) remuneration and allowances, with the exception of the senior civil service;

  (iii) allowances for the senior civil service in respect of service overseas;

  (iv) expenses;

  (v) holidays, hours of work and attendance;

  (vi) part-time and other working arrangements;

  (vii) performance and promotion;

  (viii) retirement age and redundancy;

  (ix) re-deployment of staff within and between departments.

  A revised management code, taking account of the new delegations and the creation of the senior civil service, has been issued to Departments and agencies. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

ENVIRONMENT

  Secondary Liquid Fuels
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require manufacturers of secondary liquid fuels to make publicly available their chemical composition. [22954]

  Mr. Clappison
  If a cement or lime kiln is to use secondary liquid fuel, the operator sends the fuel specification to Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. This specification includes the technical data that the inspectorate needs for the statutory regulation of the process at the kiln. The specification is put on the public register. Chemical analyses are provided if they are relevant. If the inspectorate decides to authorise the process, the authorisation, which includes the details of the fuel, also appears on the public register. A further requirement would impose upon industry without returning regulatory benefit to the public.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date trials of secondary liquid fuel began at Barrington cement works. [23248]

  Mr. Clappison
  Trials began on 9 November 1993, for 25 per cent. substitution of fuel.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date use of secondary liquid fuel at Barrington was approved. [23246]

  Mr. Clappison
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution issued a variation to the company's authorisation for the burning of secondary liquid fuel on 8 November 1995, which came into effect on 13 November 1995.

  Environmental Pollution Reports
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on which criteria and within which time scale he expects to respond to reports produced by the royal commission on environmental pollution. [23063]
  768
  Mr. Clappison
  We have told the chairman of the royal commission that our general aim is to respond to its reports in nine to 12 months, but that a different timetable may be appropriate in particular cases.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number and title of the reports of the royal commission on environmental pollution to which the Government have(a) responded and (b) not responded indicating for (b) the factors underlying the absence of response. [23064]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have responded to the following reports by the royal commission on environmental pollution:

  First Report.

  2nd Report: "Three Issues in Industrial Pollution".

  3rd Report: "Pollution in some British Estuaries and Coastal Waters".

  4th Report: "Pollution Control: Progress and Problems".

  5th Report: "Air Pollution Control: an Integrated Approach".

  6th Report: "Nuclear Power and the Environment".

  7th Report: "Agriculture and Pollution".

  8th Report: "Oil Pollution of the Sea".

  9th Report: "Lead in the Environment".

  10th Report: "Tackling Pollution—Experience and Prospects".

  11 th Report: "Managing Waste: The Duty of Care".

  12th Report: "Best Practicable Environmental Option".

  13th Report: "The Release of Genetically Engineered Organisms to the Environment".

  14th Report: "GENHAZ—a system for the critical appraisal of proposals to release genetically modified organisms into the environment".

  15th Report: "Emissions from Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles".

  16th Report: "Freshwater Quality".

  17th Report: "Incineration of Waste".

  The Government have not yet responded to the following:
  18th Report: "Transport and the Environment". The Government are considering the royal commission report in the light of responses to the national transport debate. A report drawing together all the threads of the national debate will be produced during 1996.
  19th Report: "Sustainable Use of Soil". The Government are considering this report, which was published on 29 February, and will respond in due course.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23313]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None.

  Civil Estate (Efficiency Scrutiny)
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the report of the implementation of the recommendations of the efficiency unit's scrutiny of the management of the civil estate will be available. [24288]

  Mr. Gummer
  Following the scrutiny of the management of the civil estate, the responsibilities for
  769
  property on the civil estate currently exercised by the Department of the Environment's property holdings are being transferred to departments. This transfer will take effect on 1 April 1996. I have placed in the Library of the House the final report of the scrutiny action manager on the action taken to implement the 84 detailed recommendations of the scrutiny.

  Office Waste Minimisation Strategy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the office waste minimisation strategy being adopted by his Department; and if he will list each of the targets. [23371]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: I expect to announce the waste minimisation target for my Department shortly.

WALES

  Development Board for Rural Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was allocated to the Development Board for Rural Wales in(a) 1993, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995 in real terms by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [23180]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The resources allocated to the DBRW are shown in the following table. Figures are at 1995–96 prices and have been calculated using the latest GDP deflator.

  £ million

  Year

  Grant-in-aid

  Housing subsidy

  1993–94

  14.506

  2.588

  1994–95

  14.808

  2.540

  1995–96

  7.980

  2.368

  The grant in aid provision for 1995–96 reflected the decision to transfer responsibility and funding for all economic and social grants to the local authorities and tourism activities to the Wales tourist board and the higher levels of self-generated receipts which have been used to re-invest in the economy of Wales.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23308]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what amounts of money have been paid out by(a) his Department and (b) executive agencies,
  770
  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. [22507]

  Mr. Burt
  DSS headquarters and the independent statutory bodies have made no payments in respect of equal opportunities breaches over the years 1993–94 to 1995–96. Two payments of £2,000 and £2,250 have been made by the Department's executive agencies to members of staff, both in 1994–95. Neither case proceeded to a tribunal or court.

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [22866]

  Mr. Burt
  It is not possible to say how many contracts have been awarded in each of the last three years since information on numbers of contracts is not available in the format requested. Any contracts entered into on the basis of single tender negotiated procedures are subject to regulations specified in the DSS purchasing and supply manual and the relevant EC legislation.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23311]

  Mr. Burt
  None.

  Age Allowance
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes) of 18 March,Official Report, column 17, what would be the estimated cost to the Exchequer of paying the age-related premium on the basic pension in a lump sum at the same fixed point in the year for all pensioners. [23603]

  Mr. Heald
  There would be no cost to the national insurance fund as the effect of paying some individuals in advance would be counterbalanced by the effect of paying other individuals in arrears.

  If the lump sum is not treated as weekly income for the purposes of calculating entitlement to income-related benefits, the timing of payment would not affect the impact on income-related benefits expenditure.

  Source: Government Actuary's Department.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23305]

  Mr. Boswell
  None.

SCOTLAND

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [22506]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Higher Education (Inquiry)
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning a Scottish advisory committee to the Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education in the United Kingdom; and what response he intends to make. [22429]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We have received so far 63 representations from bodies in Scotland about the composition and draft terms of reference of the Government's Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, and how the distinctive nature of higher education in Scotland should be taken into account. My right hon. Friends and I expect to announce the outcome of the consultations after Easter.

  Prisons
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what time scale he is applying to the private finance initiative for future prisons; and what estimate he has made of the capital costs and annual running costs of these prisons in each of the years of the private finance initiative; [22840]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 28 February, Official Report, column 618, what representations he has received advocating that prison staff secure the management contract to run any future private finance initiative prison; [22841]

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 28 February, Official Report, column 618, if he will make it his policy to allocate the contract for the management of any future finance initiative prison to the prison staff. [22842]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The new prison is not expected to open before 1999 at the earliest. Early cost estimates are around £18 million to £20 million per annum. Payments would be revalued using an appropriate 772
  indicator over the contract period, which is expected to be 25 years. The Secretary of State met the Scottish Prison Officers Association on 29 September 1995, following which he has received no further representations. However, representations from SPOA have been received on this matter by the Scottish Prison Service chief executive. The option of involving Scottish Prison Service staff in a privately financed prison has not been ruled out.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what allocations the new unitary councils received from the Scottish Office in their notional budgets in 1995–96 for meeting the costs of operating valuation appeals committees. [22908]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The notional amounts for each of the new mainland councils which were prescribed in the notional amounts report 1996 approved by the House on 28 February, were based on the actual 1995–96 budgets of the outgoing councils.

  It is not possible to identify the costs of operating valuation appeals committees within these notional amounts but the table gives details of each of the new councils notional 1995–96 budgets for both lands valuation and council tax valuation as returned to the Scottish Office by the outgoing councils.

  Notional 1995–96 budgets

  Lands valuation £000

  Council tax valuation £000

  Total notional budget £000

  Unitary Authority

  Aberdeen City

  455

  482

  202,484

  Aberdeenshire

  542

  574

  201,628

  Angus

  178

  179

  105,178

  Argyll and Bute

  323

  123

  104,552

  Scottish Borders

  516

  232

  107,026

  Clackmannanshire

  242

  76

  48,972

  West Dunbartonshire

  405

  106

  116,276

  Dumfries and Galloway

  431

  493

  152,773

  Dundee City

  361

  360

  176,033

  East Ayrshire

  284

  104

  122,900

  East Dunbartonshire

  284

  104

  97,602

  East Lothian

  708

  10

  80,196

  East Renfrewshire

  116

  70

  74,043

  Edinburgh City

  4,251

  10

  418,673

  Falkirk

  700

  228

  133,326

  Fife

  1,223

  927

  349,893

  Glasgow City

  1,676

  618

  800,138

  Highland

  921

  691

  234,571

  Inverclyde

  200

  78

  96,974

  Midlothian

  488

  10

  81,875

  Moray

  235

  247

  85,001

  North Ayrshire

  354

  118

  135,130

  North Lanarkshire

  649

  235

  327,768

  Perth and Kinross

  267

  266

  126,006

  Renfrewshire

  521

  152

  179,046

  South Ayrshire

  344

  95

  108,964

  South Lanarkshire

  643

  231

  294,836

  Stirling

  405

  127

  85,495

  West Lothian

  1,100

  10

  154,004

  Total

  18,822

  6,916

  5,201,363

  1Lothian regional council was unable to disaggregate the regional assessor's budget. As a result the figure shown against lands valuation also includes registration of electors and council tax valuation.

  773
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what operational expenses will be incurred by each joint valuation board in Scotland in meeting the costs of valuation appeals committees operating within their areas in 1996–97. [22907]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Responsibility for determining the costs associated with valuation appeal panels and committees drawn from them, as well as the funding of them, rests with the appropriate council or joint board as the appropriate valuation authority.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement indicating how many justices of the peace have been appointed by his Department in each year since 1979; how many of these appointments are permanent; and what other bodies are entitled to make nominations for justices of the peace. [22927]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Justices of the peace are appointed by either the Secretary of State for Scotland under section 9 of the District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975 or under section 11(2) of the same Act by local authorities. Appointments made by the Secretary of State are permanent unless the JP resigns or is removed by order of the Secretary of State. In making appointments, the Secretary of State takes advice from local JP advisory committees. Local authorities are entitled to nominate up to one quarter of their elected members to serve as ex officio JPs for as long as they remain a member of the local authority and retain their authority's nomination. Once appointed, ex officio JPs are governed by the same statutory provisions as JPs appointed by the Secretary of State.

  The table below details the total number of JP appointments in Scotland since 1983. Figures for the period 1979 to 1982 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Year

  Secretary of State appointments

  Ex-officio appointments

  1983

  95

  7

  1984

  148

  112

  1985

  118

  6

  1986

  136

  15

  1987

  88

  8

  1988

  175

  125

  1989

  96

  1

  1990

  144

  11

  1991

  134

  3

  1992

  141

  109

  1993

  126

  6

  1994

  97

  15

  1995

  110

  4

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23306]
  774
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None of the orders I have made since January 1995 which have been subject to the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the same day that they were made.

TREASURY

  EU Finance
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assistance has been received per head of population from(a) the common agricultural policy and (b) European structural and cohesion funds since the Edinburgh conclusions by (i) Ireland, (ii) Wales and (iii) the United Kingdom. [22432]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The available information in respect of the these territories is as follows:

  £ per head (provisional)

  CAP expenditure in

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Republic of Ireland

  361.46

  317.6

  320.93

  the UK1 2 3

  36.84

  36.73

  40.88

  Note:

  1Underlying CAP expenditure taken from the 1993 and 1994 annual FEOGA financial reports, and show our actual expenditure; 1995 figures are based on provisional estimates from the European Commission.

  2 Sterling figures converted from European Currency Units (ECU's) using the exchange rates in the FEOGA reports—1993, 1 ecu = £0.78627; 1994, 1 ecu = £0.76626; 1995 (estimated), 1 ecu = £0.80802.

  3 Population statistics taken from EUROSTAT: 32nd edition (published 1995) of D basic statistics of the European Union.

  £ per head (estimated)

  CAP expenditure in

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Northern Ireland1 2

  54.88

  72.79

  88.51

  Wales1 2

  55.03

  56.99

  69.89

  Note:

  1Underlying CAP expenditure taken from the annual departmental reports for Wales and Northern Ireland. CAP expenditure in Wales and Northern Ireland is available only on the basis of financial years. The information excludes expenditure administered by the intervention board in the UK as a whole, which cannot be identified separately.

  2Population statistics taken from EUROSTAT: 32nd edition (published 1995) of D basic statistics of the European Union.

  £ per head (estimated)

  European structural and cohesion funds in

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Republic of Ireland1 2 3

  335.95

  217.45

  253.55

  The UK1 2 4

  22.95

  22.84

  30.11

  Northern Ireland1 2 4

  109.47

  81.52

  139.15

  Wales1 2 4

  36.89

  30.78

  40.12

  Note:

  1Annual allocations made under the 1989 to 1993 and 1994 to 1999 Community support frameworks, single programming documents and Community initiatives—various Community documents. Payments in respect of the allocations are made over a period of years from the date the allocations are set.

  2Sterling figures converted from ecus using the annual average exchange rates contained in the annual White Paper "Statement on the Community Budget".

  3Population statistics taken from EUROSTAT: 32nd edition (published 1995) of D basic statistics of the European Union.

  4Population statistics from the population estimates unit, OPCS.

  775

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the impact of an immediate reduction of 2 per cent. in nominal interest rates on United Kingdom(a) output and (b) employment within (i) 12 months and (ii) 24 months. [22964]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  We never speculate about interest rates.

  Interest rates are only one of many influences on economic growth, and the impact of an interest rate reduction on the economy depends on the interaction with these other factors. The Government will continue to set interest rates at a level consistent with meeting the target for inflation of 2½ per cent. or less.

  Open-ended Investment Companies
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on legislation to introduce open-ended investment companies. [24218]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Following consultations in the second half of 1995, the Treasury is nearing completion of a review of the draft regulations under the European Communities Act 1972, which will permit open-ended investment companies—OEICs—to be set up in Great Britain. The Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development will prepare separate regulations, also under the ECA, to permit OEICs to be set up in Northern Ireland. The Securities and Investments Board is studying parallel responses to its draft product regulations published in October 1995. Responses to the consultations, which have been encouraging and constructive, have raised a number of important issues.

  In reviewing the Treasury's draft ECA regulations, my firm intention has been to maximise flexibility where possible without reducing the level of protection for investors. During the consultations, there was great interest in the corporate structure of the British open-ended investment company. After careful consideration, I have decided to allow greater flexibility than initially proposed. The revised regulations will require a minimum of one director. This will enable an oeic either to appoint a single director—provided that the director is a corporate body authorised under the Financial Services Act 1986—or to appoint more than one director. Promoters of OEICs will therefore be able to choose the structure most appropriate to their particular circumstances. The product regulations to be introduced by SIB will be relevant to the powers and duties of directors.

  The interests of an OEIC's shareholders will also be protected by a fully independent depositary—also authorised under the Financial Services Act. The OEIC's annual general meeting will enhance accountability to its shareholders.

  I am also considering a number of minor and technical amendments to the draft ECA regulations. The aim where possible is to increase flexibility, backed up by greater emphasis on disclosure. The draft ECA regulations will be laid before Parliament in draft when revision of the text is complete, probably in the early summer. I believe that this initiative will give the UK fund management industry new opportunities to compete in international
  776
  markets. At the same time, UK investors will gain access to a modern flexible vehicle for pooled investment, with opportunities for access to expertise and economies of scale with the same high standards of investor protection that currently apply to authorised unit trusts.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what occasions civil servants or Ministers have signed public interest immunity certificates to deny documents to the defence in the case of Inland Revenue v. Michael Allcock; what other powers are being used to deny documents requested by the defence; who authorised these actions; and if he will make a statement. [18100]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 29 February 1996]: No such certificates or affidavits have been signed. The hon. Member's question relates to a prosecution pending at the central criminal court which is being conducted by the Crown Prosecution Service, not by the Inland Revenue, and it would not be appropriate to comment further on the case.

  On the general issue of public interest immunity, where a need arises for information to be withheld from the defence, the issue of whether that information should be disclosed by the prosecution falls to be determined by the trial judge. According to the circumstances such a claim may be made by means of a certificate or affidavit, or by prosecuting counsel making a direct application to the court.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which tourist information centres have been informed of the locations of countryside open to the public by virtue of conditional exemption from inheritance tax; and when it became his policy to pass such information to them. [22676]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: The owner of land conditionally exempted from inheritance tax—or capital transfer tax—must publicise the agreed public access arrangements. The agreement may include provision for publicity through tourist information centres. This has been the position since 1975 when capital transfer tax replaced estate duty.

  Each case is considered individually by the appropriate heritage advisory agency, taking account of all relevant factors, including the existing level of publicity. Although the extent of public access may already be widely known, for example where substantial public access is already given, the owner will generally be required to take specific steps to publicise the public access arrangements, for example by advertising the access arrangements in a local tourist office or town hall. For new designations of scenic land in England, owners are required to display at all points of entry on to their land map boards showing the agreed public access.

  It is for the owner to take the necessary steps to provide the agreed form and level of publicity and, where appropriate, to inform the relevant tourist centre(s). The

  777
  advisory agencies monitor owners' compliance with the agreed public access arrangements including matters relating to publicity

  I am unable to provide the requested information about tourist information centres as it is not held centrally. And, in any event, providing such information may help identify individual cases of tax exemption, thus compromising the normal rules on taxpayer confidentiality.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total area of land and the number of locations in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales which have been granted conditional exemption from inheritance tax on the basis of public access having been granted. [22677]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: The area of land exempted from inheritance tax—or capital transfer tax—and to which public access arrangements apply is around 56,000 hectares in England; 48,000 hectares in Scotland; and 2,000 hectares in Wales.

  The information requested about the number of locations which have been granted conditional exemption is not available. This is because in some cases, a designation may cover more than one site. However, there have been 153 designations of land for conditional exemption from inheritance tax—or capital transfer tax—in England; 28 in Scotland and eight in Wales.

  Income Tax (Savings and Investments)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual cost of exempting the first(a) £200, (b) £250, (c) £400, (d) £500, (e) £750, and (f) £1,000 of income from savings and investments from income tax. [22775]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: The full-year costs at 1996–97 income levels are given in the table. The estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of such an exemption.

  Exemption limit £

  Cost in full year at 1996–97 income levels £ million

  200

  620

  250

  720

  400

  990

  500

  1,100

  750

  1,500

  1,000

  1,700

HEALTH

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct the NHS executive heads to report the details of the irregular payments to the top managers of the Yorkshire regional health authority to the fraud squad of the North Yorkshire policy authority. [21722]
  778
  Mr. Malone
  The police were notified of certain details concerning the former Yorkshire regional health authority. The majority of issues covered in the inquiry set up by the chief executive of the national health service were, however, not criminal in nature.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for which health service bodies each of the 17 persons in receipt of irregular payments from the former Yorkshire regional health authority now works. [22731]

  Mr. Malone
  The Information is as follows:

  Number

  York Health Services NHS trust

  1

  Royal Hull Hospitals NHS trust

  2

  Northallerton Health Services NHS trust

  2

  East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS trust

  1

  Harrogate Healthcare NHS trust

  1

  Bradford Hospitals NHS trust

  1

  Alexandra Healthcare NHS trust

  1

  North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS trust

  1

  Trent RHA (until 31 March 1996)

  1

  North Yorkshire HA

  1

  United Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust

  1

  Northern and Yorkshire RHA (until 31 March 1996)

  1

  No longer in NHS

  2

  Place of employment unknown

  1

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the last chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority was provided with a car in connection with his chairmanship; and what was the cost of such provision. [22912]

  Mr. Malone
  Sir Bryan Askew was not provided with a lease car in connection with his chairmanship of the former Yorkshire regional health authority.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the reports of the district auditor into cases of irregular severance payments to the former director of personnel of the former Yorkshire regional health authority, and to the former district general manager of Scunthorpe district health authority, to be available. [23431]

  Mr. Malone
  This is a matter for the auditor.

  Mr. John Greetham
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many miles have been travelled on national health service business by Mr. John Greetham since he became chair of the Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority. [22894]

  Mr. Malone
  According to the latest information available, John Greetham travelled 29,885 miles on national health service business between April 1994 and November 1995.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what national health service appointments have previously been held by Sir John Greetham; what national health service posts he currently holds; what posts he will hold
  779
  on 1 April; and if he will indicate the remuneration received for membership of each such post. [22896]

  Post

  From

  To

  Annual remuneration entitlement

  Regional Chairman for the Northern and Yorkshire region of the NHS executive

  1 April 1996

  31 March 1998

  £20,925

  Chairman, Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority

  1 April 1996

  31 March 1996

  £20,925

  Chairman, St. James' University Hospital NHS trust

  17 December 1990

  31 March 1994

  £19,285

  Non-executive member, York district health authority

  1990

  1990

  Nil

  Non-executive member and later vice-chairman, Yorkshire regional health authority

  1984

  1990

  Nil

  Non-executive member, Scarborough district health authority

  1980

  1984

  Nil

  Non-executive member, North Yorkshire family practitioner committee

  1978

  1980

  Nil

  Electronic Systems
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to link electronic systems holding identifiable health information in his Department to other Government Departments. [22910]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department of Health's network does not handle identifiable health information, being concerned only with anonymised statistical aggregates. Identifiable health information is used by NHS organisations under strict rules set out in recent guidance from the Department of Health. Where the care and treatment of individuals is shared between NHS staff and local authority care staff, identifiable health information has to pass between the responsible clinicians and care workers. Any proposals to use the NHS networking system for this purpose have to follow the very strict controls laid down in the guidance.

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [22852]

  Mr. Horam
  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 EU procurement directives and the World Trade Organisation Government procurement agreement require most contracts above specified thresholds to be awarded following competition, subject to certain specified exceptions. The central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 40 provides an overview of best practice in the competitive tendering process.

  Two internal publications within the Department of Health, the "Purchasing and Supply Manual" and "Guidance Notes on the use of Management Consultants", provide guidance to staff in the Department and its executive agencies on the whole range of procurement matters.

  Single negotiated tenders are permissable only where: (i) when the work is an extension of a recently completed project and it can be clearly demonstrated that the value
  780
  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is listed below:

  of staying with the same supplier outweighs any possibility of reduced costs that would occur from competitive tendering—further work must be shown to be essential to complete the project; (ii) the expertise is not available from any other source; (iii) unforeseeable circumstances that require extreme urgency of action. A trained purchaser must be involved if the contract value exceeds £50,000.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [22867]

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

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will break down the figure of £159.7 million in paragraph 36 of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in the "NHS (England) Summarised Accounts 1994–95" to show the amount of money paid in each financial year between April 1990 and March 1995 by each family health service association to enable general practitioner fundholders to meet the additional costs incurred in managing their funds; and if he will list the fundholding practices in each family health service association area which received the largest amount of money for this purpose between April 1990 and March 1995 indicating the amount of money received by each of those practices. [22991]

  Mr. Malone
  Information about general practitioner fundholder management allowance payments by family health services authority will be placed in the Library.

  Payments to individual practices are governed by a maximum level of reimbursement which is set out in guidance annually. Detailed information about practice level payments is not available centrally.

  General Practitioners (Premises)
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner premises fall into each of the condition categories in each of the London boroughs. [23350]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ambulance Costs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the ambulance costs per mile for each ambulance authority for 1994–95. [23343]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what diseases in humans his Department classifies as associated with BSE. [23427]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons he did not alert the EEC before making a statement on the health consequences of BSE. [23758]

  Mr. Horam
  I understand that the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development was informed before statements were made to the House on 20 March.

  EDS Software
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what out-sourcing contracts his agencies have with the EDS software computer system; what is the current cost; when the contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [23725]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have occurred in each of the last 10 years in the United Kingdom. [23425]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is published in the fourth annual report of the national Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance unit—August 1995—copies of which are available in the Library. The provisional figures for 1995 are 37 sporadic cases, four iatrogenic cases and one case of Gerstmann-Straussler-Schneiker syndrome.

  NHS Network
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the written technical specification which has been prepared or approved for the AT and T clearing house system for the NHS network. [23684]

  Mr. Horam
  The NHS-wide clearing service is a managed service provided by AT and T ISTEL under the private finance initiative. The specification of the service is the "user requirement", the details of which are 782
  contained in the invitation to offer; copies will be placed in the Library. The contract specifies rigorous acceptance trialling to ensure AT and T ISTEL's technical design fully meets the user requirement.

  Rural Pharmacies
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking(a) to develop adequate pharmacy provision in rural areas and (b) to ensure that there is satisfactory co-operation and co-ordination between rural pharmacies and general practitioners including dispensing general practitioners. [23576]

  Mr. Malone
  The essential small pharmacy scheme helps to protect the income of small pharmacies in rural areas. I have recently met both the General Medical Services Committee and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee to discuss relationships between community pharmacists and general medical practitioners in rural areas.

  Cancer
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has held with the royal colleges on guidelines on the appropriateness of diagnosis and treatment of cancer; if he will list those consultations which are ongoing and with which royal college; and when he expects them to report to him on this matter. [23574]

  Mr. Horam
  None. The production of guidelines on appropriate methods of diagnosis and treatment of cancer is a matter for the professions.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23309]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Human Embryos
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the means by which the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority collects and records the creation and fate of human embryos and the reliability of any statistics produced by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [23594]

  Mr. Horam
  Information about in vitro fertilisation treatment and donors is collected on forms prepared for the purpose by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and these are completed by licensed clinics. The HFEA also monitors the use of embryos in research. These arrangements are checked by the HFEA through validation of the forms and inspection of centres.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors led to the giving of incorrect figures to his office by the Human Fertiliszation and Embryology Authority for provision of answers to parliamentary questions on the number and fate of embryos created between 1991 and 1994. [23590]
  783
  Mr. Horam
  The mistakes were due to human error. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has assured me that there is no underlying problem with its database.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many embryos created before August 1991 were still in existence in August 1991; [23591]

  (2) if he will give the number of embryos created before August 1991 used from that date until 1994 for (a) research, (b) treatment cycles and (c) freezing as well as the number of such embryos destroyed by 1994. [23592]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many embryos frozen up to 1994 were subsequently used in(a) treatment cycles and (b) research up to 1994. [23593]

  Mr. Horam
  Between 1 August 1991 and 1994 inclusive the number of frozen embryos used in in vitro fertilisation treatment cycles was 22,019. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 March,Official Report, columns 422–23 which stated that the number of embryos donated for research in the same period was 27,524. This figure includes fresh and frozen embryos.

  Dioxins
  Dame Peggy Fenner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the report of the chief medical officer on dioxins to be available. [23429]

  Mr. Horam
  The chief medical officer's expert advisory Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment reported on its most recent review of dioxins last year. The report was published in the August 1995 edition of the MAFF—Department of Health food safety information bulletin.

  Copies of the COT' s report will be placed in the Library.

  Cause of Death
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were(a) the 20 most usual causes of death in descending order and (b) the 20 least usual causes of death in ascending order; and what was (i) the number and (ii) the percentage of deaths from each cause for each of the last 10 years. [23601]

  Mr. Horam
  The ninth revision of the international classification of diseases categorises causes of death and disease into 17 broad chapters which individually cover diseases of the various body systems, infectious diseases, congenital anomalies, injury and poisoning.

  Individual causes within each chapter have their own three-digit code and most of these three-digit codes are further subdivided by a fourth digit.

  Ranking causes in terms of the comparative numbers of deaths can be done in terms of individual three-digit codes, four-digit codes, or groups thereof. According to which level of detail is chosen, different rankings will result.
  784
  Causes of death at both the three and four-digit levels can be found in table 2 of "Mortality statistics: cause', series DH2, copies of which are available in the Library. A table giving five leading causes is published each year in the appendix tables of the Department of Health's volume "On the State of the Public Health", copies of which are available in the Library.

  NHS Management (Salaries)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of staff on each point of the senior managers scale in the NHS pay spine; and what is the number of female staff on each spine point. [23731]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  NHS Divisional Chief Executives
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the pay of each regional chief executive of NHS regional suppliers in each of the last five years. [23420]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally, as it is an operational matter for national health service supplies. Divisional chief executives of NHS supplies are paid on the same scale as a district general manager 2, which from 1 September 1995 ranges from £47,980 to £69,180.

  Health Authority Chief Executives (Remuneration)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total remuneration for each district health authority's chief executive for 1993–94. [23554]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 16 February 1995, column 808.

  NHS Trusts (Executive Pay)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the payments made in each NHS trust to(a) chairs, (b) non-executive directors, (c) chief executives and (d) executive directors in each year since 1993–94. [21562]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 18 March 1996]: Information as extracted from the annual accounts of national health service trusts for 1994–95 will be placed in the Library. The payments listed represent remuneration in respect of the total gross salary, bonus payments, monetary value of benefits in kind, taxable expenses allowances and pension contributions in relation to the offices described rather than to an individual. They may also include remuneration in respect of services other than directorships, such as clinical duties.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Staff (Working Hours)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons in his Department worked in excess of 48 hours per week in any of the last 52 weeks; and what percentage of the staff employed this represents. [21505]
  785
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Pay and Personnel Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from A. P. Isaacs to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 29 March 1996:

  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons in his Department worked in excess of 48 hours per week in any of the last 52 weeks; and what percentage of the staff employed this represents.

  2. The number of staff recorded as being paid for overtime which took their hours worked to over 48 hours in a week is 10,624 non-industrials and 21,716 industrial staff, which represents approximately 10% and 58% respectively of the Department's staff employed in these groups during the 52 weeks up to the end of February 1996.

  3. However, no records are held centrally of the hours worked either by senior staff not eligible for paid overtime or those on flexible working schemes.

  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) research, (b) development and (c) procurement studies for unmanned aerial vehicles his Department has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated. [22590]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department maintains an active programme of research into technologies relevant to unmanned aerial vehicles, focusing on uses in support roles such as surveillance, target acquisition and communication relay. Development studies are in progress on more realistic targets for air-to-air weapon systems, which could have wider application to UAVs. A study into alternative systems to meet the Army's Phoenix requirement has been undertaken, while an agreed programme of work is conducted by the contractor at its own expense. This study assessment has been completed and is now being evaluated.

  Anti-personnel Fragmentation Grenades
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice his Department has given to Compass Safety International in respect of the description of anti-personnel fragmentation grenades since 1987. [22972]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I am not aware of any advice provided by my Department to Compass Safety International in respect of the description of anti-personnel fragmentation grenades.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's classification of anti-personnel fragmentation grenades. [22970]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Anti-personnel fragmentation grenades are classified as high explosives.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what study has been carried out into examples overseas, with particular reference to Australia, of selling the armed forces married quarters estate to private property developers; and what have been its conclusions. [23068]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We have studied the defence housing arrangements of both the French and the Australian Governments, and in particular the latter's experience in 786
  establishing a defence housing authority. We are not aware of any overseas parallels to our current proposals for the transfer of the married quarters estate in England and Wales to the private sector.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the main terms proposed for the sale of the married quarters estate, indicating the variations from the terms of sale of local authority housing by means of large-scale voluntary transfer under sections 135 and 136 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. [23106]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The main terms proposed for the sale of the married quarters estate in England and Wales were set out in the preliminary information memorandum published on 30 November 1995, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House. The proposed sale cannot readily be compared with large-scale voluntary transfers, as is illustrated by the fact that those properties which are required to accommodate service families will be transferred on a leasehold basis and rented back to my Department.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assumptions his Department has made on the anticipated level of income from rents from the married quarters estate over the period(a) five, (b) 10, (c) 20 and (d) 30 years. [23105]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The level of married quarters charges recovered from occupants by my Department in future years will depend upon future recommendations on charges by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, and on the take-up of married quarters by entitled personnel. Our assumptions concerning the level of rents payable by my Department to the future owners of the married quarters estate in England and Wales are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance is being offered to potential purchasers of the married quarters estate towards the cost of renovating the properties; and under what provisions this is being offered. [23104]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Under the terms of the sale, maintenance and renovation of quarters leased by my Department will be its responsibility for the duration of the relevant leases. Maintenance and renovation of surplus quarters which are passed over to the owners of the estate—whether at the outset or subsequently on the termination of leases—will be a matter for those owners.

  Portland Naval Base
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to sign a contract with Portland Port Ltd. for the sale of Portland naval base; and if he will make a statement. [23553]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Contracts for the sale of Portland naval base to Portland Port Ltd. will be exchanged today, when the purchaser will take possession and accept responsibility for the site.

  Service Children (Education)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Defence Agency status for service children's education. [24412]

  Mr. Soames
  On 1 April 1996, the existing Service Children's Schools (North West Europe) defence agency and the Service Children's Education Authority will be merged to become a new defence agency to be known as Service Children's Education. The aim of SCE will be to provide or ensure an efficient and effective education service for dependent children residing with MOD personnel serving outside the United Kingdom; and to provide advice and support to service parents on the provision of local education authority, grant-maintained and independent education to service children in the United Kingdom. The new defence agency will be owned by the Adjutant General on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence. The location of the SCE headquarters is under review but it will initially be based at Rheindahlen in Germany, with a small advisory branch in Worthy Down, Hampshire. The defence agency's 58 schools will be responsible for educating some 14,500 pupils and are located in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sardinia, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Belize, Falklands, Brunei, Naples and Viborg.

  The chief executive will be required to build upon the SCS(NWE) and SCEA reputation for providing a high standard of service and to achieve even better value for money. The chief executive has been set the following key targets for the first year of operation:

  1. To sustain an effective education service overseas which is comparable to sound UK practice, the agency will:

  Exceed the United Kingdom Local Education Authority average percentage of pupils gaining GCSE grades A to C in five or more subjects by 2 per cent.

  Achieve A-level pass rates at grades A to C that equal the UK average percentage.

  Achieve an overall percentage pass rate for BTEC diploma of 90 per cent.

  Exceed the UK average percentage pass rate at standard attainment tasks and tests at ages seven, 11 and 14 in English, maths and science by 2 per cent.

  Achieve as a minimum a satisfactory standard in each Ofsted school inspection.

  2. Formulate policy and seek approval for an overseas nursery education scheme by 30 June 1996.

  3. Have three establishments and supporting organisations gaining accreditation in investors in people.

  4. Introduce comprehensive monitoring, reporting and evaluation management procedures by 31 March 1997.

  5. Achieve an overall efficiency improvement of 4 per cent. of which 2.5 per cent. will be achieved through a reduction in unit costs and the remainder through improved academic performance.

  6. Introduce a new estate management system by 31 March 1997.

  7. Implement an educationally sound programme of contact between all schools and their host nations, "partner" schools or local communities by 31 March 1997.

  8. Achieve an index of satisfaction with service children's education within the Army's wives continuous attitude survey above 350.

  9. Achieve the Treasury accounts direction by 31 March 97.

  I have arranged for copies of the agency's framework document to be placed in the Library of the House.
  788

  Mortar Ammunition
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account he has taken of Britain's future ammunition capability in his decision to procure 81mm mortar ammunition. [23259]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: Tenders for the supply of 81mm ammunition are being conducted in accordance with our policy of securing value for money through competition where possible. Tenderers' proposals will be assessed in the light of all relevant factors including consideration of industrial implications. I expect contracts to be in place by the end of April.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the total annual cost of all forms of United Kingdom Government support for the export of armaments and all forms of defence sales. [22683]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]:Within the Ministry of Defence, promotion of defence equipment exports is principally undertaken by the Defence Export Services Organisation, the net running costs of which are around £16 million a year. Other branches and individuals are from time to time involved in specific activities but it is not possible to estimate the cost. In addition, estimated receipts of about £1.5 million in 1995–96 have been forgone for commercial and policy reasons in connection with assistance to foreign Governments in respect of training.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Al Fayed Brothers (Citizenship Application)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will exceptionally give reasons for the refusal of United Kingdom citizenship to the Al Fayed brothers. [20066]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  No.

  Prisoners
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of likely changes in the prison population over the next three years. [22707]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 29 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what estimate has been made of likely changes in the projected prison population of England and Wales over the next three years.

  The latest long term prison population projections will be published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 4/96 'Projections of the Long Term Trends in the Prison Population to 2004' on 2 April. A copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
  789
  The average prison population is expected to be 53,500 in 1997; 54,300 in 1998; and 55,100 in 1999. The long-term prison population projections do not take account of the sentencing proposals to be outlined in the forthcoming White Paper.

  Prison Visitors
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice is given to prison governors about the searching of visitors to prisons. [22664]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 29 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about advice given to prison governors on the searching of visitors to prisons.

  Instructions on the searching of visitors can be found in section 69 of the Prison Service Manual on Security, copies of which are held in the Library of the House.

  Women Prisoners (Domestic Violence)
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission a study into the number and percentage of women prisoners who have been the victims of domestic violence. [22665]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 29 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking if he will commission a study into the number and percentage of women prisoners who have been the victims of domestic violence.

  There are no plans to conduct such a study.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions to date(a) cell lock or (b) other door or gate lock keys have been lost at Doncaster prison since it opened; and if he will make a statement. [23070]

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

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 29 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the loss of cell locks, door locks and gate lock keys at Doncaster prison.

  No keys which permit access to cells or which would open gates have ever been lost. One key, which opened a store-room, was mislaid on 17 January 1996. The lock was changed immediately. Enquiries revealed that a member of staff had inadvertently removed the key from the prison. It was subsequently returned.
  790

  Prisoners (Drug Tests)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have tested positive for using class A drugs as a result of mandatory drug testing over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [23173]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated 29 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners who have tested positive for using class A drugs in the last 12 months.

  Between February 1995 and January 1996 there were 470 random test results positive for opiates, methadone, cocaine and LSD, the class A drugs tested for. Results for February 1996 are not yet available.

  Orders
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many orders under the negative resolution procedure have been brought into effect on the day they have been made since January 1995. [23315]

  Mr. Howard
  None.

  Irish Prisoners
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 404, what conditions were imposed by the discretionary lifer panel on the release of Noel Gibson, Sean Kinsella and Stephen Nordare; when those conditions were removed; what decision has been made in respect of Brendan Dowd; when the Northern Ireland Parole Board is going to consider the case of Paul Norney; and if he will make a statement. [23760]

  Miss Widdecombe
  In addition to the standard conditions imposed on all life licensees, Noel Gibson, Sean Kinsella and Stephen Nordone were required to live initially at addresses in England or Wales in order to comply with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. In response to recommendations from the Probation Service and the Parole Board, these conditions were removed on 18 March, thus allowing the men to leave the country.

  Mr. Dowd's request to be repatriated to the Irish Republic has been granted and he has consented to this. It is now for the Irish Government to confirm their consent by obtaining a warrant for his removal to, and continued detention in, the Republic.

  The timing of the referral to the Northern Ireland life sentence review board of the case of Paul Norney is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Section 95 Publications
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his plans to publish material this year, pursuant to his obligations under section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. [24186]
  791
  Mr. Maclean
  I have today placed in the Library copies of the section 95 publication for 1995.

  This latest publication is based on the work done by the Criminal Justice Consultative Council in following up its 1994 report on race. The report shows considerable progress across a wide range of areas and makes clear the commitment of each agency and Government Department to ensuring that any discrimination in the criminal justice system is eradicated.

  Police Custody Deaths
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths there were in police custody in the Metropolitan police district in each of the last five years; and if he will break down the figures by ethnic origin. [24284]

  Mr. Maclean
  The following is the information required:

  Deaths in police custody: metropolitan police district

  White

  Black

  Asian

  Unclassified

  Total

  19901

  14

  1

  1

  4

  20

  1991–92

  20

  2

  4

  —

  26

  1992–93

  15

  2

  1

  —

  18

  1993–94

  10

  4

  2

  —

  16

  1994–95

  10

  3

  2

  —

  15

  1995–96

  10

  3

  —

  —

  13

  Police Information System and Information Technology
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his proposals for bringing competition to bear on police IS/IT services. [24187]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is the Government's intention that compulsory competitive tendering should be introduced to police white collar support services as part of a rolling programme. Detailed consultation proposals for police information systems/information technology services were issued on 31 March 1995. The Government have now considered the responses received from the police service and other interested bodies.

  The Government have decided that police authorities will be subject to the same CCT regime for IS/IT services as other authorities defined under the Local Government Act 1988, except for a number of specific exemptions. There will also be a reduction in the overall competition requirement. The adjustments take account of the specialist a nature of police work, and focus on the a need to protect operational effectiveness and force security.

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racial incidents were recorded by each police force in England and Wales in 1993–94 and 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [24188]

  Mr. Macelan
  The figures are set out in the table. The increase in reported racial incidents since 1993–94 of 8 per cent. is partly due to improvements in recording practices, and also to the efforts made by police forces to encourage victims and communities to report racial incidents.
  792
  The term racial incident adopted by the Association of Chief Police Officers relates to any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation, or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person.

  Reported racial incidents

  Forces

  April-March 1993–1994

  April-March 1994–1995

  Avon and Somerset

  159

  286

  Bedfordshire

  60

  41

  Cambridgeshire

  100

  75

  Cheshire

  98

  62

  City of London

  1

  6

  Cleveland

  50

  62

  Cumbria

  17

  24

  Derbyshire

  221

  291

  Devon and Cornwall

  14

  44

  Dorset

  25

  37

  Durham

  32

  26

  Dyfed/Powys

  0

  3

  Essex

  133

  127

  Gloucestershire

  28

  37

  Greater Manchester

  658

  637

  Gwent

  21

  22

  Hampshire

  212

  210

  Hertfordshire

  117

  183

  Humberside

  79

  75

  Kent

  160

  173

  Lancashire

  262

  222

  Leicestershire

  315

  366

  Lincolnshire

  4

  2

  Metropolitan Police

  15,124

  5,480

  Merseyside

  155

  131

  Norfolk

  33

  39

  North Wales

  2

  3

  North Yorkshire

  22

  30

  Northamptonshire

  102

  146

  Northumbria

  405

  508

  Nottinghamshire

  264

  259

  South Wales

  400

  517

  South Yorkshire

  106

  156

  Staffordshire

  117

  164

  Suffolk

  73

  73

  Surrey

  79

  39

  Sussex

  214

  247

  Thames Valley

  166

  233

  Warwickshire

  87

  114

  West Mercia

  100

  35

  West Midlands

  487

  375

  West Yorkshire

  244

  254

  Wiltshire

  51

  64

  England and Wales

  Total

  10,997

  11,878

  1Adjusted figure (due to a change in classification criteria) from that given to a question by the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Ms Ruddock) on 24 June 1994, column 330.

  Stops and Searches
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were stopped and searched by the police in 1994–95. [24189]

  Mr. Maclean
  The figures of people stopped and searched in 1994–95 are as follows:
  793

  Searches of persons under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 by ethnic group

  Searches made:

  Police force area

  of white persons

  of ethnic minority persons

  Avon and Somerset

  5,517

  558

  Bedfordshire

  1,562

  431

  Cambridgeshire

  2,463

  178

  Cheshire

  910

  24

  City of London

  2,730

  864

  Cleveland

  5,186

  117

  Cumbria

  7,635

  61

  Derbyshire

  6,690

  247

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,179

  6

  Dorset

  2,485

  35

  Durham

  3,046

  42

  Dyfed Powys

  8,616

  33

  Essex

  4,747

  167

  Gloucestershire

  3,681

  296

  Greater Manchester

  40,753

  3,749

  Gwent

  3,210

  186

  Hampshire

  3,128

  161

  Hertfordshire

  4,262

  450

  Humberside

  2,068

  40

  Kent

  3,391

  139

  Lancashire

  8,686

  577

  Leicestershire

  15,485

  1,972

  Lincolnshire

  2,096

  20

  Merseyside

  13,934

  579

  Metropolitan Police

  189,928

  112,763

  Norfolk

  7,767

  89

  North Wales

  12,619

  40

  North Yorkshire

  2,334

  35

  Northamptonshire

  3,674

  179

  Northumbria

  18,903

  145

  Nottinghamshire

  2,233

  218

  South Wales

  5,081

  277

  South Yorkshire

  7,322

  343

  Staffordshire

  2,132

  139

  Suffolk

  3,195

  65

  Surrey

  13,830

  1,014

  Sussex

  5,601

  191

  Thames Valley

  6,012

  915

  Warwickshire

  4,836

  260

  West Mercia

  8,949

  464

  West Midlands

  5,616

  2,805

  West Yorkshire

  3,708

  609

  Wiltshire

  2,139

  96

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the specific areas where Buckley Hall prison has performed to a higher standard than other male category C training prisons since it opened. [21890]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 29 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about specific areas where Buckley Hall prison has performed to a standard higher than other male category C training prisons since it opened.

  As Buckley Hall prison has not been fully operational very long it is not possible to make too many direct comparisons.
  794
  Buckley Hall is, however, currently above the average on time out of cell, and hours of purposeful activity. They also recorded a lower than average rate of assaults on staff for the first two months of this year.

  The prison is also performing to a high standard in tackling offending behaviour, incentives relating to prisoner behaviour, and pre-release work.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the key performance indicators as stipulated in the contract awarded to Group 4 for the running of Buckley Hall prison; and if he will publish the statistics in respect of which performance indicators have been met since the prison opened. [23338]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 29 March 1996:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about key performance indicators as stipulated in the contract awarded to Group 4 for the running of Buckley Hall prison.

  Under the contract awarded to Group 4 for the management of Buckley Hall prison the contractor's performance is assessed against 120 criteria. I have arranged for a copy of the performance system to be placed in the Library.

  Performance is measured over periods of 12 months, with the first performance year running from 14 December 1994. The Prison Service and Group 4 are currently reviewing performance for this period against the criteria and I will write to the hon. Member when that work has been completed.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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 its response to advice supplied by them. [21859]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: The Government are required to consult the following advisory non-departmental public bodies before legislative proposals:

  Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs;

  Animal Procedures Committee;

  Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council;

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England;

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales;

  Poisons Board.

  In addition, the Governtrient's response to advice supplied by the following bodies must be published:

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England;

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales.

  Lloyd Inquiry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what formal alterations of the terms of reference of the inquiry being held by Lord Lloyd of Berwick and Mr. Justice Kerr have been made since the ending of the IRA ceasefire; what further guidance in holding his inquiry has been given to Lord Lloyd; and if Lord Lloyd approached him for further advice. [22723]
  795
  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 27 March 1996]: Lord Lloyd discussed his terms of reference with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland after the ending of the Provisional IRA ceasefire. It was agreed that the original terms of reference would stand as the Government remain committed to securing a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. The conduct of the independent inquiry remains a matter for Lord Lloyd himself.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to initiate a study into the relations between the Prison Service and the Home Office in accordance with the recommendation of Sir John Learmont; and if he will make a statement. [23140]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson) on 14 March, columns 708–09.

  Fire, Police and Prison Services
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what categories of information are collected centrally in relation to(a) fire services, (b) police forces and (c) the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [23141]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: For police forces and the Prison Service, annex C of "Digest 3: Information on the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales" lists the publications containing statistical information issued by the Research and Statistics Department of the Home Office, by Her Majesty's chief inspectorate of constabulary and Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons. For the fire service, information is published in "Fire Statistics UK 1993" and in "Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales for 1994–95". Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Irish Procession, Liverpool
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the recent troubles in Hope street, Liverpool, during the Irish community's procession on 17 March; [22456]

  (2) how many police personnel were on duty in the Mount Pleasant area of Liverpool on 17 March for the Irish community's procession; and if he will make a statement; [22457]

  (3) if he will list the offences committed during the Irish procession on 17 March; how many arrests were made; and if he will make a statement. [22458]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question by him on 27 March, column 599.

  Fur Imports
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlay the decision not to implement EC regulation 3254/91 in the United Kingdom on 1 January. [22885]
  796
  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  The 1991 leghold traps regulation requires the Commission to determine which countries have met the conditions to import furs into the Community. Since this has not been done, and the necessary implementing measures have not been adopted, there is some doubt as to whether member states would be acting lawfully if they attempted to implement a fur import ban on 1 January 1996. In view of this, and the absence of routine controls on intra-Community trade, the Government reluctantly concluded that it would not be appropriate to implement the ban.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost of answering parliamentary questions in each parliamentary Session since 1989–90. [22900]

  Mr. Hanley
  Neither the FCO (diplomatic wing) nor the Overseas Development Administration calculates the data requested; they could be provided at disproportionate cost only.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the Indian Government to permit observer groups to witness elections in Kashmir. [23345]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have made it plain to the Government of India that we would favour the greatest possible openness in the conduct of the election process in Jammu and Kashmir.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Indian Government regarding elections in the Indian-occupied Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [23332]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Indian Government are aware of our wish to see the development of a genuine political process in Kashmir. The Indian Election Commission has announced that parliamentary elections are to be held in Jammu and Kashmir on 7, 23 and 30 May.

  India
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of India over the arrest and subsequent disappearance of Mr. Jalil Andrabi, chairman of the Kashmir Commission of Justices; and if he will make a statement. [23756]

  Mr. Hanley
  Our high commission in New Delhi has reported that the body of Jalil Andrabi was found in the Jhelum river on 27 March. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear. We have contacted the Indian authorities to register our concern at this shocking incident and to press for a full inquiry.

  Guatemala
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made about human rights abuses in Guatemala. [23194]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We regularly raise our concerns about human rights abuses in Guatemala. I did so most recently at the EU/central America ministerial meeting in Florence on 21 March.

  We have also welcomed the measures taken by the new Guatemalan Government to bring the Guatemala security forces under democratic control.

  India (Hawk Aircraft)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the supply by British Aerospace to India of Hawk 100 aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [23759]

  Mr. Hanky
  There have been no recent representation other than those made by the hon. Gentleman.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the General Affairs Council on 25 March. [24013]

  Mr. David Davis
  The A points listed in document 5975/96, which will be deposited in the Libraries of the House as soon as it is available, were approved. These included a draft mandate for a free trade agreement on South Africa, on which the UK abstained.

  The Council took note of the resolutions in documents 4970/96 (PE-RE 15) and 5126/96 (PE-RE 18). Copies of these documents will be deposited in the Libraries of the House as soon as they are available.

  The Council discussed the follow-up to the Barcelona conference and progress on negotiations and exploratory talks on Euro-Mediterranean agreements. The Council also discussed the MEDA regulation, covering financial assistance to Mediterranean countries; and had a brief discussion of EU-Albania relations, noting the Commission's intention to make a proposal for a new EU-Albania agreement.

  The Council discussed EU-Turkey relations. The Association Council with Turkey was postponed to allow the Council to consider Prime Minister Yilmaz' statement of 24 March. The presidency stressed its determination to reinstate the Association Council shortly, in order to register real progress.
  798
  The Council gave its formal agreement to the convening of an intergovernmental conference. The first meeting will be in Turin on 29 March. The Council also reached agreement in principle on the mechanism for keeping the European Parliament informed about the progress of the intergovernmental conference.

  The Council discussed former Yugoslavia and agreed the appointment of a new EU administrator in Mostar. The Council agreed that compliance by the Bosnian parties with Dayton would be an important condition for the April donors' conference. The Council also adopted a decision on demining in former Yugoslavia.

  The Council discussed the middle east peace process. The presidency gave a brief report on the follow-up to the recent Foreign Ministers' meeting in Palermo and the Sharm el Sheikh summit.

  The Council discussed the World Trade Organisation telecoms negotiations and agreed a statement pointing to EU willingness to improve its offer in Geneva.

  The Council discussed EU-Canada relations, agreeing that the Presidency and Commission should draw up an EU action plan with Canada.

  The Council heard a report from Portugal on the recent all-party talks on East Timor held in Austria under UN auspices.

  A Portuguese proposal for an EU-Africa summit and a Commission communication on conflict prevention in Africa were remitted to officials for further consideration.

  A declaration on the latest developments in Chechnya was agreed.

  In the margins of the Council, the EC/Belarus interim agreement was signed. This provides for interim application of the trade provisions of the EU/Belarus partnership and co-operation agreement.

  Apart from the UK's abstention on the A point on South Africa, noted above, no other votes were taken at this Council.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Angola
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response was made by Her Majesty's Government to the appeal from the Secretary-General of the United Nations for additional resources to assist with the quartering of the Angolan rapid reaction police in support of the peace process in Angola. [23552]

  Mr. Hanley
  Following an appeal by the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, we considered providing tentage to assist with the quartering of the rapid reaction police. However, after clarifying the precise requirements, in common with other major donors, we decided not to proceed with this.